Dr. Romeo S. Cabanilla’s term as President and Board Chairman of the Board of Directors of the CLSU Alumni Association, Inc. ends on April 14, 2012. The significant accomplishments of the alumni association under his exemplary leadership have brought honor and pride to CLSU. With this, Dr. Cabanilla deserves a round of applause.

It can be recalled that Dr. Cabanilla retired from the government service as president of Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT) in Baler, Aurora on January 8, 2007. He was then 63 years old.

He said “My retirement will give me the opportunity to serve CLSU anyway, I am still alive and kicking”.

He added that CLSU has greatly contributed to his success in life.

“I’ve lived more than half of my life in CLSU… this is where I took my high school and college education, my workplace and home. It’s time for me to serve my Alma Mater, it’s payback time,” Dr. Cabanilla said.

He took his oath as president of the alumni association on April 12, 2008. He succeeded Engr. Genaro M. Tolentino.

Dr. Cabanilla smilingly revealed that he enjoys working here at the alumni association and he is just as busy and committed as when he was employed in the government.

Dr. Cabanilla said that he gratefully acknowledges the efforts of his immediate predecessors, namely: Dr. Catalino R. Dela Cruz (1994-2004), Dr. Teotimo M. Aganon (2004-2006) and Engr. Genaro M. Tolentino (2006-2008) for having set up during their respective terms as alumni president the continuing plans and programs, which served as his guide in pursuing the association’s vision, mission, goals and objectives.

He admitted that the biggest challenge that he has faced as president of the association was the construction of the CLSU Alumni Hostel together with the CLSU Alumni Food Court. The problems on fund solicitation, supervision and management of the construction, among others, were some of the aspects that he, together with the BODs and other officers had patiently looked into.

According to Dr. Cabanilla, he is grateful to Dr. Eliseo L. Ruiz, President and Board Chairman of the CLSU Alumni Foundation, Inc., (CAFI) because of his untiring efforts and dynamism as committee chairman on fund solicitation.

He gratefully acknowledges the University Administration under the leadership of Dr. Ruben C. Sevilleja for being supportive in all the undertakings and affairs of the alumni association.

With God’s blessings and unending support of our alumni here and abroad, our benevolent donors and friends, the CLSU Alumni Hostel which is so far the biggest project of the Alumni Association is finally completed and was blessed on April 11, 2012.

Another visible accomplishment worth mentioning is the putting up of the Food Court and General Merchandise which is located near the hostel. It was opened and blessed on November 11, 2010.

The acquisition of one generator set (Gen-Set 60 KVA) last month is another significant accomplishment because the hostel will now be assured of power supply in cases of brown outs.

Furthermore, one important responsibility and accomplishment of the alumni president is his presence and participation during meetings of the CLSU Board of Regents, the policymaking body of the University, where he represents the alumni sector.

During Dr. Cabanilla’s term, Amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws of the Alumni Association were undertaken through series of meetings and consultations. Some alumni honorary members were invited as consultants. This activity was spearheaded by Dr. Romeo L. Saplaco, Chairman, Committee on Amendments.

Under his incumbency, the CLSUAAI Board formulated, reviewed and unanimously adopted the CLSUAAI Medium Term Plan: 2012-2020. This was presented during the board meeting by Engr. Genaro M. Tolentino, director for plans and programs.

These and many more are Dr. Cabanilla’s achievements during his term of office, His virtues of hardwork, dedication, patience honesty and persistence which he had developed when he was still a young boy have greatly helped him succeed as a leader and as a family man.

His treasured educational background, long and dedicated service and his precious jewels" his family have immensely helped him, for what he is now.

Born on November 29, 1943, he is the third of seven children of a farming family. He graduated in the elementary in 1955 as valedictorian, but have to stop schooling because his parents cannot afford to send him to high school. He did odd jobs in a vulcanizing shop in Bongabon, Nueva Ecija, was a banana vendor in Rizal, Nueva Ecija and also worked in onion farms. Fortunately, an uncle helped him raise the needed tuition fee for him to enroll at the Agricultural High School of the Central Luzon Agricultural College. He graduated as class valedictorian in 1963.

He pursued his college education in the same institution and he took up Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Education where he enjoyed scholarship grants because of his good scholastic standing. He graduated with third highest average in 1967.

He started his career as a classroom teacher at Urdaneta Community High School in Pangasinan then transferred to CLSU as assistant instructor in 1970. He obtained his masteral degree in seed technology under a USAID Scholarship Program at Mississippi State University, USA in 1982 and his doctoral degree, specializing in Agronomy at the University of the Philippines at Los Baños in 1991.

Dr. Cabanilla rose from the ranks from assistant instructor to full-fledged professor in 1994. His participations in significant international, national and local trainings, workshops, seminars, conferences and symposia, further honed his professional capabilities as an educator, researcher and administrator.

His contributions and accomplishments have been recognized by various organizations and institutions, notable among these are: Most Distinguished Alumnus of CLSU, Most Outstanding Alumnus of CLSU and Most Outstanding Agribusiness Director Award and was semi-finalist in the Civil Service Commission Lingkod Bayan Award (national category).

He served as University Agribusiness Program director and vice president of University Business Affairs Program from 1992 to 2002. On March 4, 2002, Dr. Cabanilla was installed as second president of Aurora State College of Technology (ASCOT) in Baler, Aurora until his retirement on January 8, 2007.

Romy, as he is fondly called is happily married to her supportive and loving wife, Prof. Teresita Arenas-Cabanilla, former assistant principal of the University Science High School.

They are blessed with three children, namely; Romeo, Jr., registered nurse based in United Kingdom with his wife Ma. Cecilia and son, Raymund; Robert, also a registered nurse is married to May Rose also a nurse based in California, USA. They have three sons Robert Joshua, Mark Brian and Jordan Romeo. The youngest, Rose Marie is a medical doctor. She works as pediatrician at the Paulino J. Garcia Medical Hospital at Cabanatuan City.