Eye Opener
By Rodolfo P. Gumabong

Alfonso Uy, Centralian of the Century

Mrs. Uy Ang Jun Teng was at a quandary as to what college she was to send her son Alfonso after he finished high school. A neighbor convinced Alfonso's mother that she sent her son to Central Philippine University, a Christian school of higher learning. His mother did not make a mistake for Alfonso did not only enroll at CPU to take up engineering but also to become a Christian. Alfonso who helped his father manage their business would miss his classes but the dean, also the teachers and classmates who were working students like himself, prodded the young Chinese-Filipino to continue despite the odds behind him. No doubt like many Chinese who are good in Mathematics, Algebra, Trigonometry, etc., Alfonso may have possessed these talents and despite his absence in class, he managed to finish his course in Chemical Engineering and placed number two in the Board Exam for Chemical Engineers. While still a student, Alfonso was President of the CPU Students Republic and was an active campus leader. He also served as Governor of the College of Engineering.

In 1991, he was honored as a distinguished Centralian. He served as a member of the CPU Corporation and was a member of the Board of Trustees and later on as Vice-chairman and finally Chairman of the CPU Board of Trustees for several terms. He was conferred the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Humanities on March 19, 2000. During the centennial celebration of CPU on August 6, 2005, he was recognized for his many academic, service and student achievements to his Alma Mater, Dr. Alfonso Ang Uy was given the highest title the university has ever awarded to its alumnus as “Cenralian of the Century”.

Alfonso said that he owes his success to his beloved mother Mrs. Uy Ang Jun Teng, his mentors, classmates, alumni and the university staff and personnel. As a legacy to fellow students at CPU, the soft-spoken but talented Alfonso put up a multi-million building known as the Dr. Alfonso Uy Student Union Building in Year 2002. In his acceptance speech evening of August 6, Alfonso enjoined his fellow alumni and friends here and abroad that doing things together and with the blessings of the Almighty God, “we can achieve great things for Central Philippine University.”