Fun in the sun – the College of Business and Accountancy held their College Day program and activities at the CPU Big Field. Photo Credit: Ronan Dumagit.
A celebration of faith and camaraderie—Central Philippine University holds its annual College Day in the CPU Campus on March 1, 2019.
The different colleges of the university showcased their creativity, talent, and solidarity by holding different events and programs in their respective venues in the campus. A spectacle of sights and sound, CPU’s College Day is a celebration recognizing God’s faithfulness to CPU and the hard work and perseverance of the students, faculty, and staff as the school year comes to an end.
The CPU College Day is a time to commemorate the Central Spirit by celebrating friendships and connections within the CPU community. The College of Computer Studies celebrated College Day by highlighting Filipino party games.
Spearheaded by the different college councils, the celebration is an ode to CPU’s creed of not only producing exemplary Christian learners for life but of establishing a lasting bond among its students anchored on Christ and driven by the Central Spirit.
CPU boasts of its close-knit alumni here and abroad. Such connections have been fortified by events such as the “College Day” where Centralians all over the campus create wonderful memories that last throughout their lifetime.
The CPU College of Law Junior students during the University Picnic. Photo Credit: Mark Greg Salaya
Celebrating 113 years of the Central Spirit—CPU’s annual tradition of holding the University Foot Parade early in the morning from CPU to Jaro and conducting a CPU Picnic continues as Centralians from different colleges and units showcased their own interpretation of honoring God for his faithfulness to the University. The opening parade highlighting the Central Spirit ended at the CPU Big Field where a short program was conducted where CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, officially opened the festivities. The picnic then followed suit, where the colleges and units held different events and activities at their assigned areas around the campus on September 26, 2018.
All Blue – The College of Business and Accountancy during the Street Dance Competition. The Senior High School giving a passionate performance during the Street Dance Competition.
With plenty of fun, food, and friendship, the event highlighted the Central Spirit by emphasizing unity in diversity. Centralians showcased their skills through the street dance and the folk dance competitions. In the street dance competition, participants from different colleges and units swayed and bopped their way around the CPU Campus, dressed in their creative ensemble. The folk dance competition, on the other hand, showcased the beauty of Filipino culture through the dancers’ graceful steps and traditional costumes.
The CPU Street Dance Competition showcases the fun and energy.An audience of Centralians at outside the Rose Memorial Auditorium witnessing the Street Dance Competition.
Aside from the dance competitions, the Battle of the Bands was also held. Centralians gathered at the Big Field to support their representatives and rock to awesome tunes. It has been a tradition in this competition to play at least one song of faith testifying that Christ is and will always be the cornerstone of the university.
The CPU U-Day Foot Parade is a showcase of the Centralian Spirit of friendship and Christian values.
Glorifying Christ for 113 years, the University Picnic is a testament of the continued celebration of faith and excellence, a tribute to God for blessing CPU.
CPU College of Law contestant during the English Oration Competition.
With the theme “Be a Centralian A.S.S.E.T.: Accountability to Self, Society, Environment Today and Beyond,” Central Philippine University celebrates the University Day 2018 in various venues inside the CPU Campus from September 17-29, 2018.
In sports, literary, and musical competitions, Centralians showcased their skills and talents highlighting the Central Spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie. The English literary contests, namely—oration, extemporaneous speech, declamation, and character interpretation—and the Filipino literary events—declamation, oration, extemporaneous speech, and binalaybay—were held at the Alumni Promenade Concert Park.
Women’s Trio Singing Competition contestants proudly wearing their Filipiniana.
Simultaneously, the musical competitions—male quartet, women’s trio, and others—were held at the Rose Memorial Auditorium.
Aside from these, Centralians could still look forward to more exciting events, such as the Mr. and Ms. CPU’s Talent Night on September 21, 2018 at the Rose Memorial Auditorium and the crowning of Mr. and Ms. CPU 2018 during the pageant night on September 25, 2018 at the same venue.
A battle of the words will also ensue on September 25, 2018 as the top colleges and units compete for the debate finals.
A passionate expression – a Binalaybay contestant performing his heartfelt piece.
On September 27, 2018, the University Picnic will be held around different venues in the campus. The Street Dance Competition, the Battle of the Bands and the Folk Dance Competition will also be held on the same day.
The CPUAAI also invites all CPU alumni to the 2018 Alumni Homecoming and General Assembly on September 29, 2018, 8:30 AM at the Rose Memorial Auditorium. The Alumni Night will be held at the Grand Xing Imperial Hotel on September 29, 2018, 7:00 PM. On the other hand, CPU’s 113th Foundation Day Memorial Service will be held at the Philippine-American Cemetery on October 1, 2018, 6:00 AM.
With the theme, “Fostering CPU’s Legacy: Let the Central Spirit Shine,” let us proclaim the goodness of the Lord in our university and His favour in our lives.
CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles talked about the spirit of excellence that Dr. Rex D. Drilon embodied.
Celebrating the life and contributions of Central Philippine University’s first Filipino President, CPU held a memorial service in honor of Dr. Rex D. Drilon at the Evangelical Memorial Garden on February 21, 2018.
For the words of welcome, CPU President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles talked about the importance of examining oneself and imparting a cause and legacy that the next generation could look up to, just as what Dr. Drilon has done. “This is not only a celebration of Dr. Rex D. Drilon’s life but a reminder that we are but mere mortals and that we have to examine ourselves and the legacy that we want to impart not only to the university but to our friends and family as well.”
Furthermore, Dr. Robles remembered the life of excellence that Dr. Drilon led and his commitment to lifting the university to greater heights. “We will always be reminded by the contributions of Dr. Drilon not only to Central Philippine University but the institutions that he was involved in. Let us look back and be reminded of his life and may we be inspired to complete our task for the university.”
CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles and Board of Trustee member, Mr. Noli Bajada place wreaths of flowers in Dr. Drilon’s tomb.CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles and Mr. Lincoln Rex Q. Drilon led the ribbon-cutting of the Rex D. Drilon Hall.
Ms. Susan Herga, CPU Elementary School Assistant Principal, shared her recollections of Dr. Drilon. “Forty-nine years ago, in 1969, when I transferred to CPU from Southern Baptist College, I heard from friends and relatives that Dr. Rex. D. Drilon was the President of Central Philippine University but I didn’t have any idea what he looked like, so when I met him in the campus I did not know it was him. One time, I was on my way to attend my class and ahead of me was a tall man wearing black pants and a long sleeved polo shirt. He was walking three meters away from me but what caught my attention was that from time to time he would stop and pick up something along the way. I did not walk past him because I was ashamed. I just walked observing what he was doing. I noticed that he was picking up rubbish along the way and I did not see him doing this once but several times.”
After returning home, Ms. Herga told her aunt about the man she saw. It was then that she realized that the man picking rubbish along the halls of CPU Elementary School was the Dr. Drilon. “When I came home, I told my aunt about the incident and she remarked, ‘Oh! Don’t you know that is Dr. Rex D. Drilon, the university president?’ I then said to myself, ‘A president of the university? Picking up the rubbish the elementary student threw in the campus?’ But he was not ashamed to pick them up!”
CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles and Mr. Lincoln Rex Q. Drilon unveil the marker of the Rex D. Drilon Hall.Present CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles with previous university presidents, Dr. Juanito C. Acanto and Dr. Agustin A. Pulido pose beside Rev. William O. Valentine’s (First Principal, Jaro Industrial School) bust.
According to Ms. Herga, that incident taught her a very important lesson about excellence and love for Central Philippine University. “A mediocre teacher tells, a good teacher explains, a superior teacher demonstrates but a great teacher inspires. Without saying a word, Dr. Rex D. Drilon had inspired and demonstrated how to care for our environment and above all, the CPU Campus.”
For the reflection, Rev. Roger T. Quimpo, shared his memories with the late CPU President and talked about the importance of leaving behind a good legacy. “I recall that when I was young, my friends and I would play around CPU campus and we would see Dr. Drilon. He would usually ask us what we were doing and who our parents were. Today, as we look back at the values and legacies of Dr. Drilon, we are reminded of our own legacies. A man can either spend his life, waste his life, or invest in his life—and the greatest thing we can do with our lives is to invest it in something that can outlast us. Time is our most valuable possession. What do you want to be remembered for? There is a universal desire to be remembered, to make a significant contribution to future generations. To do this, we must give our lives away to a cause greater than ourselves”
Mr. Lincoln Rex Q. Drilon thanks CPU for keeping his father’s legacy alive.Mr. Rex Lincoln D. Drilon with Present CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, previous university presidents, Dr. Juanito C. Acanto and Dr. Agustin A. Pulido and Board of Trustee members, Mr. Noli Bajada and Mr. Carl De La Peña.
After the reflection, a floral offering was placed on the tomb of Dr. Rex D. Drilon. It was then followed by the singing of the “Hymn of Assurance” and the prayer and benediction.
Following the memorial service was the dedication of the Dr. Rex D. Drilon Hall, the administration building. Gracing the event was Mr. Lincoln Rex Q. Drilon, who led the ribbon-cutting with Dr. Robles.
For his response, Mr. Drilon thanked the university for remembering and honoring his late father, keeping his memories alive for future Centralians. “Rex D. Drilon was a political scientist, writer, molder of lofty values, and pillar of institutions. His approach to every job was one of dedication and passion. His commitment was unwavering and inspiring.”
Mr. Lincoln went on to share his father’s love for CPU. “In his life, with all the roles he had to play, perhaps the most fulfilling were the ones that involved CPU. His years of service to Central were his happiest years. He loved CPU. Today’s commemoration of his death and the renaming of the administration building in his honor is a capping honor given to a man who loved this institution.”
Cultural Affairs Affair Director, Ms. Crista Huyong and Mr. Lincoln Rex Q. Drilon sings opens the musical show with a duet of the classic Try to Remember.CPU President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles and Mr. Lincoln Rex Q. Drilon together with the Dr. Rex D. Drilon Day Committee.
He thanked Dr. Robles for the university’s love and dedication of keeping his father’s legacy alive. “The keeping of this tradition of remembering was started by CPU former President Agustin A. Pulido, followed by other presidents, but it was during President Robles’ watch that that the tradition of remembering was institutionalized through more varied celebrations that involved more student participation. At this moment, I would like to give thanks to all who made this celebration creatively successful. Perhaps this will be the last Rex. D. Drilon Day that I will attend as an active celebrator, when the veils of old age is upon us and diminishing health takes its throng, when our days are no longer long and endless, and we can no longer outrun the sun, and we are no longer full of fish and vinegar, manmade edifices makes us remember. I thank all of you friends, family, relatives, and classmates who have come.”
In line with the celebration of Dr. Rex D. Drilon Day, the Cultural Affairs Office, the CPU Handbell Ringers, Teatro Sining Atbp., CPU Sari-Saot, CPU Visual Arts Club, and the EXCEL Chorale partnered together to offer a theater performance featuring songs and dance numbers from Broadway musicales The Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Annie, and The Sound of Music at the 4th Floor, Henry Luce III Library.
Opening the show was Mr. Lincoln Rex Q. Drilon singing “Try to Remember” with Cultural Affairs Affair Director, Ms. Crista Huyong.
campus events 