It was a morning of reflection as UP Diliman (UPD) conducted its 110th General Commencement Exercises on Jul. 25.
The full hybrid commencement program was streamed live to the public at 7 a.m. through the Diliman Interactive Learning Center YouTube Channel and may be viewed here.
Observing the health and safety protocols set of the COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force, the University limited the attendance to the ceremony strictly to key participants.
Although the graduates were not physically present during the program, their photos and videos were virtually and artistically shown throughout the livestream.
Class of 2021. Based on Jul. 21 data from the Office of the University Registrar (OUR), UPD conferred academic degrees on 3,167 candidates for graduation comprising 2,099 candidates for baccalaureate degrees and 1,068 candidates for graduate degrees.
They were led by 29 summa cum laude, an academic distinction for graduates who earned a weighted average grade (WAG) of 1.20 or better.
The Jul. 16 OUR data showed Michelle Mariel C. Mariposa (Bachelor of Music Voice) ranking first with a WAG of 1.072, followed by Maria Margarita R. Magbuhos (BA Anthropology, 1.096), Francesca Anais Y. Siasoyco (BS Business Administration/BS BA, 1.097), Nerice Athalia C. Yu (BS Business Administration and Accountancy/ BS BAA, 1.104), Kobi Christian S. Go (BS Chemical Engineering/BS ChE, 1.117) and Gabrielle Marie L. Chungunco (BS Molecular Biology and Biotechnology/BS MBB, 1.121).
The next top 10 were: Spencer Shaun S. Keh (BS BAA, 1.134), Kimberly Joy R. Sanchez, (BSBA, 1.137), Gene Audrey U. Tan (BS Computer Science/BS CS, 1.137), Maria Andrea Kristina S. Onglao (BS Industrial Engineering/ BS IE, 1.140), Eunice Valerie L. Chua (BS BAA, 1.149), Trenton L. Tan (BS BAA, 1.150), Micaela Neslin Z. Fadriquela (BS Psychology, 1.151), John Virgilio B. Afable Jr. (BS CS, 1.153), Francesca Louise C. Villanueva (BS BA, 1.158) and Alyssa Nicole M. Loveres (BA Philosophy, 1.160).
They were followed by Kate Allison S. Co (BS MBB, 1.161), David Martyn R. Vinluan (BS IE, 1.162), Jian Lorenzo G. Chan (BS CS, 1.167), Filbert Heinrich T. Wee (BS CS, 1.176), Julia Bernadette L. Edralin (BA Psychology, 1.184), Anton Raphael S. Cabalza (BA Anthropology, 1.185), Nathan Joseph P. Oranga (BS BAA, 1.189), Elaine C. Tan (BS BA, 1.189), Sabrina Nicole T. Blanco (BS ChE, 1.190) and Carmela Maria P. Berba (BS Biology, 1.193).
Rounding out the top honors were Stephanie Nicole O. Go (BS Applied Physics, 1.193), Anna Beatrice B. Sancio (BA Broadcast Communication, 1.196) and Chynna Therese Nicole d. P. Reyes (BS Psychology, 1.199).
As of Jul. 21, OUR figures show that 199 received the Latin distinction of magna cum laude (WAG of 1.45 or higher) while 456 graduated with the honors cum laude (WAG of 1.75 or higher).
UPD as sanctuary. This year’s theme was “Kanlungan” (Sanctuary), as homage to UPD that provided temporary shelter to individuals hit hard by the pandemic, whether physically, financially, emotionally, or psychologically.
Once more the Oblation was covered in an art installation made from rebar and created by Abdulmari Toym de Leon Imao of the College of Fine Arts, entitled “Sambaybayin.” Derived from the “samba,” meaning to worship and adore, it also references the phrase “UP Naming Mahal” and the word “sambayanan.”
Grit and resilience. In his opening remarks, UPD Chancellor Fidel R. Nemenzo called on the graduating class to use the grit and flexibility that they acquired in remote learning to the world outside UPD.
“If there is one thing that you take away from your UP education, it is that it has been permanently marked by the lessons of this pandemic. You must translate this experience into the agility, grit, and resilience that shall prepare you for the world beyond the university. What we need now are more people who can engage in creative problem solving, as well as critical and innovative thinking. Beyond just fixating on the inevitability of a new normal, you have the capacity to collaborate and think outside the box, and propose solutions that would benefit your community and the nation not just for today, but for the long haul,” he said.
Formidable shelter. Prof. Gerardo D. Legaspi, MD, director of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH), was the commencement speaker. Known as Dr. Gap, Legaspi is the first person to legally receive a COVID-19 vaccine in the Philippines.
Legaspi described the PGH as another type of sanctuary where “expensive, life-saving medicines for stroke, severe infections, immunologic diseases and cancer are now available at no cost to the patient. We are building up a formidable shelter for our patients and for the people who take care of them. At the same time we are providing a refuge for the academe to do what they do best,” he said.
He called on the graduates to continue to defend UP as a sanctuary of equality and equal opportunity.
“Hindi man perpekto ang ating kanlungan hindi ito dahilan para ito alipustahin o labanan. Bagkus, lalo pa natin itong dapat alagaan at dahan-dahang paabutin sa dapat nyang kalagyan: ang maging bantayog ng pangarap. Dahil sabi nga ng isang Romanong pilosopo na si Seneca ‘Men love their country not because it is great, they love it because it is theirs.’”
NPA. Meanwhile, summa cum laude Reyes, who spoke on behalf of the graduating class, talked about how her experiences in UPD and in the past year changed her definition of sanctuary from something immovable and tied to a location to something dynamic and rooted on purpose.
“Our sanctuaries have no absolute destinations; rather, they are called by a direction, and is moved by the one who carries it. We are provided with the same confidence and trust that this would lead us to move dynamically to an uncertain tomorrow, without being afraid of losing our way. This is because our path will always be guided when we continue to heed the call to serve, wherever our destinations may be,” she said.
Performances. Singer JM Yosures covered “Ang Hirap Maging Mahirap” by Davey Langit and “Superhero” by Teddy Corpuz while Bullet Dumas performed his own composition “Ninuno.” Meanwhile, summa cum Laude Mariposa gave a special number and sang “O Bayan Ko” by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab.