Remembering EDSA

By: Cyrus A. Natividad

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.

Out there in Zarraga Farm

A twenty- five minute drive from Central Philippine University is the CPU Farm located at the south side of the Municipality of Zarraga. It is managed by the CPU College of Agriculture, Resources and Environmental Sciences (CARES). It serves as a Crop Research Laboratory, and at the same one of the income generating enterprises of the university.

*Most of the 18-hectare farmland is planted with rice.*

Our departure from the campus outdid the previous trips of the CPU Communications Group; we were upbeat on what Zarraga Farm or CPU Farm has to offer. The energetic Director of the CPU Office of Communications, Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on led the group that includes Keziah G. Huelar, Publishing Assistant, Mark Clemens Ortaliz, Webmaster, Donald Lebrilla, Coordinator EMC, Hermely A. Jalando-on, Purchasing Officer, Joel Somosierra, Office of the President Staff. We went for a field trip and see how Zarraga Farm is doing.

*CPU Office of Communications enjoying a tour of the CPU Farm by Agriculturist Homer Deloso, Faculty, CPU CARES.*

We arrived there and Dr. James Cabarles, Dean of CPU CARES welcomed us to the farm. A bunch of ripe bananas was obviously placed for us to easily plucked and eat. With Dean Cabarles was the Farm Manager, Agriculturist Homer Deloso (also a faculty of the CPU Cares). Insights were given and discussed.

Aside from the abundant ‘pantat’ (catfish) – a famous delicacy of the Municipality of Zarraga, the farm products (rice, vegetables, babanas, etc.) are normally consigned to the College of Agriculture for distribution to the Dining Hall and other customers inside the campus.
The farm raises more than fifty ducks – producing around 300 eggs every week.
The farm has 3 vermicomposting pits that produce organic fertilizers for the farm.

The farm hands – Naldo, Onyok and Epe prepared a delectable lunch at the farm. They prepared ‘adobado’ (sauteed pantat in coconut soup). The taste of Zarraga Farm-produced rice was terrific; the grilled pantat was mouth-watering. We dream that someday we can hold our picnics and spiritual retreats at the Zarraga farm (perfect food for the body and food for the soul).

*The CPU farm is a product of the dedication and hardwork of the CPU College of Agriculture.*

We made a tour of the research area, particularly where the breeding process of Pantat is done. We learned that 100 kilos of Pantat are harvested in the farm every week. The supply runs out at the municipal vendors level; reason why it Pantat harvest does not reach CPU anymore.

*Farm to table – the CPU Office of Communication enjoyed grilled catfish bred and raised in the CPU Farm.*

The farm is eighteen hectares with a workable area of 10 hectares. There are various green and leafy vegetables, mango trees, and most of the area are planted with rice. Across a narrow pond are growing mahogany trees – durable hard wood for future products and use. The farm animals included cows, goats, carabaos (used in plowing the rice field), fowls – chickens and ducks. And farm hands best friend – the domesticated ‘watch’ dogs.

*The farm raises more than fifty ducks – producing around 300 eggs every week.*

The air so fresh, food so abundant; the yellow and green crops paint a picture of God’s goodness. How can one forget a simple and beautiful life out there in the Zarraga Farm./ by Cyrus A. Natividad

Art: an inspiration to achieve

By Cyrus A. Natividad

*The author with his acrylic work “Surge”. A comeback after a long engagement with digital art.*

It’s time we have all kinds of art that everyone wants to view. That is, all kinds of art in different media collected in one event. Central Philippine University’s Centralian Artworks Exhibit on March 28 to 29 at the CPU Promenade and Concert Park is just that. All Centralian Artists and enthusiasts brought their artworks of different media to the exhibits in just a short notice. Oil, pastel, acrylics, water color (`been there, done that’); we have mixed media and installation art. What else is new?

There exists a Digital Artists Club at Central that has been doing their art on their own. But at this time, with their so many outputs to brag about – we can rightly lay claim to having more exciting artworks hanged in the exhibits. Digital art was the new thing that we had at the Centralian Artworks Exhibits (Thanks to Prof. Christa Huyong and the rest who have made the 2nd CPU-CAE a success).

Now it has become a conclusion that so many artists and talented people thrive in the campus. Because of this, we look forward to a bigger exhibit and possible artwork competition next year. In essence, art makes everybody happy; it takes boredom from students, faculty and staff. Art is one big reason why the University continues to grow and excel. Many different cultural competitions participated by Centralians have undeniably brought CPU to certain pedestals of art.

Art is one facet of life that makes it inspiring for people to achieve. This is one reason that made the University President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles to comment and persuade us that “an inter-school artworks competition is possible.” Many students, faculty and staff of other schools of Iloilo City would surely be eager to participate.

Let us continue to support the annual event as we also try to develop ourselves artistically. God bless!

Your brand, your story

By Cyrus A. Natividad

This is how the line goes for Panay News on its April 7, 2017 Anniversary Issue: “Your brand, your story.” I am not writing about the Panay News we have known and loved for decades; I am writing about Daniel G. Fajardo, founder of Panay News – its former Editor in Chief; my former boss in the Business Section of the Number 1 Regional News Paper.

I have the same respect as his arms wrapped around me two decades later, at the presence of his successful children Atty. Abdiel Dan Elijah S. Fajardo who took over as Chairman of the Board, and Daniel S. Fajardo II, Chief Operating Officer. This was at a momentous evening in a classic restaurant in Smallville, Manduriao in Iloilo City; celebrating the 36th Anniversary of Panay News — Thirty Six years in the field of print journalism last April 7, 2017. We are congratulating this very successful media man ‘Danny’ Fajardo who has been mostly a mentor of the Ilonggo press people and media men.

There are two reasons why the former President of Iloilo Press Club is laudable. First he is a fellow Centralian (High School Batch 1965), known to be talented and guided by Christian ethics. Second is that he started the first professional local daily in Iloilo City, grew it, expanded and sustained its operation as the No. 1 and respected newspaper in Western Visayas.

Its advertisers presented stories of their successful businesses — attributed to the circulation of Panay News. The success of the newspaper brand Panay News and the integrity of its founder Danny Fajardo went through hand-in-hand for a long time.

Danny G. Fajardo and Panay News have extended scholarships to poor but deserving students in Central Philippine University previously through his promotions and partnerships with the University. Despite the social media and the advent of internet communications, Danny’s Panay News believes that they “will not be stymied by the modern phenomena of fake news and alternative truth because of their currency of truth and accountability.”

To the management and staff of Panay News, Congratulations and More Power!

Hold on to your dreams (For the graduates of 2017)

By: Cyrus A. Natividad

People would have rejected your ideas, laughed at your situation, and even stripped you out of whatever respect you have in the world. Maybe you have nothing left except only a dream that you can hold on to. The thing is that achievements and materials that come with it are never stronger than self-esteem. This value helps people who strongly believe in their own self-worth. You are now prepared to face the world!

There was a man who lived his life in borrowed suits. But he has done more than any other to create the clothes he could never afford to acquire. The man was Elias Howe who invented the sewing machine. Most of us know Alexander Graham Bell who invented the telephone. People laughed at his idea of bringing the human voice along the wire so that it could be heard for miles. Bell’s self-esteem was very strong, so that he stood against countless trials to realize his idea. People no longer laugh at Bell since his invention succeeded to influence the world. Thomas Alba Edison tested the light bulb more than a thousand times before he succeeded. These people believed in themselves; had consistent faith in God. They believed in their inventions and committed to its success with the help of God.

Noah and his ark continue to symbolize man’s commitment and trust in God. People in their inventions, advocacies and adventures became victorious, getting over the barriers and challenges because they believed the best reward is the belief in oneself coupled with the belief in God. The almighty God helps those who help themselves. Ideas result from reality and experience; the necessity done out of their painstaking observations, studies and analysis.

You are a product of an exemplary Christian education which your Alma Mater – Central Philippine University is known for. Your School Graduation is a completion. Every completion is a new beginning – a so called commencement. Whatever belief you have in yourself is a great complement to what you have learned from your classroom.

Begin a new adventure with yourself. Criticism, intimidation and doubts will hold you back, unless you believe in yourself. You may listen to other people but follow yourself and hold on to your dreams. Sometimes intuition is better than suggestion – but it depends upon your faith. Faith is the antidote for fear.

Success comes with every acceptance you make. Consider that scarcity of good opportunities in our society is a reality. Don’t let this stop you from moving on to success – from abandoning your dream. Reality is that God knows what you will be, who you will become even before you were born. You may be faulted, blamed, slandered and disregarded, but see to it with steadfast determination that you realize your dream – through your commitment to God, your Creator and provider.

To the graduates of 2017, Congratulations and may God be with you!