New AUP Officers Elected During Special Constituency Meeting and University Election 2026
The meeting opened with a devotional message from Pastor Gerardo Cajobe, president of the South Luzon Philippine Union Mission and chair of the AUP Board of Trustees, followed by a musical offering from the Philippine Meistersingers. Pastor Cajobe also delivered the welcome remarks and gave reminders to the delegates.
Dr. Gracel Ann Saban, vice president for academics, conducted the roll call of delegates, both in-person and online. With a quorum established, Pastor Cajobe, as the board chairman, officially declared the meeting in order.
University Report Highlights
One of the major parts of the meeting was the University report presented by Dr. Arceli Rosario, the University president, covering the period June 2022 to January 2026. Dr. Rosario presented AUP’s progress and institutional priorities based on the 2022-2027 Strategic Plan.
The report began with the University’s philosophy, mission, and vision and highlighted the core values for students, faculty, and staff, as well as the institution’s strategic and institutional goals.
Among the key accomplishments highlighted were:
● Consistently increasing enrolment trend
● Increased participation of faculty, staff, and students in personal and public evangelism
● An increased number of precious individuals accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Savior through baptism.
● Renewal of AUP’s Autonomous Status and granting of institutional accreditation
-
● Accreditation status of its 38 programs–22 Level IV and 11 Level III
-
● Increased faculty and staff participation in research
-
● Strengthened institutional linkages and partnerships
-
● Positive licensure examination results
-
● Substantial capital expenditures on physical plant and facilities
-
● Increasing support of alumni and donors for scholarships and projects
● Continued development of community extension programs and social responsibility initiatives, including God’s Abundant Basket, God’s Abundant Garden, and God’s Abundant Cupboard.
Dr. Rosario also reported on the AUP’s financial stewardship and stability, noting an increasing trend in the wage factor. She also shared that 12 out of 13 legal cases involving the University were settled without financial cost.
In terms of infrastructure, the following have been achieved: start of the construction of Phase 1 of the AUP Medical Center, completion of the Bethel Prayer Garden, retrofitting of the former Narra Hall (now called Deborah Residence Hall), and renovation of faculty housing units, the Roda’s Alumni Center, Volunteers’ Guest House, Detwiler’s Guest House, and the serving and the dining areas of the cafeteria (now called The Manna Dining Hall). The renovation of the facade, the cooking, and the food preparation areas is in the pipeline.
Additional initiatives highlighted include:
-
Work Scholarship Programs
-
Health and wellness advocacy
-
Solar clean energy
-
Alumni engagement and denominational relations
-
Institutional branding, including the Penguins’ identity and merchandise items
Currently, the University has 624 faculty and staff members (full-time and part-time).
Recognition of Outgoing Officers and Board Members
The program also included the presentation of certificates of appreciation to outgoing officers and board members who served from 2022 to 2026.
Board of Trustees Elections
Several governance actions were approved during the meeting, including:
• C2026-03: Acceptance of Ex Officio members of the Board of Trustees (BOT) for the 2026–2030 term by virtue of their positions. • C2026-04: Election of eight expert members to the BOT, representing the fields of business, education, health, and legal, with two representatives from each field serving 2.5-year terms.
• C2026-05: Approval of the sequence of AUP faculty representatives who will serve on the BOT from 2026–2030.
The faculty representatives will serve in the following order:
-
Angel Grace Bingcang – 1st Year
-
Atty. Gizelle Lou Fugoso – 2nd Year
-
Alva Albay – 3rd Year
-
Teofilo Esguerra – 4th Year
-
Ruben Carpizo – 5th Year
For the AUP alumni representative, Dr. Rene Ballenas will serve the first 20 months of the term.
Closing Ceremony
After the announcement of the new officers, Dr. Bienvenido Mergal, member of the Board, delivered words of counsel and encouragement to the newly elected leaders.
The meeting concluded with a closing prayer offered by Pastor Malabad, president of Northern Luzon Philippine Union Mission, followed by the benediction delivered by Pastor Gerardo Cajobe.
The Special Constituency meeting and election reaffirmed the University’s commitment to academic excellence, spiritual growth, and community service, while setting the direction for the AUP’s leadership and development for the 2026–2030 term.
