The "grand old man of Central"
Mr. Anatalio Viray honored

CPU honored octogenarian Mr. Anatalio T. Viray, member of the CPU Corporation and Past Chairman of its Board of Trustees in a special recognition program at the University Church that cool four o’clock Friday afternoon of December 1, 2000. It was his 87th birthday that day. Young at heart, he chided his fellow golfers at the Iloilo Golf & Country Club at Sta. Barbara, "By the time you are 87, I’ll still be around".

In his welcome remarks, Dr. Juanito Acanto, University President described him as "one of the greatest man who has ever set foot on the hallowed grounds of CPU Campus". In relating how Mr. Viray humbly began in life as a "tuba gatherer", Dr. Acanto quoted him as saying, "When Dr. Stuart told me that I can study at CPU as a working student, I saw the windows of heaven open for me". And from then on, the rest is history.

Atty. Modesto Rico, Mr. Viray’s colleague in the administration of the university during their time, and was one of the "triumvirate" which included Mr. Viray, was given his time to speak for the honoree. He told of an experience that impressed on him that Mr. Viray was a man who knows when to speak and when not to.

Unofficially dubbed as the "grand old man of Central", Mr. Viray started his service to CPU as a working student in May 1931. He worked as a roadkeeper, janitor, waiter, cook and houseboy until he completed the Associate in Commercial Science course. He enrolled, later, at Rizal Colleges where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Business degree. While in Manila, he carried on his concern and love for Central. He helped organize the Manila chapter of the Alumni Association in 1938 and gave strong leadership in the search for a possible candidate for the presidency.

After the war, he helped in the re-opening of Central at the Student Center in La Paz. He worked with May Coggins and Mariano Caipang in finding funds for salaries, reconstructing the campus, buildings, administering relief funds, and in planning houses for the missionaries, faculty, staff, and students.  page 20

Rev. Dr. Johnny Villarico Gumban, retired dean of the College of Theology (1979 - 2000) and former president of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches (1980 - 1984) died at the age of 65 due to myocardial infarction last September 19, 2000 at Iloilo Mission Hospital.

Dr. Gumban was born on March 3, 1935 in Fabrica, Sagay, Neg. Occ. and was married to the former Dr. Edna Jamandre with whom he had three children namely Valerie, Jed, and Jeffrey, no all married.

His remains was brought to the Celis-Ancheta Chapel where nightly vigils sponsored by the College of Theology and various churches and religious institutions were held from Sept. 19 to 22, 2000. The Necrological Service was held last Sept. 23, 2000, 1:30 p.m. at the University Church with Pastor Rudy P. Acosta as the speaker. Family, relatives, friends, students and co-workers from both here and abroad paid their last respects to the man who once touched their lives. Dr. Gumban was buried at the Christ the King Memorial Park in Ungka, Jaro, Iloilo City. (Source: Shalom)