CPU, IMH, CCINAA hold Dedication Service for CPU College of Nursing Virtual Simulation Laboratory and Learning Resource Center

By Keziah G. Huelar

CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, College of Nursing Dean, Atty. Salex A. Alibogha together with previous College of Nursing Deans Dr. Betty T. Polido and Prof. Lily Lynn V. Somo, Mrs. Seisa and her husband, Mr. Narciso “Loy” Seisa.

A thanksgiving to the Lord – Central Philippine University, Iloilo Mission Hospital and the Central Philippine University, Capiz Emmanuel Hospital and Iloilo Mission Hospital Nurses’ Alumni Association held a dedication service for the CPU College of Nursing Virtual Simulation Laboratory and Learning Resource Center at the 2^nd Floor, Loreto D. Tupaz Building on February 12, 2019.

The invocation was led by Prof. Rona Idmene, faculty, College of Nursing.

For the opening remarks, CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles thanked everyone who supported the university’s vision of promoting excellence and competitiveness in nursing education through the said laboratory. “I thank you all for coming to share this important event with us, especially our alumni from different parts of the world. It shows how continuously you have supported the mission of this university.” Dr. Robles also underscored the university administration’s commitment in pursuing developments and linkages in order to make CPU’s academic programs globally competitive.

*College of Nursing Dean, Atty. Salex A. Alibogha thanked the CPU nursing alumni around the globe for their continuous support to the endeavors of the college.*

In his message, Atty. Salex E. Alibogha, Dean College of Nursing, talked about the college’s dream of having its own nursing virtual simulation laboratory and how it would impact Centralian nursing graduates to be more competitive and efficient professionals. “The idea of having the virtual simulation laboratory was conceived last February 201. Through the efforts of Ma’am Seisa and our alumni in the rest of the world we have started our virtual laboratory campaign fund.”

After which, Mrs. Ann Catedrilla Seisa, BSN Class 1977 and one of the major donors of virtual simulation laboratory fund, delivered the inspirational message. Mrs. Seisa highlighted the nursing alumni’s continuous love and support to the college. “It is the commitment of this university to be the best and I think, as an alumna, we are all going to be supportive [of the many endeavors of CPU]. I am very proud to say that because of the generosity of the alumni, CPU is the first in the region to acquire the high end, state of the art Apollo manikin which our students can practice various medical scenarios in all systems of the body.”

According to Mrs. Seisa, the goal of having the virtual simulation laboratory is to produce excellent and competitive nursing graduates that will proudly carry the CPU College of Nursing banner throughout the globe. “[Through this laboratory] our graduates will have the competency with technological innovations that will give them an edge to be able to successfully work here and abroad.”

*Mrs. Ann Catedrilla Seisa, BSN Class 1977 turnovers two checks amounting to $10,500 to CPU President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles and College of Nursing Dean, Atty. Salex A. Alibogha.*

Mrs. Ann Catedrilla Seisa also pledged an amount during her speech as part of the seed money for the 2^nd phase of the virtual laboratory. Later during the demonstration of what the virtual laboratory can do, Mrs. Seisa turned over two checks amounting to $10,500.00 to Dr. Robles and Atty. Alibogha.

Mrs. Seisa’s message was then followed by the Words of Thanksgiving by Rev. Roger T. Quimpo, Pastor for Outreach. Rev. Quimpo’s message focused on kindness and how it glorifies Jesus. “If we perform acts of kindness in the name of kindness or in our name, we receive the glory but when we perform acts of kindness in Jesus’ name, He gets the glory and we receive the reward. So kindness does pay off but we are kind because we want to honor and glorify Jesus.”

After which the Candle Lighting and Litany of Dedication took place followed by the Ceremonial Cutting of Ribbon led by Dr. Robles, Mrs. Seisa and Atty. Alibogha.

The Prayer of Dedication and Benediction was then given by Rev. Quimpo.

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.

CPU Transnational Program gears for more academic partnerships

*CPU President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles with Transnational Program Office Director Dr. Rowena Libo-on and Vice President for Finance and Administration Dr. Florence P. Bogacia.*

Dr. Rowena Libo-on, Director for Office of Transnational Programs, in an interview stated that one of the reasons for the existence of the university transnational programs is “to initiate and strengthen national and international linkages with individuals and institutions for mutual development here and abroad” as provided in the Administrative Manual.

The initial discussion and the preparation of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Thai Nguyen University of Economics and Business Administration (TUEBA) was spearheaded by the President, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles, and ably assisted by Atty. Aila Endonila, Legal Counsel; Dr. Rowena Liboon; Dr. Florence P. Bogacia, Vice President for Finance and Administration; and Dr. Jessica Chin, then Director of the International Programs.

The program started with the undergraduate course offering in Master in Business Administration and Master in Public Administration. As the number of students grew, the CPU Board of Trustees through Resolution No. 11, dated December 7, 2013, approved the creation of the Department of Vietnam Programs under the College of Business and Accountancy.

*Dr. Liboon with the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Myanmar Institute of Theology.*

The strategic plan also included plans to increase enrolment, such as offering distance education program and increasing the number of programs abroad. The Department of Vietnam Programs was changed to Office of Transnational Programs and was approved by the CPU Board of Trustees during a Regular Meeting in its Resolution No. 6 on November 11, 2015.

The new name gave way to more opportunities for academic programs and linkages with foreign universities and institutions. As of now the Office of Transnational Programs is preparing for its academic programs with the Myanmar Institute of Theology, College of Liberal Arts for its joint programs in Master in Business Administration. Another project for Transnational Programs this year is the offering of degree programs online.

The advantage with CPU Transnational Programs according to Dr. Libo-on is that “our partner,” Thai Nguyen University of Economics and Business Administration (TUEBA) has its own International Cooperation Center for Training and Study Abroad (ICCTS). The Center has support staff for each of the program with CPU.

*Dr. Robles (5th from Right and Atty Von Lovel Bedona (fourth from Right) with CPU VIP+s are in the front row with Graduates of TNU-TUEBA in Vietnam.*

On the other hand, CPU’s best practices on the Transnational Programs with Thai Nguyen University of Economics and Business Administration (TUEBA) include choosing highly qualified faculty, faculty orientation prior to the teaching assignment, full compensation for the local teaching load while teaching CPU programs in TUEBA, mutual support for students in TUEBA—including CPU faculty participation in thesis evaluation and defense.

Only those with master’s degrees can teach in the undergraduate programs while only those with doctoral degrees can teach in the graduate programs. In their Vision, it is stated that “the Office for Transnational Programs endeavor to achieve national and international recognition as a top institution of higher learning in the Philippines and in Asia.”

Fernandez is new BIOTA-WV president

*Dr. Fernandez ( second from the left) with the other BIOTA –WV officers and convention lecturers.*

The 18^th Annual Regional Convention and Scientific Session of Biology Teachers Association of the Philippines, Inc., Western Visayas (BIOTA-WV) was held at Tierra Verde Farm Resort, Damires Hills, Brgy. Damires, Janiuay, Iloilo on February 9-10, 2018. In this convention, a Centralian was chosen to head their organization. Dr. Stella G. Fernandez, Chairperson of the Life Sciences Department, was elected as President for the term of 2018-2020.

In cooperation with the Commission of Higher Education and the Department of Education, Biology/Science teachers and secondary and tertiary students both from public and private institutions participated in the said event. This year’s theme, “Uncovering Critical Content in Biology in the Context of K-12,” was substantially tackled by regional and national experts through plenary lectures, scientific sessions, teaching Biology content through student activities and lectures.

As part of the plan of the new president, BIOTA WV will hold a Quiz Bowl competition on March 9, 2018 for both secondary (at 8:00 am-12:00 pm) and tertiary levels (at 1:00 to 5:00 pm) at the CPU Alumni Promenade Park, Central Philippine University, Jaro, Iloilo City. Furthermore, on March 10, 2018, the Research and Poster Competitions will be conducted at Educational Media Center (EMC) and CPU Half-moon Drive.

BIOTA-WV Chapter is a professional organization of Biology Teachers in Western Visayas and has been active in promoting Biology in the Region.

CPU Mass Communication Students attend WVACS Ugyon Media Camp

*Centalians who attended the UGYON Media CAMP.*

Strengthening the link among the Communication students of Western Visayas, Mass Communication students from Central Philippine University attended the 3-day media camp held on January 23-25, 2018 at the University of St. La Salle (USLS) Granada Eco Park, Bacolod City.

A year ago, the creation of an alliance among communication students was made possible through the efforts and perseverance of the Central Philippine University MassCom Circle. They brought together communication students from different schools all throughout Western Visayas. Through an event entitled COMvention the (WVACS) Western Visayas Alliance of Communication Students was established.

*Centralian, Joanne Berona is the New President of Western Visayas Alliance of Communication Students.*

The theme for this year’s event was “Breaking Media Barriers in the New Millennium,” a challenge for future media practitioners to decide whether they will imbue communication with honest emotion and human sentiment or they will become a part of the barriers themselves.

The camp was packed with activities and lectures from day 1 to day 3. There were a total of eleven speakers who discussed topics in relation to their specialization. Senior Reporter of ABS-CBN Bacolod, Yasmin Pascual Dormido, discussed Media Law and Ethics in the Digital Age. According to her “A good name is worth more than anything. If credibility is lost, then it’s time to leave.”

After all the program and activity, an election was held for the next batch of officers of the WVACS. Joanne Berona, a third year Mass Communication student of CPU, was elected President. She will be replacing fellow Centralian Izza Cassandra Abolucion. The Centralians, indeed, have earned the trust and approval of other institutions as they display the Centralian spirit of leadership.