Text by Cherry Madrideo
Photos by Sarah Hazel Moces Pulumbarit
The University of the Philippines Manila held its Scholars’ Convocation 2025 on April 4, 2025, at the Henry Sy Sr. Bldg., to honor students for their academic achievement for the second and first semesters of the academic years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025, respectively.
Chancellor Michael Tee, in his welcome remarks, was confident that the excellence and perseverance exerted by the scholars—along with outstanding teaching, better classrooms, and technologies—during their studies would be far exceeded when the time came to serve the nation.
Patrick Patriwirawan, Jr., Director IV of the Bureau of Local Employment of the Department of Labor and Employment, a UP Manila alumnus, and a former Department of Behavioral Sciences senior lecturer, served as the keynote speaker. He was introduced by the Office of Student Affairs Director Odessa Joson.
Dir. Patriwirawan highlighted the real challenges that scholars constantly face—from academic pressures to sleepless nights—and congratulated them for their perseverance, resilience, and grit. He emphasized that success is not just about medals or high grades, but how knowledge and skills are used to serve and uplift the nation. As a call to action, he challenged the scholars to give back, be of service, and inspire change in society, reiterating that the education they received was a product of public support and that the success should be invested back into the community: Bilang mga iskolar ng bayan, tungkulin nating ibalik sa ating lipunan ang anumang tagumpay na ating makakamtan.
Following the keynote address, Bryle Derrick Ong, a third-year BA Political Science student, presented the Response from the Students. Ong reminded his fellow “Isko” and “Iska” that the recognition certificate each receives is a testament to the honor and excellence that they all take pride in. He encouraged them to affirm what was written in the certificates by translating them into actual honorable and excellent service to the people.
The deans of each college presented their university and college scholars as the latter received their certificates of merit.
To close the ceremony, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Bernadette Heizel Manapat-Reyes expressed how the UP Manila administration looks forward to the scholars’ convocation, knowing that despite some difficulties and distractions from the ongoing campus constructions, the scholars had prevailed in their studies. VC Reyes assured the students that the administration stands behind them and believes in their abilities to succeed.#
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