FRESHMAN ORIENTATION AND GENERAL ASSEMBLY 2023

by Kevin Michael E. Torio

On the 15th day of August 2022, the Optometry Student Council (OSC) conducted their annual freshmen orientation not only for the freshmen to enjoy, but also for other students. During the online event, students got to know the School of Optometry faculty and staff, as well as the administrative council of the university. Moreover, students learned the rules and regulations when in the school premises. Aside from these, fun activities such as the “Add to Cart” game where students guessed the prices of the flashed items and “Can U See It?” game where they had to find words which correspond to the hints of the game masters. There were also fun videos flashed during the event where the new officers of the Optometry Student Council danced to the song “Left and Right” by Charlie Puth feat Jungkook of BTS. There was also a campus tour which was headed by Ms. Jessica Marie N. Gagui, OSC assistant P.R.O. and Ms. Francheska Maxxine P. Flores, OSC P.R.O. The event ended with a photo opportunity where the students who attended the morning onsite event of USC smiled together with the attendees present in the Zoom Meeting. by the university like special books for special occasions, the student organ, the Scholar. I was surprised that they have copies of those that were published during my student days.

I can say that our library is not only a resource of scientific publications, it is also a repository of CEU’s history and culture. Just like other libraries, ours will play a vital role to the nation by preserving cultural heritage. When the entire library is renovated, the modern will exist alongside the traditional, a symbol that we are leaping to the future as we continue to innovate our age-old competencies in teaching, learning and in operating our University.

We still have a long way to go, but we are looking forward to a more innovative collection management, application of IoT (Internet of Things) and user engagement such as augmented reality and AI (Artificial Intelligence).

As I mentioned a while ago, this library encourages critical thinking as well as improve communication. I would like to mention this very beautiful mural that we have at my back. Staring at it will teach us something. First, what is this flower, what is this plant? The moment you learn its name, I know many will be curious to google it.

This is the katmon plant scientifically known as Dillenia philippinensis, a plant endemic in the Philippines which conservation status is near threatened (NT) based on IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature). Due to its conservation status, several years ago, our University President decided to plant this tree at our CEU Malolos campus. Currently, we have five trees standing tall, firm and blooming with the whitest flower of all. The mural’s picture was taken from the katmon trees in CEU Malolos taken by no less than Dr. Padolina who has also developed her passion in nature photography.

At the same time, we learned that there are also many katmon trees growing in the province of Bulacan. This tree grows in low to medium altitude so no wonder that it does not survive in the cold climate of the uplands.

Please indulge the botanist in me and allow me to further describe the plant. Its leaves are leathery, shining, ovulate, elliptic about twelve to twenty five centimeters long and coarsely toothed at the margins. The flowers are white, large and snowy and about fifteen centimeter in diameter with reddish pistils and stamens. The fruits which are edible are rounded about six to eight centimeters in diameter with large fleshy sepals tightly enclosing the true fruit. The flavor of the fruit is sour similar to sour green apple so according to the people in CEU Malolos, this can be used to give the sour flavor of sinigang. It was also known that the fruit can be made into jams and even sauces. It also has a medicinal value that if the fruit acid is mixed with sugar, it can be used to cure cough. I also read that there is a red dye that can be obtained from the bark which is perhaps tannin so it may also have antibacterial property.

And the last trivia, you know where else you can find the flower of katmon? It can be found on the 25 centavo coin.

But why katmon for the mural? If what I mentioned is not enough, let me tell you that CEU wants to promote the katmon tree for urban greening (a good candidate, given its beautiful flower and fruits), and ultimately improve its conservation status. Last Sunday, I heard from the speaker of the CEU Science Club, former Representative Teddy Baguilat, Jr., that this is also a threatened species in the Sierra Madre, especially if the Kaliwa Dam project will push through. According to Haribon, the Kaliwa Dam project will cause irreversible damage to the environment.

And if nothing else, the green color of the mural will help relax our eyes after reading pages of books or reading from the computer.

At this point, I would like to express my greatest appreciation to the people who made the renovation of this library possible. First, our Board of Directors who approved the budget for this renovation, our University President who is always on top of everything especially when it comes to priorities in academics and improving the welfare of the students, our designer and my good friend, Ms. Marita Ramos, who has a simple but elegant taste, Architect Red, and the engineers including Engr. Ronie, Mr. Cesar Tan who helped us conceptualize the design and implement the plans, and of course our students and faculty members who serve as our inspiration to do better for teaching and learning. Finally, big thanks to our front liners in the library, and the people behind the scenes, our librarians led by the University librarian and Head of the Library Department, Mrs. Sally Arlante.

Jorge Borges once said “I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of a Library.” I would like you to look at the Library in a different way, and see it as a place where you can discover many things, a place where you can get ideas, a place where you think, create, communicate and collaborate. Please consider the library as a place with many great possibilities.

And finally,

Quoting the novelist and producer Sidney Sheldon, “Libraries store the energy that fuels the imagination. They open up windows to the world and inspire us to explore, achieve, and contribute to improving our quality of life.”

With this, I thank you all for coming and watch as we uncover the new CDL 2nd floor library and ask for God’s grace and mercy as we continue to educate the mind and soul, as our founders enjoined us, to ensure that ciencia y virtud is passed on from generation to generation.

Thank you very much and let us all have a great day.

At this point, I would like to ask our University President and Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Ma. Cristina D. Padolina to do the cutting of the ribbon, which is a symbol of a fresh start - a fresh start to many things.

Immediately after that follows the blessing to be officiated by our University Chaplain, Fr. Rindo Anthony Karipai, CM. The blessing allows us to invite God into this learning space and for Him to bless those who frequent this place.