In a special program honoring them, CPU posthumously honored Prof. Epifanio S. Cabalfin, Prof. Eleuterio D. Plagata, Sr. and Dr. Pedro E.Y. Rio last December 12, 2000 at the University Church.

During the tribute, Dr. Elnora A. Cabalfin described his father as a man who loved excellence, children, sports, and scholarly work, and music, among others. Dr. Elma S. Herradura paid her tribute by conducting interviews to the people whose lives the late Prof. Cabalfin touched, collated them and yielded fond and very inspiring memories of Dr. Cabalfin, such as those of Rev. Melecio Basiao who learned from him the game of chess. Rev. Basiao learned 4 life-applicable tips from him, to wit 1. Think before you move. Double Check. 2. Control your emotions. 3. Be humble when you checkmate your opponent 4. Enjoy the game.

Mr. Orlando D. Plagata, who hinted that he was chosen by the family to do the honors because among the siblings, he was the one who "owed" his father most, described his father as "The Tip Toeing Principal". Not because Prof. Eleuterio Plagata, Sr. was tip toeing when he walks, but because the students literally "tip toe" when he passes by them.

Prof. Walden S. Rio gave a lengthy account of his father's love for and service to CPU but simply described his father as "A Teacher".

Dr. Rebecca Rio-Jelliffe, represented by Dr. Nelson D. Rio gave a tribute to all the honorees.Pres. Juanito M. Acanto, Engr. Patricio Dionio, and Board of Trustees Chairman, Prof. Evangelica D. Padernilla, Board of Trustees Secretary presented the awards.

The award presented to Cabalfin was in recognition of his outstanding leadership, initiative, loyalty, versatility, creativity, and pioneering spirit, thereby contributing invaluably to the growth and development of Central Philippine university. He was acting dean and later on dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. For some time, he served simultaneously as head of the Department of Chemistry. He initiated the offering of the BS Chemistry and the setting up of a speech laboratory. He taught a wide range of courses such as chemistry, physics, philosophy and education courses. He contributed towards the collection of CPU songs and even composed "Central, We Are Singing With Joy". He also pioneered the ROTC. He was a member of the committee that made a "Comparative Ranking System Based on Basic Qualifications" for the standardization of the faculty and staff’s salary.

Prof. Plagata’s award recognized his outstanding loyalty, patriotism, leadership, initiative, courage, and contributions.

"Prof. Plagata was appointed High School Principal of CPU in 1932 and served in that capacity until the war broke out. He assisted President Chambers in setting up a Rehabilitation Center for the men from Bataan as they were discharged from the hospital during the time when Iloilo Mission Hospital was moved to Calinog after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. He resumed his position as soon as he was mustered out of the army after the war, by succeeding High School Principal, Mr. Urbano Nequin, in the immediate post-war period.

In 1947, he was appointed head of the rapidly growing Normal Training Department and served as member of the Faculty council by virtue of being head of the Junior Normal College and Principal of the High School. He chaired the Committee on Expansion formed by the faculty Council that constantly pushed for the expansion of the curricular offerings so that University status could sooner be achieved. Nearing retirement in 1966 after many years of able responsible service, he was asked to become President Rex Drilon’s Special Executive Assistant due to his wisdom and experience.

In 1967, fearing that the College of Law might have to close due to decreasing enrollment, he used his authority as Acting President (President Driven was abroad), to appoint an Ad Hoc Committee to study the situation. The committee recommended the creation of an Administrative Commission for the College of Law and recommended Atty. Panfilo Enojas as acting dean. The wisdom of the appointment was demonstrated by a 34.8% increase in the college’s enrollment during the next semester.

Identified for many years as a true-bloodied Centralian especially by several generations of high school students, Prof. Plagata also contributed much to the expansion of curricular offerings (e.g. School of Dentistry [1948], College of Law [reopened, 1948], School of Pharmacy [1949]) especially during the post war period and for attempts to set up an endowment fund. Till his last breath, he constantly called for indigenous support for the school.

Mr. Demetrio Plagata receiving the posthumous award for his late father, Prof. Eleuterio Plagata, from Pres. Acanto and Engr. Dionio.

Dean Walden Rio receiving the posthumous award for his late father, Dr. Pedro E.Y. Rio, form Engr. Dionio and Pres. Acanto.

Dr. Pedro E.Y. Rio’s award cited his outstanding loyalty, leadership, and pioneering spirit as writer, editor, educator, planner, and administrator.

Dr. Rio was a member of the class of 1921, the first class to graduate from the high school department of Central Philippine College. His good writing skill and brilliance in communication led to his selection as editor of the "Classbook", a well-published forerunner of the Centralite.

He was the first Filipino to be appointed principal of the Central School. When an opportunity came, he went to the United States where he obtained a doctoral degree in education, the first Filipino to have done so. Disturbed that the school was not yet a full college when he returned in 1936, he joined Dr. Stuart, Dean Gonzales and Dr. Rose in developing the junior college into a senior college. They began at once in building up the library and in developing courses needed for recognition.

As chairman of the Faculty Committee on Senior College, he pushed for the expansion of the college curriculum to include senior college courses leading to the AB, B.S.E. and BS degrees. By 1938, due to his relentless efforts, Engineering, Arts & Sciences, and Education came out with four-year curricula, while the Arts & Sciences had approved curricula for the BS, AB and B.S.E. degrees. In 1939, he was appointed as acting dean of the College of Education and as dean of the College of Arts & Sciences in 1957. He finally closed his eyes after seeing all his aspirations for Central dawning into reality.