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.”

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!”

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”

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.”

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 4^th 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.