Chancellor Sergio S. Cao
Chancellor Sergio S. Cao
In the shortest ever graduation rites in the history of the University of the Philippines, the 99th General Commencement Exercises proceeded with precision at the University Amphitheater on April 25.
Even the sunflowers adorning the length of the University Avenue bloomed into perfection in time for the graduation, welcoming the graduates, parents and guests to the campus.
Twenty-five summa cum laude graduates led the academic procession consisting of graduates, professors, unit directors, deans, guests and University officials, comprising the Board of Regents (BOR), Chancellor Sergio S. Cao and UP President Emerlinda R. Román.
UP Diliman Chancellor Sergio S. Cao delivered the welcome remarks. He exhorted the graduates by reminding them that in life, “there are no stumbling blocks, only stepping stones.”
He cited the case of Jemima “Jami” Ming Go, a member of the deaf community and now a cum laude graduate at the College of Fine Arts, who was able to “connect deaf individuals to the hearing world” through her skills and triumphed over the hardships of studying in UP despite her hearing disabilities. On this note, Cao challenged the graduates to go out of their comfort zones to help others. He congratulated the graduates for a job well done and reminded them of their obligations as an Iskolar ng Bayan which is to help solve the problems of the country, especially poverty, and to render public service.
The program was fast-paced. Immediately after the Chancellor’s message, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Dr. Lorna I. Paredes presented to the Chancellor the 4, 273 graduates of which, 3, 443 received their undergraduate degrees and 830 their graduate degrees.
The 25 top honors, all of whom have earned a cumulative weighted average grade (CWAG) of 1.20 or better, was led by Jordana Cristina R. Valencia, Bachelor of Science (Psychology), with a CWAG of 1.087, followed by Miguel Carlo L. Purisima, BS in Electronics and Computer Engineering (BSECE), 1.096; Raymund Siegfrid O. Li, BS in Business Administration and Accountancy (BSBAA), 1.101; Hyacinth Mae G. Tambago, BS in Chemical Engineering (BSChE), 1.102; Pearl Aimee C. Balleta, Bachelor of Science (Psychology), 1.112; Kenneth Robert C. De Guzman, BSChE, 1.118; Danielle P. Canlas, BS in Computer Science (BSCS), 1.124; Diane Lourdes G. Reyes, BS in Business Administration (BSBA), 1.129; Patrick Dela Paz Ramoso, BSChE, 1.132; Ma. Isabella C. Pamintuan, BS in Molecular Biology & Biotechnology (BSMBB), 1.132; Allyanna C. Anglim, BS in Economics, 1.142 and Anna May L. Navarrete, BS in Family Life and Child Development (BSFLCD), 1.145.
Completing the list were: Cristina Maria P. Cayabyab, Bachelor of Music (Conducting), 1.15; Maria Kristina S. Gallego, Bachelor of Arts (Linguistics), 1.151; Ryan Oliver T. Lim, BSBA, 1.157; Fides Angeli DLC Zaulda, BSMBB, 1.157; Monelle G. Capistrano, BS in Economics, 1.16; Miguel Carlos I. Gonzalez, BS in Chemistry, 1.161; Runyi Wu, BSBA, 1.175; Mynard Bryan R. Mojica, Bachelor of Science (Statistics) 1.181; Roana Bianca C. Reyes, BS in Industrial Engineering, 1.185; Sandra Mae T. Magalang, Bachelor of Arts (Public Administration),1.188; Joyce Jackilynn C. Tan, Bachelor of Elementary Education, 1.191; Nina Rebecca R. Ramos, BSFLCD, 1.193 and Israel Jordan R. Samson, Bachelor of Science (Statistics) 1.197.
In addition to the 25 top honors, UPD produced 236 magna cum laude and 928 cum laude.
The UP President conferred upon the graduates their academic degrees. In her graduation message, Román urged them to take an active participation in the process of selecting the men and women who will lead the country in the next six years as the 2010 National Elections is slated on May 10. She also challenged the graduates to become part of the continuing experiment and “honest” attempt of the leaders and future leaders to make things better for the Philippines.
On behalf of the graduating class, Maria Kristina S. Gallego delivered the valedictory address.
Gallego compared the UP life to the last chapter of a story book. She said graduating from the university may have ended the chapter of their lives as students; however, they are now headed to the next chapter of their lives, to another “classroom” where they would learn about new things, play a different role in a different story, and may even throw away all their ideologies.
Moreover, she said it was like being stranded on an island or a jungle called “society” where there was no escape and they have no choice but to put up with all its imperfections, austerity and rottenness.However, she said it is the challenge of every UP student to change it into a better society.
Gallego also mentioned the important role of the Iskolar ng Bayan to care for the environment and choose carefully the future leaders of the country. Lastly, she said that every UP student can turn the present society into a paradise if they just act collectively.
The singing of the UP Naming Mahal capped the graduation rites. Before the program finally ended, student activists armed with their usual placards and banners rushed to the front to protest against corruption in government and tuition fee hike.
Eight degree-granting units opted to hold their own commencement exercises in place of the traditional college recognition rites days before the General Commencement Exercises. These units were: the Asian Institute of Tourism, College of Business Administration, College of Engineering, Institute of Islamic Studies, College of Law, School of Library and Information Studies, School of Statistics and School of Urban and Regional Planning.
--Haidee C. Pineda