“My transfer to the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK to finish my Masters Degree in Theology in 1991 was pushed through my belief that anything is possible with God,” Rev. Manuel “Mawe” Dela Fuente shares to his friend and contemporary, Office of Communications Director Rev. Francis Neil Jalando-on and Media Relations Officer Cyrus Natividad.

Before his stint in Scotland, he was a senior student in CPU’s Master of Divinity program from 1982 to 1986. He graduated from the CPU College of Commerce in 1979. He studied from Kindergarten to High School at Central Philippine University.

The conversation focused on his college days, especially on how he survived the challenges and pains of the Martial Law years. His two brothers, John and Edward, were senselessly murdered by the military. They were Centralians who advanced the causes of the youth such as enlightenment and cultural reorientation. John was a CPU Engineering student while Edward, the eldest brother, was the Editor in Chief of Central Echo. Both bravely fought for the principles of freedom, especially freedom from the shackles of oppression and injustice.

At the same time that Mawe and his family were experiencing these tribulations, change was in the air for the CPUR. The Partido ng Mag-aaral at Sambayanan (Pangmasa) and the Alliance of Democratic Students (ADS) decided to form the Koalisyon ng Demokratikong Mag-aaral Para Sa Sambayanan (Koalisyon) that would embody their changing and growing ideologies. Mawe was the first standard bearer for the Koalisyon Party. He subsequently became the CPUR President.

As President, Mawe designed programs in tune with the need for campus freedom and expression. Mawe provided students with facts and updates on the state of the nation. He also published newsletters and magazines. He also pushed for the reopening of the University Student Center. After much discussion with the administration of CPU President Dr. Agustin A. Pulido, the University Student Center opened its doors once more—a symbol that students of CPU can now once again freely play and discuss ideas without fear of the oppressive Marcos dictatorship.

Because of the urgent need to apprise the students on social issues and the spiritual concerns, he helped organize ecumenical projects which were politically progressive. Mawe also joined the Protestant Propagating Human Enlightenment for the Transformation of Society (PROPHETS). Notable leaders of this group were Sharon Rose Ruiz-Duremdes, Nestor D. Bunda, and Edwin I. Lariza.

Rev. Manuel “Mawe” Dela Fuente believes that the Central spirit should be more like the Spirit of Christ: centered on love, righteousness, peace and justice. Thus, for Pastor Mawe, the Central Spirit and his Christian conviction must embrace understanding and forgiveness.

Rev. Dela Fuente is now the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Clifton, New Jersey, an international and multi-cultural Christian Church and a member of the American Baptist Churches. His other brother Nelson is now a municipal doctor in Valladolid, Negros Occidental.  His two sisters Lilian Dela Fuente Velonia and Josie Dela Fuente McMillan are successful in their chosen careers. Their late father, Mr. Johnny Dela Fuente was the president of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches (1968-1972), and a member of the CPU Board of Trustees. Their loving mother, Professor Lucy Lahaylahay Dela Fuente has retired from her teaching profession in CPU, still healthy and enjoying her retirement years.

Mawe goes back to the Philippines every year to visit friends, family, and CPU. He comes home most especially to serve his mother. This annual ministry focused on Arguelles St., Iloilo City, his ancestral home, only shows that, aside from being an advocate for social transformation, Mawe is a caring pastor and a devoted son.

Talking about the values he learned from Central Philippine University, young Korean businessman Daniel Kang is grateful for how CPU has contributed to his career and to their growing business in the Philippines.

After a period of studying English in CPU, he helped his father in managing their family business which is engaged in the direct selling of consumer products. He is grateful that CPU gave him a good training in the English language. He also learned skills and abilities that are necessary for their business in the Philippines and which enable him to talk confidently to Filipino customers and friends.

His first impression of the environment in CPU is that of hospitality—welcoming people, caring professors, and understanding students. He believes that it is because of the influence of Christian ethics and the spiritual experience that Centralians have while at the campus. He has also met many friends and valuable associates that he continues to keep in touch with.

Together with his fellow Koreans who studied at Central Philippine University, Daniel sees CPU as a campus where he found security, friendship and valuable experiences. Because of this, Daniel has hired Centralians to be part of his staff at Atomy International, Iloilo branch.

Daniel plans to go back to CPU soon and finish his degree.

Munich, 1883 – people gathered in front of the Residenztheater, the city’s most beloved theater. It was sundown and the grand façade of the theater stood in darkness, surrounded by a crowd of music and laughter. Nearby inns emit the mouthwatering smell of Weisswurts and bratwurst, conversations filled the streets, people were ecstatic as electric lights would finally brighten Munich for the first time.

There was silence, and in a flash, the theater glowed in all her splendor. The light pierced through the crowd as they cheered. No more lamps fueled by oil. Rather electric lights, cleaner and brighter than before were transporting people to the future.

Among the crowd was four year old Albert Einstein. He was atop his father’s shoulders when he witnessed everything. The young boy was astounded, curiosity filled his soul as electric lights seemed like stars he could touch and put in his pocket.

Years later, Einstein becomes one of the greatest physicists, changing the world with his revolutionary ideas. A genius in his own right, Einstein paved the way, inspiring millions of young minds to be passionately curious about the world.

NatGeo recently aired “Genius”, a show depicting the life of Einstein. It portrayed the rise of the Physicist from a curious learner into one of the foundations of modern physics. To celebrate his life, the show held “Everyday Genius” a contest encouraging young minds all around the globe to submit ideas that might the world. Hundreds of entries were received by NatGeo, but one stood out from the rest.

John Elmer Loretizo, a 5^th year Software Engineering student of CPU, bagged the top spot with his innovative phone application PaDS or Patient in Transit Diagnostics System in the National Geographic’s “Everyday Genius” Contest besting other contestants from around the globe.

PaDS is a mobile app that sends a patients diagnostics to the target hospital for treatment preparation. When asked on how he came up with the idea for PaDs, Loretizo shares that it was his experience when he himself was seeking medical treatment that made him realize the importance of such innovation. “It was three in the morning, and all of a sudden I had asthma. I had to be rushed at the hospital but instead of receiving immediate medical attention, I still had to wait and be diagnosed. I thought to myself that this is all unnecessary. When it comes to providing medical services, every second counts.”

The background of his study showcases the Philippines as a country with a high percentage of smartphone users. Mobile applications can play a vital role in emergency response situations in order to provide a solution to the prevailing problem of delayed medical services, Loretizo came up with the concept that will allow users to identify themselves during registration as any of three different roles namely: an emergency responder, a regular citizen or a medical practitioner (either an emergency nurse or a doctor).

Both emergency responders and medical practitioners shall be required of a license number or identification card during registration in order to ascertain their identity. Once registered, varying user interfaces shall be made available to each user depending on the role they have and all is set to go. During emergency situations, a responder or civilian will select the hospital to which the patient will be brought to and fill out an information sheet thereafter in the most detailed way possible. No field is required for either the responder or civilian but filling out more fields with accuracy would help the target hospital design a treatment plan while waiting for the patient to arrive.

There shall also be an option to send images of the patient of specific areas of wounds/injury or area of focus to be treated. Once the diagnostics are sent, medical practitioners in the target hospital will immediately receive the data and get notified of the emergency.

They will be able to know the location of the ambulance or vehicle. Through the diagnostics and images sent, doctors would be able to initially plan out a treatment plan (i.e. ready the emergency room, operating materials) or send back a response of what to do while the patient is still in transit. PaDS bridges the gap of emergency response needed especially in countries like the Philippines. It helps elevate the level of technology and its usefulness in saving lives (learn more about PaDs on http://everydaygenius.asia/#winners).

Loretizo shares came to know about the contest through Facebook. “When I stumbled upon NatGeo’s post about the competition around April, I wasn’t really that sure of entering. However I saw it again in my saved post and I finally decided to join.”

On May 26, 2017, NatGeo finally called Loreritizo to tell him that he was adjudged as the Grand winner of the competition. “I felt happy and excited when I heard the news. I wasn’t expecting to win because I came to know about the other entries and some of them were very technical.”

As Grand Winner, Loretizo attended the first ever National Geographic Explorers Festival at NatGeo headquarters in Washington D.C. on June 12-18, 2017. There he met fellow innovators, scientists, NatGeo photographers. During the festival he had a chance to meet Avatar and Titanic director, James Cameron and Astrophysicist, Neil deGrasse Tyson. “It was so surreal meeting them, James Cameron is an award winning Director and Neil deGrasse Tyson is famous astrophysicist who is widely known for his wit and humor. The learned so much from the festival, I learned about innovations from people across the globe and I also had a chance to share about my ideas as well.” He was able to watch a live session of an interview session with James Cameron and Neil deGrasse Tyson.

During the festival, Neil deGrasse Tyson received the Habburd Medal, National Geographic’s highest distinction, which recognizes lifetime achievement in exploration, scientific research and discovery. 

Loretizo graduated as elementary and high school valedictorian at General Santos City Sped Integrated School. He came to study in CPU after knowing that the university offers Software Engineering. “I knew that I always wanted to take up engineering but I wasn’t sure specifically what kind of engineering. A lot of people did encourage taking up software engineering. I had a chance to talk to a professor from Mapua Institute of Technology and he encouraged to take up software engineering.”

Apart from being an “Everyday Genius”, Loretizo also took up leadership roles in the university as the college representative of the College of Engineering. “I think that everybody has this concept that if you’re smart you have the ability to lead. As a leader, I always motivated my fellow-officers to participate in every activity. I always acknowledge them and help them grow.”

When asked on how he deals with pressure and expectation Loretizo shares that it’s important to be motivated with your passion on what you want to do rather than other people’s expectations. “Always look beyond people’s expectations of you. Make pressure a stepping stone. In your own little way you leave an impact.”

According to Loretizo, one’s mindset is important in creating ideas. The necessity of being passionately curious should be a habit that let’s see the potential of moments. “One should always be curious, to ask how things work or how they don’t work. Good ideas can spring from ordinary moments, your perspective should always be to innovate and to do something that has never been done before.”

Germany had Albert Einstein to share to the world. Now, CPU and the Philippines have John Elmer Loretizo.

At times, quality education comes with the price of being away from home. This usually happens to students who live far from universities they plan to study in. To address this concern, Central Philippine University put up two dormitories for the convenience of Centralian enrollees who live far from the university.

Named after Weston, the youngest son of Dr. and Mrs. Francis H. Rose, the Weston Hall Ladies Dormitory and the Franklin Hall Men’s Dormitory have been accommodating Centralians throughout the years, creating an atmosphere of a home away from home dedicated to faith and camaraderie.

It is securely and strategically located inside the CPU campus, between the Elementary Building and Loreto D. Tupaz Building also known as the Nursing Building.

Ms. Jocelyn Laquihon Funtecha has been the Matron of the Weston Hall Ladies Dormitory for 13 years. The task of taking care of a large number of boarders is no easy task. “To be matron includes bundles of tears and laughter. Here, we deal with different upbringings and personalities of our boarders. At much as possible we aim to re-develop the character and attitudes of our boarders.”

Currently, the Weston Hall is home to 111 Centralian boarders, two of which are working students. The ladies dorm can accommodate up to 154 residents. According to her, the number of boarders has significantly decreased because of the implementation of the K-12 Program. “We used to have more boarders but because of the K-12 Program the number decreased. Another concern is the maintenance of the dorm. We have already communicated this concern and changes are underway.”

The dormitory holds monthly devotionals every 2^nd Tuesday of the month and prayer meeting, room bible study and team building every Thursday. Ms. Funtecha emphasizes that being a matron is one way of serving the Lord. “I am doing this for the Lord, to take care of my boarders and to let them hear the Word of God through the devotionals.”

For the safety and security of boarders, the student together with their parents is oriented with the rules, regulations and safety precautions of the dormitory. “Safety and security is our major concern, we make sure that we know what to do during emergencies. Also, we do not disregard the role of the parents. We inform them right away of any problem or concern.”

Weston Hall boarders are a product of university promotions and advertisements. According to Ms. Funtecha, most of the boarders are children of alumni. “We promote the dormitory through tarpaulins and also through the CPU website. Every orientation, I see to it that I am present to answer queries and to address concerns. But our best advertiser has been the CPU alumni who encourage their children and relatives to study in CPU.”

Mr. Freddie Salvania, Proctor of the Franklin Hall shares that the dormitory is expecting developments to provide better services for its boarders. “I have already sent requests to have developments in the structure of the building and in its bathrooms. The comfort and the convenience of our boarders is one of our major concerns.”

Mr. Salvania served as proctor of the dormitory for 10 years. He is currently taking care of 61 boarders under his supervision. The men’s dorm can accommodate up to 115 residents. Just like in the Weston Hall, the number of boarders in the Franklin Hall decreased because of the implementation of the K-12 Program, Mr. Salvania however remains positive that the number will increase in the coming years. “The number of our boarders decreased because of the K-12 Program but I am confident that in the succeeding years that the number will increase.”

He shares that more than just taking care of his boarders his task is to the development of their well-being. “We have regular devotional every Thursday and we have activities that include sports and others that create an atmosphere of camaraderie among our boarders. Before we accept boarders, we always see to it that they and their parents are well oriented with the rules and procedures of the dormitory.”

The most fulfilling part of being proctor, according to Mr. Salvania, is in counseling and helping boarders with their problems. “With the permission of their parents, I intervene with the student through counseling. I think it is one way of helping the student with his problems. Our regular devotional activity is my commitment to the Lord. I share the Word of God and let the Holy Spirit follow it up.” 

To those who are still looking for a home away from home, please do not look elsewhere anymore, the Franklin Hall and Weston Hall Dormitories are waiting to accommodate you.

by Francis Neil Gico Jalando-on

I have always been fascinated with CPU’s motto of Scientia et Fides since I first heard it in our home. Both of my parents are Centralians and both of them also served as a member of the CPU Board of Trustees under different CPU Presidents and Chairpersons of the BOT (My father – Mr.  Roberto R. Jalando-on, Jr. was under Chairman Atty. Perfecto Yasay and Pres. Dr. Juanito M. Acanto; my mother – Mrs. Josette Gico Jalando-on was under Chairman Atty. Peter Irving Corvera and Pres. Dr. Teodoro C. Robles).

My parents would bring home news from the campus, and were (and still are) always animated in talking about CPU. It was a no-brainer that I would later become a Centralian, and seek employment in my Alma Mater. I studied under a sports scholarship (Table Tennis varsity), and became a work student assigned in the Computer Laboratory. I became a CPUR Senator for two terms, and later as CPUR Vice President. Me and my computer buddies (Inocentes Javellana and Reymund Edrosolano) designed for fun the Unofficial Website of CPU in the early 1990s. The CPU Administration saw it, bought it and made it official. I, then, became CPU’s first Webmaster and re-assigned as a work student under the Alumni Affairs Office. I can still remember the days when I installed US Robotics modems around the campus and programmed the software to dial 9 before dialing the dial-up numbers. The sound of a modem handshake was music to my ears. But I am digressing here (though my experiences in the campus are the catalysts of my perspective). Let me go back to my main focus: what is Scientia et Fides for me?

Let me share two things about how I understand Scientia et Fides.

First, Scientia at CPU is not on a quest to neither disprove God nor invalidate the Christian faith, but rather to enrich Fides. For example, CPU is teaching biology – a subject concerned with the study of life and living organisms, including their structure, function, growth, evolution, distribution, identification and classification. In the course of teaching biology, CPU is not just opening the eyes of students about the amazing complexities and intricacies of living organisms but more importantly, that there is a God that designed and put purpose in all of these. At CPU, science is enriching our Christian faith. In a sense, the more that we study science, the more that our faith in God is affirmed.

Second, Fides at CPU is not on a quest to neither close our eyes about the discoveries of science nor shun scientific methods, but rather to give us the courage to be open about Scientia. One important thing that I learned at CPU is the emphasis that the Bible is a book of faith and not a science book. For example, the Bible is not chiefly concerned about the “how” and “when” of creation but focuses on the “who.” The Fides that I learned at CPU teaches me that God is the creator of everything, and that is the “who” in the creation. Genesis also talks about the “when” which is “In the beginning” and the “how” which is a series of creations in six days. My faith teaches me that I should not be hanged-up with the idea that the start of this universe was when the first book in the Bible was written. CPU’s Fides is teaching me to be courageous enough to be open to what Scientia is telling that our universe was created millions and millions of years ago not just in the last few thousand years. CPU is teaching me that my Christian faith should be the basis of living a life even beyond borders.

I hope that you too will share your stories in campus and understanding of Scientia et Fides.

by Keziah G. Huelar

Isle de Solomon is a sovereign country found in the east of Papua New Guinea and northwest of Vanuatu. Named after King Solomon, this island is home to a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna that is globally recognized. Lush jungles, outstanding tropical vegetation and climate, it is a paradise of clear waters and green scenery – a feast for the eyes.

Because of the ecological wealth of the island, Edmond Walasi from Honoria (the capital of the country) developed a passion of studying and learning the agriculture of his country. According to him, his interest began when he read the Book of Genesis in the Bible. “When God created the heavens and the earth, He created plants and animals. In reading the Book of Genesis, I developed an interest to learn about God’s creation, to take care of it and to use what I learn to help others.”

After graduating with a degree in Agriculture at the University of the South Pacific, Edmond taught at Selwyn College National Secondary School and shared his passion in agriculture. Being a teacher made him realize that there is so much more to learn about agriculture, thus he pursued greater heights for his education.

His love for agriculture brought him 4,920 kilometers away from his home city and into the portals of Central Philippine University to study Masters of Science in Agriculture. When asked where and how he heard about CPU, Edmond shares that Mr. Mauro Somodio, the Vice President of the CPU Federation of Overseas Alumni Association Australasia Chapter, through Facebook sent him information and pictures of the university. “Mr. Mauro Somodio is a great advertiser of CPU. He sent us pictures, videos and information about CPU that made us like the university. I was also encouraged to study in CPU because they offered Masters in Agriculture.”

Together with seven other people from the Solomon Islands, Edmond will be taking up academic courses in the university; six of them will be taking up Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and one will be studying Bachelor of Arts in Nursing. Edmond shares that they are very excited to attend their classes and know more about the Centralian experience. “The CPU campus is very beautiful. The people are friendly, I am excited to have my classes and learn more about agriculture and Filipino culture.”

For Edmond, education is a crucial tool in developing communities and in improving lives. “My grandparents told me that we need to eat food for our brain – our education is our life and I came here to learn more about agriculture and when I go back to Solomon Islands I will use what I learn to start a farming business and help others.”

Edmond shares that there are cultural similarities and differences between Filipino and Solomon Island culture but he believes both can learn from each other. He emphasizes that despite diversity of culture, it is our faith that unites us. “I believe in the universal culture of Jesus Christ, our faith is what makes us the same with one another. If we follow the universal culture of Jesus, we will learn how to respect, how to be kind and how to help one another.”

For the next four years, Edmond and his friends will be staying at Central Philippine University. Here, they will be learning new things, developing their passions and realizing their dreams. Here, they will experience Centralian friendships and stories to share. Here they are at home.