Celebrating its 13th Charter Anniversary, Central Philippines State University welcomed esteemed guests, guest performers, returning alumni, and stakeholders of its succeeding special programs from October 18 to 19, 2025, with the theme: "Empowering Minds, Enriching Lives: 13 Years of Transformative Education at CPSU."

Opening with a Thanksgiving mass officiated by Fr. Ricon D. Dagunan held at the Clemente Sports Complex, the university Board of Regents, key officials, faculty, staff, and students convened for the October 19 Special Program that was filled with the cascading of profound and heartfelt messages in celebration of the conclusion and beginning of eras in CPSU history.

Negros Occidental's 6th Congressional District Representative, Hon. Cong. Mercedes “Cheding” K. Alvarez delivers Hon. Senator Loren Legarda’s message for the CPSU community: “Through the Sustainable Livelihood and Environmental Education program," we strengthen schools like CPSU that turn local wisdom into local innovation. CPSU’s work remind us that education is not only a pathway to employment but also a force for planetary renewal. I have long believed that every classroom, every research farm, and seedling planted is part of our national response to the climate crisis. That is why we have advance landmark measures on environment protection and disaster risk reduction to ensure that learning equips our youth to heal the earth and rebuild communities. By empowering rural youth, nurturing innovation, and restoring ecosystems, CPSU builds not only livelihoods but also resilience. Congratulations to the entire CPSU family for 13 years as a university, shaping the nation’s stewards of the land. May your example continue to inspire a generation that learns not only to succeed, but also to sustain. Maraming salamat! Isang luntiang Pilipinas sa ating lahat.”

Cenphilians led by CPSU key officials also greeted Congresswoman Alvarez with an advance birthday greeting with the university’s official mighty hornbill mascot, Kaloy, in a chorus of a happy birthday song and claps.

Congresswoman Alvarez, who sponsored House Bill No. 1814 together with co-sponsors, Hon. Ignacio T. Arroyo, and Hon. Alfredo B. Benitez, Congressman, who converted the then Negros State College of Agriculture into CPSU, also joined the celebration and delivered her message for the Cenphilians.

“Let me say this to our students: every time you walk into a classroom, remember that you are the fulfillment of a law born from love—love for this land, love for learning, and love for the next generation. A life without learning is like a ship without a rudder; it drifts without direction. So students, keep learning, keep growing, and keep serving. To our teachers and staff, salamat gid sa inyo. You are the heart and soul of this institution. Your dedication ensures that CPSU’s Charter is not only written in law books but lived out in every graduate who leaves these halls, ready to serve. May this day remind us that the story of CPSU is not finished. The law may have been passed thirteen years ago, but its spirit continues every time you teach, you innovate—every time you lift another young mind toward a better tomorrow. As your representative and partner in Congress, I will also always carry this commitment with me to keep strengthening the foundations of education in our province and our country,” said Congresswoman Alvarez.

Leading the CPSU community, University President Dr. Aladino C. Moraca opened the program proper with an opening message reflecting on the university’s growth over the recent years and pondering on its hope in the future.

“If I may also recall, yesterday was the day in 2018 that I took my investiture, and I tried reflecting from that day in 2018 until at present, 2025. The simple reflection that I have is that all accomplishment developments were realized through the support of the faculty and staff, our team, and the Board of Regents, and the genuine support of our Congresswoman and her family. Reflecting on that premise, I think we should envision what the development that may happen in the next five to ten years will be. I would also like to highlight that this is the last charter anniversary under my leadership…I think the next five to ten years will be more promising for us because there are plenty of opportunities that our university should look into, especially the establishment of the regional centers in our area, and we have to be ready to package the face of Central Philippines State University as an active university that will help complement efforts in the development of the Negros Island Region. The basic condition that we can complement is the quality of the education that we deliver, which will be manifested by our graduates after their graduation,” said President Moraca.

Courtesy of Congresswoman Alvarez and Negros Occidental Board Member, Hon. BM. Ralph Alvarez, GMA Sparkle talents Ms. Angel Guardian, and Kelvin Miranda graced the special program.

Playing the roles of Deia and Adamus in the ongoing “Encantadia Chronicles: Sang'gre”, Ms. Guardian and Mr. Miranda needed no magic in capturing the Cenphilian crowd with their chemistry on a five-song serenade performance, cascading their “Happy 13th Charter Anniversary” greetings to the CPSU community.

Apart from the Thanksgiving mass, Cenphilians also expressed gratitude and conveyed prayers to the Almighty God as the CPSU Chorale sang the piece, “Empower Me.”

As the university enters its 13th year as a state university and its 79th year as an institution, CPSU carries the banner of excellence woven into a living mosaic of generations of Cenphilian graduates’ stories in serving the community, in playing their parts as citizens of the world, and as individuals whose lives were changed by the portals of NONAS, NOAC, NSCA, and CPSU—and like the Rufous-Headed Hornbill, steadfastly sows seeds of Cenphilian pride, excellence, and legacy.

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