CENTRAL’S HISTORIC 94TH CPU holds first in-person graduation after 2 years

BY PAULETTE TORRICO

One thousand and five hundred ninety-six Centralian graduates marched in the 94th Commencement Exercises on the 24th of July 2022 at Rose Memorial Auditorium, with the first batch gathered at 9:00 AM and second batch at 3:00 PM.

This was the first face-to-face graduation rites of the Central Philippine University Colleges after two years of having it virtually due to the restrictions of COVID-19 pandemic.

“This is happening not because of our human strength and skills alone. We recognize that it is because of the grace and goodness of our Lord Almighty through which we are able to celebrate this event today, face-to-face,” Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, CPU President said in his words of welcome.

Dr. Elmer Q. Pedregosa, Chairman –Board of Trustees also delivered his words of greetings and encouragement.

Commencement Speaker, Atty. Salex E. Alibogha, Commissioner, Legal Education Board of the Republic of the Philippines, shared the story of his sufferings and sweet victories as he and his siblings were able to graduate from college despite the fact that their father was a janitor and their mother was a sidewalk vendor. Despite all the life circumstances, he was able to thrive and survive because of God’s faithfulness. Everything he had was determination, hard work, and faith in God.

One of the graduate’s parents, Mrs. Dominga Jasa, said she was moved to tears by Atty. Alibogha’s testimony.

The awarding of degrees to the graduates was headed by CPU President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, assisted by Mrs. Emerald Joy E. Perucho, Assistant Registrar.

"The feeling that I got to walk on that stage and get my diploma is something I will treasure forever." Said Hannah Faith A. Sejera, Bachelor of Science in Social Work, Summa Cum Laude.

Sejera also commended the efforts of the faculty, graduation committee and council in making the event a successful one. She said,"What the graduation committee and council did was really good. They went beyond [my expectations] actually."

The first batch of conferees were from the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Arts and Sciences, Business and Accountancy. The second batch of graduates who were granted their degrees in the afternoon included the College of Computer Studies, College of Education, College of Hospitality Management, College of Nursing, College of Engineering, Pharmacy, College of Medicine, College of Theology, and School of Graduate Studies.

Pearl Joy L. Sufeciancia, BS Accountancy, Summa Cum Laude, and Wenn I. Ricaforte, BSED-S, Summa Cum Laude, delivered their responses in behalf of the graduates, in the morning and in the afternoon, respectively.

COVID-19 protocols, such as observance of physical distancing, wearing of face masks, and having only one parent inside the Rose Memorial Auditorium, were strictly implemented all throughout the ceremony. C

Central Philippine University (CPU) received a Technology Business Incubator (TBI) grant from the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) during the two-day HEIRIT 2.0 Kick-Off Program held on June 23-24, at the World Palace Hotel, Davao City.

Among the 27 recipient universities, CPU ranked fourth, with De La Salle University- College of St. Benilde for first place, Ateneo de Manila University for second place, Philippine Women’s College of Davao for third place, and University of the Philippines - Baguio for fifth place.

The CPU TBI team will participate in training programs and will receive at least P8 million to P10 million in funding support from the DOST-PCIEERD to address the increasing need for technologybased businesses or startups in the community, especially in Region 6.

"The technology business incubator in the universities will be the focal point in building the next generation of entrepreneurs in the regions. If someone with a good idea that solves a problem in the community needs to get some assistance and support for their funding and ideas, they should approach the nearest technology business incubator that is located in a higher education institution,” said UPGRADE’s project lead,

BY YUSIMAY HABLADO

THE LONG WAIT IS OVER.

A cetralian graduate receieves the 94th and first face-to-face commencement execrise of Central Philippine University after two years.