UPMin holds 18th Commencement

U.P. Mindanao magna cum laude

The 18th Commencement Exercises of the University of the Philippines Mindanao was held on June 24, 2015 in the Administration Building Atrium, Mintal, Davao City. It went like clockwork, without a hitch, and by the book. Despite the drizzle of rain, the processional started at 6:40 A.M. with magna cum laudes Nicole Kathryn Go and Darwin Philip Teh, the 32 cum laudes, the 179 candidates for graduation, the University faculty, and the UP System officials represented by AVP for Public Affairs Prof. Jose Wendell Capili, Staff Regent Ms. Ana Razel Ramirez, and Faculty Regent Prof. Philip Ian Padilla. Chancellor Sylvia Concepcion gave the Welcome Remarks by 7:04 A.M., and the commencement speaker Mr. Randy Halasan, was introduced.

Mr. Halasan, a public school teacher, began by relating the circumstances that led to his destiny at Pegalongan, “the farthest place in Davao City, inaccessible, poor, and isolated from any communication, a depressed community so wanting in many basic services”; of the 2-hour bus ride, the 3-hour hike, and the crossing of the treacherous Simod and Davao Rivers on the shoulders of Matigsalog indigenous tribesmen; of the elementary school therein where “the prevalence of malnutrition due to poverty led to the poor attendance and low academic performance of the pupils; of the first graduation ceremony in that school; his own realization that his teaching within the confines of the classroom would lead to extending work to the community towards making their lands more productive; the modest success of creating the farmers association and acquiring assets for them; of the determination of the tribes people to improve their lot; of the temptation of lands up for grabs which he ignored; of certain threats to his life; of offers to more conveniently-located schools which he declined; his excitement at the prospect of hanging bridges to be constructed over the rivers within the year, a solar power project and other blessings; and of finally having more teachers on hand, and of moving up to teaching grade 10; all of which held the audience captive in awe, and with moments of laughter. He closed by saying that he “never expected to receive prestigious awards”, and that “nobody got rich from the teaching profession but that a teacher like himself gets riches through sharing knowledge, values, and a positive attitude to the community”.

U.P. Mindanao Class of 2015 graduates

The ceremony proceeded with the awarding of titles and conferment of degrees, the presentation and distribution of diplomas and academic awards, the speech in behalf of the Class of 2015 by Ms. Go, the pledge of loyalty to the alma mater by the graduates administered by AVP Capili, the induction of the graduates to the UP Alumni Association administered by chapter president Mr. Joel Laserna, the induction to the UP Mindanao Alumni Association administered by the chairperson Ms. Arthela Millomeda, the singing of the “UP Naming Mahal” led by the Koro Kantahanay, the exit of the University Colors and the Philippine flag, and the Recessional by 8:50 A.M.

A special footnote to the occasion was the turn-over of the Oblation Plaza construction project by the UPAA-Davao to the UP Mindanao administration, and the unveiling of the Project Plaque by UPAA-Davao officers Mr. Laserna, Dr. Bo Puentespina, and Mr. John Tria.