Complying with the restrictions of ‘new normal’ brought by the pandemic, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) – Sta. Mesa Campus held its first-ever online Year-End Commencement Exercises,

broadcasted via Facebook Live on PUP Official Facebook page and PUP CreaTV’s YouTube Channel on September 30, 2020. 

The virtual ceremony was pre-recorded and divided into two parts: the Senior High School (SHS) graduation at 9:00 A.M. and the Undergraduate Programs, Graduate School, Open University Program and College of Law at 2:00 P.M., with the theme: “Magmalasakit at Maglingkod, Mula Sa’yo Para sa Bayan”, calling the graduates to use the knowledge they obtained from the university by serving our country with empathy and conviction.

Dr. Emanuel C. De Guzman, Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA), presented the graduates of Undergraduate Programs and Post-Baccalaureate degrees of the 17 Colleges and Institute together with the Open University and Graduate School for the Academic Year 2019-2020.

The Conferment of Degrees was led by PUP President, Dr. Manuel D. Muhi, and was also introduced as the commencement speaker. 

In his speech, Dr. Muhi narrated his journey as a PUPian and the reasons why he stayed instead of pursuing his career in civil engineering. 

“LESSONS. Learn, Engage, Share, Seek, Obey, Nurture, and Serve. Serve, the ultimate price of being a PUPian is the duty to serve the people. PUP is and will always be of the people, by the people, and for the people,” he said. 

Also, Dr. Muhi encouraged the graduates as they embark on a new journey and start a new chapter in their lives, “Even if PUP graduates are most preferred by employers, we should not be complacent and be content with what we have learned, we should always strive to become a better version of ourselves,” he conveyed.

 
“Likas sa ating mga PUPian ang maghangad na makibahagi sa lipunan sapagkat alam natin na bayan ang ating sandigan. Nilinang tayo ng edukasyon may malalim na pagpapahalaga sa taong bayan”, he added.

Leading the Class of 2020 are the 18 Magna Cum Laudes and 26 Cum Laudes from 12 different colleges. The College of Engineering, Department of Electronics Engineering got the highest number of achievers with a total of five Magna Cum Laudes and seven Cum Laudes.

Batch 2020 Valedictorian and Magna Cum Laude, John Christian Agudera of Batsilyer ng Artes sa Filipinohiya stated that the online graduation brings mixed emotions to the graduates due to COVID -19 but the pandemic is not a hindrance to cancel the commencement exercises. Agudera struggled before he achieved his dream. 

He worked as a barker, a plastic vendor, and he collected papers to sell in the junk shop just to pay for his school fees. 

“Tulad ng ilan sa mga mag aaral ng sintang paaralan ay naging working student din ako, puyat at pagod ngunit kailangang pumasok at mag aral. Isa sa aking kalaban ay ang aking sarili sapagkat pumapasok sa ating isipan na magtrabaho na lamang kaysa mag aral ngunit itinanim ko sa aking isipan na ano man ang mangyari magtatapos ako at hindi ko bibitiwan ang aking pangarap,” he said.

He said that he got a 2.50 grade during his freshman year in the university but he doesn’t let that get into him. He told himself that a 1.0 grade won’t buy him a sack of rice without striving harder. 

At the end of his speech, he thanked all the people behind the success of PUPian graduates and left a very encouraging message: “Wag puro sige, magpursige.”

The Pledge of Loyalty was led by Hon. Jerrilynn L. Pilar, PUP alumni representative, and was seconded by the student representatives from different colleges then followed by showing PUP’s achievements and events with PUP Hymn as its background music, led by PUP Bagong Himig Serenata. 

The year-end commencement exercise ended with the messages from the respective guests of the university. Hon. Ronald Adamat, commissioner from Commission on Higher Education (CHED), shared one of his mantras: “Education is not the sole determinant to one’s destiny but it is the biggest predictor to one’s success.”

Lastly, Sen. Joel Villanueva, chairman of the Senate Committee on Higher, and Technical and Vocational Education, praised the graduates with their distinguishing quality of the capacity to overcome challenges.

 

Reaction from students
 

Nicolas Talavera Jr., a fresh graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, stated that the good side of having virtual graduation is at least they graduated virtually even if there’s pandemic but he’s sad because he thought that the virtual graduation can be more satisfactory than merely waiting for their names on the screen. 

“I feel like my college life is incomplete. I feel like nakaraos lang ako sa requirement sa journ without having the feeling of ‘yehey! finally nakatapos na’ while wearing a toga and holding our diplomas with my block mates,” he replied when he was asked about his feelings about not being able to wear an academic gown and walk on the stage during the graduation ceremony.

“Noong nagpa-gradpic ako, nalungkot ako kasi sa maikling oras lang na ‘yun na feel ko magsuot ng toga pero hindi magmamartsa. Hindi talaga siya fulfilling, parang biglaang pinagkait sa amin ‘yong pinakamasayang araw na ‘yan sa college though understandable naman since pandemic,” he added.

Another graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Rose May Pimentel, said that the good side of virtual graduation is the safety from COVID-19, less preparation, and fewer expenses though she wanted to have a proper farewell to her professors and friends and thank them personally. She thought that virtual graduation lacks prestige and passion for a real ceremony. 

“It is quite heartbreaking that I didn’t have the chance to walk across the stage wearing a cap and gown, as my family and friends cheer loudly, faculty and students applaud. No picture taking. No iconic moment of everyone tossing their caps and tassels into the air,” she said. 

“Virtual graduation doesn't replicate the true feeling of graduation. I find it disappointing because I studied for five years and imagined it only took seconds for my name to flash on the screen without any picture, it was like movie credits. Plus, I’m the first person in my family to graduate,” Pimentel added.

Many of the graduates were disappointed because they waited for that moment to happen for years. To be on the stage with proud loved ones standing beside them is what they yearn as they finally say their goodbyes to Sintang Paaralan, and yet, watching their names scrolling down in front of their mobile screens feels like seeing movie credits to pass over. 

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