Honesty is the currency of trust—CPU Senior High School student, Mariah Aya Dynah A. Deza, was hailed for returning the lost cell phone of City Hall Special Service Unit employee, Mr. Emmanuel Cabales.

Deza found the missing phone while riding the jeepney. She then returned it immediately to the owner. As an act of gratitude, Mr. Cabales went to CPU Vice President for Student Affairs, Rev. Joniel Howard H. Gico to appreciate the Centralian’s honesty. He then thanked Deza, who refused to receive any gift for her honesty.

According to Mr. Cabales, Deza’s actions are a testimony to how Centralians are set apart from others because of their Christ-centered education.

“Honesty guides good people; dishonesty destroys treacherous people” (Proverbs 11:3). CPU is true to its commitment of producing honest Centralians by educating its students to be exemplary Christians for life. That is meaning of the CPU Vision of EXCEL—Exemplary Christian Education for Life.

With the implementation of the K-12 program of the government, CPU opened the Senior High School Department. As of June 22, 2017, the CPU Senior High School has 1,514 students. The number of enrollees was more than the expectation of the CPU Administration.

There are many reasons why students enrolled at CPU SHS. Sophia Jesura, Grade 12 reasoned, “I chose to enroll in CPU because of it quality education.” CPU is committed to academic excellence. In fact, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has granted the University a full autonomous status and accredited some of its programs as Centers of Excellence and Centers of Development. 

Kristine Joy Basinang, Grade 12, explained that “CPU is one of the best in Panay. It is popular, so I chose to enroll in CPU.” Indeed CPU is popular as evidenced by the 4icu.org ranking. Recently, CPU was ranked no. 1 in UniRank’s Western Visayas Ranking and League Tables and no. 28 in the entire Philippines for the year 2017. The ranking is based on web popularity and activity.

On the other hand, Mariette Celleros, Grade 12, clarified that what attracted her to CPU is the beauty of the campus and the facilities. She said, “I like the facilities of CPU. It helps us a lot in our studies.” CPU is certainly committed to consistently provide superior services by offering fully-equipped laboratories and classrooms. Furthermore, CPU is the only university in Iloilo to be declared by the Iloilo City government as a tourism site.

More importantly, Nicole Plaga, Grade 12, is fascinated by the Christian atmosphere of CPU. She said, “CPU is a Christ-centered university. I love studying here.” CPU is definitely faithful to its vision – “A University committed to Exemplary Christian Education for Life (EXCEL) and responsive to the needs of the total person and the world.”

CPU is hoping and praying that more students will come to the campus and will have a meaningful learning experience both in the curricular and extra-curricular activities.