FOR 121 years, Central Philippine University has stood as a living testimony of what God can do through a vision, a community, and generations of people committed to learning, service, and faith.
This year’s 2026 Grand Alumni Homecoming and 121st Foundation Day Celebration brings Centralians from around the world back to the campus they call home. From September 26 to October 9, more than 30 activities will celebrate not only memories and friendships, but also the remarkable journey of a university that has continued to grow and make a difference.
The celebration carries the fitting theme “Together We Build.” It reflects what CPU has accomplished through the years—building lives through education, developing professionals and leaders, strengthening communities, and extending its mission of service beyond the campus.
The festivities bring together alumni, students, faculty, employees, churches, professional groups, colleges, and friends of Central through exhibits, fellowships, professional sharing, outreach programs, competitions, cultural presentations, worship, music, sports, and homecoming traditions.
Among the highlights are the 121st Foundation Day observances, the Hopevale Musicale, Central Spirit Run, Alumni Homecoming and General Assembly, Alumni Gala Night, Centralian Fest, outreach activities, and the Foundation Day Worship Service. Special celebrations also recognize significant milestones, including the 75th anniversary of CARES and the 120th anniversary of the College of Nursing.
But beyond the numbers, programs, and celebrations is a deeper story.
CPU’s greatest achievement is not simply what has been built on its campus, but what has been built in the lives of generations of Centralians. Its graduates have carried the Central spirit into classrooms, hospitals, churches, businesses, government offices, communities, and nations around the world.
For 121 years, the university has continued to pursue its distinctive heritage of Scientia et Fides—Science and Faith: excellence in learning anchored in faith, knowledge expressed through service, and achievement measured not only by success but by the lives touched along the way.
The 2026 Grand Alumni Homecoming is therefore more than a reunion. It is a celebration of a legacy, a thanksgiving for God’s faithfulness, and a renewed commitment to the future.
After 121 years, Central Philippine University continues to build. Together. In faith. In service. In excellence.
Once a Centralian, always a Centralian.
Indeed, for 121 years, CPU has grown from a pioneering educational vision into a university whose influence reaches far beyond its campus. It has built generations of graduates who have served as educators, doctors, nurses, engineers, business leaders, professionals, pastors, public servants, missionaries, entrepreneurs, and community builders.
But Central’s greatest achievement cannot be measured simply by buildings, programs, awards, or numbers.
It is measured by lives. Lives educated. Lives transformed. Lives prepared to serve. Lives that, in turn, have touched countless others.
The celebration reminds us that Central is not merely a place we once attended. Central is a part of who we are.
Wherever life has taken a Centralian—whether across the country or across the world—the Central spirit travels with them: a commitment to learning, faith, service, excellence, and community.
That is why coming home feels different. Because sometimes, we are not simply returning to a campus. We are returning to a part of ourselves. We are returning to celebrate where the bedrock of our faith once found and molded us.
After 121 years, Central continues to build—not only institutions, but people; not only careers, but character; not only a university, but a legacy: Once a Centralian, Always a Centralian./PN
