Message 

Greetings and congratulations to the Central Philippine University as it celebrate its 94th Anniversary.  

Our nation has been on the heels of an economic and moral recession.  On the economic aspect, small businesses have been closing, industries have been collapsing and workers have been laid off.  Concurrently, the society has been beset by numerous problems such as rampant criminality, graft and corruption in the government, destruction of the environment, moral depravity on the part of the youth and the indifference of the people.  

As exemplified in this year’s theme, “Enriching EXCEL (Exemplary Christian Education for Life) in the New Millennium,” Christian values formation should be a primary concern.  As your senator, I have tried to address this and other problems in field of education by coming out with relevant bills and resolutions, which try to provide solutions, or at least immediately alleviate any detrimental effects.  

Now, I invite all of you to join me in actively pursuing such a theme in our daily lives.  For it is only through the use of our Christian education can we efficiently confront the challenges of the times and be ready of ace the new millenium.  

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 94th ANNIVERSARY!  

MIRIAM DEFENSOR SANTIAGO

CPU hosted recently the 9th Regional Symposium on Research and Development (R&D) Highlights of  the Western Visayas Agriculture and Resources Research and Development Consortium (WESVARRDEC).  The symposium was held  last September 8-9, 1999  at the Rose Memorial Auditorium.  

Two hundred participants, composed of researchers, academicians, extension workers and farmers in Western Visayas attended the affair that focused on the theme, “Accelerating regional research, development and extension towards food security.”  

There were 13 research papers and five development documents that were submitted as contest entries. The entries came from 11 out of 22 member agencies of WESVARRDEC.  CPU and the Sugar Regulatory Administration (SRA), which presented three papers each had the most number of entries.  Two of CPU’s entries were research studies that were supported by the University Research and Outreach Center (UROC).  

CPU’s entry in the research category titled, “The Efficacy of the Different Botanicals against Bean Weevil (Callosobruchus chinensis L.)” and authored by Val Sale and Ma. Victoria Seredrica won the Third Best Paper Award.  In the development category, Engr. Alexis Belonio’s “Solar Fish Dryer” was awarded the First Best Development paper.  Winners of the contests received cash and plaque awards.  For being first, Engr. Belonio’s project will be WESVARRDEC’s entry in the national level competitions that will be held in Los Baños, Laguna in November 1999.  

It must be noted that CPU is the only private member institution of the consortium.  Presently, Pres. Juanito Acanto heads WESVARRDEC’s Regional Research and Development Coordinating Council. The consortium is currently one of the five finalists for the PCARRD UGNAY Award for the Most Outstanding Consortium for 1999.  As a runner up, WESVARRDEC is assured of a P200, 000.00 prize. At stake in winning the tilt is P1M award. 

Thirteen out of 15 examinees of CPU passed the medical technology board examination that was conducted on 4-5 September.  

The board passers are the following: Brigette Aguilar; Krista Mima Alcedo; Glenn Ang; Rosario Bambao; Neri Gange; Luzel Hilaga; Ihde Gonzales; Merry Chris Jaleco, Robert Manlapaz;  Rejojo Nartatez; Myla Palabrica; Canee Joy Sira; and Mary Jean Somcio. 

CPU obtained 86.7 passing percentage.  The national passing percentage was 52 percent.