If sweet taste is the only reason why you love sugar, it must be the sweetness of whisper, “sweet nothingness” and endearment from somebody that makes it the reason why you can call that human being — Sugar, Sweetie, Honey or Candy. “How sweet it is to be loved by you…”
How many sweet items do you remember to buy on Valentine’s Day (Chocolates, cakes, pie, red wine, apples and grapes — for your own Sweet Sugar Honeypie?) They’re just about foods where sugar plays the role of giving them a great taste! But other symbolic things just add up to make Valentine sugary — for someone worthy of the sweetness of love. After all, Valentines for us is not about a saint to be emulated, or a trend or lifestyle that comes around once a year to spoil society or destroy a religion or community.
Valentine is a Western symbolism that has been there, and will always be there with every person who believes that love is immortal.
Valentines is just another day to remind us that despite all the bitterness we have — it is still a beautiful world where the love of God abound — and love will always be sweeter than sugar.
Central Philippine University´s annual Students Organization Evaluation last February 9-10, 2017 with the theme, “CPU Student Organizations: Living the Central Spirit Beyond Borders” at the Alumni Promenade Concert Park and Halfmoon area brought fun and exciting booth displays and gimmicks as well as tension to those who take the evaluation seriously.
Booth exhibits during the Annual Student Organizations Evaluation and Exhibit
With the total number of 74 organizations that set up their booths last Thursday and Friday, the Accounting Technology Society (ACTS) was declared the Most Outstanding Organization and received the prize of P10,000.00.
The following are the Outstanding Organizations in the following categories: Academic Category – Accounting Technology Society (ACTS) Special Category – Clerical Student Assistants (CSA) Cultural Category – CPU Teatro, Sining, Atbp. Religious Category – Chi Alpha Campus Fellowship Municipal Category – JJC Anahaw Sports Category – Central Philippine University Mountaineering Society
The Best Booth Exhibits winners are: Academic Category – Institute of Electronics Engineers of the Philippines Special Category – Library Student Assistants (LSA) Cultural Category – CPU Teatro, Sining, Atbp. Religious Category – CPU Gospel Team Municipal Category – Leon Centralians Sports Category – Central Philippine University Mountaineering Society Fraternity Category – Beta Sigma Fraternity
The Outstanding Advisers are: Academic Category – Engr. Mary Earl Daryl Grio of the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers Special Category – Prof. Rodel Palomar of the Work Student Organization (WSO) Sports Category – Prof. Donie S. Jardeliza of the CPU Mountaineering Society Municipal Category – Mrs. Emcy J. Sanchez
Most Outstanding Adviser: Mrs. R. Cheyenne C. Aberia of the CPU Teatro, Sining, Atbp.
Setting aside ranks, Centralians enjoyed and were overwhelmed because of the exhibit. Booths were filled and inspired by each and everyone´s own concept for this year´s evaluation and various tactics that caught up other people´s attention.
“It was my first time witnessing such event so I explored and enjoyed a lot,” said Maria JC Emmanuelle Momblan, a Senior High School student of CPU. From academics to special organizations, it never failed to satiate the eyes, minds, hearts and souls of every Centralian who passed by.
Indeed the organizations at CPU are not only made for its members but also for its fellow Centralians that do not belong to a certain organization, or even those beyond borders. It has made the Central Spirit “visible” once in a while.
Every organization might have different styles, objectives and activities; but all have one goal, and that is to live the Central Spirit today and for the days to come.
Good food and good company – alumni and friends celebrate Luz, Nestor and Direk Larry´s Birthday.
There are more than one hundred fifty CPU Alumni Associations all over the world: Strong, Supportive, Sympathetic (SSS), and I´d say symbiotic. And if you’re finding the reason why it’s priceless to become a member of one of them, you have to find out how a senior organization get together, celebrate and feed each other (literally).
Wednesday is the scheduled regular weekly meeting and fellowship of the alumni of the CPU College of Agriculture Alumni Association of CPU at the Agri Fellowship House. The other day, we are invited again to lunch with them in their ‘hideout.’ The affair was no secret anyway because of the tarpaulin announcing a triple birthday celebration for CPU Alumni Larry P. Nacionales, former DA Region 6 Director and President of the CPU Agriculture Alumni Association, Nestor Verdeflor and Luz Cordero.
The convergent place is a mini-farm near the entrance of the CPU Centennial Village in Aganan, Pavia, Iloilo. A modest hut in the center serves as pavilion and meeting place of this admirable alumni association. All around are green and leafy vegetable patches; organic papaya, ampalaya, malunggay, and fruits — grown to be harvested and shared by everyone in the association. Guests cannot leave without bringing home some fruits and vegetables on their way out.
An organic luncheon was served after a short devotional (food for the soul) was shared by Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on, CPU Communications Acting Director. There was an abundance of native dishes served with organic black rice, grilled pantat, dila sang baka, ampalaya salad; luscious mango, banana and pineapple; milky bibinka, lumpia and other native delicacies – cooked right there in the farm. Certainly, a real first ‘farm-to-table’ experience.
I say they are Strong – there were around 30 of members who responsibly attended the meeting – cum birthday party. How can they be not strong at their 60´s with everything organic in their food list? That’s a real organic feast experience that we got there. They are Supportive – they do the extra mile for each other; everyone seemed to be lifted up by everybody whenever there is a problem. “One for all, all for one” is a theme that they adhere to. They are Sympathetic too. They help people in the field of agriculture; extending knowledge and technology to farmers.
We are looking forward to the bigger convergence in Bacolod City, when the Negros Chapter of the CPU Agriculture Alumni Association hosts the Grand Agriculture Alumni Homecoming at the Pavillon Hotel on October 20 to 21, 2017. See you there!
Dr. Rex Divinagracia Drilon was born in Dumangas, Iloilo on April 21, 1905. On the same year, Jaro Industrial School — the forerunner of Central Philippine College (CPC) — later to become Central Philippine University, was opened in Jaro, Iloilo. The school which was under an American administration will be led later by its first Filipino President Dr. Rex D. Drilon.
Dr. Rex D. Drilon flashes his trademark smile as he is being welcomed back from a foreign trip.
Drilon spent his childhood and primary education in Dumangas, his hometown. He finished his secondary education in 1925 and his Associate in Arts (known then as pre-law) in 1927, respectively with honors from Central Philippine College.
He obtained his Bachelor in English (through a scholarship) at Linfield College, McMinnville, Oregon in 1931 and his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Master of Arts in Editorial Writing from the University of Missouri in 1937.
Dr. Rex D. Drilon, CPU´s first Filipino President with Philippine President Ferdinand E. Marcos.
He taught in High School and College English classes in the country and abroad—particularly at Central Philippine College from 1938-1939 upon his return to the Philippines. He also served as Assistant Professor of Political Science and Acting Secretary to the President of the University of the Philippines.
He served during the war as an officer of the Panay Guerilla Movement. He resumed his academic work as a faculty in 1945, and also served as Dean, Head, Officer and Director of several units of CPC. CPC formally changed its status into a University on April 1, 1953.
On May 10, 1966 in the historic meeting of the CPU Board of Trustees, the university’s first Filipino president, Dr. Rex D. Drilon, was elected. Dr. Drilon subsequently started his tenure as president on June 1, 1966. His appointment marked the Filipinization of the CPU administration.
His installation into office on April 21, 1967 was administered by his Excellency, President Ferdinand Edralin Marcos. A fifty-voiced choir sang “This Nation Will Be Great Again” with lyrics written by Rex Drilon himself and music composed by Frederick E. Bieler who also conducted the Festival Chorus.
During his presidency, a momentous event happened. On Christmas day, December 25, 1969, the entire university property – land, buildings and equipment – was turned over by the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society to the Filipino Corporation of Central Philippine University. “This was the largest real estate transfer in the history of ABFMS…The deed of donation earned for itself the distinction of being an event without parallel in the history of religious foreign missions. The ABMFS is the first such religious foreign mission to award Filipino title to its properties in the Philippines.”
“A GREAT CENTRAL” was the vision of Rex D. Drilon, his all-consuming passion. When he became President in 1966, it was a turn of a new era characterized by political and social unrest throughout the land. Above all the tumult he nourished his vision and held it high as light in the darkness urging the Board of Trustees, faculty, students, alumni, and friends with the imperative: “We shall move this school as it has never been moved before. Central will be great.” Rex Drilon brought to the Presidency an unparalleled combined acumen of an educator, administrator, and humanitarian.
He was a topflight journalist and political scientist with very strong libertarian and nationalist fervor. He accepted the prestigious yet difficult position prepared with a wealth of administrative experience gained from the places of responsibility he occupied in Central Philippines College and in the University of the Philippines.
President Drilon took his task keenly aware of the role his administration had to play: that of a bridge between the years of American leadership and support, since the founding of the school in 1905, and the unknown future. He very well knew that the success or failure of the University would be his responsibility and that of his Filipino colleagues. In his inaugural address, he appealed for support. In conclusion he said:
“If your Filipino president fails, then the Filipino name is marked forever. But if your Filipino president succeeds with your help, with your loyalty, then the Filipino name shall be honored — You honor yourselves.”
A staunch advocate of academic freedom, he organized the University Forum where students and faculty could experience what he termed “a free market of ideas.” He allowed students to speak their minds with “no holds barred+ and encouraged the students to write and express themselves in the Central Echo on university policies and student problems, as well as on problems of the local and national governments. He was a humanitarian of the highest water, a champion of the less privileged and the underdog but a thorn in the flesh of the arrogant and the sanctimonious and those who would betray the “Central Spirit.”
Dr. Rex D. Drilon died a sudden death on that sad morning of February 21, 1971. Loved and mourned by thousands, he was brought to his final resting place at the Evangelical Garden by a procession of thousands of students, faculty and staff, friends, and admirers, seen as one of the longest ever witnessed by Jaro.
As a final tribute to its first Filipino president, the University bestowed upon Dr. Rex Drilon the Distinguished Service Award, which was presented to Mrs. Independencia Q. Drilon during the 1971 Commencement Exercises. On March 22, 2002, CPU also bestowed a Posthumous Service Award for his faithful and dedicated service.
Rex D. Drilon is remembered in the history of Central Philippine University as the fulfillment of the dream of his predecessors — the Filipinization of administrative leadership. He is cherished in the hearts of thousands he touched with his compassionate life. Indeed, as Nelson and Herradura wrote in Scientia et Fides, The Story of Central Philippine University, Rex D. Drilon is worthy to be called as the “Epitome of the Central Spirit.”
(Compiled by Cyrus A. Natividad and F. Neil G. Jalando-on from the writings of Nelson and Herradura, Scientia et Fides The Story of Central Philippine University, 1981 and Lucy de la Fuente, Central Echo and Link articles)
Representatives from a French NGO called Geres were at the 4th edition of ‘Stove-Plus Workshop’ held at the Knowledge for Development Center, CPU from February 20-24. Guests from India, France and Cambodia also attended the workshop.
The objective of the workshop was to present an economic development with alternative technology to initiate fuel saving and entrepreneurship, particularly for low income communities. Climate change and environmental issues were also discussed.
Local and Foreign Entrepreneurs work on a proposed project at the Stove Plus Workshop
A number of indigenous and innovative stoves were presented. First, the clay model cook stoves which reminded us of our clay projects in the elementary, then the more innovative models with their prescribed fuels – charcoal, wood and blended material briquettes.
One of those stove technologies was designed by a former CPU Agricultural Engineering faculty, entrepreneur, and owner of Approtech Enterprises, Engr. Alexis Daniel Belonio. The popular stove which he currently manufactures by batch is called the Belonio Rice Hull Gasifier Stoves (RHGS).
One of the durable cookstoves on display at the workshop
The workshop also included input sessions and group presentations. Actual technical presentation was done at the CPU Agricultural Engineering Department. Engr. Aries Roda D. Romallosa, Department Coordinator, College of Agriculture, Research and Environmental Science (CARES), led the boiling water demonstration and shared ideas in biomass production and briquettes production as well.
A couple of years after my student days in CPU, I found myself conforming to the lifestyle of a metropolis. I survived the training period with an industry that later allowed me to go to many places, meet many people and circumstances in Metro Manila. My daily grind as a salesman then consisted of waking up at Four A.M., one hour of walking, running or going to the gym. I prefer walking, while our residence was just near the highway.
The highway that I travelled most during my stint is the Epifaño de los Santos Avenue (a.k.a. EDSA) which has become a by-word for democracy. Later on, when we had the first People Power revolution in EDSA in 1986, everyone has to walk from home or places of work around Metro Manila. I still cherish the experience of being there and taking part in the making of history. The EDSA People Power (popularly known worldwide as a bloodless revolution) was a result of the long overdue struggle for freedom of the Filipino people; a bubble that burst after more than a decade of suppressed freedom of expression, of rights and privileges in society.
The death of Ninoy Aquino started the campaign for civil disobedience and sustained anti-government demonstration. Then the youth had a lingering question in their minds: What will happen to us – to our future if this government is not changed? Generally people had fears ever since the State of Martial Law was declared. But the youth of that time pursued the answers to the question that they posed themselves. This resulted to the toppling down of the Marcos dictatorship.
We look back to the EDSA People Power of 1986 so that we are reminded that government emanates from the people; and democracy is reliant upon the will of the people.
I revisited EDSA a few years ago during its anniversary celebration. More of the same were recalled, spoken, and committed. I was drifting on the memory of the people power revolution when familiar faces showed up. Centralians! They’re the cream of the crop of the old CPU Republic among those who dreamed and worked for social change. Long before the EDSA Revolution, we have a student group that meet on certain days- to discuss some ‘edible’ issues about our country and the government.
Contrary to what some people in the campus during that time thought about our group, and what we’ve been talking about; those were glorious moments when we sought wisdom from the Word of God to guide our confused minds on the political development unfolding in our country at that time.
I had coffee with my long lost friends along EDSA. We didn’t talk much or recall the events that led to the bloodless revolution, but of the Central that we love; the Central that trained us to be patient, resilient and forgiving. We may have had reservations, but certainly we believe that God is guiding us all along. We pray for our nation, we pray for the Filipino people. May God bless us all.
It will be graduation soon. Without talking a lot about it, we believe that we have children who will attain success, or something, by their own endeavors; some degree of achievement that will make us proud.
We keep track of their activities in school, get excited with their grades, but more important is the tracking of their development or improvement along the way. We need to be updated with their requirements or concerns with their teachers or their subjects. Even more significantly is to know what they need – mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
Is it enough that we buy them books, gadgets, stationeries, or just give them money to buy at their own leisure? We become excited or restless for our children about their interest and eagerness in procuring their requirements (for success); sometimes we become exhilarated with the way they present their proposals; or the way they prescribe things to buy and how it works! (fortunately, most of us are working in the age of computers and riding on in what we call the information super highway).
It doesn’t matter if, sometimes we are supplanted by the more techy things or novel ideas coming from the mouths of our tech-savvy kids. And the more you are overwhelmed, the more you become excited; appreciating them for trying their best and getting there – where you had never been before.
“We’re in another generation” is true – this is how the new generation responds when their parents try to compare their lifestyles (with their acts together) from the old generation.
If anything, I am most happy with children who reciprocate us with good attitudes. It’s not money or things, but it is when they allow us to be with them – guiding them, advising them; suggesting or approving anything they buy or prescribe. It’s our time together in the bookstore or the mall that pays back for our struggles along the way for their success.
Otherwise, there’s no use looking back and counting our efforts and support for them. We can count it in our heads, but at the same time we can continue on paving the way for them. We should not stop influencing them to go to the right direction – proud and prepared for the challenges that will come along their way. Congratulations to the parents whose labors have paid off. God bless./ By Cyrus A. Natividad
The day greeted me with an early faux pas after I sat in the front seat of the Uber taxi and was mistaken for a party animal who was suffering from a severe hangover by the driver. To validate his presumptions, I offered to pay him in cash after giving him a lecture on the pathophysiology of neonatal prematurity the entire trip to cover up for my embarrassment for being disoriented and exhausted from yesterday’s shift, thus the haggard-look. I was saving lives, you know. Thank God he was honest to remind me of automatic electronic banking and gave me well wishes for my trip “don’t get ripped off in Paris.” The truth is, nothing beats the excitement of catching up with a childhood friend after several years of just ogling each other’s lives on Facebook. Better yet, our several ill-attempts to meet in our dear hometown in the City of Love, brought us to an unexpected rendezvous in the City of Light for Paris Fashion Week instead. After two hours and a half of drifting in a mini-coma in Europe’s bullet train, the torrential rain of Paris welcomed me in an unforgiving fashion. I braved the cobblestones of Rue Moliere, drenched, with Google Map leading me to the hotel where my friend and I were booked. After hovering from one street to another, I finally got to the hotel, left my luggage and went straight to the venue which was thankfully a few blocks away from where we stayed.
Centralian smiles – Ruth Marcille Tinsay Gico and Audrey Dusaran-Albason at the Oxford Fashion Studio.
It was filled with people, of course, clad in all-black or something between the MTV Music Awards and the Grammys. “I’m here for Audrey Rose Dusaran-Albason, a designer. I’m her assistant,” were the words that came from my mouth when I was asked by the tall mademoiselle who was at the door. I was handed with an ID card and was ushered to the backstage where models ran around in their undergarments and fancy clothes, assistants painstakingly did their steam iron tasks and designers neurotically freaked out. Audrey Rose or “Smol,” as she was fondly called by her friends was somewhere along Rue de Rivoli panic buying for shoes in lieu of the ones she bought from SM City that didn’t fit her casted models. Although the eldest, “Smol” (small), is the most petite among the three daughters of Dr. Rey Dusaran (CARES) and Professor Adelfa Dusaran (College of Nursing), both actively working as faculty members of Central Philippine University. Originally from Dumangas, Iloilo, Smol grew up in the City of Iloilo and was a loyalty awardee of Central Philippine University, the place where we shared our fondest moments from grade school to graduate school.
Audrey and Ruth poses with a model wearing Audrey´s design.
“Nini!” as we endearingly call each other, echoed through the white walls of the hallway when we finally met after she was stuck in traffic for more than an hour. Still the unpretentious, humble friend and classmate that I knew despite her notable growing reputation in the fashion realm, we situated ourselves on the carpeted floor and got straight to business. Both armed with needles, we sutured the tulle and faux pearl designs on the new shoes like the full-fledged nurses that we were. Having completed Bachelor of Science in Nursing on 2006, we both enrolled in graduate school and finished our Master of Arts in Nursing on 2010. She worked at West Visayas State University Medical Center for a few years after that but her passion for fashion was just too strong for her to ignore. She took up short courses at TESDA and eventually got formally enrolled at the Fashion Institute of the Philippines. The opportunity opened doors for her to work as an intern for the world-renowned Francis Libiran and paved the way for her own clients as she continued to rub elbows with the dignitaries.
“Why gugma, Nini?” I curiously asked about her collection after running my fingers through the laces and tulles of her dresses. “Because I think the Visayan region is underrepresented in a way. Culturally, Tagalog and Luzon are more recognizable. I think the other Philippine languages are just as beautiful and just as expressive so I chose to highlight that in my collection title”, she answers. Gugma, in the designer’s native language of Hiligaynon, translates to “love”. Her collection is inspired by the natural landscape of the Visayan islands – its beaches, rivers, lakes and waterfalls, along with the flora and fauna abundant in the Philippine forests. Tulle and luxurious silk gazaar in shades of soft grays, silvers and beige were embellished with individually handcrafted fused tulle and glitter-layered and fused piece by piece and then cut out and beaded into shapes of Anahaw, Ilang-ilang and bamboo. Speaking of gugma, she is married to Jude Chester Albason, a contractor in Iloilo City, with whom she shared a love for ultimate Frisbee and their adorable son named, Sage.
Friendship means supporting each other´s passion, Audrey and Ruth adding final touches to shoes to be worn by models.
I fiddled with the carefully crafted headpieces that were tucked nearby, “did you make these as well?” I said. “No, these were created by Dr. BJ Chavez. Do you remember him?” she answered. How can I forget Mr. CPU of the year 2000? After the constant babbling of idle gossips, our tete-a-tete was cut short when we were called to bring her collection to the backstage of the runway. Long-legged models gracefully met us like Middle-earth elves waiting for their time to move down the catwalk. I helped Smol suit them up in my internalized role as a designer assistant and felt like a pro for those brief, yet magical minutes. Closing the show with her ethereal, whimsical, ballerina collection, I watched her gleamed with excitement and flabbergasted with the overwhelming response of the audience for her collection. “They clapped for me, Nini!” “They were all smiling!” escaped her unassuming lips after strutting the runway with her model. The next minutes to hours (I lost track of time) catapulted her to instant stardom as snapshots were taken with models and visitors that were enthralled by her collection. As the only Filipino designer, she was also interviewed by a Filipino TV Network correspondent to be featured on Philippine national television.
When the euphoria died down and the adrenaline faded, we headed backstage to pack her collection. We then walked through the dark alleys and cobblestone streets of Paris like two wandering tourists with a giant suitcase, giggling our way to the hotel. It was almost midnight so all the shops were closed except for a convenient store nearby. We got ourselves some chocolates, pretzels and cup noodles, and celebrated the night like little girls in a slumber party. She fell asleep shortly as the stress of the day took a toll on her instantly; and as my languid self-fought for the last string of consciousness, I thought to myself… dreams do come true.
Audrey Dusaran-Albason is a 2006 CPU graduate of Bachelor of Science in Nursing and in 2010, she finished her Masters in Nursing also in CPU. She is the daughter of the Dr. Rey N. Dusaran, Director University Research Center, CPU and Mrs. Adelfa D. Dusaran, CPU College of Nursing Faculty. Her love for fashion encouraged her so study Fashion Design at the Fashion Institute of the Philippines. She has undergone internship under the world renowned designer Francis Libran.
With a brand that speaks to the modern woman in a contrasting medley of the classic and contemporary, six of Albason’s design under the collection “Gugma” were recently featured in the Oxford Fashion Studio Paris Collections AW 2017 at the Hotel D’Evreux, 9 Vendome, Paris France on March 4, 2017. She was the only Filipino that was invited in this event.
Audrey Dusaran-Albason relfects the delicate Filipino Flora in her design.
January 12 seemed like any other ordinary day – revolving around my 1-year-old baby boy, Sage (who is my entire universe these days) and doing some household chores. Before going to bed though, I decided to check my newly opened email account (which I decided to make a month ago strictly for client inquiries). Imagine my surprise and disbelief then when an email with the subject heading of Paris Fashion Week jumped up at me from my phone screen, right next to that message we all received from Andy from Google. I know right? Well like any other sensible, reality-oriented human I skimmed thru the message, laughed a little and forgot all about it. The next day though, I had trouble sleeping so I decided to check the message again and click on the links just to pass the time away. When these legit-looking PDF files started pouring in, my heart skipped a beat.
Fast forward to February 27, and I am about to board my plane to Paris (writing all this down makes it seem more like a dream really). I have literally never been anywhere else but the Philippines and I will be traveling some 7,000 miles alone. Of course I was horrified. All I had was my rough relationship with Google Maps and my equally rough handful of French phrases to carry me through. I visually imagined that if anything goes wrong, I can always snuggle up in a corner with my worn-out paperback copy of Ann of Green Gables and wait for my husband to rescue me. Hahaha.
After an eternity (21 hours and 30 mins to be exact), I was safe and sound in my hotel along Rue Moliere, just a few brisk walks away from the Louvre and all the other tourist spots.
Arriving on the 28th of February, I had a few days to spare before the show day on March 4, so I braved the cold weather and the intermittent rain to get acquainted with all the wonders of Paris. A fellow Filipina, Apple, was gracious enough to show me around on my very first afternoon in the City of Light. We ventured into the dizzying world that is their Metro station from the Pyramides all the way to the Trocadero where I finally came face to face with the iconic Eiffel Tower. We saw other tourists perfecting the art of fingers-pointing-at-the-pyramid-tip-photos at the Museum Louvre. (Before I continue let me tell you how much more difficult it is to write all these places down as it is trying to say them in broken French). We marched the entire length of Avenue des Champs-Elysees like wanna-be rock stars from the Place de la Concorde to the colossal Arc de Triomphe. Imagine walking uphill in this mile-long avenue with your high-heeled boots and you will definitely catch yourself giving a silent salute to these beautiful, well-dressed French women who sashay these Paris streets without breaking a sweat. It was a struggle for me, and yes, I was wearing my Keds! We walked along the banks of the River Seine while I, upon seeing the little makeshift shops lining the street, mentally calculated how much those vintage Vogue magazines cost in Philippine Pesos (and whether or not my haggling skills in Divisoria and Quiapo can still be of use here). The perfect ending to that marvelous afternoon though, was delicious sidewalk Nutella crepe and some hot cappuccino.
Dusaran-Albason´s collection Gugma which translates to love showcases the passion and artistry of Ilonggo craftsmanship.
A day before the show, I knew I was going to be nothing but a bundle of nerves. Not helping at all was the fact that by this time, I was feeling a lot of separation anxiety for leaving my little baby boy for the longest time yet. So I booked a day tour to the Palace of Versailles, just to unwind and keep my mind off things. (Yes, it was a tour for my sanity and not my vanity, but it was absolutely gorgeous nonetheless!) Besides, I´m in the Fashion industry and who doesn´t love Queen Marie Antoinette?
Iloilo´s pride Audrey Rose Dusaran-Albason showcases in her collection Gugma.
After a few hours, I found myself in an Uber ride, on the way to Place Vendome. This was THE day, so I traded my trusted Keds with a pair of heeled boots I hastily bought at H&M, just to honor the occasion. This I would regret as soon as the first fitting was over and I realized I had to buy 2 extra pairs of shoes for the models who couldn´t fit into the size 9 flats I bought from SM (they were from Parisian, see the humor in that, hahaha). Because it was raining so hard and the traffic was unbearable, I couldn´t get any Uber ride back to the venue. So there I was, in heels and without my coat (I assumed a nice warm car would be available courtesy of Uber anyway) walking the length of Rue de Rivoli from Forever 21 to the corner at Rue Castiglione. The only saving grace of that walk though, was I discovered Angelina and the world famous Laduree along the way.
When Oxford Fashion Studio asked me to fill up a form detailing information about my collection, I didn´t really give it much thought. I must admit, that the opportunity they presented was so totally unbelievable and somehow over-reaching for a recent fashion school graduate based in the little town of Iloilo, with nary a Philippine magazine feature or celebrity endorsement to her name, that I thought it was simply impossible that I´d get through this first step of the process. Sometimes I get a little too pessimistic for my own good. But looking back now, I think “Gugma” was a wonderful choice. The Visayan region is in a way underrepresented as part of the three main islands of the Philippines. Culturally, when people refer to the Philippines, there´s nothing more recognizable than Manila and Tagalog. But I think the other lesser known Philippine languages are just as beautiful and just as expressive. So “Gugma” it was, and “Gugma” it remained. In the native language of Hiligaynon, this word translates to “love”. It’s a popular word often used in several other Visayan language – it is all-encompassing in its range and simplicity.
This collection is inspired by the natural landscape of the Visayan islands – filled to the brim with beaches, rivers, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs and other topographical treasures along with its abundance of unique flora and fauna. Tulle and luxurious silk gazaar in shades of soft grays, silvers and beige were embellished with lace and individually handcrafted fused tulle and glitter- layered and fused piece by piece and then cut out and beaded into shapes of Anahaw, Ilang-ilang and bamboo.
By 8pm, me and my friend Ruth Marcille Gico (who doubled as my backstage assistant and has been the Angel Gabriel incarnate for agreeing to accompany me at such short notice) arranged the garments back stage. Being chosen to show as the finale is equal parts thrilling and nerve-wracking. As I saw my models line up before their walk, I felt light-headed and the threat of unsightly tears was beginning to form. Better than Nutella crepes and cappuccinos, the warm applause of the crowd that greeted me as I bravely walked halfway through the runway was the perfect ending to my first Paris Fashion Week experience.
So, merci beaucoup Paris! It was one crazy beautiful adventure discovering you on my own. Losing myself in your cobblestone streets and all the while rediscovering the little girl inside – surprised that she´s still unafraid, and absolutely hopeful after all this time.
I´m thankful for unbelievable, over-reaching dreams and the ability to pursue them. For the man beside me whose faith in me knows no bounds. For Sage and his many other mommies while I was away.
Anne of Green Gables, puts it so wonderfully when she says, “I´ve had a splendid time, she concluded happily, “and I feel that it marks an epoch in my life. But the best of it all was the coming home.”
Every vote counts – Centralians line to cast their ballots.
Central Philippine University Republic (CPUR), known as the oldest student government in the Philippines is so close to my mind after official results came out with names of winning candidates in the recent CPU Student Republic Elections 2017.
Centralians gather at the precinct booths located at the Promenade Park to exercise their right of sufferage.
Here are the newly elected ‘national government officials’ of the CPUR SY 2017-2018.
President – Jan Christian “Yan yan” I. Espanola
Vice President – Sidrik L. Gotico
Senators
1. Sainthia Joy D. Sorilla
2. Aila Rose F. Asuelo
3. Bryan C. Robles
4. Charles Arthel R. Rey
5. Clem Marnel R. Burgos
6. Andrew C. Perez
7. Leslie Jeanne L. Landoy
8. Gio Paolo B. Sorilla
More elaborate modern campaign materials are used by the candidates now – a far cry from what we have during our time. Group streamers and consolidated tarpaulins usually hanged by party slates – in designated areas are less expensive than personally financed campaign materials around the campus.
And as with real political campaigns in our country, the social media is more effective than anything else. The one who got more friends on Facebook should have gained more votes; FB Shares must have sponsored the campaigns more than we could have imagined. These are my personal observations during the past election period of the CPUR.
A sea of red (Koalisyon) and green (Reform) filled the CPU Promenade Park as Centralian cheer for their respective student parties.
The indulgence of recollecting bits and pieces of history during lunch and coffee breaks- a few days ago was also a must (thanks to our involvement in the CPUR until now). We talked about how young student leaders during those days – can be future leaders, or leaders of today. Those were the days when debates and campus politics in CPU got the better of students forming their own political parties; framing up their own agenda for governance.
We love to recall the activities- the campaign period, the commitments to change- not only on campus freedom, but on the peoples’ sentiment for national democracy; the restoration of student governments around the country in 1981. Then President Ferdinand E. Marcos suspended the operation of all student organizations in the Philippines when he declared Martial Law in 1972.
Almost at the same time when a parliamentary form of government was forming in Manila, students lost no time in getting ready to restore campus government for the studentry. Thus, at Central Philippine University the CPU Republic (after a long period of hibernation)was reborn. Rallies for change and restoration of democracy continued to drumbeat in downtown Iloilo and public plazas.
Preconceived stalwarts of the United Students’ Party(USP), the Alliance of Democratic Students (ADS), and the Partido Nang Mag-aaral at Sambayanan (PANGMASA) immediately went to select students to be their official candidates in the foreseen CPUR elections very soon. It did not take long for the students at Central to organize ‘political parties’, and have their party platforms, media interviews and buntings of party candidates.
The first President of the newly restored CPUR was Gerardo Sonalan of our PANGMASA PARTY. In this year, the Central Echo was reborn as one of our colleague in the Senate, CPUR Senator Vitini Edhard Idemne pushed for it. In 1983, another PANGMASA candidate won the CPUR Presidency – Gualberto Cataluña, Jr.
Later, ADS and PANGMASA Party coalesced and became ‘Koalisyon ng Demokratikong Mag-aaral Para sa Sambayanan (now simply called ‘Koalisyon’). Mr. Manuel “Mawe” de la Fuente who is now a pastor in New Jersey, USA, was the standard bearer and became President of CPUR in 1984.
Without social media during those times, we can only have the so called ‘Radyo Puwak’ to promote our candidates and share party platforms. Glee Clubs and fraternities were supporting casts in their own rights. Intead of tarpaulins (that are not yet available), sack cloths or flour sacks and newspapers were used to print slogans and list of candidates.
It pays that passenger jeepneys are marked with the name CPU on all sides, so that we also provided the drivers with CPU stickers with our party name on it.
It is worth noting that the CPU Republic which has gone through the dark days of Martial Law has found the light of day – when democracy set in (or so it seemed). But the CPUR of today, nonetheless are blessed with countless possibilities of effectively relating and putting out their campaigns on social media and internet platforms; cellphones and other gadgets in the campus – and even to the world!
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