By Cyrus A. Natividad
Some Faculty and Staff members strike a pose during the first virtual conference held on Wednesday, November 4.
This year’s Faculty and Staff Conference was held on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 via Cisco Webex. The online conference started at 8:00 AM with 12 panelists- University President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, VP for Academic Affairs Dr. Irving Domingo L. Rio, VP for Finance and Administration Dr. Florence P. Bogacia, VP for Student Affairs Dr. Esther Rose Romarate, and Human Resource Development Director Mr. Rodel Palomar among others.
Rev. Cris Amorsolo V. Sian UC Senior Pastor led the devotional with a message of thanksgiving. He reminded the faculty and staff to be grateful and count the blessings of the Lord at all times. He cited references from the Bible especially from the book of Jeremiah.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, University President emphasized the need of resources for the University. He recalled the difficulties that the University had suffered and how the administration made sure that the employees are better than those without work. He said, “I hope that this is a wake-up call, and that we can learn from this experience.” He added that, “We do not know how long this pandemic is going to end and what is its impact on our life.” The President assured everyone that CPU will do everything to take care of its employees.
Dr. Rio acknowledged that “This is a very challenging school year, with the gigantic challenge to Philippine Education; a sudden shift from face-to-face to the new normal.” He said that” Adapting to the new normal is a difficult process.” He thanked those who contributed much in the transition and said that “We have safely transitioned to the new learning management system.” Rio cited what the Commission on Higher Education said about Central Philippine University being “one of the first universities who has taken a massive training in three Learning Management Systems (LMS).”
Dr. Bogacia updated the faculty and staff on compensation and benefits, particularly on Insurance. She also enlightened everyone regarding the students’ accident insurance. Bogacia reiterated that “our work and operation in the University are still very much anchored on the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.”
The message of Dr. Esther Rose Romarate, VP for Student Affairs followed. She encouraged the faculty and staff to “preserve the unity which allowed us to continue on with the University operation”, referring to the verse in 1 Corinthians 12: 26, “If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.”
The guest speaker, May Ann I. Soliva-Sta. Lucia, MD, MMIT, is the Unit Head of Health Emergency Management of the Department of Health, Western Visayas Center for Health Development. Sta. Lucia, who is an affiliate of the Johns Hopkins College of Medical Science, talked about Mental Health. Sta. Lucia gave insights and measures on how to maintain a healthy mental health especially in our current situation brought about by the pandemic.
After the lecture, the panelists allowed questions from attendees. The Q&A is mostly related to the present concerns of teachers in the Learning Management System and the need to evaluate it. Dr. Rio reiterated that the university will evaluate the effectiveness of the platforms. The online platforms used in CPU are Schoology for the Elementary and Kindergarten, Genyo for Junior High School, and Canvas for Senior High School and the Tertiary Levels.
The conference wound up at around 11:30 A.M. after Dr. Robles made his closing remarks.
By Edwin C. Laru-an
Fiona Geeweneth B. Guirhem was a 2019 SEAGAMES Finalist in Chess.
Our featured athlete for this week comes from the Chess Tertiary Women’s Team.
Name: Fiona Geeweneth B. Guirhem
Nickname: Fio
Height: 5’1”
Year: 1st Year College- BSMLS
Team: Chess Tertiary Women
Playing Position: Board 1
Coach: Coach Ronel Ballesteros
Hometown: Lemery, Iloilo
Fiona Geeweneth B. Guirhem, a bemedalled athlete in Chess, with Sports Director Edwin C. Laru-an.
Achievements:
• National Age Group Chess Championship Qualifying (2019)
• 30th SEAGAMES Selection Grandfinalist (2019)
• 19th ASEAN Age Group
• Chess Championship(2018)
• Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. Cup Chess Championship
• PRISAA – 2014 – 2019
• Regional PRISAA – 2014 – 2020
• Palarong Pambansa ( Sta. Cruz Laguna, Davao del Norte, Albay Bicol, Vigan Ilocos Sur)
• National PRISAA – ( Iba Zambales, Davao del Norte)
Hobbies: Of course, I love playing chess, and I also love playing with my dogs.
Favorite Player: Eugene Torre
Most Memorable Game: 19th ASEAN Age Group Chess Championship. This is the most memorable game for me because I won the Rapid Category as a champion, bringing with me not only my personal name but also the name of my school and country as well. Winning this event was even more memorable because it was held in my beloved country.
Principle in Life:
Failures should be considered as learnings and not regrets as those failures are the foundation of success, and will always be part of your success.
What can you say as a player of CPU Golden Lions:
I am truly grateful to be a part of the team of the CPU Golden Lions. This team has become my family, as they have helped me in financial matters like school tuition fees or expenses during my games. CPU continues to help me in advancing my skills and talents as an athlete and also my development as a student. It is a pleasure and privilege to be considered as one of the varsity players of CPU because CPU is one of the best universities in the country that makes sure that their athletes have a balanced academic and extracurricular life. Behind the achievements that I’ve reached are the everlasting support of my family, friends, coaches, teammates, classmates, and of course, my school (CPU), who are with me since I started my journey as a chess player.
Why did you choose CPU:
I chose CPU because of the good quality education that this school offers to all its students as well as the support that it gives to all their athletes who participate in various events and competitions. As a Christian University, this school teaches and guides its students to have good manners and right conduct that could help them become a better athlete and a great person.
By Cyrus A. Natividad
Dr. Rosalene J. Madero, Quality Assurance Center Director.
Dr. Ma. Rosalene J. Madero, fondly called Ma’am Rose by everyone on the campus, has dedicated her time to work with the university. Madero finished her Bachelor of Science in Commerce Major in Accounting in 1978, her MBA in 1997, and her Doctor of Education in 2019, all from Central Philippine University.
Since 1978, Madero embraced all the jobs she had in in different capacities. Dr. Madero started as a Budget Officer, and then she became the University Accountant, University Treasurer, Acting HRDO Director, and finally, Quality Assurance Director in 2015 up to the present. All of these jobs helped her to become the person to lead the CPU’s Quality Assurance Center which is responsible for implementing the ISO management system.
Her previous work experiences aided her in dealing with the various departments and colleges with regard to the quality management systems of the university. She said that “it was a conscious effort at improving the management system of the University which gave me the determination to work hard and well, as much as this has to result in a higher standard of operation – which is in accordance with the ISO.” Furthermore, the quality system resulted in an ISO certificate which was one of the factors that CHED granted an autonomous status to the University.
She explained that “specifically, ISO 9001 has mandatory requirements on records and documents (monitoring and measuring equipment calibration records). It requires records and reviews of education, training, skills, experience, and qualification as well as products and services, design and development outputs.” She added that, “the ISO initially does an assessment audit in order for an organization to be ISO-certified. There is a three-year cycle composed of the first surveillance audit, second and third surveillance, and a re-assessment audit for the next cycle.
It was learned from Dr. Madero that for School Year 2019-2020, covering June 1, 2019 to May 31, 2020, the external audit that was done is the first Surveillance Audit for the three-year period from 2019 to 2022. CPU has been re-certified to ISO 9001:2015 (Quality Management System) in May 2019. On July 12, 2019 CPU was ISO 9001: 2015 Certified for its provision of educational and support services. The certificate is valid until July 8, 2022.
For her passionate commitment to CPU, her love of service, and contribution to its future, Ma’am Rose Madero shares her insights on “how to love your work at Central.” She calls these the 4 Ts. “First, Thank God, seek his guidance, and always remember the good job and economic security that He provided. Second, Think about your family as you think about your job. Third, Think about how important is your job to the organization, and the University. Fourth, Think about the good things and personal development you have received from CPU.”
Dr. Madero is married to a former CPU employee Mr. Paquito J. Madero. They have four children, three sons and one daughter who are all graduates of Central Philippine University.
By Cyrus A. Natividad
Pondering upon a CPU TV Project – with (left) CPU Media Relations Officer Cyrus A. Natividad (standing) CMM President Rufino ‘Pinoy Gonzales and (right) CMM Officer Jason Pagunsan.
On Monday afternoon of October 19, 2020, Centralians in Mass Media (CMM) President Rufino “Pinoy” Gonzales and former CPU Communications Director Jason ‘Jing’ Pagunsan were at the CPU Office of Communications to initially propose the possibility to tie up with CPU TV on a program to support the University and the CPU Alumni Association. The Centralians in Mass Media, whose members are active communications practitioners, is one of the functional special chapters of the CPU Alumni Association.
The University, by the approval of the CPU Board of Trustees, recently reinstalled its Cable TV airing on SKY’s Channel 31. It is being managed by the CPU Office of Communications. This development moved Gonzales to propose a program segment on the new CATV channel as well as the CPUTV Facebook page. “This program will promote linkage and provide updates from CPU to Centralians worldwide and back,” he said.
The agreements, facility, and details of the program are still being discussed by the members of the Centralians in Mass Media. This will soon be proposed to University President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles.
By Cyrus A. Natividad
Members of the CPU NORCALAA Chapter during a reunion.
Pastor Edward Pormilos is the newly elected President of the CPU Northern California Alumni Association (CPU NORCALAA), an overseas chapter based in the Bay Area of Northern California, USA. The election of its new set of officers was done through a virtual Zoom meeting on October 24, 2020.
Following is the new set of officers for 2021-2022:
PRESIDENT: EDWARD PORMILOS (BSC ’93)
VICE PRESIDENT: LISEAR CARLO PINEDA (HS 2007)
SECRETARY: JEWEL JOY BORJA CASTILLON (BSC ’86)
ASST. SECRETARY: ROSARIO MEJICA (KINDER ’60, Elem ’66, HS ’70, BSMT ’75)
TREASURER: MARAH RAFOLS TORRES (BSN ’78)
ASST. TREASURER: TITO GERVACIO (BSC ’69)
AUDITOR: ARLITA NITE MANAAY (BSC ’70)
ASST. AUDITOR: LEE PLAGATA (HS ‘76, BSME ’81)
PRO: CLINT ANDREW HO (BSBA 2018), ANANNIAS GASACAO
ADVISERS:
KATHY LEYBLE KRIEWALL (HS ’77)
PAT ONATE DESALES (HS ‘54, AA ’56)
PIO GO (HS ’67, BSME ’73)
PRAYER COORDINATORS:
EMINEH ALON PACANIA (BSN ’78)
SUSAN TAYAPAD XAVIER (BSN ’69)
Pastor Edward Pormilos in red holds the NORCALALA Banner.
Pastor Pormilos who is a Bingawanon and an Ilonggo, is currently the Lead Pastor of JCMI Fremont, a non-denominational church he pioneered during their family transfer to California from North Carolina. He is also an online futures trader, a unique work-at-home setup that gives him flexibility to take care of the ministry, his family, and now the Alumni Chapter.
During his student days in CPU, Pastor Pormilos was Governor of the Province of Commerce, an Alma Mater Awardee, and Most Outstanding Graduate of Batch ’93. He had served CPU from 1999 to 2005 (serving as Executive Director of the Centennial Celebrations in 2005).
He served as Project Coordinator for both the Centennial Village (a milestone Pavia-based housing project for employees) and the Centennial Wall of Remembrance. The Retirement Plan Office was also conceptualized and constructed during his watch. He was a faculty member of the College of Commerce, Retirement Plan Officer, and Assistant to the President on Communications.
“Serving CPU is the golden moment of my professional career,” Pormilos said. He left for good to join his wife in the U.S. – the former Katherine Plaga, a registered nurse, and a fellow Bingawanon Centralian (HS ’89).
The CPU NORCALAA Chapter covers Silicon Valley, the Home of Facebook, Apple, Google, and Tesla Motors among others. It also includes San Francisco City where the iconic Golden Gate Bridge is located. The NORCALAA Chapter is considered one of the biggest and most dynamic overseas chapters. It has a 40-plus contingent during the last Global Reunion held at the CPU Campus. The chapter is also a regular donor to the God’s Grace Program – a support ministry for the needy working students.
The new chapter leadership includes a younger generation; the Vice President Carlo Pineda is another young Centralian, a Valedictorian of High School Class 2007; Clint Ho, PRO is the youngest team member who graduated in BSBA last 2018.
In taking over the leadership of CPU NORCALAA, Pormillos said that “It is a big shoe to fill, but I consider it a call from God, the way he pulled me into the ministry. It is also a part of his grand design of moving my family to California. With his guidance and the cohesive effort of the new team, we can carry on the legacy of a dedicated and Christ-centered leadership left by our former president, Mrs. Kathy Kriewall.”
“CPU NORCALAA will continue to be steadfast in pursuing its mission of taking care of its members as a big family, living out the Central Spirit, supporting our beloved CPU, and ultimately giving God the glory,” Pormilos added.
By Cyrus A. Natividad
Former RAFLU President Ms. Amalia Campos during the Induction of RAFLU Officers.
Amalia Campos, CPU Staff Representative to the Board of Trustees and Former President of the Rank and File Employees Labor Union (RAFLU), participated in the joint FFW/ECOP/DTDA Webinar Talakayan Series entitled, ”Principled, Inclusive and Business –Sustainable CSR and Occupational Safety and Health in Times of Covid-19 Pandemic. The online Talakayan Series was held on September 22 and 25, 2020.
The principle-based social responsibility seminar is a joint project jointly implemented by the Federation of Free Workers (FFW), the Employers’ Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) and the Danish Trade Union Development Agency (DTDA).
The Webinar included topics on How we can Fight COVID-19, Minimum Health Standards to avoid COVID-19, The New Normal, Fighting Covid -19 in the workplace, and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) against Covid -19.