Mrs. Saul (right-center) receives the cash donation from Elementary Grade 4 teachers.
On the night of January 16, 2018, a devout father was on his way to work when he was hit by a public utility jeepney and died instantly. The driver of the jeepney ran away and is still free from jail while the case is under investigation.
The victim, Rodel Saul, was a Security Guard detailed at CPUElementary School. Rodel loved the elementary school pupils like he loved his own children. The family suffered after the accident took away the life of the only breadwinner of the family. He is survived by his wife and two young children.
As acknowledgement for Saul’s hard work and kindness towards the students while working at CPU, Grade IV-Excel pupils collected love gifts from their classmates and friends and donated the amount to Mrs. Rogin Gallego Saul, wife of Rodel. “The love gift shall go a long way to help us during our time of bereavement.” The Saul family gave thanks to the students and their class adviser, Ms. Ofelia Cerbo.
Parody and prose – the event showcased the power of words and the struggle to perfect human expression through writing. Photo Credit: Nessie Amprado
Poetry hour was held at around 4pm on Monday, February 19 at the Educational Media Center of Central Philippine University. With the theme “Panayanon,” the AB English students, in cooperation with AB Mass Communication students, showcased their love of poetry as various personalities and classes performed on stage. The event was spearheaded by Izza Abolucion and Rusieljs Lunasco, under Professor Esther Rose Romarate’s class. The event was hosted by Clem Marnel Burgos while the opening prayer was led by Nestle Taala.
Dr. Marie Melanie Javier first shared her poem, “Come Home to Panay,” then poems like “Ang Bayong kag Banga” by Flavio Zaragoza Cano was read by Ruben Armandillo, “Si Eva, Si Adan” was recited by the author Mr. Melchor Cichon, “Dughan Ya Likud” by Eby Banas was read by Bermie Cangrejo, “No Speaking Dialect” was performed by the poem’s author, Early Sol Gadong, and “Night Firely Tour, Coron” also by its author, Prof. Sean Edgley.
During the second part of the activity, Bahandi choir members performed a Visayan medley arranged by Romulo Pangan. Then another round of poems were read: “Sulat” by Alex de los Santos was recited by Charbe Mel Vidal, “Ang Makatang Mangingibig” by John Iremil Teodoro was read by Dr. Anita Illenberger, “Ngaa Naga-ulan, Palangga” was performed by Noel De Leon, “All Blackouts Will Betray You” was shared by Paul Mackey Marfil, “Youth of the World” by Cordelia Gobuyan was read by Rev. Sharon Rose Joy Ruiz-Duremdes, “For John” by Edward de la Fuente was read by Antonio Alphonso Arenas, “Sa Math Lang Ako Magaling” by Early Sol Gadong and “Mythologies” was written and recited by Rhick Lars Albay. Rusieljs Lunasco shared her God-given talent through a beautiful song about equality, “Alalangay.”
Classes under Professor Romarate performed “Tikum Kadlum,” Sugidanun sang Panay Bukidnon.
Professor Romarate ended the activity with a message of happiness and gratitude to everyone who made the Poetry Hour successful.
The purpose of the “Panayanon” is not only for students to perform but to continue to share the art and beauty of spoken words.
Flavors of the world – Voyager is an annual event that showcases the different cuisines of countries around the world created and mastered by CHM students.
Savory and delicious international dishes were prepared and served by 165 students of the college. The kiosks were set with international themes, each country being represented by an international menu. A student model clothed with a designated national costume stood by each kiosk. An entertainment program was on stage while cooking, food tasting, and picture-taking got students pouring into the Promenade.
The thrust of CPU CHM is to train students not only in food preparation and cuisine but also in customer service and hospitality. The activity was primarily organized by the students of 417 Events Management subject.
Dr. Rex D. Drilon, Central Philippine University’s first Filipino President.
Dr. Rex Divinagracia Drilon was born in Dumangas, Iloilo, on April 21, 1905. He spent the greater part of his childhood in his hometown where he also received his early education. He finished his secondary education and Associate in Art (pre-Law), with honors, at Central Philippine College, Iloilo City in 1925 and 1927 respectively.
Through a scholarship, he was able to study abroad. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts (English) at Linfield College, McMinnville, Oregon in 1931 and a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Master of Arts (Editorial Writing) degree at the University of Missouri in 1937. He was officially approved as matriculated candidate for the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree at Columbia University in 1949. In 1967, Prof. Drilon was conferred the degree Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.), honoris causa, by Linfield College, his Alma Mater.
Dr. Drilon was a high school teacher in English from 1927 to 1929. Abroad in 1936, after graduation, he taught Editorial Writing at the University of Missouri, School of Journalism for one semester. When he came back to the Philippines, he became an English instructor at Central Philippine College in 1938-1939 and, later, a professor of English at the National Teachers College and Lacson College (Manila) in 1939 up to the outbreak of World War II in December 1941. In 1941, he was professor-lecturer of Know-Your-Philippines-Tours, Inc., teaching freshmen English, Composition and Rhetoric and Journalism, and adviser of the Manila Chapter of CPC Alumni Association. In 1960, aside from being designated as the assistant professor of Political Science, he was also the acting secretary to the President of the University of the Philippines.
As a writer, he served various positions exercising his God-given talent, such as editor, Filipino Pilgrim Magazine, Delano California (1932-33); editor, Filipino Students’ Bulletin, New York city (1936); editorial writer, Columbia Missourian (1936-1937); staff, Manila Daily Bulletin (1941); and co-editor, Teachers’ College Journal.
During the war, Prof. Drilon was an officer of the Panay Guerilla Movement. After the war, he resumed his academic work as a faculty in Central Philippine College and on one of his messages, he prophetically declared, “Out of the ruins and ashes of war shall rise a greater Central!” In response, Centralians declared, “We shall show the generations coming after us that no war of man or machine can destroy the Central Spirit and that, like a river forever seeking the ocean, the College must go on… no matter what the difficulties… The martyrs did not die in vain at Hopevale, for we now keep the torch of their vision burning…We must all keep that faith.”
In 1946-1948, he was designated dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; head of the Departments of English, Journalism and Philosophy; director of Summer School; and adviser of the Central Echo Staff. It was in this period that his students would lovingly remember him as “a journalist from Missouri who walks with a busy man’s heavy tread, keeps a thesaurus in his head, and exhibits a mood as stable as the waves, and does not want to be called ‘Resurreccion.’” In 1952-1953, he continued to be a member of the faculty teaching English, Political Science, Philosophy and Sociology and staff-editor of the Alumni Newsletter.
From 1952-1955, he was elected executive secretary of the CPU Alumni Association. He was appointed director of Summer School in 1953, and officer of Public Relations in 1954-56. In the school year 1955-1956, he was designated professor of Political Science. His career in CPU reached its peak when he was appointed as its President in June 1, 1966. During his presidency, he also served as acting dean of the College of Theology in 1968.
On June 1, 1966, President Rex D. Drilon signed the contract, making him the first Filipino President for the 61-year-old Central Philippine University. That historical moment was witnessed by members of the Administrative Staff and Board of Trustees. His installation into office on April 21, 1967 was administered by then Philippine President, Ferdinand E. Marcos. A 50-voiced choir sang “This Nation Will Be Great Again” with lyrics written by Rex Drilon himself and music composed by Frederick E. Bieler.
During his presidency, on Christmas day, December 25, 1969, the entire university property—land, buildings, and equipment—was turned over by the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society (ABFMS) to the Filipino Corporation of Central Philippine University. “This was the largest real estate transfer in the history of ABFMS… The deed of donation earned for itself the distinction of being an event without parallel in the history of religious foreign missions. The ABMFS is the first such religious foreign mission to award Filipino title to its properties in the Philippines.”
“A great Central” was the vision of Rex D. Drilon, his all-consuming passion. When he became President in 1966, it was a turn of a new era characterized by political and social unrest throughout the land. Despite all the tumult, he nourished his vision and held it high as light in the darkness, urging the Board of Trustees, faculty, students, alumni, and friends with the imperative, “We shall move this school as it has never been moved before. Central will be great.” Rex Drilon brought to the Presidency an unparalleled combined acumen of an educator, administrator, and humanitarian. He was a topflight journalist and political scientist with very strong libertarian and nationalist fervor. He accepted the prestigious yet difficult position prepared with a wealth of administrative experience gained from the places of responsibility he occupied in Central Philippine College and in the University of the Philippines.
President Drilon took to his task keenly aware of the role his administration had to play: that of a bridge between the years of American leadership and support since the founding of the school in 1905 and the unknown future. He very well knew that the success or failure of the university would be his responsibility and that of his Filipino colleagues. In his inaugural address, he appealed for support. In conclusion he said, “If your Filipino president fails, then the Filipino name is marked forever. But if your Filipino president succeeds with your help, with your loyalty, then the Filipino name shall be honored—you honor yourselves.”
A staunch advocate of academic freedom, he organized the University Forum where students and faculty could experience what he termed “a free market of ideas.” He allowed students to speak their minds with “no holds barred” and encouraged the students to write and express themselves in the Central Echo on university policies and student problems as well as on problems of the local and national governments. He was a humanitarian of the highest water, a champion of the less privileged and the underdog, but a thorn in the flesh of the arrogant and the sanctimonious and those who would betray the Central Spirit. In Scientia et Fides, The Story of Central Philippine University by Nelson and Herradura, Rex Drilon is dubbed the “epitome of the Central Spirit.”
Dr. Rex D. Drilon died a sudden death in the morning of February 21, 1971. Loved and mourned by thousands, he was brought to his final resting place at the Evangelical Garden by a procession of thousands of students, faculty and staff, friends, and admirers—seen as one of the longest ever witnessed in Jaro.
President Drilon is survived by his wife, Independencia Quimpo, and children: Ed Nathan, Lincoln Rex, and Pearl Dency.
As a final tribute to their first Filipino president, the university bestowed upon Dr. Rex Drilon the Distinguished Service Award, which was presented to Mrs. Independencia Q. Drilon during the 1971 Commencement Exercises. On March 22, 2002, CPU also bestowed a Posthumous Service Award for his faithful and dedicated service.
Rex D. Drilon is remembered in the history of Central Philippine University as the fulfillment of the dream of his predecessors—the Filipinization of administrative leadership. He is cherished in the hearts of thousands he touched with his compassionate life—students, faculty, colleagues, and friends, and, most especially, janitors and laborers for whom he had a soft spot in his heart.
Rev. William Orison Brown Valentine,the first principal of Jaro Industrial School.
More than 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ challenged and commissioned his disciples to “go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Rev. William Orison Valentine, the first principal of Jaro Industrial School, was one of the many who answered the call of God to go to the whole world and bring the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Rev. Valentine was born in Spencer, New York, in 1862, to a family of farmers and horse breeders. After taking up Normal Course at Mansfield Normal School in Pennsylvania, he taught for four years and then enrolled at the Colgate Theological Seminary.
After completing his studies, he joined the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society and was sent to Burma, first to Rangoon in 1895, then to Mandalay where he became principal of the Baptist Mission High School for Boys. In his eighth year in Burma he suffered from severe sunstroke and returned to America for treatment. It was during his treatment that he met his wife, nurse Ina Jane Van Allen.
The couple was married in 1903 and soon left for their new appointment in Iloilo City.
Before the Valentines arrived in the Philippines, the Baptist mission had already started. In May 1900, Rev. Dr. Eric Lund, a Swedish Baptist missionary, and his newly baptized convert, Braulio Manikan, a native of Aklan, arrived from Barcelona, Spain. The two soon started the ministry of preaching, teaching, and healing while continuing to translate the whole Bible into Hiligaynon.
The preaching ministry resulted to organizing churches in Iloilo, Negros, and Capiz. For instance, Jaro Evangelical Church was organized in September 1900[a], Bacolod Evangelical Church in 1902, and Capiz Evangelical Church in 1908[b]. As to the healing ministry, the Philippine Baptist mission established two hospitals in Panay Island, the Iloilo Mission Hospital in 1901, and the Capiz Emmanuel Hospital in 1908. The teaching ministry resulted to the establishment of a Baptist Home School in Capiz in 1904, now known as the Filamer Christian College. In Iloilo, Anna V. Johnson also opened the Baptist Missionary Training School. The following year, in 1905, Rev. William O. Valentine, became the principal of two newly-opened schools, the Bible School for men, and the Jaro Industrial School.
Jaro Industrial School started as an Elementary Vocational School for boys who worked for their board and tuition. The first batch consisted of 20 boys. It was the first school in the Philippines to teach that labor is honor. Rev. Valentine recounted that, “it was decided that in this new school, no boy, no matter how rich, should be admitted who was not willing to work for his food… All must work for their food.”[c]
“The original purpose of the school was to provide opportunity for poor Filipino boys to receive a good Christian, industrial education by working their way through school. Actual work experience and earnest study of the Bible were the core of the curriculum.”[d]
The school also had the distinction of having organized the first student government in the country—the Jaro Industrial School Republic now, the CPUR Republic. Rev. Valentine modeled the student republic on the American civil government. In the words of one of the first graduates, “The Jaro Industrial School Republic takes a boy, nurture him in the atmosphere of genuineness, originality and individuality, until he discovers his real self; leads and encourages him in his struggle for existence—in his struggle against poverty, the seemingly insurmountable barrier to get an education; trains him for citizenship; lets him taste the joys of Christian life by having him live that way for years; and then turns him loose into the world, a Christian man.”[e] CPUR and campus politics have honed many leaders. These student leaders eventually became successful leaders in society.
By 1907, the enrolment of the school grew. There were now 300 boys working in the farm and in various trades. Rev. and Mrs. Valentine by this time were very busy in school affairs. Mrs. Ina Jane Valentine taught some subjects and at the same time cared for the three Valentine children born in Iloilo between 1904 and 1913.
Rev. Valentine worked hard to have the school incorporated and recognized by the government. His objectives were reached in 1913, the year when the school began to admit female students. In 1915, the first two years of high school were opened and by 1921, the first batch co-ed high school graduated.
In 1914, Valentine returned to America with his family to further his studies. He studied at Valparaiso University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree, and at the University of Chicago, where he presented a master’s thesis in the department of practical theology. His thesis entitled “Moral and Religious Values of Industrial Education,” recounted the success of work-study schooling at Jaro and other schools in Burma, South Africa, and India which had developed a similar philosophy of institutional self-support through the work of students. He earned his Bachelor of Divinity and Master of Arts from the University of Chicago.
With the completion of his studies in 1916, Valentine received a new appointment as Provincial Missionary for Negros Occidental, Philippines. He and his family went to Bacolod and became the pastor of Bacolod Evangelical Church.
He was instrumental in building a new mission house to replace the smaller chapel and encouraged Filipino Baptist pastors to preach at Sunday services. He also established dormitories for boys and girls who attended public schools. These students received a Christian education at the mission house.
Because of his passion for Christian education, Rev. Valentine set about not only to establish new churches but also private schools in Bacolod and throughout the province like the Ilog Private Academy in the southern part of Negros Occidental. Mrs. Valentine taught kindergarten in the Bacolod school. The school and the church grew in quality and quantity during the 11 years that Rev. Valentine served there.
In February 1928, tragedy struck not only the Valentines but also the blossoming mission work. Rev. Valentine died in Bacolod of malaria complicated by a heart disease. He was buried at the American Cemetery in Jaro, Iloilo City. Mrs. Valentine returned to America, and bought a home offered by the Baptist Mission Society in Granville, Ohio, across the street from Denison University where all three Valentine children studied. She died in 1979 in the age of 100.
Soon after Rev. Valentine died, the Negros Kasapulanan of Baptist Churches and the Bacolod Evangelical Church renamed the mission house in Bacolod as the Valentine Hall. In this Valentine Hall, two Baptist institutions were born. In 1948, Baptist leaders in Negros met and decided to establish a college to be housed in the Valentine Hall. This college was named as the West Negros College, now West Negros University. In 1950, the Bible Institute under Department of Christian Education of the West Negros College became a separate institution and was renamed as the Valentine Memorial Academy. This Bible School is now known as the Convention Baptist Bible College.
The Lord indeed works in mysterious ways. Even though Rev. Valentine died, his legacy lives on and gave birth to two successful learning institutions in Bacolod City.
Back in Iloilo, the Central Philippine College also decided to rename the then Administration Building as Valentine Hall, in honor of its first principal. Later, when the annex building was completed near the Valentine Hall, it was appropriately called the New Valentine Building. Soon after, a new tradition was started. Every Foundation Day in October, University officials come to the American Cemetery to lay a wreath of flowers on the tomb of Rev. Valentine and other American missionaries.
In 1969 CPU conferred a posthumous doctoral degree upon Rev. Valentine. He was accorded a Doctor of Pedagogy, Honoris Causa.
When CPU celebrated its 100 years on Oct. 1, 2005, a Bronze bust of Rev. Dr. William O. Valentine was unveiled during the Foundation Day ceremony to honor the life and ministry of the first principal of CPU.
More than a hundred years ago, Rev. Valentine witnessed how God was faithful in the humble beginning of Central Philippine University. With just 20 boys working for their tuition and food, Rev. Valentine gave his full commitment. Now, we are witnesses to the legacy of Rev. Valentine and other American Baptist missionaries. God was faithful then and God continues to be faithful until now. CPU is now home to more than 12,000 students, and more than 700 faculty and staff. CPU has also maintained the coveted Autonomous Status granted by the Commission on Higher Education since October 2001.
Thank you, Rev. Dr. William Orison Valentine, for giving your whole life to the Filipinos and to the Centralians. May we continue your legacy of sacrificial commitment in serving God and his people. To God be the glory!
[a] Nestor D. Bunda, A Mission History of the Philippine Baptist Churches 1898-1998, (1999) p. 164
[b] Henry W. Munger, “Baptists in the Philippines” in The Chronicle, Vol. 1 No. 4, (October 1938) p. 171
CPUR President Jan Christian Española holds a heart-shaped coin bank personally molded by Eduardo Llanera whose son, Allen, has Tetralogy of Fallot. For inquiries on how to purchase the coin bank please contact any officer of the CPUR.
In the Bible there was a man who was afflicted with leprosy. He kneeled before Jesus and begged Jesus to “clean him.”
“If you want you can make me clean,” the man said to Jesus. The man meant for Jesus to clean him not only physically, but also spiritually. At those times spiritual cleanliness and holiness were considered the same by the Jews.
There are various commentaries in the Old Testament with regarding leprosy. The Jews considered leprosy a punishment from God because the person has committed sin. Lepers were considered dirty and in the realm of religion, they were considered “spiritually unclean.” They were also outcasts of society.
The lepers were regulated by the Jews to stay at least fifteen feet away from “clean people.” They and their families were not allowed to work. So the only choice they can have was to become beggars.
The man begged for Jesus to clean him both spiritually and physically so he can live and work among men. The Lord Jesus pitted him so much that he held his hands and told him, “I want you to be clean.”
The inequity against the poor and the needy could have changed when Jesus came into the world. But even at present, there are still people who are afraid to mingle with the poor and the needy. They look down on them and consider them sick, dirty, and the “garbage of society.” They distance themselves from these people or they send them away.
Because Jesus loves his people equally, he didn’t care about touching the leper. He cured and cleaned them. Jesus also visited the sick and cast out demons from the possessed.
Amidst all the pain and injustice we experience, we must remember that Jesus loves and blesses everyone who believes in him. Above all else, in this season of love we must not forget that God is Love.
80 years of amazing grace—The Central Philippine University College of Engineering, Packaging Engineering Department celebrated Engr. Lejo “Pack Leader” C. Braña’s 80th birthday at the Packaging Engineering Laboratory on February 8, 2018.
The event gathered friends and family from the Centralian community; also present is Ma’am Angel Robles and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Irving Domingo Rio, students, faculty and staff from the Packaging Engineering Department. Showcased in the venue are Engr. Braña’s works, patents, and packaging designs.
In his speech, Dr. Braña thanked the College of Engineering, his friends and family, and, most of all, God Almighty for the 80 years of grace and faith. He also encouraged the “young blood” of the college to pursue greater heights in their career and to strengthen their faith in God.
Engr. Lejo C. Braña thanks the CPU community, his friends and family for the joy and support.
A portrait of Dr. Braña was presented by Mr. Efraim Alfaras, senior graphics artist of the CPUPress and a professor of Packaging Graphics and Design and Packaging Printing in the College of Engineering. “As he celebrates his 80th birthday, I wish him to enjoy his life—it is God’s extension. He can look back to all his achievements and build upon it. As the founder and alpha wolf of the pack, Dr. Braña inspired me to be here in the college. I saw his dream and for so long a time, he was doing it alone. We believe in the Packaging Department that the strength of the wolf is the pack so we embraced the idea that we are part of his strength. We are here to help him achieve turning CPU into the birthing center of Packaging Engineering, not only in Iloilo but the whole ASEAN.”
Mrs. Charlett Dianala, faculty of the CPUJunior High School and a niece of Engr. Braña, wished him good health. “I thank the Lord for your life. Truly God is so good and faithful to you as you celebrate your 80th birthday. My birthday prayer is that the Lord will continue to bless you with long life, good health, and more blessings as you are one of God’s channels of blessings. You are an inspiration to us; you are a great example for us to emulate in living a godly life.”
Engr. Braña, who obtained his high school education at Central Philippine University, is the first Filipino Certified Professional in Packaging (CP-P-P) in the United States, and a member of the Institute of Packaging of the United Kingdom. He is also a Registered Chemical Engineer.
An exhibit of Engr. Lejo C. Braña’s works throughout his career.Mr. Efraim Alfaras presents a portrait of Engr. Lejo C. Braña.
He has more than thirty years in professional packaging practice, successfully serving in several companies. Now he is the packaging Director of Riviana Foods and of RVR Package Testing Center in Houston, Texas.
His competence and expertise has been recognized by his having been admitted as a member of such scientific and professional bodies as the American Society of Testing and Materials, Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, National Institute of Packaging and Logistics Engineers, Modern Plastics Magazine Advisory Panel, and Food Engineering Executive Advisory Panel. He is the founding President of the Gulf Coast Chapter of the Institute of Packaging Professionals.
Engr. Braña holds a U.S. Patent for a package sizing device. He has participated as a speaker at many seminars and conferences and traveled to countries in North and South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia in connection with his professional practice.
At present, the Packaging Department of the College of Engineering is working on a book, The Wheel to Pack, in honor of Engr. Braña.
Dr. Fely P. Chin with her friend, Dr. Anita Illenberger, Dean, CPU College of Arts and Science. We remember her strong testimony of faith and friendship that will surely live on.
Central Philippine University is home to dynamic individuals who have contributed their time, talent, and treasure not only to the university but the world as well. These people have inspired a generation of Centralians living out the university motto, Scientia et Fides, offering their commitment to uphold the values of Central, and, most importantly, to glorifying God in whichever part of the globe they may be.
Dr. Chin had devoted her heart and hands to the halls of CPU.
Her pursuit to offer her best to CPU is evident in her continuous efforts to pursue higher degrees. She attained her Master of Science in Statistics from San Diego State University, San Diego, California in 1990 and her Master of Arts in Teaching Mathematics from the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City in 1975. She also finished her Doctor of Education at Central Philippine University in 2011.
According to Dr. Anita Illenberger, Dean, College of Arts and Science “Speaking of Dr. Fely P. Chin, Tita Inday as we fondly called her, brings both pain and joy. There is hurt whenever I think of a dearest friend whose physical presence is sorely missed. Yet, there is joy in remembering how fortunate I have been to be blessed with a friend who is more like a sister to me a mentor, confidante, and travel buddy. Believing that she is not actually gone, she keeps her special appointed place in the hearts of every member of our Bible Study Group. She will be forever connected with me in prayers. Faith and love will always keep us to together.”
She passed away last December 18, 2017 at the age of 66. May the life, love, and legacy she left behind inspire us to take hold on the goodness of Lord and serve our purpose for His glory.
Mayor Mark Palabrica credits his leadership experience to his student government days in CPU during an interview with Mr. Cyrus A. Natividad.
Bingawan is a 5th class municipality in the northern part of the Iloilo province. At present, it enjoys development under the administration of Mayor Mark Palabrica who took over the leadership from elder brother, former Mayor Matt Palabrica.
Matt Palabrica is now the incumbent Vice Mayor of Bingawan. He fully supports his younger brother in the administration of the municipality.
Behind the progress in Bingawan is a Centralianlegacy. The two top officials of Bingawan took part in campus politics and governance in their college days. Mayor Mark Palabrica finished his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 1997 and his Bachelor of Laws from CPU in 2002. Vice Mayor Matt Palabrica finished his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in 1992. Both have been officers in the CPU Republic and SK Officers at municipal and provincial levels, respectively. During Matt’s term in office, Bingawan received the presidential “Galing Pook Award.” the Department of Local Government gave the Drug Free Municipality Award to the municipality twice—during Vice Mayor Matt’s terms and at present, that of Mayor Mark’s.
The Mayor and the Vice Mayor attribute this achievement in the Anti-Drug Campaign to the influence of Baptist churches in the community and undeniably to the Centralians in the municipality. Mayor Mark and Vice Mayor Matt point to the Central Spirit as the guiding light in leading their people with consistent Christian values. They fondly remember the Christ Emphasis Week celebration that helped them in their spirituality. Both are family men who see to it that their family leaderships reflect the right values in their children and, likewise, among their constituents. The Baptist influence is of great help in the formation of Christian values in the communities of Bingawan.
Vice Mayor Matt Palabrica shares that the Christian values he learned in CPU helped him succeed government leader.
In an interview with Mayor Mark and Vice Mayor Matt, both expressed gratitude to Central Philippine University for the help and support extended to Bingawan—particularly after the municipality suffering from the onslaught of typhoon Yolanda. Survivors of Yolanda received donations and financial assistance from CPU.
It is well known that majority of professionals in Bingawan are graduates of CPU. Also, many students currently enrolled at CPU come from Bingawan. University and municipality have formed valuable linkages and outreach such as participation in the joint program “Bingawan CPU Day” and the recently launched “Municipal Volleyball Tournaments.”
With the first Volleyball Tournament held with this year’s municipal fiesta, with support and participants from CPU, Mayor Mark looks forward “to continuous event organization and joint efforts in promoting the games with students of CPU and other municipalities and entities; to foster community activities, public relations, and promotions for Bingawan and Central Philippine University. It is for the future of the municipality that we value our relationship and continue on with the linkages we have started with Central Philippine University.”
Prof. Annalie Gilongos has been passionate in helping Centralians achieve their dreams.
The Work-Student Study Program (WSSP) of Central Philippine University (CPU) continues to provide opportunities for the poor yet deserving students to enroll in any tertiary academic program while working in the university. With their coordinator, Prof. Annalie Gilongos, appointed only in 2016, the organization is gearing towards maintaining that goal.
Prof. Gilongos is a BS Nursing graduate of Central Philippine University. She also finished her master’s degree in 2006 in this university. She started working at the university in 2002 as one of the faculty in the College of Nursing. At present, she still serves as a professor to some of the subjects under the BS Nursing course. Aside from teaching, she is also currently the coordinator of National Service Training Program (NSTP), and, in 2016, she was assigned as coordinator of WSSP as well.
Prof. Gilongos said that her first few months handling the organization was challenging for she had to balance her work as faculty in the College of Nursing and, at the same time, serve as the coordinator of NSTP and WSSP. “It was very challenging since I had to balance my work as a faculty in the College of Nursing and at the same time be the WSSP Coordinator—organizing WSSP operations and procedures, following up work students’ progress both in their work and academics, and also providing counseling for those with poor performance,” she shared.
She admitted that at times, she felt mentally and emotionally drained. However, one thing that made her feel good was that she enjoys the time she spends counseling the work students—talking and interacting with them. Such moments help her understand them more. “Despite the challenges, I’m thankful because in return, the responsibility as coordinator also honed me to be a better person,” she added.
In order to develop work students’ skills in work and studies, Prof. Gilongos said, “We will conduct more trainings and seminars for work students to further enhance their skills, knowledge, and attitude and help them to develop professionally.”
As the WSSP coordinator, she stated the things she wanted to instill among the Centralian work students, “Working while studying is more than just a job—it is also a job experience, and from these experiences, they gain mentorship opportunities from their supervisors and co-workers; they also gain understanding of work responsibility and they develop self-confidence, self-awareness, and they get to build a network of contacts.”
She also emphasized the advantages being Centralian work students saying, “They must grab any learning opportunity, gain skills and experience. Take pride for being a working student because they are not only gaining experience that will help them in the future but they are part of this University that values everything they do.”
Lastly, Prof. Gilongos has this advice for work students, “For work students to be successful, they need to be committed and conscientious. They should be committed to their obligations, to work diligently in everything they do and meticulously finish their tasks. They should also be determined—always pray and never give up whatever hardships, trials they may face along the way. Most importantly, they must be accountable for all their actions and tasks assigned to them”.
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