Alumni Letter January 2013

Dear Fellow Sillimanian:

Happy New Year!  As we welcome another year, may we remain unceasingly hopeful that God grant us the desire of our hearts and allow all our plans to succeed.

During one of the re-election campaigns of President Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey optimistically exclaimed, “Cheers to another chance for us to get it right.”  SILLIMAN UNIVERSITY receives 2013 with the same optimism.  And this January, Silliman is “doing right” and harvesting glories in the following areas:

CHRISTIAN WITNESS

• Anchored on the theme, “More than Victors in Christ,” this semester’s University Christian Life Emphasis Week was scheduled from January 26 to February 3.  The event successfully opened with the Galilean Fellowship Facilitators Training conducted by the dynamic, Rev. Carlton “Cobbie” Palm, a Presbyterian missionary currently serving Silliman.
• Silliman University welcomes visiting community volunteers from the First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor.  Since 1999, the team has been helping fund Habitat Houses and sponsoring scholarships and similar life-changing programs.  For this trip, the team is building the Cantil-e Community Center for the Cantil-e Habitat community. 

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

• Silliman University students have consistently been recipients of the Bank of the Philippine Islands-Department of Science and Technology Science Awards.  This year, three students garnered the award: Kin Israel R. Notarte (BS Biology), Rosette Jill Q. Fernandez (BS Physics), and Kharyl Mae Q. Fulmaran (BS Civil Engineering).
• Higala International president David P. Mupe, a student from Congo, was chosen as one of the Top Three Most Outstanding International Students in the Philippines.  The third year Computer Science student had earlier brought glories to Silliman in programming competitions at the city and regional levels.  For  three consecutive years, a Silliman student had clinched a spot in this national contest.

RELEVANCE AND REACH

• The e-mail system of Silliman University is now hosted by Google.  This provides the entire Silliman network, including the alumni, a more efficient e-mail system with larger storage capacity. The university website, su.edu.ph, and the e-mail addresses of the different offices remain unchanged.
• Dr. Enrique Oracion, Director of the Research and Development Center, was one of the resource persons at the International Symposium and Student Exhibition conducted late last month at Duta Wacana Christian University in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.  He presented a paper entitled, “The Importance of Service-Learning Network in Improving the Role of Higher Education in Community Empowerment.”
• The Philippine Madrigal Singers celebrated its 50th year in an anniversary concert entitled, “Going for the Gold,” at the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium and a free concert at Silliman Church last January 20 and 21.  Distinguished for its a capella renditions, the group is directed by Choirmaster Mark Anthony A. Carpio.  The event was a presentation of the SU Cultural Affairs Committee, which coincidentally is also celebrating its 50th year.

GOVERNANCE

• The new building of the Silliman University School of Medicine (SUMS) and the facilities of the College of Mass Communication are nearing completion.
• Dormitory management is currently enhanced to bring back the idea of the “dormitory as a parish.”  More student cooperation is expected as new dormitory advisers are now assigned to ensure that environmental and character-building goals are achieved.

DEVELOPMENT

• Prof. Jane Annette L. Belarmino, Vice-President for Development, invites alumni and friends for possible investment collaborations and partnerships.  Joint ventures and build-operate-transfer arrangements are among the projects for consideration.  Interested parties may reach her through phone number: +63 35 422-6002 local 320 or e-mail her at [email protected].
• A number of faculty and staff volunteered during the rescue operations of about 228 crew members and passengers of MV Zamboanga Ferry that ran aground near the port of Dumaguete.  The distressed inter-island vessel went out of control after huge waves and strong winds, spawned by Typhoon Auring, caused it to slam back and forth against one of the finger piers of the Dumaguete port.  The experience strengthened the rescue unit of Silliman University and also gave opportunities for new programs to be created like the disaster-response seminar workshop and the counseling intervention by the Guidance Center of the Student Affairs.

IN MEMORIAM: Judge Pacifico S. Bulado Sr. (SUHS 1948, Law 1954), Law mentor Pacifico Q. Macalua (High School 1949, Law 1956) on January 4, Former Weekly Sillimanian editor-in-chief Atty. Randy F. Nocete (Mass Communication 1993) on January 5, Victoria Martinez (SUHS 1975) also on January 16, Francisco F. Galicano (ACE 1938) on January 18, Erwin Rommel Z. Dulumbal (SUHS 1991, Biology 1996) on January 18, Noel David C. Ragay (Civil Engineering 1968) on January 20,   and Former Information Director Virginia Demerre Montebon (Education 1952) on January 23. If you know of any Sillimanian who is not on our memorial list, please inform us.

 Thank you for always being there for dear old Silliman.    

President Ben Malayang has requested this office to update you regularly about happenings on campus. We are also interested in knowing what you and your alumni chapters are doing.

Please keep in touch and update your file with our office if you have not done so. We would truly appreciate it. You may reach the President’s Office through this email address: [email protected]. You may also contact the Alumni Affairs Office through this address: [email protected].

Sincerely,

The Officers and Staff of the Alumni and External Affairs