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PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
Students of the Philippine Christian University (PCU) – Manila pass through thermal scanning and routine inspection as they enter the campus. The Department of Health (DOH) has issued precautionary methods against the spread of the virus that has caused much alarm in many countries around the world. The disease, which the World Health Organization (WHO) officially named “COVID-19,” has so far infected three persons in the Philippines and one of them reportedly died. The PCU Health Services published a bulletin giving the members of the University community practical tips on how to avoid the spread of the disease. On February 11, 2020. (Photo and caption by Maechael Ramos)
CHED Upholds PCU’s Autonomy
“All glory to Jesus Christ, our Lord, for sustaining Philippine Christian University with heavenly favors that go beyond words and numbers.”
The University President, Junifen F. Gauuan, Ph.D, gave his statement on the upholding by CHED of PCU’s autonomous status. He accords due recognition of the university officers and of the entire academic community for observing due diligence that yielded positive results in the most recent CHED’s evaluation of PCU’s caliber as a Higher Educational Institution (HEI).
Dr. Gauuan noted that the retention of autonomous status puts the University in a much more challenging position which requires the entire institution to arise in facing up to global standards. In doing so, he pointed to the need for the rapid and comprehensive transformation of the institution’s academic processes, infrastructure, technology and leadership.
Contrary to the chilling effect of the seemingly unending wait for CHED’s announcement, thrills of joy overtook everyone’s heart when the good tidings that PCU retains its autonomy finally came. It is noteworthy that CHED’s affirmation came just a few days after PCU celebrated its 73rd Founding Anniversary: this leaves a sense of elation among us all!
Although this reward was long-awaited for and caused wild cheers and appreciation for the fruit of unified and diligent work of the entire academic community, it nevertheless creates a humbling realization of what Paul, in his letter to the Christians in Philippi said, “For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it in the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6).” Indeed, God marked to unfold, on this day, the partial completion of the good work He started with the founding fathers of our beloved institution. The phrase ‘partial completion’ connotes that the good work, which God initiated through PCU’s Christ-centered founding fathers, has yet to be completed in full. This calls for more of due diligence in guarding our ranks as God-fearing stewards of this academic institution.
Let us always remember that victory begins with small beginnings, as did happen with our founding fathers. So, let us watch very carefully each stride we take to avoid unnecessary pitfalls.
Mabuhay PCU for God’s glory!
** excerpts from the Christian Cord Newsletter, October – December 2019 issue (Volume 15 Number 2)
PCU JOINS P2A
Under the initiative of the Office of Student Affairs’ (OSA) Director, Rev. Lelinda Mugot, PCU is finally part of the P2A Program.
Passage to ASEAN (P2A) is gateway to collaboration among academic institutions within the 12 ASEAN-member countries including the Philippines. Its primary objective is promotion of borderless international student mobilization within the region aimed at building and fostering strong connections, sharing knowledge, and developing the cultural intelligence of the ASEAN community.
PCU launches its active engagement in P2A by hosting a two-day educational journey program for student delegates from Rangsit University (RU), Thailand on July 15-16, 2019. Short, as it may be, this engagement sparked connectivity between PCU and RU when a handful of PCU academic officers, in one of their official travels to Thailand, visited Rangsit University. Their discussions focused on possibilities and opportunities for collaboration towards promotion of inbound and outbound student and faculty academic and cultural exchange programs.
** excerpts from the Christian Cord Newsletter, October – December 2019 issue (Volume 15 Number 2)
Visiting one of the oldest church in Manila
‘GOD LOVES PCU!’
With gladness in their hearts apparent in their smiling faces, the members of the Board of Trustees of the Philippine Christian University (PCU) pose for posterity following a historic meeting. Dr. Junifen F. Gauuan (fourth from left, front row) was reelected president of the University, along with Dr. Kathleen Guimbatan as vice president for academic affairs and Mr. Raul R. Cacho as university treasurer. Also re-elected were: Atty. Perfecto Yasay, chairman (third from left, from row); Judge Edwin G. Larida Jr., vice chairman (extreme left, front row); and Mr. Reiner R. Puno, corporate treasurer. The Rev. Rannieh B. Mercado replaced Dr. Ruth G. de Lara as board secretary (left, third row).
The PCU Board of Trustees met last Saturday, June 8, 2019. “God loves PCU!” Dr. Gauuan remarked when asked about his reelection. “I thanked the Board members both from the United Methodist Church (UMC) and the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) for their solid support.”
Also in the picture were: (from left) Judge Larida of UMC, Bishop Rodolfo A. Juan also of UMC; Chairman Yasay of UCCP; PCU President Dr. Gauuan; Bishop Emergencio Padillo of UCCP; and Bishop Ciriaco Q. Francisco of UMC; (from left, the second row) Atty. Nimia Peralta and newly elected BOT member Dr. Rebecca Kathleen Vidal, both of UMC; (from left, third row) the Rev. Rannieh B. Mercado of UCCP; Bishop Reuel Norman O. Marigza of UCCP; Engr. Robert C. Regala of UMC; Bishop Melzar D. Labuntog of UCCP; and Mr. Reiner Reyes Puno of UMC. Members of the PCU Board who were not in the photo are Mr. Lauro C. Millan and Bishop Jessie S. Suarez, both of UCCP. Dr. Gauuan thanked the members of the Board “for their wisdom in knowing the truth about his leadership.”
He admitted that there were attempts “from some sectors” to spread misleading information that he was dividing the University instead of uniting. “Thank God, the Board members were discerning enough to know that my efforts were quite the contrary.” With the unquestionable mandate from the Board, Dr. Gauuan is poised to face and solve the challenges PCU is facing. He said among his first moves is to identify, train, and give responsibilities to potential leaders who will guide PCU to excellence in the 21st century.
Mga Pilipino mulat na sa isyu ng pederalismo —ex-CJ Puno
“Segun sa pangangailangan ng bansa, sa pagkakaiba ng mga lengguwahe, kultura at relihiyon sa iba’t ibang rehiyon, angkop sa Pilipinas ang pederalismo bilang porma ng pamamahala.”
Ito ang pahayag ni dating Chief Justice Reynato Puno nang siya ay magsalita sa forum ukol sa “Shift to Federalism: Its Impact on Philippine Politics, Business, and Economy” na inorganisa ng Philippine Christian University Alumni Association Inc. (PCUAAI).
Mabuti na lamang ay “unti-unting nagbubukas ang mga mata natin sa mga ‘advantage’ ng pederalismo,” ani Puno sa wikang Filipino.
Si Puno, na siyang itinalaga ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte bilang tagapangulo ng binuo nitong Consultative Commission on Charter Change, ang pangunahing tagapagsalita sa nasabing forum na ginanap sa loob ng Auditorium ng PCU sa Taft Avenue, Malate, Maynila.
Aniya, hindi na bago ang ideya ng pederalismo sa Pilipinas dahil isinulong na ito ng pambansang bayani na si Gat Jose Rizal bago pa siya ginawang martir ng mga mananakop na Kastila, na napalayas ng mga Amerikano bago pa man naglipat ng ika-20 siglo.
Noon pa man ay nakita na umano ni Rizal na nababagay sa bansa ang pederalismo bilang porma ng pamamahala dahil ito’y isang arkipelago o binubuo ng maraming isla ang Pilipinas kaya’t iba’t iba ang mga lengguwahe at kultura ng mga tao dito.
Idiniin ni Puno na bagama’t pederalismo ang porma ng gobyerno ng Estados Unidos, hindi ito ang ipinatupad ng huli sa Pilipinas kundi isang estado lamang o “unitary form of government.”
“Bakit? Dahil kung ‘unitary’ ang Pilipinas ay mas madali tayong makokontrol ng Estados Unidos,” paliwanang ng dating Punong Mahistrado.
Aniya, ilang pagkakataon na ang pinalampas ng bansa upang mag-pederalismo. Ito umano ay nangyari nang isulat Konstitusyon noong 1937, nang baguhin ito noong 1973 sa ilalim ng diktadurya ni dating Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos at ang huli ay noong 1987 sa ilalim ng President Corazon Aquino matapos ang EDSA Revolution.
Tahasang idineklara ni Puno na “hindi karapat-dapat” ang kasalukuyang anyo ng pamahalaan.
Sinabi niya na noong huling eleksyon ng pagka-Pangulo, si Duterte lamang ang nagdeklarang pabor siya sa pagbabago ng porma ng pamamahala patungong pederalismo. Dahil “landslide” ang pagkakahalal kay Duterte, posible umanong karamihan na sa Pilipino ang pumapayag sa panukala ng Pangulo na pederalismo.
Ngayon umano ay nasa kamay na ng Kongreso ang “draft” ng panukalang pederalismong isinulat ng consultative body.
Ayon umano sa kanilang isinulat, magiging maayos ang pulitika at ekonomiya ng Pilipinas kung ito’y sakaling papasa sa Kongreso.
Ibinunyag niyang ang isa sa nais nito’y ang mabuwag ang “political dynasty,” na aniya’y “number one problem ng Pilipinas.”
Hindi umano magkakaroon ng maayos at pantay-pantay na distribusyon ng kapangyarihan sa 16 na rehiyon kung hindi masosolusyunan ang problema sa “political dynasty.”
“Kailangan ay may equal access to public offices,” aniya.
Kapag maayos na ang “sharing of power,” aniya, “sisigla ang ekonomiya sa mga rehiyon.”
Minungkahi rin ng komisyon ni Puno na mabuwag ang mga monopolyo at oligopolyo “upang mabago ang kasalukuyang sistema kung saan kakaunti ang mayayaman at napakarami–at patuloy na dumarami–ang mahihirap.”
“Nasaan na ba ang demokrasya ngayon?” tanong niya.
Maliwanag aniya na ang may malaking malaki sa kasalukuyang sistema kaya’t makabubuti sa Pilipinas ang lumipat na sa pederalismo bilang istilo ng pamamahala. —LBG, GMA News
Photo by Fort Nicolas
A GREAT LEAP FORWARD
Representatives from GreatnessLab Asia by Cypher Learning and the Philippine Christian University (PCU) sign a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) during a formal ceremony held at the Pan Pacific Manila Hotel in Malate, Manila. Shown in the picture are (from right): Edwin J. Loma of GreatnessLab Asia; his colleague Mrs. Pilarcita Sta. Ana; Dr. Junifen F. Gauuan, President of PCU; Dr. Kathleen Rose L. Guimbatan, Vice President for Academic Affairs; and Dir. Mario G. Miranda II of the Information Technology Department (ITD).
A significant part of the program that was held on February 7, 2019, was the reading of the Statement from the Principal by Ms. Arlynne Awayan, GreatnessLab Asia’s Director of Customer Success and Engagement, Cypher Learning. Not shown in the picture but among the signatories was Mr. Abelardo Sta. Ana.
The historic event was witnessed by the staff members of both Greatness Lab Asia and PCU, including the members of the ITD team. “This MOA will provide PCU with an E-Learning portal that any IT expert knows would leapfrog the University to the promising digital future,” according to Dir. Miranda. (Photo by Nep Cortez)
47 PCU alumni pass 2018 LET, Psychometry Board Exams
The whole community of the Philippine Christian University (PCU) celebrated after it was announced recently that 47 of its graduates from the education and psychometry courses successfully hurdled their respective board examinations in 2018 and have become
The ten (10) new elementary teachers
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NEW ETEEAP APPLICANTS
Dr. Francis Christie C. Arnado (second from right) poses with new applicants of Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP). Dr. Arnado, the
Methodists pray ‘for healing of our land’ at PCU
Bishop Ciriaco Q. Francisco of the United Methodist Church (UMC) last Friday, January 25, 2019, urged members of Manila Episcopal Area’s (MEA) local churches for a holy conferencing to “recognize the power of prayer” and “declare God’s blessing to our land.”
“Remember that the prophets in the Bible confronted even the kings to correct the evils of the society,” Bishop Francisco said, adding that church people, especially the clergy, must do likewise.
PCU PREXY JOINS PRAYER WARRIORS. PCU President Junifen Gauuan (second from left) sings along hundreds of United Methodists during the worship service held inside the Philippine Christian University (PCU) Auditorium last Friday, January 25, 2019. At the beginning of his message, Bishop Ciriaco Q. Francisco of the Manila Episcopal Area (MEA) expressed gratitude to President Gauuan for “generously allowing us to use the PCU facilities” for a worship service before proceeding to the prayer-rally at the Rajah Sulayman Plaza in Malate, Manila, where Christians from different denominations to converged. (Photo and text by Fort Nicolas)
He spoke before a flock of several hundred members from the local church in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija and Cavite who heeded his earlier call to gather at the Auditorium of the Philippine Christian University (PCU) at 1 p.m. liturgy last Friday.
A week before, Bishop Francisco issued a letter of instruction urging MEA district superintendents, pastors and lay members to congregate at the PCU Auditorium for a rally “to pray for our country and manifest our prophetic witness proclaiming Truth, Justice and Peace in this challenging time.”
During the worship service held at the PCU Auditorium, the Rev. Genesis I. Antonio, chairperson of the Board of Church and Society of the Philippine Central Conference (PCC), explained the purpose of the gathering. He said it served “to push our mission forward and manifest our faith.”
CHURCH AND SOCIETY. The Rev. Genesis I. Antonio, chairperson of the Board of Church and Society of the Philippine Central Conference (PCC): ‘Push our mission forward and manifest our faith’. (Photo by Fort Nicolas)
In his message, MEA Resident Bishop Francisco emphasized that the church’s clergy, aside from its priestly duties, has a prophetic function to perform. He added that all members of the church must do its part of praying together for God’s intervention.
He cited the Old Testament verse from the 2 Chronicles 7:14, which says, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sins and will heal their land.” He explained that God required His people to humble themselves before Him and to pray for His intervention.
“In our joint prayer, God will listen to our pleas and he will heal our land,” Bishop Francisco said.
The bishop said that one can readily distinguish if a land is already healed. He said peace, justice and prosperity must reign in a healthy society. He said these are the things that the people must pray for.
The service finished at 3:30 p.m., after which the UMC-MEA delegation stepped out to the PCU Ground where they got ready to march to Rajah Sulayman in Malate, Manila, where a larger contingent of Catholic brothers and sisters led by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and members of Protestant denominations belonging to the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), including the UMC, converged for a prayer-rally. (Fort Nicolas)
PCU-UTS Dasma’s New Access Road to Benefit Motorists, Businesses
The construction of a new access road is underway. Very soon, Cavite’s Aguinaldo Highway will be linked to the Governor’s Drive, thanks to the P139-million road project that cuts across the more than 90-hectare property of the Philippine Christian University (PCU) and the Union Theological Seminary (UTS). The project includes the construction of bridges.
Definitely, its completion will be a joyous moment for commuters and motorists who have been complaining about the worsening traffic jams in the area. The new access road, the construction of which started in February 2018 and is expected to be finished in 2020, will cut short their travel time considerably.
Engr. Robert Regala a member of PCU Board of Trustees, and Prof. Jordan Ramos, PCU
Dasmariñas Administrative Officer, inspect the dirt road that will soon become the new access road linking Aguinaldo Hi-way to Governor’s Drive .
The access road is just one of the several infrastructure projects the PCU is undergoing in consonance with the vision of the University president, Dr. Junifen Gauuan, of a progressive and academically excellent learning institution. The access road will not only benefit travelers but also the larger communities in the area since it will boost further the Information Technology-Business Process Management (IT-BPM) industry, a prospect that will transform the area into a bustling commercial and business hub.
Photos by JF Perona