University News

Sintang Paaralan Returns to PICC, Marking a New Chapter of Service to the Nation

Gicel Roger Salvilla, News, Communication Management Office

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Sintang Paaralan returned to the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) on September 21, marking a memorable opening to the 2026 Year-End Commencement Exercises (YECE) and bringing together thousands of graduates, families, University officials, faculty members, and guests to celebrate years of perseverance, achievement, and service.

Following the renovation of the PICC, the University once again held its commencement exercises at the iconic venue, where 3,915 graduates from the PUP Sta. Mesa Campus marched in three clusters from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Cluster 1 featured the College of Business Administration (CBA) and the College of the Arts and Letters (CAL); Cluster 2 brought together the College of Human Kinetics (CHK), College of Accountancy and Finance (CAF), and PUP Parañaque Campus; while Cluster 3 featured the College of Engineering (CE) and the College of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment (CADBE).

University President Manuel M. Muhi, together with Vice President for Research and Extension and Development Anna Ruby P. Gapasin, Vice President for Campuses Armando A. Torres, Vice President for Student Affairs and Services Tomas O. Testor, and Vice President for Administration Adam V. Ramilio, joined the University's deans, faculty members, parents, families, and guests in witnessing the graduates take this significant step toward their professional and civic journeys.

Adding distinction to the ceremonies were three commencement speakers who challenged the graduates to turn their education into meaningful action. Consul Enunina V. Mangio, who was conferred the degree of Doctor of Business Administration, Honoris Causa, reminded Cluster 1 graduates that meaningful change does not always require transforming an entire country, but begins with consistently doing one’s part wherever one is. For Cluster 2, Department of Finance Secretary Frederick D. Go, conferred the degree of Doctor of Economics, Honoris Causa, underscored the enduring value of integrity and the importance of earning and protecting the public’s trust. Meanwhile, Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Vivencio “Vince” B. Dizon, recipient of the Tanglaw ng Bayan Award, urged Cluster 3 graduates to recognize their power to make a difference, use their voices, and help shape the country’s future as the hope on which the nation relies.

Yet beyond the ceremony, Day 1 became a gathering of stories that gave deeper meaning to the graduates' achievements.

Among the graduates who embodied the journey of an Iskolar ng Bayan was Shylen Mae N. Escarpe, a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Bachelor of Physical Education, who described graduating from PUP as a testament to the “hardship and resiliency of being an Iskolar ng Bayan.”

Her PUP journey taught her to step beyond her comfort zone, embrace opportunities, and face failure without fear. As a future physical educator, she plans to promote active and healthy lifestyles by encouraging her future students to participate in sports and regular physical activities.

“As a physical educator, I want to contribute to promoting an active and healthy lifestyle by encouraging people, especially my future students, to participate in sports and regular physical activities,” Escarpe said.

Her mother, Lora N. Escarpe, likewise expressed gratitude to PUP for helping shape her daughter through years of challenges and sacrifice.

“Nagpapasalamat kami sa buong pamunuan ng PUP dahil naka-graduate ang anak namin bilang isang Iskolar ng Bayan. Masayang-masaya kami dahil nakita namin kung paano hinubog ng PUP ang aming anak. Mula sa pagiging matatakuting harapin ang mga pagsubok, ngayon nakakayanan na niyang makipagsapalaran sa Maynila.” Lora shared.

(We are grateful to the entire PUP administration because our daughter graduated as an Iskolar ng Bayan. We are very happy to have witnessed how PUP shaped our daughter. From being afraid to face challenges, she can now confidently take on the challenges of living and pursuing opportunities in Manila.)

For Lora, the journey was shared by the entire family from working to provide for her daughter's needs to enduring the distance while Shylen lived in Manila. She now hopes that her daughter will extend the same transformative influence to the youth.

“Katulad ng paghubog ng PUP sa kanya, sana maging daan din siya upang hubugin ang mga kabataan lalo na sa panahon ngayon na maraming kabataan ang naliligaw ng landas,” she added.

(Just as PUP helped shape her, I hope that she, too, will become an instrument in shaping the youth, especially at a time when many young people are losing their way.)

While Shylen's story reflected the triumph of a graduate and the sacrifices of a family, another moment reminded the PUP community that graduation can also carry profound emotions of love and remembrance.

Rejie Dayun marched in place of his daughter, Catherine Claire Dayun, a Bachelor of Business Administration major in Human Resources graduate who passed away on August 29, 2026, weeks before her graduation. Carrying Catherine's graduation photograph, Rejie walked across the PICC stage to represent his daughter and fulfill the milestone she had worked toward for years.

“Sana masaya sa pinuntahan mo, kasi pinaghirapan mo 'to ng ilang taon. Kahit ako, hindi ko matanggap ang nangyari sa kanya, pero proud na proud ako sa kanya.” Rejie shared.

(I hope you are happy wherever you are now, because you worked hard for this for several years. Even I still cannot accept what happened to her, but I am very, very proud of her.)

His quiet march became a poignant reminder that behind every graduate stands a family whose sacrifices, support, and dreams are part of the journey toward a diploma.

Beyond the celebration of academic milestones, the commencement also provided a space for students to reflect on the country's history and their responsibilities as citizens. As the nation marked the 54th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law in the Philippines, students raised their voices in remembrance, chanting “NEVER AGAIN! NEVER AGAIN!” and carrying the message “SERVE THE PEOPLE.”

The moment underscored the role of the Iskolar ng Bayan not only as graduates, but as citizens called to remember history, uphold democratic values, participate meaningfully in society, and put knowledge into action for the Filipino people.

As the graduates begin their next chapter, they carry with them the University's INSPIRED Core Values as their foundation for meaningful contributions to their professions, communities, and the nation. Their journeys likewise advance PUP's commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education through accessible and transformative education; SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth through the preparation of graduates for productive professional lives; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities through inclusive public education; and SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions through civic responsibility and democratic participation.

From the classroom to the community, the students now carry their knowledge beyond PUP, to build, innovate, lead, and serve the nation. They marched for their degrees; they now step forward as the nation's future leaders, ready to lead with integrity, serve with purpose, and use their knowledge for the nation.