University News

Batch 2026 Steps Into Purpose as PUP Concludes YECE

Adam Christopher C. Brown, News, Communication Management Office

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The University concluded its 2026 Year-End Commencement Exercises (YECE) on September 23, conferring degrees to 3,683 graduates across the Graduate School (GS), Open University System (OUS), and the Institute of Technology (ITECH) at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Plenary Hall.

Marking the culmination of the University’s three-day return to the PICC stage, the final day celebrated the academic milestones of working professionals, technical scholars, non-traditional learners, and advanced degree holders.

University President Manuel M. Muhi led the University administration, alongside the Executive Committee, members of the Board of Regents, and college deans and officials, in commending the graduating batch for proving that learning transcends age, work demands, and distance.

The concluding rites were elevated by commencement speakers who delivered candid, grounded insights—urging the graduating classes of non-traditional and postgraduate scholars to anchor their careers in discipline, hands-on leadership, and moral clarity.

Addressing the graduates of Cluster 7, Dr. Mariano S. Yupitun, Founder of Universal Wisdom Foundation Inc. & Wisdom Park, emphasized that true success cannot be copied. He challenged the graduates to stay disciplined in their respective enterprises, warning that a lack of focus can quietly drain resources and erode hard-earned money.

“In business, you need to focus. Spending too much time having fun, or failing to be hands-on, will empty your inventory and drain your capital,” he noted, stressing that personal credibility is an enduring professional currency.

Balancing knowledge with wisdom, he led the entire hall in an interactive affirmation of gratitude, directing the candidates to voice their heartfelt thanks to the Nation, their Parents, their Educators, and their Elders. Reminding the assembly that every choice carries consequences, he urged: “As you leave this institution today, aim high—what you sow in preparation, discipline, and effort is what you will reap in character.”

For Cluster 8, Josephine Lee Gothong, President of Axxis Worldwide, LLC & Global LED RGB Technologies LLC, shared a personal narrative about navigating early setbacks, embracing rejection, and staying faithful to one's journey. Recalling her beginnings upon graduating and starting a family with “dreams bigger than bank accounts,” she reflected on the vulnerability of stepping into the unknown.

“Leaving home is never easy. You leave behind uncertainty, and no one promises success,” she shared. “Sometimes God doesn’t show you the whole staircase, just the first step.”

“I learned not to be afraid of rejection, because every ‘no’ brings us closer to a ‘yes.’ Graduates, do not fear failure—fear regret. Never confuse delay with defeat,” she added.

Acknowledging that the diploma represents a shared victory with the families and mentors who supported them, she left the assembly with a lasting reflection:

“Success may provide you with a living, but purpose will provide you with a life. Never allow fear to have the last word.”

For the final cluster, Senator Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito highlighted the transformative power of public education to uplift  Filipino families, emphasizing that the government's support for state universities provides long-term value that outlasts any short-term assistance.

“Mas maganda mag-invest tayo sa edukasyon—pang-habangbuhay ‘yan,” he said, underscoring that accessible state education remains the country's most powerful social equalizer.

He lauded the distinct brand of excellence that characterizes PUP graduates in the professional sector:

“Sa PUP sinasabi, ‘utak ang puhunan’—that is why you are the most sought-after graduates in the country.”

Challenging the graduates to embody perseverance and professional ethics, he reminded the hall that true character is measured by how one recovers from adversity and remains steadfast in principle. He stated “Alagaan po natin ang ating integridad.” (Take care of our integrity.)

Beyond the commencement addresses, the graduates themselves embodied the heart of the ceremony, whose presence captured both exceptional academic triumph and the quiet persistence of non-traditional learners.

As the final cluster drew to a close, the plenary floor resonated with the collective commitment that defines the Sintang Paaralan. Rising in unison to sing the Imno ng PUP, the 3,683 new alumni marked the completion of the 2026 Year-End Commencement Exercises with a shared vow to put their knowledge into action.

Anchored in the University’s INSPIRED Core Values—Integrity, Nurturance, Synergistic Leadership, Passion for Service, Innovation, Resilience, Excellence, and Diversity—and advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in Education, Work and Economic Growth, Reducing Inequalities, and promoting peaceful, just, and strong institutions (SDGs 4, 8, 10, and 16), the final cohort of the Batch 2026 departs the PICC into their respective industries, government offices, and communities—ready to lead with integrity, turn their education into purpose, and serve the Filipino nation.