By: Cyrus A. Natividad
College of Engineering Faculty and Staff Incentive and Professorial Chair Awardees.
Central Philippine University College of Engineering held its Faculty and staff Incentive and Professorial Chair Awarding Ceremony and Thanksgiving for Exemplary Board Examination Performance on Monday, January 20, 2020, at the University Church. The purpose of the activity is to honor faculty members and staff who are recipients of the Incentive and Professorial Chair awards.
The College of Engineering gave recognition for the exemplary board performance of CE, ChE, EE, and ME Departments. The College of Engineering Faculty and Staff, Engineering Students and all Engineering Board Passers were present.
The following are the Laboratory Staff who received the Incentive awards of P12,000 each and a Certificate of Recognition:
- Manual S. Calinao, Jr.
- Jude L Palmerola
- Wilfredo G. Pañares
- Ralf S. Trojillo
Recipients of the Faculty Incentive Awards who received P 36,000 each and a Certificate of Recognition:
- Sharon Rose G. Dumam-og Donor: Dr. Alfonso Uy
- Gerardo G. Gepulango Donor: Victory & Lydia Peñacerrada
- Vitini Edhard O Idemne Donor Egr. Ledecia dela Cruz
Recipients of the Professorial Chair Award who received P50,000 each and a Certificate of Recognition:
- Romarie Jhoanna C. Eder Donor. Dr. Frank & Beryl Curry
- Christsam Joy S. Jaspe Donor: Uy Gongco
- Alberto A. Java Donor: Mimie Wilcox
- Jeriel G. Militar Donor: Michel Swedish
- Yeseil S. Sacramento Donor: Dr. Josette M.G. Portigo
A Fellowship and Thanksgiving Dinner followed at the Educational Media Center.
by Edwin C. Laru-an
Deocampo is an outside hitter of the volleyball team.
Name: Bryx Colen D. Deocampo
Nickname: Toto Bryx
Height: 5’9″
Grade/year: Gr. 8
Team: Cpu Junior high volleyball team
Playing Position: Outside hitter
Coach: Jeffrey Alcarde
Hometown: Dumangas, Iloilo
Achievements:
All serving as team captain:
Champion 4th CDSA Congressional meet 2018
Champion Integrated Meet 2018
Champion WVRAA Meet 2019
2nd Runner-Up Palarong Pambansa 2019, Davao City
Hobbies:
Playing volleyball, biking and eating
Favorite Player:
Earvin Ngapeth
Most Memorable Game:
Palarong Pambansa 2019 Davao City
Principle in Life:
To do, and to fight for what is right.
What can you say as a player of CPU Golden Lions:
CPU Golden Lions has given me an opportunity to study for free in one of the prestigious schools in Iloilo, and I will be forever grateful for that. It is an opportunity for me to excel more with the talent that God has given to me. Though my entry is tough in these challenging times, it didn’t prevent the management to trust me. I thank God for it.
Why did you choose CPU:
My mother is a Centralian and what made me decided to choose CPU is the Central Spirit which I can see in my mother. CPU has given me the avenue to grow in my Christian faith, get the best learning that will enable me to EXCEL!
by Cyrus A. Natividad
Leading academic scientists, researchers and scholars in Nursing and allied health sciences attended the said conference.
Central Philippine University, Iloilo Mission Hospital (IMH), Capiz Emmanuel Hospital and Iloilo Mission Hospital Nurses Alumni Association (CCINAA) hosted the 2nd International Conference on Translational Research with the theme “ From Bench to Bedside: Improving Outcomes of Care of Surgical and Transplant Clients thru Translational and Quality Improvement Facilities” on January 22 to 23, 2020, at the Rose Memorial Auditorium.
The two-day conference aimed at gathering leading academic scientists, researchers and scholars in Nursing and allied health sciences to exchange ideas, and share their experiences.
Atty. Alibogha hands certificate to one of the speakers, Dr. Cymorr Kirby Martinez.
Specifically, at the end of the two (2) day academic discourse, the participants were able to present new research findings in peri-operative and transplant nursing, advance translational ideas/insights and quality improvement initiatives and the role of the multi-disciplinary health care team in the care of surgical and transplant patients among others.
University President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, in his published message regarding the International Conference said, “While it is true that our body is not our own, and that our life is but temporary, we are endowed with intelligence to take care of this fleeting gift while we live in accordance with God’s will.”
Dr. Robles expressed gratitude and pride to the College of Nursing for its dedication and commitment to improving hundreds and thousands of lives. CCINAA President Prof. Annalie Gilongos officially declared the opening of the Conference.
Faculty members of the CPU College of Nursing.
Atty. Salex E. Alibogha, Dean, College of Nursing, encouraged nurses “to double their efforts in improving outcomes of care to and transplant clients through translational research and quality improvement initiatives.” He added that “It is my ardent desire through this 2-day conference to build the culture of excellence in our respective institutions as a network and collaborate with each other in sharing our best practices in research and innovation.”
There were 12 Plenary Resource Speakers in the conference from different Nursing Schools and Universities and Medical Centers from the country and abroad.
The Keynote Speakers in the two-day conference were Dr. Lourdes Marie S. Tejero, Director, Technology Transfer and Business Development Office, University of the Philippines Manila; Rossini Gayares-Jovero, Senior Liver Transplant Coordinator; and Dr. Michael Joseph Diño, Director, Research, Development, and Innovation Center, Our Lady of Fatima University.
By Cyrus A. Natividad
Officers of CMM during the CPUAAI Induction of the Board of Trustees; with Former CPUAAI President Engr. Isagani Jalbuena (1st to the left ) and CPU Communications Director Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on (2nd to the left).
Centralians in Mass Media (special alumni chapter of CPU), will take part in distributing food packs to CPU faculty and staff members on September 29, 2021. Details of this event will soon be announced. “The Food Pantry project was an idea of ‘Manang Nitz Gobuyan’, one of the pioneering members of CMM”, according to media man and CMM President Rufino ‘Pinoy’ Gonzales.
The CMM slogan, “A helping hand to fellow Centralians amidst Covid”, goes along with the Central Spirit, to help support the emotional and physical needs, and to inspire the faculty and staff of the University.
The Centralians in Mass Media helps the University in communicating to alumni chapters all over the world and local communities. It has gone a long way in establishing partnerships with the government and other educational institutions. Members of CMM are mostly involved in media and public affairs with local newspapers, radio, TV and social media.
by Cyrus A. Natividad
COMELEC Commissioner Al Parreño and Comelec 6 Regional Director Atty. Dennis Ausan paid a courtesy call to President Teodoro Robles.
The Commission on Elections National Office held its first Simulation of Voting for Persons with Disability outside Metro Manila on January 21, 2020, at Central Philippine University. The simulation was held from 7 AM to 5 PM at the Ground Floor of the Senior High School Building.
COMELEC Commissioner Al A. Parreño was with COMELEC Region 6 Director Denis Ausan, a Centralian, to observe and evaluate the proceedings. Around 180 Persons with Disability were ushered into the rooms where the voting simulations were held. In an interview by CPUTV, Parreño explained the new electoral process, saying, “We need everyone to vote. We consider the percentage of voters who are Persons with Disability (PWD).” He further clarified that there is a prescribed number of months before the Presidential Elections for evaluation and results of the tests.”
A COMELEC staff giving a lecture during the simulation.
The PWDs who came in with their caretakers, crutches and walkers thanked the COMELEC and the organizers for providing the opportunity to vote conveniently. “We are provided with a special set of forms and we expect a separate set of equipment for us,” said one of the PWD voters.
In a related development, Commissioner Parreño conferred with the Board of Trustees Vice Chairman, Atty. Peter Corvera, Convention Philippine Baptist Churches General Secretary Rev. Dr. Jerson Narciso, and CPU Communications Director Rev. Francis Neil Jalandoon later in the afternoon, to discuss the heritage of the Baptist faith about the 120th Anniversary of the Baptist faith in the Philippines. He wrote about the 120th year of the Philippine Baptists in the Philippine Star, a national daily on Sunday, January 19, 2020.
One of the PWD’s being coached by the trainors of the simulation.
Commissioner Parreño will also be the Guest Speaker of Central Philippine University Commencement Exercises for the 2nd Semester 2019-2020.
By Cyrus A. Natividad
Gayle De los Santos is the recipient of Weinstein Munsayac Scholarship.
“She is a sensitive, quiet lady who will one day be a great nurse.” That’s how Mrs. Lynda Munsayac, a Filipina Philanthropist, described Gayle De los Santos, whom she started sponsoring with a CPU B.S. in Nursing scholarship this semester. She added that “Gayle is a bud that needs aid to bloom and grow someday.”
“Thanks to the Online Learning System of CPU. Gayle can study in the College of Nursing virtual classroom while she is near to me. I really want to do this for Gayle”, she said. Munsayac who is blessed with only one child and a ‘spectacular grandson’ said that, “I have plenty of love and some extra prosperity for me to spread some sunshine outside my small family. I hope this will all help Gayle.”
She explained that “Because I have always been very blessed, I try to give myself in love and in quiet service in a spirit of generosity within my means – anyone who might come my way. Gayle came after I prayed for someone I could help and I always follow my gut feelings. I truly believe that one can prove the world by doing good one step at a time, big or small. Spreading sunshine with good intention to less fortunate people keeps the flow of good fortunes in me and my loved ones.”
Lynda and her departed husband always did an educational tithe to unknown people, church ministers and schools.” “As one ends, we began a new one; this year I felt I wanted to do this and continue with the Munsayac Weinstein Scholarship project.”
Lynda Munsayac has a residence and several businesses in Baguio City. She studied at Maryknoll College. She has a daughter who is a Professor in Temple University in Pennsylvania. She used to travel at least once or twice a year to the Philippines and back, before Covid-19. She retired from their family business which was engaged in handicraft, movie theatre management, and real estate after her husband passed away in a car accident. Dr. Manny Palada, a member of the CPU Board of Trustees, who recommended the student, and also a neighbor of Mrs. Munsayac in Florida, USA, observed that “Lynda is a very generous and helpful person. She now lives a quiet, simple life of doing what she wants – helping people for good.”
With the Munsayac Weinstein Scholarship, Janielle Gayle Gallinero De los Santos is very thankful to have enrolled in CPU this semester. “I learned about the quality education that Central Philippine University offers for the Bachelor in Nursing; I am so grateful for Mrs. Munsayac for helping me go to College in CPU”, she said. Gayle is also living in a village near Mrs. Munsayac’s in Gainesville, Florida.
De los Santos was born on March 14, 2002 in Mandurriao, Iloilo City to Mr. and Mrs. Jan Gabriel de los Santos and Mary Gina Gallinero de los Santos.
By Rusieljs G. Lunasco
Dan Gerona, a 1978 graduate of the BS Agriculture program, will attempt to swim across the Iloilo-Guimaras Strait on February 5, 2020 for the benefit of the Work Students of CPU. The distance from Fort San Pedro to Jordan, Guimaras is about 3.6 kilometers.
“This is the first year that we are doing this and we hope to do it annually,” Gerona said. “We have talked to government officials in Iloilo and Guimaras and they have been very supportive of this endeavor,” he added.
from left to right: Mr. Dan Gerona, Acting Registrar Ms. Charissa June Deocampo, Facilities Maintenance and Services Supervisor Engr. Rhett Allan Baldonado, Doctor of Management Student Mr. Xu Bin and Office of Communications Director Rev. Francis Neil Jalandoo-on.
Proceeds of the “Swim for a Cause” will be given to the God’s Grace Program of the University Church which will help give free meals and housing to struggling work students.
“I was a working student myself, so I know the hardships that they are going through,” said Gerona in an interview with Office of Communications Director Rev. Francis Neil Jalando-on. “Aside from raising funds for the work students, I also want to promote swimming as a life skill,” he added. Gerona is also an inventor of a Floater Paddle which is being used by swimming schools across the USA. You can visit https://floaterpaddle.com/ for more information.
Gerona (fifth from left) with other participants for the upcoming Centralian Swim for Life during their practice.
“Swim for a Cause” is spearheaded by Gerona and the CPU College of Agriculture Alumni Association and will be the first event of the Grand Alumni Homecoming on February 5, 7 am at the Fort San Pedro. As of now, those who confirmed to join him are a gym instructor, a scuba diver, a retired seaman, a swim coach, a teacher in a maritime school, and a doctoral student of CPU.
The event is open to the public and Gerona is encouraging those who are physically able and trained to join him.
For more information kindly contact the CPU College of Agriculture Alumni Association, Mr. Dan Gerona (09219990383) and Mr. Reynaldo Dusaran (09195938897)
By Cyrus A. Natividad
CPUAAGTA President Norma Van Dusen (right) with friends and Centralians during the CPU Grand Reunion in 2020.
The last couple of years have been incredibly challenging for the President of CPU Alumni Association of Greater Toronto Area (CPUAAGTA), Norma Van Dusen with her officers, Board of Directors, and Advisers. She said, “A lot of us have firsthand experiences on the impact of the pandemic, not only physically but emotionally and financially. We still do not know the long-term effect of the situation, but we know we are experiencing the effects of it.”
“Because of the long periods of ‘lockdowns’ in Canada, our plans for the Global reunion could not be implemented based on the original schedule”, Van Dusen explained. According to her, “Ontario is gradually opening up with the rest of Canada, and we have done virtual meetings; started initial preparation for the new schedule of events.”
Based on their previous experience in planning, fundraising and implementing a Global Reunion, it took them three years to successfully implement the event. Van Dusen said, “We are now more than halfway of 2021 and what we need to do is restart the planning in 2022; 2023 will be promotion and 2024 or 2025 will be the event.” Van Dusen added that, “We may not base our strategic planning from the original schedule. CPU Alumni Chapters all over the world look forward to the Global Reunion.”
On her second term as CPUAAGTA Chapter President, Van Dusen believes that nothing beats a strong commitment and determination – to realize anything for the CPU Alumni. Our faith in God and the Central Spirit have given us the strength to continue with what we have dreamed and what we have started for the global event for CPUAAI and Central Philippine University.
Van Dusen is currently a Mortgage Specialist at Home Equity Bank where her goal is to assist Canadian homeowners, 55 years of age and older to live more comfortable lives in the homes they love. By providing them the right financial options, Van Dusen can help clients have a meaningful life.
Van Dusen has 20 years of experience in the Medical Device Industry as a Territory Sales Representative, prior to her being a mortgage specialist. She became a Wound Care Specialist after taking up a Wound Care Course at the University of Toronto. She provided health education on the theory of wound healing – to registered nurses and allied health teams.
As territory Sales Representative, Van Dusen has always excelled as one of the top sales professionals in the industry. She won several awards during her tenure.
Van Dusen received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Central Philippine University in 1971. She migrated to Canada in 1973 and started her nursing career working at the Critical Care Areas. She proceeded to work in nursing management as a Nursing Unit Manager – at the Intensive Care, Neurosurgery, and Neurology units among others. She has co-authored several published articles which were presented in the National Conference of Neurosurgery.
Norma Van Dusen lives in Cambridge, Canada with her husband Gary with two sons and 3 granddaughters.
By Rusieljs G. Lunasco
Presidents of CPU Alumni Association Chapters met on January 21, 2020 at the Alumni Affairs Office. Matters such as upcoming events for the Grand Alumni Homecoming celebrations were discussed. More than 20 Chapter Presidents attended the said meeting.
With the theme “Central Spirit Leads Us Back Home,” this year’s Grand Alumni homecoming will be the first to be held in the main campus since the CPU Centennial celebrations in 2005. For the past years, the Global Reunion was held in various cities all over the world.
The Schedule of Activities and Registration procedures can be found in https://cpu.edu.ph/grand-homecoming-2020-central-spirit-leads-us-back-home/
You can still register by visiting the Alumni Affairs Office. There will also be on-site registration on February 5, 2020, at the Rose Memorial Auditorium.
by Nestle G. Taala
The orientation of the new faculty and staff was conducted virtually last September 15, 2021.
Central Philippine University Human Resource Development Office conducted a virtual orientation program for new members of CPU Faculty and Staff on September 15, 2021, via Zoom, wherein a total of 42 new personnel—twenty-four (24) for faculty and eighteen (18) for staff—participated.
Rev. Cris Amorsolo V. Sian, Senior Pastor of the University Church, led the devotional to start the program. He talked about the value of work and he encouraged them to do these tasks for the Lord. On the other hand, CPU President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles graced the program by delivering his warm welcome message to the attendees. This, then, was followed by the discussion of CPU’s Mission and Vision statement, Core Values, and the CPU Culture by the CPU Office of Communications Director Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on. He highlighted the importance of knowing these things so that members of the faculty and staff may efficiently and effectively deliver quality Christian Education for Life to the students.
Meanwhile, Dr. Anna May A. Yap-Zerrudo, Acting Director of the Quality Assurance Center, introduced CPU’s Quality Policy and Quality Objectives that is, “To fulfill the mission and realize the vision of Central Philippine University, we commit to consistently provide superior services by integrating Christian values, academic excellence, highest level of professionalism, and quality consideration in every aspect of our operations. We maintain a quality management system that complies with international standards. We continually improve to achieve global excellence that satisfies the expectations of the university community, partner institutions, and the general public.”
The Employment Benefits and Retirement Services were discussed by Prof. Rodel C. Palomar, CPU HRD Officer; and Prof. Jet R. Nillos, Retirement Plan Officer, respectively. To finally end the said program, Pastor Alfred C. Morales, Student Recruitment Officer, led the closing prayer.
CPU continues its operation despite the challenges brought by the pandemic and enthusiastically embraces the new normal as the new school year unfolds.
By Dan Dorillo HS ’66, BSA ‘70
A drone shot of the CPU Campus.
Throwback…
The staff of the Treasury Department of one big national store chain took notice of a very significant upward change in their foreign exchange transactions a few days before the start of the CPU Centennial Celebrations. When the celebrations actually started, after most of the balikbayan-alumni have already arrived, they had to limit each forex transaction to only $300 per person because their vault was being emptied before closing time. Their sales manager would always be in high spirits the whole centennial week and, at mid-afternoons, would announce in jest, “Let’s close for the day and all go home – quota na tayo!” It turned out that their sales volume for that particular week was equivalent to a week of their Christmas Sale! And to think that August is, business-wise, traditionally the leanest month of the year in Iloilo.
Taxi drivers had a field day throughout the whole centennial week – thanks to some generous Centralians. One Hotel del Rio guest, on his way to CPU, asked his driver how much was the daily rental for his taxi unit – and promptly handed him the amount, some P1,000, or 1,200. Another guest even paid $100 for a one way-trip and only asked for a P50 change! “Keep the change” became sweet music to each lucky driver’s ears, instantly becoming the hit of the week. May the tribes of these kind-hearted alumni increase!
If you ask any of them, probably most of the alumni who came did not really mind the rains at all because, anyway, at the sign of a slight drizzle, most would hie away to the malls and their favorite eating places– especially the batcohyans. Remember that most of these establishments did not yet exist during their time in CPU. There spontaneous mini-reunions that went on simultaneously at Max’s, Tatoy’s, Ted’s Batchoy, Jollibee, Breakthrough, Nes & Tat’s and all the food outlets in the malls. A Nursing group even went as far as Mambucal in Negros Island. The CPU High School Class of 1966, on the other hand, had their two day pre-centennial ”Christmas in July” affair at the Katamnan Resort in Dumangas complete with a Santa Claus, twinkling lights, Christmas trees and exchanging of gifts. The 66ers just went nuts prancing about with antlers on their heads singing Christmas carols…in July!
All the hotels in the city were booked solid for more than a week and played host to daily alumni gatherings. In two separate occasions, Amigo Terraces Hotel and Hotel del Rio really packed them in like sardines that one could hardly move about. One could imagine how these establishments made the whole week.
Also during the same week, a car dealer was reported to have sold more than 40 brand new cars! Coincidence? Maybe, but the manager is probably praying for more coincidences!
The good mayor of Iloilo City, though was more direct. In his speech before the alumni he said, “I wish that you will celebrate your centennial every year so that you will again spend your dollars in the city.” (A reliable source estimated that about $2 Million was pumped into the local economy during the duration of the centennial). Not to be outdone, the honorable Governor of Iloilo Province made his own impassioned plea; “Please don’t spend all of your dollars in Iloilo City – spend some of it in the province as well!” So, there.
After all that has been said and done, and after days of raining cats & dogs, of hoarse voices and sore throats, viral attacks, tired limbs, and sleepless nights, we can pause and reflect on the central message of the celebrations delivered by the Centralian of the Century, Dr. Alfonso Uy. In his speech during the culminating affair, he said, “I did not regret studying at CPU because it is here where I met Christ.” That, I believe was the essence of the whole; all others mattered little. To God be the Glory!
And so, in a puff, the CPU Centennial came and quietly went… like a haze of a dream waiting (and wanting) to be re-lived all over again.
See you next Centennial– same time same place!
This article was published during the July- September 2005 issue of the Centralian Link.
By Ana Mae Bantad-Cantel
Last September 8-9, 2021, the Librarians Licensure Examination was administered in Iloilo City and other testing centers in the country. Despite the many circumstances that tried to hinder the carrying out of this test, 113 out of 237 successfully passed the exams.
The following are our new Centralian Librarians:
Rayzell P. Cortes
Jessa C. Castellanes
Herbie A. Garganera
Rona Mae S. Soriano
The passing percentage of first-time takers of the university is 60% or 3 out of 5 takers. Meanwhile, the overall performance of CPU is 50% or 4 passers out of 8 takers. The national passing percentage is 47.7%.
The practice of librarianship in the Philippines is regulated by the Professional Regulation Commission as mandated by law in Republic Act 9246, or The Philippine Librarianship Act of 2003.
Congratulations and we are proud of you! To God be the glory!