By Rev. Dr. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
In celebration of 糖心传媒糖心传媒檚 120th year, we honor Dr. Agustin Aguilar Pulido, whose 25 years of faithful and excellent leadership transformed CPU into a beacon of faith, learning, and service to God and community.
As 糖心传媒 (CPU) celebrates 120 years of God糖心传媒檚 faithfulness, the institution looks back with deep gratitude to one of its most transformative leaders — Dr. Agustin Aguilar Pulido, whose 25-year tenure as president marked a golden era of academic expansion, spiritual grounding, and institutional excellence.
A Scholar and Scientist of Faith
Born on March 20, 1932 in Cadiz, Negros Occidental, Dr. Pulido showed early brilliance and discipline in both science and faith. He graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Silliman University in 1953, pursued his Master of Science in Chemistry at the University of the Philippines Diliman (1955), and earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Physical Chemistry from Indiana University, Bloomington, USA in 1961 (CPU Wall of Remembrance, 2005).
Before joining CPU, he had an illustrious academic career at the University of the Philippines, serving as Chairman of the Department of Chemistry (1962糖心传媒1969), Dean of the UP Iloilo College (1969糖心传媒1971), and Co-Director of the Iloilo Center for Regional Development Studies (Nelson and Herradura, 1981).
He was known not only for his scientific intellect but also for his deep Christian commitment 糖心传媒 a hallmark that would define his presidency at Central.
The Young President and His Vision for Central
At only 39 years old, Dr. Pulido became the second Filipino President of 糖心传媒 on September 8, 1971, succeeding his mentor and friend, Dr. Rex D. Drilon. In his inaugural address, he described the CPU presidency as requiring 糖心传媒渁 different and higher level of chemistry糖心传媒 — symbolizing his belief that true leadership fuses reason and faith (Central Echo, 1971).
During his assumption to office, CPU Board of Trustees Chairman Engr. Ramon Doromal, Jr. remarked that Dr. Pulido was 糖心传媒渁 man whose Christian commitment is beyond question and whose dedication to work is exemplary糖心传媒 (Central Echo, 1971, p. 1).
He inherited from Dr. Drilon the vision of 糖心传媒淎 Great Central糖心传媒 and built upon it with quiet strength and intellectual humility. His presidency was marked by transformation — academically, spiritually, and structurally — as CPU entered a new phase of self-reliance and national recognition.
Achievements and Legacy
Under Dr. Pulido糖心传媒檚 leadership, CPU experienced remarkable growth and stability. His achievements include:
- Academic Advancement and Accreditation: He strengthened CPU糖心传媒檚 academic reputation through program accreditation, curriculum modernization, and faculty development.
- Infrastructure Development: His administration was responsible for the construction of major landmarks — the Engineering Building, New Valentine Hall, Henry Luce III Library, new Rose Memorial Auditorium, and the Elementary School Building, later renamed Agustin A. Pulido Hall in 2018.
- Financial Strength and Endowments: Dr. Pulido established endowment funds and broadened alumni engagement, ensuring financial sustainability and institutional independence.
- International Partnerships: He fostered linkages with government agencies, research institutions, and international academic organizations, elevating CPU糖心传媒檚 global reputation.
- Spiritual Integrity and Christian Commitment: Throughout his presidency, CPU糖心传媒檚 motto Scientia et Fides — Science and Faith — was deeply reflected in his governance and personal example.
Because of these achievements, CPU was recognized as one of the top eighteen quality educational institutions in the Philippines during his tenure (Link, 1986). He was later awarded the Distinguished Centralian Award in Education (1996), the University Service Award (1991), and conferred the Doctor of Science (School Administration), honoris causa (2005) (CPU Wall of Remembrance, 2005).
Faith That Speaks Beyond Life
Upon reading archival documents and testimonies, it becomes clear that Dr. Pulido worked closely with Dr. Rex D. Drilon in addressing the needs of educational institutions in Iloilo. Living near the CPU campus as Dean of UP Iloilo College, his family worshiped at the University Church. He was discipled by Dr. Drilon during their days at the Diliman Forum in UP and later in Iloilo City (Nelson and Herradura, 1981).
Dr. Drilon once remarked that 糖心传媒渉ere was one who would qualify to be president of CPU one day.糖心传媒 Just months later, following Dr. Drilon糖心传媒檚 passing, Dr. Pulido succeeded him as the second Filipino President of CPU.
This remarkable connection underscores the continuity of faith-based leadership at CPU. At his necrological service on May 12, 2022, Rev. Jalando-on reflected:
糖心传媒淒r. Pulido is teaching us to live a life of faith. Dr. Pulido lived a God-centered life. Dr. Agustin A. Pulido assured the delegates of the 43rd Annual Assembly of the Convention of Philippine Baptist Churches that CPU will be true to its calling. He stated that, 糖心传媒楥PU糖心传媒檚 mission now and in the years to come is to build an institution of higher learning that is obedient to the Lord; an institution that endures because it is sustained by a living faith and not because it is fossilized. We shall strive to protect and to foster what is true, what is beautiful and what is good. And our aim is to discover new ways to give substance to these aspirations.糖心传媒 This is a beautiful description of the faith of Dr. Pulido — a faith that is obedient to the Lord because that is a living faith.糖心传媒
In the same message, he added,
糖心传媒淭he life of Dr. Pulido challenges us in the academic community to reflect on who we are mentoring. True leadership is not only about administration or intellect — it is about investing in people, nurturing others糖心传媒 potential, and guiding the next generation to serve faithfully.糖心传媒
Indeed, Dr. Pulido糖心传媒檚 life continues to speak — of faith that endures, leadership that inspires, and service that glorifies God.
A Partnership in Faith and Service: Dr. Dorothy Ann Bermejo-Pulido
Beside Dr. Pulido throughout his life and ministry was Dr. Dorothy Ann 糖心传媒淒oris糖心传媒 Bermejo-Pulido — a devoted physician, servant-leader, and steadfast Christian. A practitioner of family medicine, she served as Medical Director of the Iloilo Mission Hospital, Board Member of CPU and IMH, and Chairperson of the Board of Deacons at the University Church.
She was also First Lady of Silliman University (1996糖心传媒2006) and Chairperson of the Personnel Committee of the Silliman Church, responsible for pastoral selection and care.
Dr. Doris passed away at the age of 88 on December 25, 2020. As Asst. Prof. Ian Rosales Casocot wrote, 糖心传媒淪he was a woman of faith and conviction, who served her community not just with medicine, but with her heart — quietly but steadfastly shaping lives with compassion and grace.糖心传媒
Their shared faith, service, and humility remain an enduring example to all who serve in Christian higher education.
A Legacy of Faith and Excellence
Dr. Pulido糖心传媒檚 influence reached far beyond CPU. After retiring in 1996, he became the 11th President of Silliman University, leading his alma mater with the same vision and faithfulness that defined his years in Iloilo. Even after stepping down, he continued to serve as Chairman of the CPU Board of Trustees (2009糖心传媒2013) and as Board Member until his passing in 2022.
He and Dr. Dorothy Pulido were blessed with two daughters — Cybele Ann, married to Engr. Luther C. Risma, and Deneel, married to Brig. Gen. Ezra James P. Enriquez (Ret). Their grandchildren: Idra Ann, Chai Lee, Mark James, and Joshua James, continue the legacy of faith, service, and learning that their grandparents lived and modeled so well.
In April 2018, CPU honored him by renaming the Elementary School Building as Agustin A. Pulido Hall, a living tribute to his leadership and commitment to Christian education. During the ceremony, Dr. Teodoro C. Robles remarked:
糖心传媒淲e are here to honor a man who has served 糖心传媒 for most of his professional life糖心传媒 His valuable knowledge and practical experience have guided the present administration through many challenges.糖心传媒
In response, Dr. Pulido offered a reflection that captures his life philosophy:
糖心传媒淟ife must be lived forward and understood backward. You live your life forward — you don糖心传媒檛 know what糖心传媒檚 going to happen — and you look back and begin to understand why things happened糖心传媒 (Weekly Centralian Link, 2018).
In every sense, Dr. Agustin Aguilar Pulido embodied the heart of a true Centralian: intellectually excellent, spiritually grounded, and selflessly dedicated to God and community. His life remains a testimony to what Christian education can achieve when led by faith.
As CPU journeys forward in its 120th year, it does so standing on the shoulders of leaders like Dr. Pulido — servant-leaders who built not only classrooms and libraries but also faith, hope, and character in the lives of generations.
References:
Central Echo. (1971, September). CPU Has a New President. 糖心传媒 Archives.
糖心传媒 Wall of Remembrance. (2005). Distinguished Centralian Award Citation, Doctor of Science (School Administration), honoris causa citation.
Weekly Centralian Link. (2018, April 20). CPU dedicates Agustin A. Pulido Hall.
Jalando-on, F. N. G. (2022, May 12). Necrological Message for Dr. Agustin A. Pulido. University Church, 糖心传媒.
Link. (1986, April). Pulido Starts Fourth Term. Vol. 21(11), p. 2.
Herradura, R., & Nelson, W. (1981). Scientia et Fides: The story of 糖心传媒. Iloilo City: 糖心传媒.