The "grand old man..." from page 1

But the most important part of his service to CPU came later when he became a member of the CPU Corporation, then as member of the Board of Trustees, and as Chairman thereof.

The minutes of the deliberation of these bodies never missed his ideas, suggestions, and wise counsels.

He played a major role in the search of the first Filipino and an alumnus to become the University President. He crafted the idea of having Dr. Rex Drilon invested to the position by no less than the President of the Republic and the conferment on him of an honorary degree. He was particularly helpful in advising President Drilon on the business aspect of the school’s operation. As BOT chairman, he was a signatory to the official Deed of Donation, transferring the ownership of the university properties from the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society to Filipino ownership. He also led in the search for the successor of president Drilon.

Among countless others, Mr. Viray played an important part in drafting the Faculty and Staff Retirement Fund patterned from that of DBP. He crafted the idea of settling the dollar portion of CPU loan account with EDPITAF before the sudden depreciation of the peso against the dollar, thereby saving the University millions of pesos. He also thought of funding the construction of new campus buildings with borrowing from the Trust Fund instead of borrowing from the bank, thereby saving time, effort, and millions of pesos in construction cost.

In a testimonial dinner in his honor following the special program, his daughter, Ana Luz, a pediatrician, testified how his father, conscious of his possible end two hours before his eye operation, called her close and bequeathed to them, firstly, not his wealth and riches, but his unpaid remaining balance of his pledge of support to the CPU College of Law.

His son, Gamaliel, a singer, actor and TV Commercial model, rendered heartwarming classical songs with his crisp and operatic voice in honor of his father and for his birthday.

National Artist Levi Celerio, a good friend of his, the guy responsible for the well-loved and known lyrics of such songs as, "Ang pasko ay sumapit, tayo ay mangagsiawit…" "Saan ka man naroroon sinta…" "O ang babae pagminamahal, may kursonada, aayaw-ayaw…" graced the occasion with his songs (sang by Gamaliel) and his humor.

Mr. Viray is a nominee for the Distinguished Centralian Award to be given on September 2001. This is the highest honor given jointly by CPU and the CPU Alumni Association to deserving Centralians.

Dr. Juanito Acanto addressing the audience during the special program honoring the "Grand Old Man of Central" Mr. Anatalio Viray.

Having retired from the board of trustees, he still remains as member of the CPU Corporation. He advocates for the optimum utilization of our human resources, which are of high-grade quality. His love for CPU is what makes him come to the campus from time to time to share his thoughts with President Acanto and with other administrators.

For what he has done, and for all he still wants to contribute, Mr. Viray deserves what CPU has just given him — the long overdue Distinguished Service Award. No less than the present Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Engr. Patricio C. Dionio and President Juanito Acanto presented the award to him in the presence of his family.

CPU is so blessed with such a man like Mr. Anatalio Viray, a man whose heart, mind, and life overflow with everything that’s good for CPU. Such is the grand old man of Central. Such is Mr. Anatalio Viray. If only CPU could find a hundred more Centralians with the likes of Mr. Viray, she would surely be blessed a hundredfold.