Crimson and gold, which signify excellence, inevitably become part of every Normalite’s identity after they graduate from Cebu Normal University (CNU).

This is proven true yet again as some CNU alumni who have already conquered various corners of the globe gave their testament on how they took excellence with them through the talk, CNU Alumni to the World and for the World which was live-streamed last Monday, June 22, at the CNU Public Information Office (PIO) Facebook account.

Alumni of then Cebu State College (CSC) now CNU shared how their formative years and growth in the institution has enabled and prepared them to be world-class educators, leaders, and advocates.   

Dr. Nerissa Linell Joie Tago Calub, CNU alumni, former Assistant Schools Division Superintendent of Department of Education (DepEd) Cebu Province Division, and now Education Administrator IV of the New York City Department of Education organized the talk called Conversations with the CNU alumni in North America that includes USA and Canada. 

“Your presence in the United States is contributory to that pride that Cebu Normal University is indeed successful in its mission to produce quality graduates…proving to the entire world that CNU alumni are always great,” Dr. Ramir Uytico, CNU Federation of Cebu Normal University Alumni Association Incorporated (FCNUAAI) President said.

The conversations was facilitated by Calub and was participated in by: Ms. JohJoh Seno Demol-Jenae, Mathematics Teacher of Bronx International High School in the New York City Department of Education; Dr. Amelianita Jugasan, Grade 1 Teacher of Prince George County Public Schools in Maryland, USA; Mr. Melvin Damaolao, Assistant Principal of Bronx International High School in the New York City Department of Education; Mr. Nixon Go, Assistant Nurse Manager of Kaiser Foundation Hospital, Walnut Creek Medical Center in California USA; Mr. Marcelo Inot, Math Teacher of New Utrecht High School in the New York City Department of Education; Atty. Alberto Montefalcon Jr., Immigration Attorney of Montefalcon Law Offices in USA and the Philippines; Atty. Rhigel Jay Tan, Assistant Professor at the School of Nursing at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas; and Atty. Marco Tomakin, Immigration Attorney of the Law Office of Marco FG Tomakin in Albany, New York, USA.

The talk was conducted as part of the 118th Foundation Celebration of the University and is the second portion of the discussion on how the University has been leading in the new normal in relevance to this year’s foundation anniversary theme, Thriving, Leading, and Serving in the New Normal. 

Read related article: [Former student leaders motivate Normalites] 

“CNU has equipped me with the necessary tools to persevere and become productive in my teaching profession. This is because Cebu Normal University has instilled in me how to cope with the demands of my work and to balance with my responsibilities for my family,” Inot said. 

Inot has spent seven years as a classroom teacher, and eight years as an administrator in the country before he decided to migrate to a different country. He said he took the risk after he was offered a job in New York even if it means “back to square one” to provide a good life for his family. He said he took four licensure exams to be able to stay and be given a permanent teaching position in the US. 

He is the current President of the Association of Fil-Am Teachers of America Inc. or AFTA, the premier Filipino-American Teacher organization in the US.

Damaolao said that being resourceful, resilient, and adaptable are the significant learnings he has acquired as a Normalite.  

He said one must find out first what he or she loves to do and to work towards it to become successful. He encouraged Normalites to create doable and attainable goals. He also recommended that one must find balance in life, work hard and still have time for family and friends. He said one should also not be afraid to fail to succeed.

“Know what you want to do. Don’t just trust that chances will bring you there,” Dr. Tan also said.

“What you think is best for you and what you define life will be will get you there,” he also added.

Tan has spent 20 years at CNU as a student from kindergarten to graduate school. He claims the University to have instilled in him the passion for learning and the quest to be innovative and creative.

Jugasan also encouraged the Normalite community to never stop learning and to seize every opportunity to enrich oneself since learning continues as long as we live.

She reminded Normalites to enjoy the present moment still since tomorrow is never a promise to anybody. She also advised to wisely pick one’s battles in life because not all are worth fighting for. She said it is also a human need to be appreciated, so one should celebrate success also and pray hard.

Jugasan was a former Professor and Board Secretary of CNU before migrating to the US.

A recording of the CNU Alumni to the World and for the World can also be viewed at the CNU PIO official YouTube channel. (JDF)