USJR turns 25

The University of San Jose Recoletos celebrated its 25th year as a university last Tuesday by honoring its former presidents including Rev. Fr. Rafael Cabarles, OAR; Rev. Fr. Emeterio Buñao, OAR; Rev. Fr. Walthrode Conde, OAR; Rev. Fr. Constantino Real, OAR; and Rev. Fr. Anthony Morillo, OAR.

University President Rev. Fr. Enrico Peter Silab, OAR himself said he never expected to be in the university 25 years after it was granted university status by the Commission on Higher Education on September 21, 1984.

“The event that happened 25 years ago was a paradox in my time. I was here but I was not totally here. I never expected I would come back to congratulate and give recognition to those important personalities who have given honor to our school,” Silab said.

Silab shared he was assigned at the Diocese of Calbayog, Samar as secretary to Msgr. Pastor Paloma at that time and stayed at the convent of the former Colegio de San Jose-Recoletos to do a task here in Cebu.

While at the convent, he reportedly noticed that the entire school “filled with anticipation.” He later learned that the school was preparing itself for assessment towards a university status.

Cabarles was the first president when CSJR became University of San Jose Recoletos.

“And today, I align myself with your incomprehensible energies that include so much wisdom, so much caring, so much ingenuity…may your wisdom accompany my own heart and I embrace my responsibilities as a new president of the University of San Jose Recoletos,” Silab said during the honoring ceremonies.

He said the university is inspired by the extravagant heart, hard work, and unedifying dedication of the former presidents such that the current students of the university are “full of delight, full of contentment because USJR provides them with competence and Christ like teacher and personnel.”

”We will continue to aim for excellent without losing the radiance of God’s present so that all Josenian will become intelligent in choices about life itself and be sensible in appraising their readiness for the hazardous journey of life,” Silab said.

Aside from honoring its former presidents, the university also bestowed a posthumous award to several of its alumni, including Engr. Joaquin Alix Jr., Dr. Concepcion Azarcon, Bro. Sergio Damazo Jr., Atty. Marcelo Fernan, Engr. Benedicto Mantos, Miguel Mendres, CPA, Rosenda Mendres, Eulalio Minerva CPA, Felix Paglinawan, Juan Eligio Yap, Jr. and Victorina Yap.

ISJR also honored committee members and former religious and lay administrators. - Johanna T. Natavio/JMO