JM Suelo: On leadership and action

By Cyrus A. Natividad

*Suelo together with CPUR officers and representatives of Jollibee Food Coorporation.*

Central Philippine University Republic (CPUR) President John Michael Suelo talked about his achievements, plans, and desires during an episode of Looking Forward, a public affairs program on the CPU TV Facebook Page last Friday, October 5, 2018.

The interview was a great opportunity for Suelo to tell all Centralians about how “realpolitik” works for CPUR and CPU: “That’s loving both my Republic and my Central.” This principle has resulted to many admirable projects and programs that Suelo successfully implemented, such as “Hope from Scratch” project where scratch paper were transformed into useful notepads distributed to underprivileged students. This was in partnership with Jollibee Foods Corporation. Another was the PETMALU (Plastic Elimination to Make a Livable University) project to minimize the proliferation of empty plastic bottles and containers inside the campus.

Through the initiative of the CPUR President’s Office, Suelo was able to bring two National Senators, Bam Aquino and Riza Hontiveros, to speak in the CPUR sponsored Iloilo Youth Forum on the Philippine Economic Situation and the Iloilo Mental Health Summit, respectively.

Through his office, Suelo has also extended financial assistance and sponsorships to student activities particularly to the work students.

The CPUR President sits as Ex-Officio Member in the CPU Board of Trustees. Suelo has perfect attendance in the Board of Trustees Meeting.

Suelo easily won the votes of student in the last election due to his promising programs that would make “everyone matter in the campus” and where “matters of concern [would] be addressed.”

In an interview with some of his classmates, Suelo is said to be very creative and innovative, successfully pursuing many good programs and projects for the students and the campus. However, he is not done yet. He is still working on many other plans and projects for the students and the University.

For his part, JM Suelo would like to be remembered as an effective president who did his best to succeed for the betterment of the studentry—even long after his term in CPUR ends.

Suelo will be going to Hong Kong on October 25 to 27, 2018 to attend the 7^th Pro Bono Conference spearheaded by the Asian Law Student’s Association.

Centralian Star 2018 – The Joy in Giving

By Nestle G. Taala

*The CS Committee together with the donations to be given to the Manaolan Elementary School, teachers and its pupils.*

The Centralian Star (CS) is just one of the many contests and events taking place during the University Day celebration. It started in 2005 during the Centennial Celebration of CPU as a new major contest. Since the organizers, Ms. Dyna Lynn Madalag, the chair of the committee; Marvin Segura and Doriedel Lozanes, CPUR Officials; and the cultural committee, saw that it was well-accepted and enjoyed by spectators, the contest became an annual inclusion in the U-Day.

One area of the said contest called “For a Cause” collects ticket which cost P1.00 each for Popularity Vote (minor award only). The money accumulated on this is utilized for the advocacy program of the CS Committee. Hence, after every CS contest, the committee conducts an outreach program to a certain beneficiary.

*Giving back to the community – the pupils and teachers of Manaolan Elementary School together with CPU Republic officers and Centralian Star committee.*

This year, the CS Committee together with the CPU Republic and the Community Engagement and Service Learning Center organized an outreach program on January 11, 2019 at the Manaolan Elementary School, Badiangan, Iloilo. The team provided storybooks, sports equipment and a TV monitor to the school which will help teachers enhance the students learning experience. The pupils received hygiene kits as well.

After the outreach, Manaolan Elementary School expressed their gratitude to the CS Team and to the whole CPU community.

Gearing towards a better CPUR

*The Centralian community prays for Marawi City and for the donations to be sent, that it will be a great blessing to those who receive it.*

Rain flutters across the pavement as Centralians make their way through the CPU main gate, billows of umbrellas entwine with one another creating a rainbow of dancing fabric amidst the rain – school year 2017-2018 has officially begun.

The start of the school year comes with the challenge of serving the studentry better. With this in mind the Central Philippine University Republic is creating ways and platforms to ensure that every Centralian will have the best college experience the university has to offer.

According to CPUR Prime Minister, Charles Arthel Rey, a 5^th year Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering student, the CPUR is bannering #CPURBeyondBetter with the aim of providing activities and programs that will cater to student development and participation among Centralians. “#CPUBeyondBetter is a commitment statement of the CPUR to serve the students better. We want to expand the advocacy of CPUR by reaching out to communities outside the campus. A committee for culture and the arts has been established so that we can develop programs that establish Centralian identity and also cultural awareness.”

*Volunteers carry the donated goods to the University Church.*

For its plans, Rey shares that the CPUR is gearing towards a campus that is politically mature, student centered and united. “We want for CPU to have a stand with regards to national issues. We also want to develop changes in existing projects. We plan to include a Spoken Word contest in the U-Day and Social Media Awards. Our commitment to culture and arts will also gear us for a better Centralian Star contest.”

Expanding the advocacy of the CPUR, the council aims to provide programs that involve the students in community development. “We don’t want to limit our advocacy inside the campus. We want to reach out beyond the university”. The CPUR is also implementing an Emergency Response Team Program to help prepare the Centralian community during disasters.

*CPU Republic officers gear up for school year 2017-2018 with #CPURBeyondBetter.*

The CPUR recently concluded their advocacy program “Tabang Marawi”, a donation drive encouraging Centralians to give goods, blankets, hygiene kits and others to the affected communities in Marawi City due to the recent Maute attacks. The initiative was started by Bernard Susbilla, CPUR Senator and a Bachelor of Science in Electronics and Communications Engineering. CPUR will be sending the collected goods to Dansalan College in Marawi through the Community Engagement and Service Learning Center.

With a booth situated outside the Enterprise Building, CPUR Officers encouraged Centralians to donate and participate in the said drive. “The drive lasted from June 9 to June 30. At first Centralians did not know that such donation program existed but through constant promotion, we were able to involve a lot of students and campus organizations. We gathered donations good for 150 families. In behalf of the CPUR Team we thank all Centralians who donated in cash and in kind and we hope for more partnerships as the term progresses.”

Rey shares that is school year poses a challenge to him and his officers. According to him, their annual budget has decreased because of the low enrollment due to the implementation of the K-12 Program. “There are definitely financial constraints this year because of low enrollment but we will still aim to offer the best programs and services.” As the Prime Minister, Rey is tasked of empowering his fellow officers to take the challenge of student service. “My strength as a leader is that I am straightforward and politically minded. I also have a strong appreciation of presence, I want to be there and I also want the officers to be there and appreciate the value of being present during every program or activity.”

To encourage student participation, the CPUR will be using social media as a platform of information. They will also be aiming at fostering strong partnerships with the LGUs and the different student organizations for active student involvement.

It makes sense!

By Cyrus A. Natividad

*Adrian Palomar, Operations Manager of ICONTECH explains iCONs features.*

How many types of cellphones have you used, and how soon did you change one after the other?

Do you still cling to that obsolete N5210, or have you changed your lifestyle with the latest smartphone?

The powerful smartphones include user-friendly and convenient information systems. They get the better of communications, such as the social media and other user connectivity. They reach out to the vast sea of humanity by a touch of a fingertip. The information technology revolution is an evolution of logic and awareness – purposely to interact and entertain.

On January 24, a newly founded enterprise called ICONTech in partnership with Central Philippine University launched a user friendly-student information system currently available for Android based phones.

It was amazing how CPU Nursing alumni Jennifer Sumindol and Adrian Palomar, and the bright students from Central Philippine University College of Software Engineering were able to join their heads together and revolutionize what we call a social media application exclusively tailored for CPU.

iCON is a student development-centered application that enables students to showcase their profile, chat with other students and receive messages from a group. A CPU Admin, Central Echo, CPUR and CPU Communications pages are also provided in order to receive timely news and announcements.

The teacher-student communication system is embedded in the Learning Management System of the Application. Students can now have social interactions with their teachers with regards to their assignments and advisory.

iCON is a product of young minds – Alumni and graduating students of Software Engineering course (the first and only one in the country). The possibilities and opportunities that the iCON App can bring are endless.

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.

CPUR Now and Then

By Cyrus A. Natividad

*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!