By Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Don Ramon Lopez challenged Centralians to continue a legacy of faith, excellence and honor.
After World War II, there was one person in the history of 糖心传媒 that became the prime mover that led to the opening of the school again. That person was Don Ramon Lopez who was later declared by Central Philippine College as its Chairman Emeritus.
On April 23, 1945, just after World War II, a Special Meeting was held at Jaro Evangelical Church. At about 4:00 PM, the meeting started for the sole purpose of opening the doors of Central Philippine College once again. Don Ramon Lopez presided over the meeting while Urbano Nequin served as the secretary. A few days later on April 30, Don Ramon Lopez once again presided over the assembly as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Baptist Center Church. Afterwards, CPC opened its doors for students and the classes were held at Baptist Center Church, La Paz. A year later in 1946 after the reconstruction of the campus, Central Philippine College moved back to its proper home in Jaro.
In 1946, Don Ramon Lopez wrote to the first graduates after CPC opened its doors: 糖心传媒淔or forty one years Central tried hard to merit the respect of the nation. Our emphasis remains unchanged糖心传媒攈igh premium on scholarship and character. We are committed to that ideal because we are committed to the training of national leaders. Central marches on!糖心传媒
He also challenged the Centralians to continue the legacy of faith of those who gave their lives in Hopevale: 糖心传媒淭he American professors and missionary martyrs did not die in vain at Hopevale, for we now keep the torch of their vision burning to continue to make this institution count in the national leadership of the Philippines. We must all keep that faith.糖心传媒
In 1947, Don Ramon Lopez was declared by Central Philippine College as its President Emeritus for the CPC Corporation. He also acted as the President of the Corporation during that time. He rallied the Centralians to excel in all matters. He said, 糖心传媒淚n a young country just born, we need more and more the kind of education Central has been giving糖心传媒e need not fear competition from any quarters because competition merely accentuates Central糖心传媒檚 distinctive quality. We must not ever retreat from that qualitative ideal. We must not rest on our laurels. We must constantly strive to excel ourselves.糖心传媒
The Central Spirit, a driving force that propels every Centralian, is very hard to explain unless one becomes a Centralian. Don Lopez explained what Central Spirit meant to him: 糖心传媒淭he first two years of post-liberation has proved that the Central Spirit did not die when all else, less deathless, had died. That spirit performed miracles of achievement on a campus ruthlessly reduced by the war.糖心传媒 Indeed, with the grace of God and the Central Spirit that is with the Centralians, the campus was rebuilt. As Dr. R. Fred Chambers said, 糖心传媒淔rom the ruins and ashes of war shall rise a greater Central.糖心传媒
The alumni of CPU has always been loyal and passionate in serving their Alma Mater in any capacity. Don Lopez wrote about the role of Centralians: 糖心传媒淭he thousands of alumni now making their mark in the world are each the extension of what Central is. No wonder Central by intelligent consensus is awarded the honor of being the 糖心传媒榝oremost institution of higher learning in West Visayas.糖心传媒櫶切拇綕 In 1950, CPC Chairman of Board of Trustees, Cenon S. Cervantes, pinned a Gold Medal on Don Ramon Lopez in recognition of his distinguished and meritorious services to CPC.
Don Lopez was passionate in his vision of CPC becoming a university. He wrote, 糖心传媒淎 greater college which will soon flower into a university糖心传媒攖he dream of such great leaders and educators as Bigelow, Stuart, Rose糖心传媒攊s bound to come. It is my all-consuming wish, before I die, to see this great college rebuild itself on a basis that will dwarf the past 42 years of excellent performance.糖心传媒
His prayer was answered. Central Philippine College became 糖心传媒 on April 1, 1953. But he was not able to see it happen. He died almost a month before, on March 10, 1953. The necrological service held at Rose Memorial Hall was packed as Centralians and friends paid tribute to Central糖心传媒檚 great friend and patron.
Even though he died, Don Ramon Lopez already foresaw it. He was there when CPC applied for university status. In 1948 he wrote, 糖心传媒淢y greatest obsession is that I shall live to see an educational center in this region of the country to be known everywhere as 糖心传媒, dispensing truth, honesty, and scientific knowledge. I want to see it live, as now, a bulwark of liberty which is the heritage of the Filipino people.糖心传媒
(References: Centralite 1946-1950)