The UP Manila graduates of 2016 shift their UP Sablay as UP President Alfredo E. Pascual officiates the awarding of titles and conferment of degrees. Photo by Jonathan Madrid
University of the Philippines President Alfredo E. Pascual reminded the Class of 2016 that “we have a country to serve,” as he advised them of what it meant to live a meaningful and purposeful life, in his speech at the UP Manila (UPM) 107th Commencement Exercises held at the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila on June 17, 2016.
The University conferred degrees and titles to 1,241 UPM graduates, 167 of whom received their postgraduate degrees. UPM also honored its 30 magna cum laude and 189 cum laude graduates. Among those who received academic distinctions were: Jamilah Paola Dela Cruz Laguardia (BA Political Science, with a GWA of 1.2360); Bradley Ashley Gue Ong (BS Biology, 1.2660); Ann Melody Yu Yao (BA Behavioral Sciences, 1.2970); Fatima Ericka Santos Vista (BS Biology, 1.3013); Marion Thea Basco Rodriguez (BS Biochemistry, 1.3186); Shaira Nad San Pedro (BS Biology, 1.3253); Louielyn Manalo Dela Cruz (BA Political Science, 1.3269); Alan John Rada Barcena (BS Public Health, 1.3538); Renzo Gabriel Padua Bongocan (BS Computer Science, 1.3596); Shenna Abegail Abengoza Llantos (BA Political Science, 1.3601); Vivien Joyce Dalangin Josol (BS Biology, 1.3686); Cyria Ellaine Miranda Gonzales (BA Political Science, 1.3794); John David Lazatin Ayson (BA Social Sciences, 1.3897); Jemille Anne Clemente Carolino (BA Organizational Communication, 1.3913); Jose Mayo Villanueva Viray (BS Public Health, 1.3938); Benedict Mark Magat Bunal (BS Nursing, 1.3942); Bryan Paul David De Galicia (BS Public Health, 1.4003); Arianne Cruz Salangsang (BS Biology, 1.4108); and, Ira Alexis Jimenez (BA Behavioral Sciences, 1.4144).
UP President Alfredo E. Pascual delivers his Commencement Address. Photo by Jonathan Madrid
As the commencement speaker, Pascual explained that UP graduates were expected to embody honor, excellence, and public service, as well as to become leaders in shaping the nation. He encouraged the youth not only to “make a living,” but also to “make a life” through service, for them to find more meaning and purpose in life.
Pascual also told the graduates that from the time they first entered UP, the country’s premier university, they had never been ordinary. “You are chosen not to become this nation’s privileged intellectual elite, but this nation’s hope. Remember, we must succeed not because we have a reputation to keep but because we have a country to serve,” he said.
The UP president challenged the Class of 2016 to find workable answers to such questions as: “How do we reduce poverty? How do we lower maternal and infant mortality? How do we ensure universal access to affordable and quality health care?”
“Always remember, you are from the University of the Philippines. You carry the name of our nation in your degree wherever life brings you, however you make a living or make a life,” Pascual emphasized.
Quoting the words which our national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, a medical practitioner among others, wrote in the novel El Filibusterismo, the UP President asked the graduates, “Where are the youth who will consecrate their golden hours, their illusions, and their enthusiasm to the welfare of our native land?” Pascual answered Rizal’s challenge to the youth, “I fervently believe, that they are in front of me, the youth who will lead their lives with integrity and with a sense of responsibility.”
“Tinatawagan ko kayo, mga Iskolar ng Bayan: may Rizal’s call be your commitment to the nation. No, let Rizal’s call be our joint commitment to the nation as One UP,” concluded Pascual.
Ms. Shaira Marie P. Tagadan, UPM summa cum laude and a BS Biology graduate with a GWA of 1.1879, delivered the valedictory address. She urged the graduates “to go beyond responsibility. . .to become heroes,” and to commit to “help build a more sustainable, developed, and fair Philippines.”
“Being in the heart of Manila, we were exposed to the stark reality of poverty, inequality, and selective justice. Seeing these for ourselves, we were shaken to take action against these issues. . . . In this sense, we have to become more than just honest and fair, but rather to become giving of our whole selves to the nation, for our struggles continue outside the University,” she said.
Tagadan said this generation should help eradicate poverty, encourage local jobs, fight all forms of abuses and injustices, push for the prioritization of science and technology, and advocate universal health care for all, among others.
At the end of the commencement rites, several graduates with streamers and placards rushed in front of the stage right after their induction into the UP Alumni Association, in the traditional UP lightning rally.
Ms. Pholyn Balahadia, UPM Student Council Chairperson and a Basic Medical Sciences graduate, expressed the graduates’ calls for democratic rights, better social services, and the resumption of peace negotiations under the Duterte administration, which they have been campaigning for as UPM students.
In her speech, Balahadia cited “the continuing commercialization of education, lack of an affordable and quality healthcare system” and state-sponsored violence, among many other issues, as challenges they would continue to address as graduates of the University. She said that “genuine change will come from all of us,” as she called on the graduates to live up to the message of the UP school anthem, UP Naming Mahal and to continue serving the people.
UPM is recognized as the country’s premier institution for the health sciences and the leader in health human resource, education, training and research. It has nine (9) degree granting units: College of Allied Medical Professions (CAMP), College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), College of Dentistry (CD), College of Medicine (CM), College of Nursing (CN), College of Pharmacy (CP), College of Public Health (CPH), National Teacher Training Center for the Health Professions (NTTC-HP), and the School of Health Sciences (SHS).
To view more photos of the event, please click through the album below.
