Commencement exercises formally acknowledges the validity of one’s achievements in the academe – this marks a transition in a student’s life. As the Iskolar ng Bayan transitions from being a student into future professionals, Sablay is the cultural garment that symbolizes the end and recognition of ones academic journey in the University of the Philippines.

The College of Pharmacy celebrated its Commencement Exercises 2023 (Araw ng Pagkilala 2023) with the theme, “Husay at Sigasig Tungo sa Kalusugang Pangkalahatan” last August 3, 2023 held at the UP Film Institute, UP Diliman, Quezon City. The College of Pharmacy, University of the Philippines – Manila had 89 graduates from the different programs offered by the college. 

In his welcome remarks, College of Pharmacy Dean Francis Capule formally acknowledged the accomplishments of the graduates, especially the first graduates of the new curriculum in the Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy and Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences, through the completion and attainment of their respective degrees. Dean Capule also recognized the openness of the College and its students on the discourse of gender identity and equality. 

“Malayo pa ang landas na inyong tatahakin sa inyong karera pero malayo na ang inyong narating. […] Palagi ring isipin at isapuso na may bayang naghihintay, at umaasa ng ating kaalaman at serbisyo, at mga pasyenteng nangangailangan ng mabisa, ligtas, at kalidad na gamot. Gampanan ang tungkulin ng buong husay at dangal. Ang tunay na sukatan ng kahusayan ay ang pagkamit ng marangal na pangangalagang medikal para sa lahat.” He reminded the graduates to continue serving the country, above all the underserved, and help achieve equal access to quality medical healthcare services for all the Filipinos, regardless of  socio-economic status.

The guest speaker Ms. Anne Julienne Genuino-Marfori from the Department of Science and Technology, who is also an alumna of the College, imparted to the graduates her personal experiences, struggles, and growth in the same institution that contributed to the person she is today. She stated that the Sablay does not only signify the accomplishments and culmination of one’s academic journey but it also signifies that what comes after it is the beginning of the real world. She encouraged the graduates to help the underserved communities in the Philippines achieve equal access to healthcare and advocate for Universal Health Care (UHC) as the new Parmasyutiko ng Bayan. 

The breakdown of the UPCP graduates is as follows: BS Industrial Pharmacy, 1;   BS Pharmacy, 51; and BS Pharmaceutical Sciences, 27; MS Pharmacy (Hospital Pharmacy), 3;  MS Pharmacy (Pharmaceutical Chemistry) 5; and MS Pharmacy (Industrial Pharmacy), 2.

Responding on behalf of the graduates, Jessa Samson, BS Pharmaceutical Sciences magna cum laude and academic awardee, intoned that their unmatched unity and overwhelming support for each other helped them thrive and succeed in the challenges they encountered as students. She commended her fellow graduates for finishing their academic journey in the College equipped with intelligence, expertise, grit, and passion to serve the country with cognizance of the healthcare issues and social inequalities. Likewise, she acknowledged and expressed her sincerest gratitude towards the Filipino citizens who contributed to the UP students’ education.

Angelou C. Mendoza