‘Service is our responsibility,’ Kiko Pangilinan tells UPD grads
"You are among the 4,712 most privileged young people in the Philippines," former Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan told UP Diliman's (UPD) Class of 2024 at the 113th General Commencement Exercises on July 28. "Graduating fr…
From the commencement address to the message of the graduates' representative to this lightning rally here, the theme of serving the people echoed across the 113th General Commencement Exercises of UP Diliman. (Photo by Misael Bacani, UP MPRO)
Atty. Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan, former Philippine Senator and a graduate of UP Diliman (BA English, 1986 and Bachelor of Laws, 1993), delivers the commencement address at UP Diliman's 113th General Commencement Exercises. (Photo by Misael Bacani, UP MPRO)
"You are among the 4,712 most privileged young people in the Philippines," former Senator Francis "Kiko" Pangilinan told UP Diliman's (UPD) Class of 2024 at the 113th General Commencement Exercises on July 28. "Graduating from UP is an incredible privilege—one that comes with a significant responsibility."
This responsibility is to serve the Filipino nation.
He then proclaimed, "You, the youth, will be the catalysts for change that is to come. Your boundless energy will . . . help spread the wildfire of change that will engulf the entire nation. And your inexhaustible creativity will be the inspiration to galvanize the nation to move ahead."
As with Pangilinan in his commencement address, Catherine Adille (BA Psychology, summa cum laude) emphasized service in her speech as well, saying, "At the heart of being a UP student is not only honor and excellence, but equally important is service." The Class of 2024 representative revealed that it was her volunteer work with the UPD Ugnayan ng Pahinungód that made her realize "what it truly [meant] to be an iskolar ng bayan."
Catherine Adille (BA Psychology, summa cum laude) delivers the message on behalf of the graduates at the 113th General Commencement Exercises of UP Diliman. (Photo by Misael Bacani, UP MPRO)
Adille explained that her Pahinungód experience allowed her to see that "service does not ask for grand gestures but rather, it requires empathy, commitment, and community." Empathy is gained from giving time to listen. Commitment is shown through offering oneself freely, without force or pressure. Community is the collective action of individuals united towards achieving change.
She told her fellow graduates that as they leave UP and step out into the world, there will be other expectations of them: "looking for work, growing our careers, becoming financially stable, and eventually, the pressure to marry and settle down." But Adille urged them, "Even in the growing tower of responsibilities and expectations, may we find time to serve others in our own ways and use the abilities that we have."
During the UPD Commencement Exercises, it was announced that of the 4,712 graduates, 3,511 were from undergraduate programs and 1,201, from graduate programs. Of those who finished their undergraduate studies: 62.52% or 2,195 earned their degrees with honors: 286 graduated summa cum laude; 1,109, magna cum laude; and 788, cum laude.
Below are some scenes at the 113th General Commencement Exercises of UP Diliman on July 28. Photos by Misael Bacani, UP MPRO
UP President Angelo Jimenez administers the Oath of Loyalty to the University to the UP Diliman Class of 2024 at the 113th General Commencement Exercises. (Photo by Misael Bacani, UP MPRO)
UP Diliman (UPD) Chancellor Edgardo Carlo Vistan II, applauds members of the graduating class after he endorsed their graduation to UP President Angelo Jimenez at the 113th General Commencement Exercises of UPD on July 28. (Photo by Misael Bacani, UP MPRO)
Alumni Regent Robert Lester Aranton, who is UP Alumni Association (UPAA) president, inducts the UP Diliman Class of 2024 to the UPAA at the 113th General Commencement Exercises. (Photo by Misael Bacani, UP MPRO)
College of Mass Communication graduates and their sunflower emblazoned umbrellas (Photo by Misael Bacani, UP MPRO)
The UP Sablay shifted to the left shoulder signals graduation for the UP Diliman Class of 2024. (Photo by Misael Bacani, UP MPRO)
Ervin Lumauag (left) and Bianca Lopez-Aguila (right) sing their rendition of "Iisang Bangka" at the 113th General Commencement Exercises of UP Diliman. (Photo by Misael Bacani, UP MPRO)
Lance Reblando performs "Amakabogera" at the 113th General Commencement Exercises of UP Diliman. (Photo by Misael Bacani, UP MPRO)
A PhD candidate (center) receives the medal of recognition from UP President Angelo Jimenez (left) as UP Diliman Chancellor Edgardo Carlo Vistan (right) looks on. (Photo by Misael Bacani, UP MPRO)
The UP Diliman Class of 2024 pledges its loyalty to the University at the 113th General Commencement Exercises. (Photo by Misael Bacani, UP MPRO)
Sunflower on Sablay: the first, a symbol of graduation from UP that was first popularized in UP Diliman (UPD); and the second, the official academic attire worn only by UP graduates. This UPD grad wears both. (Photo by Misael Bacani, UP MPRO)
This UP Diliman graduate, happily posing for a photo with his proud parents, has sunflowers on his barong tagalog. (Photo by Misael Bacani, UP MPRO)
The new graduates close the 113th General Commencement Exercises of UP Diliman with the singing of the University Hymn, "UP Naming Mahal." (Photo by Misael Bacani, UP MPRO)
"Hey, UP go! UP fight!" say these UP Diliman graduates in the left photo—their first cheer as alumni of the UP Varsity Pep Squad and the UP Varsity Pep Drummers. Across them, in the right photo, are the UP Varsity Pep Drummers, hitting their bass and snare drums to pay tribute to their former members. (Photo by Misael Bacani, UP MPRO)
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