Text by Charmaine A. Lingdas
Photos by Anggulos Studios Photography
The University of the Philippines Manila College of Public Health (CPH) celebrated the achievements of its graduating class during the 2025 Recognition Ceremony held at the Cine Adarna Theater, University of the Philippines Film Institute, UP Diliman, Quezon City. With the theme “Paninindigan at Paglingap: Saligan ng Kahapon, Gabay ng Kasalukuyan, Tanglaw sa Hinaharap ng Pampublikong Kalusugan,” the event highlighted the enduring mission of public health.
In his message, Dean Fernando B. Garcia, Jr. emphasized, “Ang tema ay paalala sa atin. Ang ating misyon sa pampublikong kalusugan ay hindi nagtatapos sa apat na sulok ng classroom. Kasama dito ang ating kasaysayan, ang mga aral ng kahapon, ang mga hamon ng kasalukuyan—mula sa pandemya, climate change, One Health, hanggang sa mga isyung pampolitikal—at ang pagtanaw sa kinabukasan kung saan kayo na ang magiging lider, tagapag-ugnay, tagapagsalita, at tagapagtanggol ng kalusugan ng mamamayan.”
The event honored 127 graduates from various academic programs, including the Bachelor of Science in Public Health; Master of Arts in Health Policy Studies (Health Science); Master of Hospital Administration; Master of Occupational Health; Master of Public Health; Master of Science in Public Health; and Doctor of Public Health.
The ceremony also included the awarding of academic honors and special recognitions to outstanding graduates:
Academic Excellence
Highest in Comprehensive Examination
Leadership Award – Raymond Louis C. Lista
Graduates’ responses were delivered by Aronne Joy C. Madrangca (BSPH) and Jannette D. Awisan (DrPH), who shared reflections on their journeys and the transformative impact of their education at CPH.
Aronne Joy C. Madrangca delivered a heartfelt and reflective speech that traced the journey of the BS Public Health Class of 2025 from uncertainty to triumph. Sharing her own story of initially not being accepted into UP but eventually earning her place, she highlighted the perseverance and shared experiences that shaped their four-year academic life, from grueling exams and lab work to the joy found in learning and camaraderie.
“For sure, we will not leave Lara Hall as the same person we used to be when we entered. We will not leave our college with just 152 units credited for our degree—we will leave Lara Hall with a sense of commitment to finish what we have started in our public health courses,” she said. Madrangca encouraged her fellow graduates to translate public health theories into real-world action, whether through research, community engagement, or future professions, reminding them that their mission does not require making headlines but rather quiet, consistent service.
Above all, she emphasized that the education they received is a privilege that must be used in service of the Filipino people with compassion, integrity, and humanity. “Not everyone is given the opportunity to study in UP. But that doesn’t mean that when we leave UP, we leave as messiahs. I hope that we use this privilege well. I hope that we stay committed to why we wanted to enter the University in the first place. May these recognitions and merits not blind us but rather show us opportunities that only a few would dare to grab.”
Representing the graduate students of the Class of 2025, Jannette D. Awisan delivered a moving and reflective speech marked by gratitude, humility, and a deep sense of mission. She opened by acknowledging the different stories and the different motivations that brought them back to school, but she believed they share a common, unspoken purpose: “we came back not merely in pursuit of titles or credentials, but because we were drawn by something deeper—a renewed sense of mission. We returned carrying questions, convictions, and a desire to grow—not only for ourselves, but for the people and communities we are called to serve.”
Referencing the acronym L.E.A.P., she said their return to UP was a choice to “Live out their calling, Embrace challenges, Arise with purpose, and Persist through the process.” Their journey, she said, was not only academic but transformative, forcing them into critically aware, ethically grounded, and socially responsive public health professionals.
She gave tribute to the many supporters who stood behind each graduate—mentors, staff, classmates, and family: “Behind every graduate is a village… No one gets here alone. This victory is as much theirs as it is ours.”
She concluded with a call to action: “And now, as we step out from the halls that have shaped us, we carry more than just degrees—we carry a calling. To whom much is given, much is expected. The blessings we have received are not for us to keep. They are meant to be planted, nurtured, and multiplied in the service of others.
In her inspirational message, Dr. Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial, executive director of the Philippine Tuberculosis Society Inc., former secretary of the Department of Health, and adjunct professor at CPH, shared words of encouragement drawn from her extensive experience in public service. “What’s important,” she said, “is how you are able to create meaningful change and transform the lives of those around you.” Acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead, she reminded the graduates, “It’s not about how many times you fall, stumble, or face difficulties along the way—it’s about how many times you rise, move forward, and stay hopeful in cultivating a beautiful garden of life.”
In her closing remarks, College Secretary Dr. Evalyn A. Roxas, who also chaired the 2025 Recognition Ceremony Organizing Committee, expressed pride in the graduates and gratitude to the faculty, staff, and guests who contributed to the success of the event. “Nawa’y magsilbi itong makasaysayang wakas sa araw na puno ng pagkilala, ngunit higit sa lahat, magsilbing panimula sa mas makabuluhang paglilingkod.”
