A total of 1,366 graduates from the various colleges of UPM received their diplomas, a number of scholars and honor graduates were awarded with medals, and doctoral candidates were donned with their hoods during the 114th UPM Recognition Ceremony themed “Talino, Galing, at Puso Tungo sa Kalusugang Pangkalahatan” held on August 7, 2023 at the Philippine International Convention Center.

The ceremony began with an audio-video presentation featuring a slideshow of all the graduates, faculty of colleges, and directors of UPM offices. This was followed by the processional of the directors of the PGH and NIH, the assistants to the vice chancellors, the deans of UP Manila, chancellors of UP constituent universities, UP Manila vice chancellors, UP vice presidents; UP Board of Regents members, UPM Chancellor Carmencita D. Padilla, and UP President Atty. Angelo A. Jimenez.

The challenges after college

In her opening remarks, UPM Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Nymia P. Simbulan described the event as an “occasion for celebration, triumph, and thanksgiving for the people who helped the graduates reach this moment of their lives.” She added that the ceremony serves as a “pause and reflect” moment for the graduates before they face new challenges in a world with uncertainties, wherein they will also give back to their parents, loved ones, and the nation who labored and gave it all for their education.

Globalization, according to VC Simbulan, has placed an additional burden for the new graduates, as they will be encountering problems and social situations as professionals and public servants. These problems include the worsening economic and political conditions, food insecurity, severe inflation, rising costs of living and healthcare, the prevalence of corruption in all levels of government, and climate change being brought about by the destruction of our environment and natural resources sanctioned by some public officials. On the other hand, she lauded the determination of some Filipinos to fight for human rights and dignity, most recently families of the victims of extrajudicial killings under the previous administration by filing cases in the International Criminal Court, demanding justice for their slain loved ones.

When your detours become steps for triumph

In her speech, UPM Chancellor Carmencita D. Padilla stated her hopes that the graduates’ stay in UPM has strengthened their resolve to positively face new challenges outside the walls of their school, with the end goal of serving their country. She affirmed the leadership lessons UP has taught her, saying that the graduates may not realize it until much later in their life and careers.

The Chancellor’s keynote message dwelled on three major detours of her life: her shift to genetics, her experiences in the legislation of laws, and her establishment of the Philippine Genome Center. During these detours, she learned ten lessons, which she imparted as words of wisdom to the graduates. As she closed, she encouraged the graduates to live up to their UP roots and serve their countrymen with talino, galing, at puso, and with dangal at husay.

The graduates and attendees stayed glued to the Chancellor’s talk and applauded several times in appreciation during her speech.

After the Chancellor’s keynote address, the candidates for graduation were presented to UP President Angelo A. Jimenez who awarded the titles and conferred the degrees to them. After the distribution of diplomas, medals, and hoods, the Ugnayan ng Pahinungod volunteers were awarded in recognition of their effort.

Message from the graduates

Mr. Ivanne Joepoert A. Idorot, summa cum laude graduate of BS Biology, delivered a speech on behalf of batch 2023. In his message, he reiterated the importance of honor in everything. “Araw-arawin man ang pagpapakita ng kahusayan, kung hindi tayo marangal, at wala tayong puso, hindi natin lubos na mauunawaan ang kabuluhan ng ating mga pinag-aralan.” He ended his speech by promising, “Gagamitin natin ang ating talino, galing, at puso sa pag-ampat kung paano ipararanas ang progreso na tinatamasa ng mga lungsod sa kanayunan; mararanasan ang pag-unlad sa sektor ng kalusugan kung makikita natin ang papel ng bawat isa.”

The recognition ceremony capped off with the pledge of loyalty to the alma mater, the swearing-in of the graduates as new members of the UP Alumni Association, the singing of the UP Naming Mahal, and a lightning rally by student activists.

I Martin R. Racza