Central PH U alumni mark 35th year

Central PH U alumni mark 35th year

The Central Philippine University Alumni Association of Greater Toronto Area Chapter together with their friends and supporters marked their 35th anniversary with a grand gala dinner dance, induction of officers and fund raising at the Mississauga Grand Banquet Hall and Conference Centre last Saturday, April 6, 2013. The event was filled with fun and good fellowship. The Central spirit and warm and welcoming “Ilongo” smile and greetings made everyone feel at home and comfortable all through out the evening.

The evening festivities opened with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at 6:00 pm in the spacious and elegant Atrium Hall of the Mississauga Grand Banquet Hall. The program, ably emceed by Mr. Rodrigo Gonzales, started with words of welcome by the President, Josie Calfoforo Dayao.

Alumni and guests were proud to display their formal gowns and black ties at the gala event. Alumni and guests were entertained by the Bahandi Men’s Quartet(Rinand Escuban, Ben Cuales, Salvador Magno Jr., and Rodney Gicana) who performed two special songs, and the younger members (children of Gicana, Escuban, Quanico, Magno families) danced the “The Tinikling”, the national dance of the Philippines.

Consul General Junever M. Mahilum-West was the keynote speaker and inducting officer. She was introduced by Mr. Rick Falco. The new set of officers are: Josie Calfoforo Dayao (President), Norma Maude Van Dusen(Vice President), Faith Ramos(Secretary), Emelyn Arroz (Asst. Sec), Renan Jabat (Treasurer), Jolly Alocilja (Asst. Treasurer), Leo Faldas (Business Manager), Cesar Grecia Jr.(Ass. Bus. Manager), Christine Pearl Daquiado (PRO), Rinand Escuban (Asst. PRO), Kellah Joy Yocogco (Auditor), Joy Dela Cruz (Asst. Auditor), Felix Gayongorza (Web Master), Rodney Gicana (Asst. Web Master); Board of Directors: Edwin Arroz, Remy Dime, Rod Gonzales, Nilo Divinagracia, Gloria Lacuesta, Mary Davis, Gerry Falco, Nora Sanoy, Genoveva Diel and Jun Faldas; Advisers: Alberto Dosayla and Rick Falco.

Congen Junever in her speech cited the exemplary discipline and Christian faith of the CPU alumni. She also updated and presented a brief update of the Philippines economic growth and increase in our tourism industry.

President Josie C. Dayao, in her presidential address acknowledged and thanked everyone for attending the event and support for the ideals of Central Philippine University. She reaffirmed her commitment together with the support of all of the newly elected officers and directors to continue and increase the number of scholars in the chapter’s scholarship program, to help in the renovation projects of the aging building of the university and to aid the working student program. The chapter has a special “Welcome to Canada Committee” whose main purpose is to welcome new alumni to Canada by picking them at the airport upon arrival, providing them winter jackets, accommodations, moral support, etc. to start their new life in Canada. She added, “There is a great satisfaction in giving, as giving is sharing and sharing the grace of God is priceless.”

Thirty five years ago, Rick Falco and Rev. Godfrey Catanus organized the CPU alumni in Greater Toronto Area and held their first meeting at the basement of the then Salvation Army Citadel in Toronto. Rick Falco was elected the first president in 1978. CPU is a Christian school founded by the American Baptist Missionaries.

For more information about and the CPUAA GTA chapter, please contact Ms. Josie Dayao – 416-873-5230, Edwin Arroz – 647-293-0656, Rick Falco 647-706-6800.

(PRESS RELEASE)