TRAINING STUDENTS FOR SERVICE AND FOR ETERNITY...
The term "eternal" may be too esoteric, if not too abstract to modern thinker. Yet it should be the goal of every Christian student on this planet. Education should not be limited only to becoming a professional in this world; neither should it end at one’s grave.
Such is the educational perspective of the Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP) in Silang, Cavite, which labels itself as "the school that trains for service and prepares students for eternity."
The university is run by the Seventh- day Adventists with a membership of more than 15 million worldwide. The denomination operates 7,284 schools, 792 hospitals and sanitariums around the world and one of which is the world- renowned Loma Linda Hospital in California, U.S.A.
BEGINNINGS
AUP was started by mission- oriented people who wished to prepare young people to be efficient workers in the different branches of Christian service.
In 1915, A.G. Daniels visited the Philippines and laid plans for the organization of an academic institution. Daniels was followed by L.V. Finster who reported that in 1916, I.A. Steinel and O.F. Sevrens and their families had arrived to supervise the building of the Philippine Seventh-day Adventist Academy on a five-acre land on Calle Luna, Pasay. The school opened on June 12, 1917 with 36 students. Classrooms were on the first floor while the dormitory for boys was on the second floor. The girls stayed in an old house nearby.
In 1925, at the Spring Council of the Far Eastern Division (FED), it was voted that the academy be authorized to carry 14 grades, adding one grade each year towards 1927, and that the name be changed to Philippine Junior College. Elder W.B. Amundsen was elected principal in 1927 until the year 1931.
Prof. L.M. Stump, president of the college in 1931 directed the construction of the buildings on a purchased lot in Caloocan. FED also permitted the junior college’s elevation to senior, calling it the Philippine Union College (PUC).
Seventh-day Adventist Missionary enthusiasm, voluntarism, and idealism have been the driving force behind the development and growth of PUC. No material gain was ever expected; only the desire to make the school "Shine on Forever" in training people for service and preparing them for heaven.
After the war, enrolment increased with some graduates topping the Nursing board examinations and excelling in the field of Science, especially in Biology, and in the various academic fields.
In the meantime, a bigger property (165 hectares) was acquired in Puting Kahoy, Silang, Cavite. The same missionary spirit that inspired the pioneers in the past, has stimulated the administrators, faculty, and students to work hard, sacrifice time, energy, and effort; leaving behind the conveniences of life in the city to move to the new PUC location starting in 1979.
The campus today has an Art Park, which is maintained by the Fine arts department. It is a school, a museum, and a laboratory for artists rolled into one. The open-air amphitheater was inspired by Greek and Roman theaters and ideal venue for dramatic and musical performances. The Ban Alsaybar Memorial Alumni archives and museum located at the J.L. Detwiler Library, showcases the history, artifacts, memorabilia, and alumni treasures, and is undergoing expansion of collections and soon, its physical building. The latest campus vista is the Student Association Park to be inaugurated on July 28, 2008. It is both a leisure and activity center for students.
On August 1, 1996, the Commission on Higher Education granted PUC the long-awaited University Status entailing the change of the school’s name from Philippine Union College to Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP).
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 "Shine on Forever, Dear AUP," a compelling command that knows no limit, keeps inspiring university leaders, workers, and students from all over the world to strive harder to reach the heights of excellence. Students kept on topping board exams and other academic competitive tests which helped pave the way for the University to acquire Deregulated Status on October 22, 2001 and to eventually be awarded an Autonomous Status on October 27, 2003 for the meritorious achievement in the provision of instruction, conduct of research, community extension service, high performance of graduates in licensure examinations, and for maintaining a tradition of integrity, excellence, and untarnished reputation in educational service.
Arts and Science, Business, Education and Nursing Programs are accredited Level III; Accountancy, Master in Business Administration and Master of Arts in Education Programs are accredited Level II by the Association of Christian Schools, Colleges and Universities Accrediting Agency, Inc. (ACSCU-AAI).
AUP is accredited as a Level III institution by the Accrediting Association of Seventh-day Adventist Schools, Colleges and Universities.
QUALITY CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
AUP is the only university with autonomous status in Region IV-A. It is a boarding school with about 5,000 students enrolled in different courses and programs – from elementary to graduate levels. AUP admits students from different race and religion.
The work education program is the most unique component of AUP curriculum. It is based on the principle of providing genuine service to humanity where everyone is required to work and serve for the benefit of others – thus, serving both man and God. Almost all of its academic programs are level III accredited and fully recognized by the Association of Christian Schools, Colleges, and Universities (ACSCU) and the international Accrediting Association of Seventh-day Adventist Schools, Colleges and Universities (AAA).
THE NEW UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT
Recently, the AUP board of trustees voted Dr. Gladden O. Flores as the new and the 16th president.
Dr. Flores is from Tupi, South Cotabato. He was the associate education director of the Southern Asia Pacific Division (SSD) of Seventh-day Adventist before his election. He has Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Management from Southwestern University in Cebu. At 51[50], Flores had attained rich experience in educational management, starting as Bible teacher in Matutum View Academy in 1980, a professor, and then dean of academic affairs from various institutions in the Philippines. His appointment to AUP is a "comeback" stint of Dr. Flores who was once an associate dormitory dean, guidance counselor, psychology professor, and human resource director of AUP.
Dr. Flores will be formally installed as the new president in an investiture ceremony on July 31, 2008, a day before the 91st Foundation day on August 1, 2008.
ATTRACTIVE TO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
AUP is one of the country’s higher education institutions (HEIs) if not with most number of foreign students. Today, there are 567 [601 at present] international students in the campus from 42 [45]different countries.
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UNIVERSITY’S PRIDE
Being a denomination with strong health doctrines, AUP has consistently garnered awards and recognitions for its outstanding achievements in licensure and board examinations.
AUP leads in medical technology (the pioneer of the program in the country), dentistry (affiliated with Loma Linda Hospital), nursing, public health, nutrition and other allied health courses.
Likewise, it takes pride in gaining a high passing rate for accountancy, sciences, and education.
Theology remains as the University’s flagship program for future pastors, ministers, and church leaders.
AUP also excels in fine arts and music. There are about 30 choirs and singing groups in the campus who are very active during worship and chapel services. The most recent and prestigious recognition was given to the AUP Ambassadors when they won the world championship in 2006 Choir Olympics in Xiamen, China. The choir brought home two gold medals for mixed chamber, gospel and spiritual music categories while a silver for Musica Sacra category.
The AUP Young Voices, a choir consisting of musically gifted elementary pupils, received the highest honor as grand-prize winner in the 2007 National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on November 20, 2007.
Painting and visual arts has been AUP’s latest craze because of its tradigital arts curriculum, i.e. a combination of traditional and digital scheme of creating artworks. Such course offering is another first in the country. This was proven by a series of winnings in Shell National Student Art Competition, PLDT-DPC Visual Art Competition, 3M, EPSON Digital Arts, photojournalism, among others.
In 2007 PLDT-DPC golden anniversary painting competition, Leorido "Onyok" Repique, Jr., an AUP working student, won the grand prize. His winning design was officially published in cover of the nationwide PLDT Yellow Pages directory.
NINETY-FIRST AT ITS BEST
Behind the triumphs of AUP through 91 years are thousands of alumni around the world who are now successful in their professions. The Eastern North America Alumni Chapter (EASNAC) and the Alumni of Western North America chapter (AWESNA) are the major benefactors of AUP projects and developments. The 91st foundation day is the most fitting occasion to salute all the pioneers and alumni of AUP!
Anniversary celebration highlights include the following: July 27– Pinoy fiesta games and sports; campus medical mission; 1st AUP Photography Challenge; essay writing contest; July 28– Student Park inauguration; Student Talent Night; July 29 – 2nd AUP on-the-spot painting competition; AUP Orchestra concert; July 30 – open house, special midweek worship; July 31 – President Gladden Flores’ investiture program; Reader’s Theater; performance of "God’s Trombones"; August 1– thanksgiving program.
Eternal life may seem too deep or too high to reach but it is what God wants AUP to achieve by His grace. The education offered by the AUP is based on God’s blueprint translated into an academic goal that is to train students for service in this world and prepare them for eternity.
ON AUP'S RELIGIOUS LIFE
Simultaneous Revival for AUP Small Groups
Thirteen (13) student ministries or small groups participated in the simultaneous revival series conducted by the Religious Affairs Office of the Adventist University of the Philippines. Faculty and staff members were speakers during the whole week of July 21. The revival culminated with the small groups having separate worship today, Saturday, 25 June, 2008. The church just the same was filled to the brim, with the African congregation and the small groups having their own worships.
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Advisories From the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs
Dr. Miriam P. Narbarte
1. To God Be the Glory and Honor!
The most recent nursing board with its 43% national passing rate yielded a 74% [for first takers] passing rate for AUP. Ruby Joma Fadri Rafanan was one of those making it to the top ten successful examinees with her passing rate of 84.20%
2. Restructuring of the Academic Administration
Restructuring from horizontal articulation to semi-vertical articulation will do away with the School of Graduate Studies dean. Instead a director will ensure that the standards of the different colleges in the graduate school are implemented and maintained. College deans will manage the affairs of the graduate programs.
3. AUPA and AUPE Realignment
Part of the restructuring of the academic program is the implementation of the AAA Recommendation to realign the Adventist University of the Philippines Academy and Elementary schools with the VPAA instead of the College of Education dean. This flat organizational structure will facilitate decision making and eliminate some degree of bureaucracy.
4. Strengthening Faculty and Instruction through Upgrading
To improve quality of instruction, 117 faculty members are on upgrading this first semester 2008-09, 32 of which are aiming for doctoral degrees and 85 for the masters. Sixteen percent (16%) of the total number of faculty are doctoral degree holders, 58% have masters degree.
Recently, two doctoral candidates, namely Merlina Idaosos, PhD and Dina Galang, DrPh successfully defended their dissertations.
5. Strengthening Faculty and Instruction through In-Service Training
The Human Resource Office conducted the following in-service trainings: Orientation of new faculty, "Teacher-Student- Parent Trilateral Relationship," by Atty. Hilario Caraan, "The Christ-LikeTeacher," by Mr. Joel Habaradas
6. Fine Arts Faculty Member Puts AUP in the Limelight
Albrecht Delft Pagaduan placed 5th in the 2008 Thailand Bouldering Competit ion on May 18, 2008.
7. Performance in Recent Board Exams
Care Giving Course graduates get 100% passing rate in the National Competency Exam.
Dentistry graduates during the May 2008 Dental Board Exam got a hundred percent passing rate.
8. Adventist Accrediting Agency Grants Candidacy Status
AAA granted candidacy status to the following programs: MA Psychology, PhD Psychology, PhD Commerce, PhD Mathematics Education, Doctor of Education, major in Educational Administration.
9. CHED Gives AUP Authority to ETTEAP
The Commission on Higher Education authorized AUP, one of the two universities in Region IV, to offer the Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETTEAP) to accredit, provide equivalency to, and/or certify the pertinent work experience, knowledge or expertise by individuals through formal, non-formal means and to confer appropriate academic degrees in: Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Education, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Bachelor of Science in Accountancy.
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To AUP for the Third Time
Dr. Gladden O. Flores hails from Tupi, South Cotabato, Philippines. He is married to Pinky Pingal, and has two children: Wayne Reinhard, 18, and Suzanne Pearl 17.
Dr. Flores served as Associate Education Director of Southern Asia Pacific Division from 2003 until his election as AUP President. He also had been an Education Director of South Philippine Union Conference, Dean of Academic Affairs & Bible Instructor of Mindanao Sanitarium College of Medical Arts in Iligan City, and had served in various capacities in the denominational work as administrator and leader.
Dr. Gladden O. Flores comes back to Adventist University of the Philippines (AUP) to serve for the third time. In May 13, 2008, while still serving his term as the associate director of education of Asia-Pacific Division (SSD) of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, the Board of Trustees had unanimously voted him to be the 16th president of AUP which he humbly accepted as a call to serve. He is to be officially installed on July 31, 2008, during the university’s 91st foundation week celebration.
His educational career started right after his college graduation. With a degree of AB Theology and Public Health minor in Education from Mountain View College, he served as Bible Teacher, CAT Commandant, and Pathfinder Director of Matutum View Academy, his high school alma mater. After two years of work, he came to AUP for his graduate study. It is while he was yet studying for his master’s degree that he becomes connected with AUP for the first time. He worked as an assistant dormitory dean of the Molave Hall, the college residence for the male in the campus. Many young men under his care would remember him for his soft wake up song of “Morning has Broken” by Farjeon. Every 5 in the morning, his voice would echo in the hallway as he knocks to each door, beckoning the sleeping young men for worship service. During this time too, he become acquainted with Dr. Alfonso P. Roda, president of the college, the man who inspired him to pursue his goals of leadership.
After five years as associate dean of the men’s dormitory to becoming a theology professor in AUP, and after finishing his master’s degree in Educational Administration and Supervision, he begged to leave to further pursue his educational career on his own. In 1991, he received his diploma in Doctor of Education in Educational Management from Southwestern University, Cebu, Philippines, and for a year served as Guidance Counselor and Psychology Professor of Immaculate Conception University in Davao City. From there, he was called to serve AUP for the second time, as Guidance Counselor and Human Resource Director. After two years, a sister institution in the south made a call for a specialist in education, and Gladden accepted the call and served as Dean of Academic Affairs and Dean of Graduate Studies of Illigan Medical Center College. Fate found him working in Canada as a church pastor, but God has a thousand and one ways for his servant, so after six months he found his way back to the Philippines, to his family who had missed him much. For a while, he worked in their farm, and this time, he was truly in a greener pasture, close to nature that brought mysterious healing to his soul and best of all God’s voice is most audible. And a call came for him to serve as Director of Education of the South Philippine Union Conference of SDA Church which covers the entire Mindanao area. In just two years, he was again called to serve, this time, it’s the Division headquarters.
In 2005, during the quinquennium meeting, the Southern Asia-Pacific Division’s educational ministry, where Dr. Flores served as the associate director, had expanded to about 1,000 schools with more than 5,600 teachers and 100,000-plus students. The church has education programs in all of the division’s 17 countries except Laos, Vietnam, Brunei, and East Timor. The division also has 96 secondary schools and 884 primary/elementary schools1. His work therefore gave him very rich experience in Adventist education, both locally and internationally. He was also instrumental in establishing the Nelson Endowment Scholarship that has provided assistance to scores of students. His work and experience gained somehow created a longing to serve more; he prayed to God that if ever another institution would need his services, he would gladly accept. And the call to serve AUP came, though momentarily apprehension clouded his decision because of great challenges he would face he finally accepted the responsibility to become the 16th president of AUP. ---jgg
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