By Eugene Matthew B. Juanico, Centralian Link Intern, BA-COMM 4
University officials and guests of honor join the Junior High School faculty and staff for a commemorative photo op at the Rose Memorial Auditorium.
On March 15, the Rose Memorial Auditorium was filled with anticipation and eagerness as students of the ĢƵ Junior High School gathered at 9:00 AM for their annual dedication service. Centered on the themeĢƵ Levelling Up with GodĢƵ, the program served as a spiritual milestone for the student body, encouraging them to pursue growth in both their academic and spiritual journeys.
The ceremony officially opened with a Call to Worship from the Book of Psalms 15 3:7, led by the liturgist, Mrs. Romela Kim Java, followed by the congregational singing of Thank You Lord led by Jamil Andrei Pechon.
Rev. Dr. Cris Amorsolo V. Sian, Senior Pastor of the University Church, provided the opening words of welcome, which were followed by supportive messages from University President Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy and Dr. Esther Rose Romarate, Vice President of Student Affairs.
The program continued with a Litany of Thanksgiving led by Pastor Keith Dune R. Gallos. To ground the morning in faith, Daisy Lynn C. Palmejar led the scripture readings from 2 Corinthians 3:18 and Joshua 1:9, providing the biblical foundation for the message of strength and transformation. The University Church Choir then performed the worship anthem, setting a reverent atmosphere for the guest speaker.
Principal Charlett B. Dianala took the stage to introduce the guest speaker, Pastor Jason I. Italia Jacar, a distinguished CPU alumnus. Pastor JacarĢƵs message focused heavily on the concept of progress, specifically what it means to level up in life and spirit. He creatively compared the journey of faith to a video game, where players must face obstacles and gain experience to move forward. However, he transitioned this analogy to show the audience that the most significant growth comes when one chooses to level up with God.
He emphasized that this spiritual progression is essential because it provides the resilience and divine guidance necessary to navigate the complexities of the world, teaching students that their “stats” in life are best improved through a deep relationship with the Divine. Following his address, Rev. Jacar was presented with a certificate of appreciation for his service to the university community.
A unique segment of the service was the presentation of symbols, where modern imagery was used to reflect the theme. Various symbols, including a video game controller, were displayed on screen while their symbolic significance was explained in relation to spiritual and personal development.
This was followed by a musical response from the Bella Voice Choir. The service then transitioned into the offering, with a call based on Proverbs 3:9-10 and a Litany of Commitment led by Pastor Louvel Edson L. Caspe.
The morning of dedication reached its conclusion with a prayer of dedication led by Rev. Karel Grace D. Victoria. Rev. Franz Hestia Lovejoy Q. Leysa provided the closing prayer and benediction, which was followed by the Sevenfold Amen performed by the University Choir. As the recessional began, the students exited the auditorium, marking the official start of a new chapter in their journey to level up their lives as Centralians.