CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles with Prof. Levi De Los Santos Jr., Director of the CPU Community Engagement and Service Learning Center (CESLC) and Maria Belinda E. De La Paz, Chief Operating Officer of Haribon Foundation.
With the aim of promoting environmental protection through water conservation, the Community Engagement and Service Learning Center with its Biodiversity on Wheels (BOW) Project in partnership with Haribon Foundation joined other educational and environmental institutions in celebrating World Water Day 2018 at the West Visayas State University College of Agriculture and Forestry on March 20, 2018.
Centralian BOW Rangers participated in the said event with the promise of more dedication in promoting water conservation. The goals of World Water Day 2018 are to reduce water pollution, floods and droughts, preserve aquatic resources, and protect aquatic flora and fauna.
Celebrating World Water Day at Lambunao, Iloilo.The Biodiversity on Wheels promotes an educational forum for environmental conservation.
It can be recalled that CPU signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Haribon Foundation, Conservation of Natural Resources, Inc. and the Department of Education-Schools Division, Province of Iloilo on November 8, 2017. The parties agreed to collaborate on efforts and maximize awareness on biodiversity conservation through various environmental training programs. CPU will lead the implementation of “Biodiversity on Wheels” using the HARI Eco Van, in at least 10 elementary and secondary schools around the Iloilo Province. DepEd, on the other hand, will assist CPU in the implementation of BOW.
CPU is already implementing the BOW program in various elementary and secondary schools in the province.
CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles led the ribbon cutting of Entrepreneurship Week together with Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Irving Domingo Rio and Prof. Edgar Eriman, Director, Senior High School Department.
The CPU Senior High School held its own “Entrepreneurship Week” from March 12 to 16, 2018 at the Half Moon Drive. The said event is in fulfillment of the students’ requirements for their Entrepreneurship, a subject required by the Department of Education for all strands.
The students displayed teamwork, creativity, and business acumen as they brought to life their business plans for the weeklong activity. The business plan which served as the students’ blueprint for their business venture was presented to their respective instructors in preparation for the activity. A total of 16 sections in Grade 12 participated.
CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles visiting the food kiosks of CPU Senior High School students.
“What we have here is an opportunity to practice for the future,” Jenree John Debil, a senior high student from Dumangas, excitedly shared in an interview with the Centralian Link.
The Entrepreneurship subject in Senior High School is something that Arzea Savella considers a bridge to her future undertaking in business. She would like to have a career in the field of hotel and restaurant management someday. “It is an advantage to learn entrepreneurship early on in senior high,” she emphasized.
Entrepreneurs in the making – SHS Centralians managing their food kiosk.
At the end of the event, prizes were to be awarded to the sections that displayed outstanding performance. Awards included Most Innovative Product, Best Marketing Strategy, Highest Profit, Best Booth Presentation, Best Business Logo Design, and Cleanest and Tidiest Booth.
This was not only a great learning opportunity at handling a real business but also a fun and exciting experience for the Grade 12 Senior High School students.T
CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles,Vice President for Student Affairs, Rev. Joniel Howard H. Gico, Mr. Joselito De La Banda, Iloilo Head Office, DOLE Region VI and Mr. Francisco Heller, PESO Federation President witnessing the MOA Signing of CPU with participating companies.
CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles,Vice President for Student Affairs, Rev. Joniel Howard H. Gico, Mr. Joselito De La Banda, Iloilo Head Office, DOLE Region VI and Mr. Francisco Heller, PESO Federation President.
Employment opportunities for all—The Central Philippine University Guidance Services Center and Placement Office in partnership with the Public Employment Service Office, Iloilo Provincial Government, and Department of Labor and Employment Region VI conducted a “Job Fair @ CPU” at the Alumni Promenade Concert Park on March 14, 2018. The whole-day event was aimed at providing work opportunities for graduating Centralians and guests, and also to assist companies and employers in their business needs.
For the welcome remarks, CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles thanked the participating companies for joining this year’s job fair. “This event is not only for graduating Centralians, but also for the different companies joining us today. We are grateful for the positive response and also for the support of the Department of Labor and Employment and the Public Employment Service Office.”
Applicants line up during the Job Fair at Central held at Alumni Promenade Concert Park.
Mr. Joselito De La Banda, Iloilo Head Office, DOLE Region VI thanked CPU for holding the said event. “DOLE is very grateful for today’s activity. I am touched by the gospel about Jesus feeding the 5000, Jesus healing the sick, Jesus feeding the 4000. If today, Jesus is with us, I believe the news tomorrow will be ‘Jesus employs many.’”
On the other hand, Mr. Francisco Heller, PESO Federation President, encouraged young Centralians to make the most of the job fair activity. “There are 2.4 million unemployed people in the Philippines; 953, 964 of them are from the youth sector. Activities like this give young people opportunity to be employed.”
To officially open the event, the ribbon cutting ceremony was led by CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles; Vice President for Student Affairs, Rev. Joniel Howard H. Gico; Iloilo Head Office, DOLE Region VI, Mr. Joselito De La Banda; and PESO Federation President, Mr. Francisco Heller.
Thirty companies and around 400 job applicants participated in the event.
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.
Dr. Alfred Aaron Lee, world-renowned musician shares his testimony during his concert at the Rose Memorial Auditorium.
Dr. Aaron Alfred Lee during his piano concert at the Central Philippine University Rose Memorial on February 8, 2018 shared the message that the symphony of life is composed of diverse melodies of highs and lows that intertwine our hearts to the choices that lead us to our purpose. Life is therefore a song—a duet with our Creator, an infinite harmony of grace and thanksgiving.
A pre-CEW event—For the words of welcome, CPU President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles thanked Dr. Lee for sharing his time and talent to the university. “This is indeed a rare opportunity for us to listen to a great performance from a world-renowned artist. We’re happy that Dr. Lee, who is an honorary Centralian, will perform for our entertainment. We decided that since our Christ Emphasis Week is in the last week of February, we will call this a pre-CEW event. I thank the students and guests for joining us tonight.”
CPU President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles thanked Dr. Aaron Alfred Lee for once again sharing his talent to CPU.
Christ Emphasis Event will be held on February 26 to March 2, 2018.
Rev. Cris Amorsolo V. Sian, in his message, talked about this year’s CEW theme entitled “With You Always.” He shared that the theme is a response to the growing percentage of youth who experience depression. “This coming February 26 to March 2, we will again celebrate the Christ Emphasis Week. Our theme for semester highlights the text in Psalm 23:4, which says, ‘Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.’ We are cognizant of the fact that behind the façade of great technological and scientific innovation that grant us remarkable capacity to travel, communicate, and explore the world, a lot of people are still lonely.”
According to him, this year’s CEW is about reaching out to those who are experiencing depression and anxiety. “We are aiming to minister to those who are undergoing tough times by tapping into our spiritual resource in the Scriptures. We are also aiming to increase the awareness of the Centralian community on this topic of loneliness and to encourage the hearers that there is a need for us to create a safe haven, caring and compassionate, where our uniqueness is honored and respected, our gifts are celebrated, and our brokenness is restored by the power of God.”
Rev. Cris Amorsolo V. Sian, Senior Pastor, University Church talked this year’s CEW theme “With You Always”.CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles and Ma’am Angel Robles with world-renowned musician, Dr. Aaron Alfred Lee.
Music and testimony—Before the performance proper, Dr. Lee shared his love for CPU and his devotion to Christ. “My first trip in the Philippines was to visit CPU. I consider this university my home away from home. The focus of my life, if you know me well, is Jesus. When you hear Christ Emphasis Week, you need to know who that Christ is—and that Christ is Jesus. The most important person of tonight’s program is Jesus.”
The two-hour concert showcased Dr. Lee’s musical prowess and his commitment to share the love of Jesus to others. In the middle of his performance, Dr. Lee talked about the importance of knowing the purpose of one’s gift. “It’s good to know what talent you have. Every one of us has been given a talent but it is better to know why the talent is given—to know the purpose. Having the talent is no good if you don’t know the purpose; knowing the purpose is greater. How you use your talent is very important.”
Dr. Lee performed classic Christian hymns, a couple of his compositions, and for his finale song, he played John William’s “Across the Stars” from Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones. Humorously, before playing, Dr. Lee remarked, “I will play Star Wars but let us not go to the dark side but to the side of the light.”
To the delight of Centralians, Dr. Lee’s concert was a testimony of encouragement and grace. His musical talent has inspired a generation of dreamers and his love for Christ has helped others pursue Christ and His purpose. An adopted son of Iloilo City and an honorary Centralian, Dr. Lee will always find a home at Central and a stage for his testimony to be shared.
“Dr. Aaron Alfred Lee hails from Malaysia, but has been residing in the United States of America since 1991. He received his degree in music composition from the University of North Texas of Denton, Texas, USA and an honorary Doctorate of Music from the Central Philippine University of Iloilo, Philippines. His success as a composer, arranger, performer, and vocalist has earned him many awards and accolades, plus an extensive experience of traveling around the world as a renowned musician. However, he considers being known as the ambassador of the Gospel of Christ the most thrilling, and the highest position in life.
“For Dr. Lee, his conversion to Christianity at the age of 17 remains his best experience of all. His supernatural encounter with the Lord Jesus appearing to him has caused him to forever consecrate his life to God, and dedicate all his talents to serving Him. Sharing his testimonies of God’s grace working in his life constantly makes it real for the world to see the existence of the one true God who still communicates and is present in the lives of the faithful today.”
CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, encouraged Centralians and partner-organizations to support the advocacies of the Philippine Red Cross.
With the aim of encouraging more volunteers to donate their blood, the Philippine Red Cross Regional Office in partnership with the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation will be holding the Dinagyang Blood Olympics on selected dates this January 2018 at participating schools and universities. The opening program of the said activity was held at CPU Alumni Promenade Concert Park on January 10, 2018.
For the welcome message, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, CPU President, thanked the Iloilo City Government and the Philippine Red Cross for holding activities that promote the spirit of volunteerism, “We hope that events like this will continue as long as there is a need to help others who need blood donations. I thank the Iloilo City Government, the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, the Philippine Red Cross and all its partners for holding this kind of activity.”
Atty. Dominador C. Co., Executive Assistant to the Mayor, expressed the city’s thanks to the partner-agencies and universities for their support and commitment to the said activity.
Representative of Iloilo City Mayor, Jose Espinosa III, Atty. Dominador C. Co, Executive Assistant to the Mayor, expressed the city government’s gratitude to the partner-universities for their support and commitment to the said activity, “This noble endeavor is saving the welfare, well-being, and lives through the spirit of volunteerism. Volunteerism is one basic value we all share—giving our time and talent for the betterment of all. It is a culture that promotes community service.”
Dr. Mae Ann Sta. Lucia, Regional Blood Program Coordinator, Department of Health Region VI, on behalf of Dr. Marlyn Concovar, highlighted the role of youth in keeping the spirit of volunteerism alive, “We encourage the youth to inculcate the spirit of volunteerism, especially to participate in our blood drives. The spirit of volunteerism is very much alive in the provinces of Panay.”
CPU Prime Minister Charles Arthel Rey, in his message, encouraged his fellow youth to develop a heart for community service and empathy, “It is a great honor that the opening of the1st Dinagyang Blood Olympics was held here in our university. We should have a heart of empathy and volunteerism for our fellowman by supporting and promoting causes like this.”
The CPU College Red Cross Youth spearheaded the morning parade.
Dr. Paul Francia, Chairman, Blood Committee Philippine Red Cross-Iloilo, representative of Mr. Ramon Cua Locsin, President, Iloilo DinagyangFoundation, officially opened the 1st Dinagyang Blood Olympics.
The program began with a prayer, led by CPU Vice President for Student Affair, Rev. Joniel Howard H. Gico. The singing of the Philippine National Anthem and the CPU Hymn followed, both conducted by the Director, CPU Cultural Affairs, Ms. Crista Huyong with the CPU Symphonic Band conducted by Mr. Asuncion O. Bautista.
Also part of the Dinagyang festivities is a special screening of the entries for the short film making contest. The screening will be at Cinematheque Iloilo on January 23, 2018.
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