Unity in diversity for one university

By Nestle G. Taala, CPU Gospel Team

(3^rd Place, Essay Writing Contest, 2018 Annual Evaluation and Exhibits of Student Campus Organizations)

*Nestle Taala from the CPU Gospel Team placed second in the essay writing competition.*

The uniqueness of an individual makes him/her different from others. Indeed, God has given each one of us various gifts ranging from talent, time, and/or treasure. Everyone is best at something but no one is best at everything. He/She maybe blessed with talent which can contribute to the betterment of a community but he/she will need time and treasure to progress and these may be found in other people.

CPU Student Organizations are indeed diverse. There are fields which specialize in academics, culture, religion, etc. These organizations are best in what they have to offer and they fill the needs of this university and its student body. Sharing time, talent, and treasure, these organizations should be different to achieve one goal for the beloved Central Philippine University. After all, God has commanded us to be the stewards of this earth He created.

If student organizations function in the same way, other aspects wouldn’t be touched. If all these groups are academically inclined, where would those who long to express themselves through art go? If all these organizations are the same, where would other talent, time, and treasure be honed and shared? Undeniably, diversity is necessary to have balance.

To widely contribute to this alma mater, the diversity among CPU student organizations is a great help. In the end, it doesn’t matter who the best is or who could share the most time or the most talent or the most treasure. What’s important is that an organization is filling in the lack of one organization for the good and betterment of Central.

CPU student organizations sharing time, talent and treasure for one CPU

By Denise Marie Aldea, CPU Biological Society

(2^nd Place, Essay Writing Contest, 2018 Annual Evaluation and Exhibits of Student Campus Organizations)

*The CPU Biological Society booth with members. Photo Credit: Kerr Hechanova.*

The annual migration of the monarch butterfly is a unique and amazing phenomenon. The monarch is the only butterfly specie known for two-way migration just like birds. They travel for miles as a group, just to reach that specific place where they can reproduce. They travel for days—oblivious of hunger and exhaustion, heedless of whatever that might come their way, just to reach their destination. Despite this, we see the Great Migration as marvelous event of nature. It’s a spectacle that anyone wouldn’t dare to miss.

Just like monarch butterflies, every student organization has its own journey. They have their own stories to tell and destination to reach. Each one of them has their own goals and mission to accomplish. As a group, they share their time—making sacrifices and committing themselves to the success of every event and for the achievement of every task. They share their talent—showing everyone what they have to offer; that they’re not just a name but a collective with substance and action. And lastly, treasure—the essence of what their fraternity and organization is all about—why it has been created and what more it could offer.

Amidst the divergence in beliefs and aims to pursue, every organization share the same goal: to put into action whatever they stand for and leave a legacy. This is what makes us whole. This is what makes CPU one—the diversity and uniqueness of every fraternity and organization strives for the betterment of all.

When the monarch butterflies are finished reproducing, they go back to the place where they were born. That is why it is called a two-way migration. Someday, when everything is said and done, when every shared time, talent, and treasure is used well for the triumph of each fraternity and organization, we will all look back to where we all started and to the one who nurtured our time, talent, and treasure, to the one who set our little fire ablaze, our Central, dear Central, Central Philippine University.

CPU student organizations: One at heart for a stronger Central

By Niegil E. Libo-on, Work Students Organization

(1^st Place, Essay Writing Contest, 2018 Annual Evaluation and Exhibits of Student Campus Organizations)

*Niegil E. Libo-on (in blue) representing the Work Students Organization won as Champion in the essay writing competition.*

Central Philippine University has evolved through the years from a humble institution of learning into a community composed of diverse organizations fuelled by science and faith. These organizations have long been hardworking, committed, and Christ-centered as they bind their hearts for a stronger and unified Central, just as it stands today.

The dynamic and versatile student organizations have been the foundation of the bolder, firmer, and more united CPU community we are in. They have organized various programs and activities which enrich that Central Spirit in us little by little. All have been consistent in giving their time and showcasing their talent, not to compete with each other, but to muster everyone’s potential, to lend a hand to those who need it, and, most importantly, to live by the university’s legacy of excellence.

These organizations have never allowed their diversity to hold themselves away from being united as they seek a common end. They have never perceived their differences as deficiencies but, rather, looked at them as blessings as they aim for the same objective. They have never considered each other as competitors but as partners as they toil for the same purpose. The common end they seek, the same objective they aim for, and the same purpose they toil for has propelled them to treasure Central in their hearts.

The CPU organizations have treasured and will always treasure a unified and stronger Central as they continue to cling to the Word of the Lord which reminds them, “for where [their] treasure is, there [their] heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).