CPU College of Nursing holds “Successology” of Nurses Abroad

By Keziah G. Huelar

*Mrs. Ann Catedrilla Seisa, BSN Class 1977 shares her life and testimony during the “Successology of Nurses Abroad” held at the Loreto D. Tupaz Building.*

A testimony of faith and excellence – the Central Philippine University College of Nursing held a talk entitled “Successology of Nurses Abroad” at the Audio Visual Room, Loreto D. Tupaz Building on February 12, 2019.

Guest Speaker, Mrs. Ann Catedrilla Seisa, BSN Class 1977, shared her experiences as a Centralian nurse working abroad, a philanthropist and businesswoman.

As a Centralian nurse, Mrs. Seisa encouraged CPU nursing students to pursue their profession with excellence and commitment. “I am committed to do the best. That means when you are a Filipino nurse, when you are a CPU nurse, not only when you compete with the rest of the nurses you have to give not a hundred percent of yourself but a thousand percent.”

Sharing her life and testimony, she gave 3Fs: focus on your goals, follow through and finish strong, which according to her are the key factors of her successes.

Mrs. Seisa highlighted the importance of dedication and hard work coupled with grit in order to achieve one’s dream. According to her, the challenges of life are there to promote and hone us for bigger things. “The challenges prepare you for the next big thing. You have to have the determination and the grit to achieve your dreams. Be open to opportunities, you need to be ready for them.”

She also talked about the importance of being grateful to God and to appreciate the people He placed in one’s life. “Don’t forget to bring the Lord in your life and [your successes]. To be able to [thank Him] and be grateful for the [love and support] of your family and friends.”

It can be recalled that in 2008, Mrs. Seisa and her husband, Mr. Narciso “Loy” Seisa, sponsored the construction of the covered stage located in the center of the Loreto D. Tupaz Building in honor of her parents Mr. and Mrs. Ponciano Catedrilla. She and her Batch BSN 1977 donated 2 million pesos for the repainting of the Loreto D. Tupaz Building.

In 1986, the couple founded the Vagthol’s Residential Care Center, Inc. in Los Angeles, California. The center started as a boarding facility for senior citizens. Now, the center serves individuals with Phenylketonuria (PKU).

Mrs. Seisa is also the Chief Executive Officer of Solarex Energy International. She was a volunteer at the Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center and later became a member of its Board of Directors and the chair of its Program Services and Strategic Committee. Currently, Mrs. Seisa serves as managing partner for ASN, LLC and Vagthes, LLC, real estate holding companies.

The CPU College of Nursing takes pride in its alumni here and abroad. As the college gears up for new developments and breakthroughs, it recognized the role of the alumni not only in supporting the endeavors of the college but in coming back and sharing their insights and perspectives to the new breed of CPU nursing students for the glory of God and for the pride of Central.

CPU supports Philippine Librarians Association’s “Bibliotherapy” program

By Cyrus A. Natividad

*“Bibliotheraphy” aims to promote Christian values among Centralians. Photo Credit: Prof. Ana Mae Cantel.*

The Philippine Librarians Associations, Inc. (PLAI) and the Western Visayas Regional Librarians Council (WVRLC) promotes “Bibliotherapy,” an initiative which recognizes the inherent quality of literature not only as a source of enjoyment and entertainment, but as materials that promote well-being.

Book-reading has been found to offer therapeutic benefits which can result to developing self-confidence, increasing intellectual capacity, as well as building healthier interpersonal relations. Mr. Christian George Acevedo, PLAI-WVRLC President, further explains that reading “books and other literature can facilitate structure interactions between and among individuals.”

According to Prof. Ana Mae Cantel, the event facilitator, CPU’s Henry Luce III Library is one of the recognized centers of the program as the library holds one of the biggest collections of reading materials in the whole of Western Visayas.

Enrollment for SY 2018-2019 surpasses that of last year

By Francis Neil G. Jalando-on

*For 112 years and counting, Central Philippine University has been providing Exemplary Christian Education for Life to Filipino and international students.*

The enrollment figures of Central Philippine University are steadily rising again amidst the implementation of the K-12 program that saw no second year and third year college students for this year. The CPU Registrar’s Office reported a rise of 4% compared to that of last year’s enrollment statistics. Last SY 2017-2018, CPU had 11,887 students while this year it rose to 12,367.

Pre-collegiate (kindergarten, elementary, junior high school, and senior high school) statistics show that CPU has 4,348 students for this school year compared to 4,032 last year. The collegiate figures show an increase also from 7,123 students to 7,358. As of the moment, the post-graduate figures show a decrease of statistics from 732 to 661 students. However, this does not include the College of Medicine, which has not started its enrollment yet.

By 2021 when the K-12 and college cycles will be completed, CPU is expecting about 16,000 students to be enrolled.

CPU allots 40.3 Million for Scholarship and Grants in S.Y. 2016-2017

*Dr. Margen A. Java, Director, CPU Office of Student Development Programs spearheads the scholarship program of the university.*

Investing in the potential and talent of Centralians – Central Philippine University allocated 40,351,679 pesos in university scholarship, discount, grants and aids to deserving students, athletes and faculty and staff dependents, CPBC pastors’ kids and IMH staff and dependents during the school year 2016-2017.

9,859,298 pesos from the said amount went to the free tuition program of faculty and staff dependents. 8,382,749 pesos was allocated to cash discounts on tuition, 6,904,843 pesos was given to scholarship aids for entrance scholarship, 6,510,937 pesos went to athletic scholarships of the CPU Golden Lions, 1,639,528 pesos was given to tuition scholarship of the College of Theology, an additional 497,575 pesos was allocated to the board and lodging subsidy of the College of Theology scholars. 1,477,114 was given to family discount on tuition fees, 1,421,792 was allocated to the free tuition of the kids of pastors of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches, 1,055,592 went to the one-half free tuition program of Iloilo Mission Staff and their dependents.

The budget also included 1,092,400 pesos for the CPU band scholarship, 664,323 pesos for scholarship awards, 482,500 pesos for collegiate honor graduate awardees, 260,666 for the 25% free miscellaneous fees, 66,362 pesos for the free tuition of faculty and staff under the faculty and staff development program, 24,000 pesos for the university grant on loyalty awards and 12,000 pesos as gifts to Centralian topnotchers.

CPU offers entrance scholarships for high school valedictorians which includes full free tuition for the entire school year until second year subject to grade requirement and 3,000 pesos book allowance per semester – subject to grade requirement, salutatorians can get a half free tuition for the entire school year until the second year subject to grade requirement and a 1,500 peso book allowance per semester – also subject to grade requirement, and with honor high school graduates can get one third free tuition for the entire school year until second year subject to grade requirement.

Continuing Entrance Scholarships are also given, scholars may continue to avail full tuition (regardless of the form of scholarship previously enjoyed – i.e. valedictorian, salutatorian or freshmen with honors) until fourth/fifth year as long as the scholars have a grade point average of not lower than 1.63 provided he/she has no grade lower than 2.25 in all subjects for the semester. The first and second semesters’ grades during the second year are the bases for the continuance of scholarship in the first semester of third year.

Other university funded scholarships include Work-Study Student Program (WSSP), College of Theology scholarships which include a 50% discount on tuitions for the first year, a 75% discount on tuitions for the second year, 100% discount on tuitions for the third year and full free tuition and fees for the fifth and fourth year for CPBC members, members of the CPU Sari-Saot scholarship, Central Echo are also given discounts on tuition and fees, free tuition for faculty and staff dependents, free tuition for CPBC workers and pastors’ kids, half free tuition for IMH dependents, University Symphonic Band scholarship, athletics scholarship with categories: A – full tuition and fees, A1 – full tuition and half miscellaneous fees, B – full tuition and C – half tuition (maximum of 21 units only in all categories).

Grants-in-aid of 4,000 pesos per semester are also given to freshmen CPBC Member as recommended by the CPBC General Secretary. CPU also gives academic scholarships of 4,500 per semester after three semesters of study at CPU and other Grants-in-aid of 4,000 per semester after one semester of study at the university.

The Scholarship Program of the University is geared towards the intellectual development of the faculty, staff and students coupled with the spiritual and moral upliftment, which are in line with the University’s core values and guiding principles. Its objectives include: facilitating access and equal opportunities to intellectually gifted, talented and deserving faculty, staff and students to high standard of quality Christian education geared towards the development of the total personhood, initiating development programs that will sharpen the skills, enhance the talents and potentials of the scholars, providing adequate assistance to scholars on their academic endeavors and holistic learning through mentoring and coaching and provide updated and relevant information on scholarship opportunities, policies and privileges and establishing a systematic scholarship management information system for monitoring and decision-making functions.

In school year 2016-2017, the university has supported 377scholar athletes, 607 faculty and staff dependents and 161 CPBC pastors’ kids.