September 7, 2020 — History unfolded anew for UP Manila when its 884 graduates “marched” with sablay draped over their shoulders in the university’s first virtual graduation streamed live through Facebook and YouTube on September 6, 2020.
The 111th commencement exercises had the theme, “Makabuluhang Pagtugon sa mga Hamon ng Panahon” in attribution to the ways the university responded and continues to respond to the challenges of the times, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic. From the sablay the graduates wore over their Filipiniana dresses and barong, the videos of frontliners serving COVID-19 patients at the Philippine General Hospital and researchers developing devices and kits, to volunteers at the UP-PGH Bayanihan Center and student organizations and colleges responding to the needs of various sectors affected by the crisis, and the Mass Appeal Choir’s poignant rendition of the 25th anniversary version of Trina Belamide’s 1995 World Youth Day anthem “Tell the World of His Love”; every key aspect of the virtual proceedings reflected the theme that imbued viewers with a sense of upliftment and hope amid the crisis.
UP Manila Chancellor Carmencita Padilla urged the graduates to reflect on what the years they spent in the university, including the past six months of the pandemic, have taught them. “Sa bawat hamon ay dapat mayroon ding aral. Layunin ng UP ang hindi lamang makapagbigay ng mahusay na edukasyon, kundi edukasyong makabuluhan at tumutugon sa mga pangangailangan ng bansa lalo na sa panahon ng pandemya.”
Eighteen graduated magna cum laude while 104 finished cum laude.
Ms. Isabel Bianca D. Fule, BA Organization Communication magna cum laude, delivered the speech on behalf of the graduates. She called on the “new normal graduates of 2020” to have faith, hope, and love in this time of adversity. She reminded them to strengthen their faith more than their fear because the Lord is faithful to His promise; to keep the hope alive because hope makes things we do not know we are capable of, possible; and to have the selflessness to serve the people the way that frontliners do.
The graduation committee was headed by Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Nymia Simbulan together with artistic director Dr. Melfred Hernandez, Director of the Office of Alumni Affairs. It generated a total viewership of 53,000. A replay of the full commencement program may be viewed here.
Anne Marie Alto
Featured in UP Manila Healthscape (Special COVID-19 Issue No. 16, 30 September 2020)
