utilized and implemented by both the NGOs and the government’s agricultural-related projects. I am sorry I could not elaborate it myself although  I may understand what it all means to the community’s development. As a whole, what impressed me was Dr. Laquihon’s attitude towards life in general, his initiative and creativity which are channeled in ways that is productive to others and to the rest of the community. Above all, his being a work student before and becoming the person that he is today. 

Of course, I had  qualms of going to a Muslim area partly because of the news from the media and partly because I have never been to such lands and places. However, being in the company of  Rev. Jimmy Fundar  (BSC”83) gave me an insight that as a Christian professing the love of Christ, I should not marginalize,by prejudice,  certain groups which may seem strange to me. Pastor Jim told me how he was able to rise above the conflict and see the Mindanao situation through the parable’s window of the Good Samaritan.. Pastor told me how he was able to penetrate the Muslim areas with God’s love. Some of these Muslims he befriended became Christians because they have learned the truth and have tasted the love of the Lord through the Christians they have met.  

Talking to Cheryl about her own spiritual journey was also affirming the faith in God’s  miracles and divine healing. Her near-death experience also assured us that there is life beyond this present one. Perhaps it would be another life on a higher spiritual dimension that is heavenly and eternal. She promised to send me her written testimony. 

Pres. Acanto, Nang Ruth, Ric, Gimo and myself had the chance to meet the General Santos Centralians. 

It is not only our hearts that were full but also our stomach. Mr. Igmeridio Sarco owned a bakeshop called the JORISH BREAD that served oven-fresh delicacies and pastries. It is also in this bread shop where we had the opportunity to meet Dr. Rex Decolongon and Mr. Rudy Demontaño, my classmate.  

At this time, the Centralians in Mindanao is in their early stage of planning for the General Assembly of all  Mindanao Centralians and Dr. Laquihon is offering his venue. President Acanto promised to visit them again not because it his obligation but, as he emphatically told me, it is his love for his fellow Centralians which makes every trip going to their distant places that never tires him. 
 

President Mr. Roberto Demafiles 
Vice President 
 (1st district) Mrs. Ninfa Isla 
Vice President( 
 2nd district) Rev. Jimmy Fundar 
Vice President 
 (operations) Engr. Bernard Rapada. 
Secretary Mrs Cheryl C. Samson 
Treasurer Mrs. Rosa M. Sucaldito 
Auditors Mrs. Cecilia A. Barrientos 
  Engr. Bienvenido Devera, Jr. 

Hon. Fulgencio Buenaflor  
Hon. Loney Publico 
Mrs. Gloria M. Canzana  
Mr. Enrique Saulog 
Mr. Ramon Genova, Sr.  
Mr. Rodolfo Sucaldito 
Atty. Healthcliff Leal 
 
 

We profoundly appreciate this generous gesture of recognition. Beyond the personal dimension of this recognition, however, we are grateful for the vision of the CPU Alumni Association. By choosing to honor alumni both here and around the world, for excellence in particular fields, in fact, it honors CPU, and that Central Spirit that continues to bind, to inspire, to challenge, not only  excellence in our individual lives, but equally important, in our community and institutional lives.In this sense, the Central Spirit is not a creature of the past; but of the present, and especially of the future. These awards are not just about past achievements, not only about present accomplishments, but about future dreams, that is, they speak of who we are and what we hope to be. This is the genius of these awards. 

Allow me to underscore, very briefly, two simple truths about the nature of this genius. 

First, I have no doubt whatsoever, and I trust my co-awardees agree with me, that whatever excellence we have achieved, could not have been realized apart from a vast network of individuals, communities, and institutions—which not only have worked hard to achieve some measure of excellence in their own specific spaces, times, and places—but which have freely allowed us—today’s awardees—to draw on them, so that we ourselves can have our own measure of excellence. I am thinking here especially of my parents, my wife, Jean, my home church, Jaro Evangelical Church, the CPU of my own day, and my high school classmates—the list is exhausted only by the limits of my failing memory. Therefore, whatever honor is bestowed on us must also be equally bestowed on them. They, too, deserve to share this moment. I owe them a debt of gratitude. 

Second, I want to challenge CPU and its alumni association, in the name of the Central Spirit that we all love so much, yet often serve so poorly—this Central Spirit that we do not personally own, but which owns us. I want us to ask what kind of excellence does the Central Spirit demand of us? 

There are a thousand and one ways that this question may be answered; and,  even a thousand more pathways through which it can be achieved. However, if there is anything that I have learned from the CPU of my day, and, I daresay, the CPU of all our days, it is this: expressed in the words of the Old Testament prophet Micah, and which reads, in part: 

The Lord has showed you, O man, what is good. 
And what does the Lord require of you? 
But to do justice, and to love kindnes, and to walk humbly with your God.  

Fellow Centralians and friends, we all know in our heart of hearts that our world is flooded by all kinds of awards. Let us be grateful for these awards, and for the excellence which they hope to engender in each of us. However, let these “Outstanding Centralian Awards” be of a different, unique, irreplaceable character. Indeed, let CPU be of this same character as well. 

Let it be inspired, informed, challenged by;let it be consistent with, and accountable to, the spirit of CPU and its Christian faith. Let us honor  excellence in education, nursing, engineering, the arts and humanities, in politics, finance and business, in agriculture, and, in homemaking. In short, excellence in all walks of life. And, let us be sure that our criteria for excellence do not stand in the way of this excellence or in honoring it. 

However, above all, let us commit ourselves to the proposition that this excellence, in whatever field of human endeavor, will always be measured, in the final analysis, by the spirit that is Central’s—a spirit that does justice, that loves compassion, and that walks humbly with its God. 

Salamat gid. Kabay nga ang grasya kag paghidait sang Diyos mangin yara sa aton nga tanan kag sa bug-os nga kalibutan.