After days of nonstop rain due to Typhoon Carina, brisk weather greeted the UP Diliman (UPD) Class of 2024 and their families who attended the 113th General Commencement Exercises on July 28 at the University Amphitheater.
It was emblematic of the hope the University has for the graduates’ future and their contributions to the country.
The theme for this year’s celebrations was Simulain, commemorating the 75th anniversary of the University’s transfer from the city of Manila to the then unknown wilds of Diliman for a fresh start.
“Pinagninilayan natin sa seremonya ng pagtatapos ang mga naging tagumpay ng Unibersidad.… Sa dami ng mga hamon sa kasalukuyang panahon, ang patuloy na pagtuklas at pagpapayabong ng kaalaman sa iba’t ibang larangan sa Unibersidad ang magiging pag-asa ng ating bayan,” explains the Commencement Steering Committee regarding the theme.
UPD Chancellor Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II told the graduating class as much, saying that this completion of their academic journey is also an opportunity for them to fulfill their potential to become leaders in their own respective fields.
“Seventy-five years ago, the country’s and the university’s leaders saw an opportunity to build something great when they made the decision to locate the university here in Diliman, Quezon City. Part of their vision, their dream, was for this place, this campus, where you are standing now, to nurture future generations of this country’s leaders. The fact that you are here now at the cusp of such leadership roles, like many others before you who also stood here during their graduation, tell us that the decision to build up Diliman here, that leap of faith, paid off marvelously. Now it’s your turn to see or realize the opportunities you have and to make your own leap of faith. Now is your turn to begin charting and building your own path to relevance, if not greatness,” he said.
According to data from the UPD Office of the University Registrar, the University conferred academic degrees on 4,712 graduates.
Among the 3,511 bachelor’s degree holders, 2,180 or over 60% finished with Latin honors. Two hundred eighty-six graduated summa cum laude, 1,109 graduated magna cum laude, and 783 graduated cum laude. Summa cum laude is an academic distinction given to a student who graduated with a weighted average grade of 1.20 or better.
Livestreamed on the UPD website and YouTube channel, this year’s ceremony featured former senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan as commencement speaker.
Pangilinan encouraged the graduates to take the lead in bringing lasting change for the country.
“Sa inyo mga Iskolar ng Bayan, may pakiusap ako, solusyonan na natin ang sanga-sangang problema ng bayan. Huwag na tayong magluklok ng mga magnanakaw at mga sinungaling sa mga posisyon ng kapangyarihan. Magkaisa na tayo bilang isang bansa na solusyonan ang mga problema natin,” Pangilinan said.
“It is my belief that with the help of the Almighty, you, the youth, will be the catalysts for change that is to come. Your boundless energy will fuel and help spread the wildfire of change that will engulf the entire nation. And your inexhaustible creativity will be the inspiration to galvanize the nation to move ahead,” he added.
After Pangilinan’s message, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Maria Vanessa Lusung-Oyzon presented to Vistan the 4,712 candidates for graduation.
In turn, Vistan presented the candidates to UP President Angelo A. Jimenez, who conferred the academic degrees and titles to the candidates.
The graduates then did the much-anticipated ceremonial shifting of their Sablay from the right to the left shoulder, signifying the completion of their degrees.
Class representative Catherine M. Adille (BA Psychology, summa cum laude) called on her fellow graduates to “serve the people” even in their own small ways.
“Let us always be reminded that we are called to serve our kapwa whoever they may be without discrimination or judgment, and provide them with our genuine empathy, commitment, and community. Ito ang simulaing gumagabay sa ating mga Iskolar ng Bayan; muli hindi lamang dangal at husay, kundi pati na rin ang paglilingkod sa sambayanan sa abot ng ating makakaya,” she said.
After Adille’s message, Jimenez once more faced the graduates to administer the pledge of loyalty to the University. Alumni Regent Robert Lester Aranton inducted the graduates into the UP Alumni Association.
This year’s ceremony was made livelier with the addition of several performance segments throughout the program. Bianca Lopez-Aguila and Earvin Lumauag performed Iisang Bangka by Erwin Castillo. Lance Reblando, accompanied by Banda 24, did a cover of Amakabogera by Loriebelle Darunday, Justine Ian Catalan, and Elmar Jan Bolaño; and Karera by John Michael Conchada, Nica Del Rosario, and Julius James “Jumbo” De Belen. After the Class of 2024 was declared graduates, Lopez-Aguila sang Gusto ko Nang Bumitaw by Jonathan Manalo, Sheryn Regis, and Michiko Unso.
After the recessional, the graduates were then serenaded by Lopez-Aguila with Uhaw by Vie Dela Rosa and Dilaw Obero; and Lumauag who sang Saan by Maki. They were both accompanied by Joseph Jacob on guitar; Rjay Concepcion on bass guitar; Eli Tenedero on keyboard; Arvin Olete on drums; Adrianne S. Delos Santos, Chino Rodriguez, and Samarra Salas on violin; and Zeyee Rapadas on cello.
Many of the newly minted UPD alumni and their families then headed directly to the sunflowers at the University Avenue.