“Mabuhay ang pag-asa ng bayan” : The UP Visayas graduating Class of 2016 sings “UP Naming Mahal.” Photo by Bong Arboleda
The University of the Philippines Visayas 37th Commencement Exercises presented a new generation of Iskolar ng Bayan in service to the University and the country on 24 June 2016 at the Iloilo Convention Center.
At this year’s graduation ceremony were 977 graduates from the College of Management, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, School of Technology, and the College of Arts and Sciences with 7 magna cum laude and 78 cum laude recipients.
Gracing the ceremony was Mr. Rico M. Hizon, BBC World News anchor and UP alumnus as the commencement guest speaker. Hizon reminded the Graduating Class of 2016 to “Dream well; dream big; and dream with a purpose.”
Juliene Lindy C. Tiu, a BS Accountancy major from the College of Management who earned the highest GWA of 1.282, delivered her valedictory address, “Only the best that we can be.” In an interview by Lyncen M. Fernandez, UP Views correspondent, Tiu recalled that “from entering UP until now, I honestly did not expect to obtain the honor of becoming the class valedictorian, simply because I was aware of the sheer number of achievers among us. But somehow, God’s grace granted me this achievement, and with the knowledge and opportunities the University has given me, I hope to contribute to society as someone who above all, uses education not as a pedestal to look down upon others, but as the catalyst for positive change.”
Meanwhile, Jia P. Marcellano was University of the Philippines Visayas Tacloban College’s class valedictorian, graduating magna cum laude with a GWA of 1.392. The BS Biology graduate plans to pursue higher education and research in microbiology, according to UP Views.
Taking Oath : The UP Visayas graduating Class of 2016 during the pledge of loyalty to the Alma Mater. Photo by Bong Arboleda
UPV Chancellor Rommel A. Espinosa led the conferment of degrees, together with other officials and College deans: Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Encarnacion Emilia S. Yap;; Vice Chancellor for Administration Nestor G. Yunque; Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development Evelyn T. Belleza; Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension Ricardo P. Babaran; University Registrar Jose A. Go,; Dean Crispino A. Saclauso, College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences; Dean Resurreccion B. Sadaba, College of Arts and Sciences; Dean Mary Ann T. Gumban, College of Management; Dean Emeliza C. Lozada, School of Technology; and OIC Dean Virgildo E. Sabalo, UPV Tacloban College.
Also present at the ceremony were UP Vice President for Development Elvira A. Zamora and UP Press Director J. Neil Garcia, as well as Professor Emeriti Dr. Alice Magos, Dr. Minda Formacion, and Dr. Maria Nuria Castells.
University of the Philippines President Alfredo E. Pascual said in a message to the graduating UPV Class of 2016: “UP graduates have been the pillars of our country’s progress and enlightenment since UP’s foundation in 1908. At the heart of their contributions are our University’s core values of honor and excellence in the service of the Filipino people. It is the presence of these virtues that has allowed our graduates–regardless of creed, background or economic status–to become the movers, shakers and catalysts for change in their homes, workplaces, communities, and the country. For UP graduates, it is truly character, rather than any specific skill set or intellectual peculiarity, that defines them.”
For more photos of the event, please click through the album below.
