Senior High School students pose for a commemorative photo.
Central Philippine University Senior High School held its Academic Excellence Awards Ceremony on July 29, 2019 at the Rose Memorial Auditorium. This is for the school year 2018-2019. The program started with an opening prayer and devotional led by Rev. Zeus Familiaran, SHS Bible Teacher.
In her welcome remarks, Engr. Dimpna Castigador OIC, Office of the President congratulated the parents of the Honor Students and acknowledged them for the achievements of their sons and daughters in Senior High School. She also challenged the honorees and told them, “You have a big responsibility to honor your parents, because without their efforts and sacrifices you would not be receiving your honors today.”
OIC for the CPU Office of the President Engr. Dimpna Castigador welcomes the awardees and their families.
Prof. Nenita Mino, SHS Filipino teacher gave the awards to the honor students, classified with High Honors and with Honors. Intermission numbers were rendered by the CPU Dance Company and selected Senior High School Students.
Prof. Edgar E. Eriman, Principal, SHS in his closing remarks, encouraged the parents to “continue in supporting and motivating their children so that they will continue to be successful in whatever path they choose to pursue.”
CPU Senior High School Principal Prof. Edgar Eriman and Asst. Principal Prof. Ma. Corazon Nievales hand a certificate to an awardee.
The program ended with the singing of the Alma Mater song lead by Mrs. Linnie Rose Estante, SHS Filipino Teacher.
Dr. Evangelica Diesto-Padernilla (seated) with friends from CPU University Church and Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches (CPBC).
Dr. Padernilla, “Manay Vangie” to friends and family celebrated her 91st Birthday on July 28, 2019 at the CPU Educational Media Center. Speaking at the podium on her birthday, Manay Vangie emphasized the love and faithfulness of the Lord who gave her everything she enjoyed. She enumerated the blessings she received. Among them is the Doctor of Pedagogy, honoris causa, and the Distinguished Centralian Award in Educational Management which was awarded to her by Central Philippine University – in recognition of her outstanding achievements as an educator and academic administrator.
Dr. Padernilla thanked God for the long life and strength He gave her. She recounted her student days, her scholastic and co-curricular achievements in school. She was an athlete, choir member, dramatist, zarzuela lead artist, declaimer, Gospel Team member, and officer of various campus organizations. It was at CPU where she completed her Elementary Teacher’s Certificate (with honors), Bachelor of Science in Education, and Master of Arts in Education. She also earned units leading to Doctor of Education degree from CPU.
Participants, together with the speakers pose for a photo.
Central Philippine University in partnership with the CPU Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, CPU Review, Continuing Education Consultancy Center and the United Board for Higher Christian Education in Asia held a Seminar-Workshop on Whole Person Education and Exemplary Christian Education for Life (EXCEL): Preparing Students for Life and Beyond on July 17, 2019. Selected deans and unit directors attended the said event which was held at the Knowledge Development Center, Henry Luce III Library.
The program started with an opening prayer led by CPU Dean of the College of Theology, Dr. Bernabe Pagara. Dr. Rowena Libo-on, Officer in -charge for the Office of the President gave her opening remarks.
CPU Office of Communications Director Rev. Francis Neil Jalando-on gives a lecture on CPU Heritage and Other Reasons for being.
“CPU has always recognized whole person education through its Vision and Mission Statement. And we hope that we could enable our students to become good Christians and competent individuals when they go into the real world,” Libo-on said.
CPU Office of Communications Director Rev. Francis Neil Jalando-on talked about “CPU Culture, Heritage and other reasons for being” and CPU Corporation member and former CPU Elementary principal Dr. Evangelica Padernilla gave a lecture about “What it means to be a Christian Leader.” “Excellent Teaching” was then discussed by Distinguished Teacher Awardee and CPU College of Medicine Faculty member Dr. Lucita Jalbuena.
CPU RCEC Director Dr. Lenny Rose Mucho, with CPU Director for Institutional Advancement Eng. Dimpna Castigador and CPU OIC for the Office of the President Dr. Rowena Libo-on.
“Developing the Learner of Today: The Whole Person way” was discussed by CPU Director for Institutional Advancement Engr. Dimpna Castigador. CPU Director for Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence Dr. Ananias Sabijon, Jr. talked about “Foundations of Education and Pedagogical Competence” and CPU Research Center Director Dr. Mary O’ Penetrante gave a lecture about “Research and the Professional Educator.”
The seminar-workshop featured emphasized whole person education and the university’s commitment in carrying out moral and intellectual training in producing competitive and responsible professionals.
The Central Philippine University Golden Lions futsal team.
The Golden Lions Women’s Football team once again showed power as they won over Barotac Viejo, Iloilo, 3-0 at the 2019 Villa Luisa Football Club futsal cup to get the championship. The game was held at Kirayan National High School in Miag-ao on July 20, 2019.
The team earlier won over Iloilo City National High School Team B, 3-1 in the semi-finals before winning over Barotac Viejo in the finals.
The Team under Coach GP Seloterio included Therese Cordero, Victoria Altavas, Cydelle Denola, Juliana Espedion, Bridgette Libo-on, Kat Rabino, Shanley Soldevilla, Rea Majarocon, Argelyn Silao, Mariel Adorio, Danafe Libo-on and Cynthia Hayawon – all brought additional honors to the CPU Golden Lion team.
CPU Sports Director Edwin C. Laru-an has a whole year sports program that gives the CPU varsity teams to compete in other events aside from the PRISAA.
CPU Office of Communications Director Rev. Francis Neil-Jalando-on gives a short reflection.
Central Philippine University held a dedication service for the newly renovated House Number 3 on July 29, 2019 at the American Compound on campus. CPU Office of Communications Director Rev. Francis Neil Jalando-on officiated the ceremony.
The program started with an opening prayer led by CPU Purchasing Officer Mrs. Hermely Jalando-on. CPU Gonzaga Mansion, Guest House and House Number 3 Coordinator Dr. Myrna Lucenio and Filipino Chinese Youth Culture Promotion Incorporated (FCYCP Inc.) founder Mr. Xu Bin gave their opening remarks. Rev. Jalando-on also led the special prayer for the dorm.
House Number 3 was renovated to accommodate Chinese students who are enrolled in the Doctor of Management program. The dorm will also be used for housing during seminars and conferences in the university.
“We would like to thank CPU for accommodating the Chinese students. As much as possible, they would want to stay and be housed inside the campus. The renovation of House Number 3 will be of great use to international students who wish to stay here,” Xu said.
The dedication ceremony was attended by faculty members of the College of Hospitality Management, and Engr. Rhett Allan B. Baldonado, Supervisor, Facilities Maintenance & Services.
CPU Senior High School Student evacuate to an open space.
The Senior High School conducted its scheduled earthquake drill on Monday July 30, 2019 at 9:30AM. The classes were supervised by their teachers as they followed the procedures of the drill. The earthquake drill started as soon as the alarm bell rang. It lasted for 35 seconds to simulate the duration of an earthquake. Everyone then followed the drop, cover and hold procedure. After which, the students calmly but quickly walked in a buddy-buddy system as their teachers signaled to proceed to the evacuation area in the park and roads not far from the SHS Building. The teachers then made a headcount of the students and reported it to their head.
The proceedings were observed by the evaluators and coordinated by the Incident Management Team led by the team leader Dr. Florence P. Bogacia, Vice President for Finance and Administration. The other team members were there like Pastor James Peter Trasporto, OIC Vice-President for Student Affairs; Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on, Director for Communications; Mr. Donald Lebrilla, Coordinator of EMC; Mr. Jojee Roy Juarez, CPU Internet Services Administrator; Mr Prim Vergara III, Safety Officer; Engr. Ben Howard De Leon, Supervisor, Electrical & Mechanical System; Engr. Rhett Allan B. Baldonado, Supervisor, Facilities Maintenance & Services; and Mrs. Hermely A. Jalando-on, CPU Purchasing Officer. This committee saw to it that the needed orientation for the faculty and staff were done, and the necessary equipment were deployed. They also made observations as the drill came into completion.
CPU Elementary School pupils evacuate to the Big Field.
The evaluators consolidated their data based on the matrix, where they scored points on the performance and completion of each group participants from 1-5 (poor to excellent). This was analyzed during the debriefing held after the drill.
The debriefing was conducted at the SHS Building with all the officers and faculty facilitators. Situational post event analysis and areas of improvement based on the data submitted by the evaluators were presented for feedback and discussion by Mrs. Hermely A. Jalando-on.
In an interview, Senior High School Principal Prof. Edgar Eriman, commended the Committee for the successful implementation of the SHS Earthquake Drill. He said that “the proceedings were almost perfect, however, I admit that there were few observations on the common behavioral realities of the young senior high school students that need to be corrected.” “The faculty will decide on mini-drill schedules to be done as part of the preparation for the unexpected phenomenon,” Eriman added.
CPU Kinder pupils practice the “duck, cover, and hold” technique as they went outside of their classrooms.
Another earthquake drill was previously conducted by the CPU Junior High School on Tuesday, July 16, 2019. Around 1,400 students participated in what Prof. Janet Jalbuena, JHS Principal said was “a practice which is preparatory to a bigger earthquake drill later on. “I am grateful that we have this drill as a preparation for students.”
The Kindergarten and Elementary Schools also conducted the required earthquake drill last July with 23 and 24, respectively, with 957 total number of children combined. In an interview, CPU Kindergarten Principal Hannah Siosan lauded the outcome of the Kindergarten’s earthquake drill because it was scored as perfect. “The children followed what was instructed to them, and observed proper procedure”, she said. “The earthquake drill created awareness and preparedness for the young students – as the incident may come at an unexpected time,” Siosan added. Mr. Rodrigo Sotto, a faculty of the CPU Elementary School said, “the proceeding of our earthquake drill was done smoothly because all pupils, faculty and staff knew what do.”
The University-wide earthquake drill to be participated by everyone in the campus will be scheduled by the committee as soon as possible.
CPU Alumnus and Rizal RTC Judge Lily Villareal Biton took her oath of office as the new Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals on July 10, 2019 at the Supreme Court, Manila.
Lily Villareal Biton, a CPU alumnus and Rizal RTC Judge took her oath of office as the new Court of Appeals Associate Justice on July 10, 2019 at the Supreme Court, Manila. She was sworn in by Associate Justice Diosdado Peralta.
Biton earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology in 1982 and Bachelor of Laws in 1986 at Central Philippine University. She has earned 33 units of Master of Laws from the University of Santo Tomas. She also finished a course on Court Management Development in Sydney and Adelaide sponsored by the Honorable Supreme Court of the Philippines and PAHRDF, its Australian government counterpart.
She started her legal career in 1987 as Senior Attorney at Sandiganbayan. She also served as court attorney and executive clerk of court III for the same tribunal. In 2009, she was appointed as Judge of Regional Trial Court Branch 77, San Mateo-Rodriguez, Rizal.
Biton has been a recipient of various awards such as, the Chief Justice Award for Outstanding Service in the Judiciary, the Distinguished Centralian Award in Government Service/Judiciary, the Most Outstanding Alumna Award of the CPU College of Arts and Science, Military Civic Action Medal, Military Commendation Medal, Parangal sa Kapanalig ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas to name a few.
Aside from her work in the judiciary, Biton is also a religious volunteer for the Correctional Institution for Women, Mandaluyong City since 2001. She is also a musician and a song writer who penned the lyrics of the Sandiganbayan hymn. She has been a broadcaster in AFP Radio DWDD 1134 kHz am Band on Legal Matters before she was appointed to the Bench. She is also a Commissioned Officer as Lieutenant Colonel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Reserve Command (AFPRESCOM).
Biton was a former member of the Board of Trustees of the CPU Alumni Association Incorporated (CPUAAI). She was also the speaker at the 89th College Commencement Exercises of Central Philippine University in 2016.
Biton’s appointment was confirmed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte on July 8, 2019. She is one of four judges who took the post vacated by Associate Justice Jose Reyes Jr., who was appointed to the Supreme Court and three others who retired last year.
With the theme “#NoFilter”, this semester’s CEW will focus on our identity in Christ.
CPU in partnership with the University Church will hold the Christ Emphasis Week on August 9,10 and 13-16 in different venues on campus.
With the theme “#NoFilter”, the convocations among the different colleges and departments will highlight scriptures from Jeremiah 1:4-5. This semester’s CEW will focus on one’s identity and worth in Christ.
Held every semester, Christ Emphasis Week is CPU’s commitment to uphold Christian faith and values to students, faculty and staff. Everyone is encouraged to take part in this event.
Mr. Mauro Somodio with his wife Cecilia J. Somodio. Photo Credit: Mr. Mauro Somodio
Centralian alumnus and Filipino-Australian Foundation President Mauro Somodio was with Prof. Necile Magno as guests in the special edition of Looking Forward—CPU TV’s public affairs program. Both were guests on Thursday, June 27, 2019. Magno gave updates on the activities she attended in Australia with observations on the lifestyle and relationships of Centralian alumni in Australia.
Meanwhile, Somodio, also known as “Mau” to his friends at Central, revealed some of the foundation’s plans that would benefit Central Philippine University’s global promotion and partnerships. These partnerships, according to him, include the educational programs with Griffith University—primarily the faculty/student exchange program, research collaboration, dual doctoral program partnerships, and New Colombo Plan Scholarships among others.
Somodio is a CPU graduate of Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1973. He Founded the Filipino-Australian Foundation of Queensland, Inc. in 1996 and is currently the foundation’s President. He was responsible of promoting the outreach project-grant-in-aid scholarship program.
CPUFOAA President Mrs. Flora Cuadiamat visits the Centralians in Toronto.
On Saturday, June 9, members and friends of the CPU Alumni Association of Greater Toronto Area (CPUAAGTA) Chapter led by its President, Norma Van Dusen, gathered for a fellowship and some fun during its annual picnic at the Centennial Park in Etobicoke, Ontario. Flora Grace Cudiamat, President, CPU Federation of Overseas Alumni Association (CPUFOAA), flew all the way from Chicago, Illinois to attend the annual gathering of Centralians.
During the fellowship Ms. Van Dusen, touched on the recent success of the concert of the Bahandi Singers. The event raised funds for the Scholarship Program of the Association for the benefit of deserving students at Central Philippine University. She expressed the association’s gratitude to the Bahandi Singers who volunteered their time and resources to support the program. Ms. Van Dusen encouraged the members to plan for and attend the worldwide reunion of Centralians, which will take place at the CPU campus on February 5-7, 2020. Ms. Van Dusen informed the members that the election of the new set of officers would be on July 7. In connection with this, she read to the members the names of the nominees.
Centralians from the Greater Toronto Area.
Edwin Arroz, Vice-President of the association, gave a brief reflection and offered his thoughts on the significance of the association to the members and of how the Central Spirit had been kept alive among the members.
Ms. Cudiamat, on the other hand, shared with the members of the association the preparations being undertaken by Central Philippine University, led by Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, University President, for the 2020 Grand Alumni Homecoming.
In the event, everyone enjoyed the potluck Ilonggo food prepared by the members. The games which brought laughter and fun to the fellowship was hosted by Rod Gonzales, Member, Board of Director.
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