Melanie Jimenez, News, Communication Management Office
A total of 382 graduates were conferred their academic degrees in the recently held virtual midyear commencement exercises for academic year 2021-2022 of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, May 21.
Dr. Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr., Chairman of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and President of the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc., was the event’s commencement speaker and Tanglaw ng Bayan awardee.
In his speech, Dr. Ortiz emphasized the importance of excellence among new graduates as they enter the workforce and encouraged them to always frame their mindset and focus on how to better serve their fellow Filipinos.
“We are all called to be the best of ourselves not only for personal pursuits but also in the context of nation building,” Dr. Ortiz-Luis said.
Dr. Ortiz, also mentioned the current gaps in the education and business sector and how the current administration must champion its improvement amid the challenges the nation face today such as the pandemic, foreign debts, and increasing fuel prices.
“We do not expect our current public officials to solve all of these problems in six years. What we demand, having been given the mandate to be consistent with their election promises, they shall continue to build on the gains of the outgoing administrations and involve all stakeholders in addressing the remaining gaps including that of the education sector [sic],” he quipped.
Ms. Rayna Rose Marticio, from the Master of Arts in Filipino, was chosen to deliver the message on behalf of the graduating class. She shared her experience as a graduating student during the pandemic and thanked PUP for the kind of training it provides which helped her overcome difficulties in her academic life.
“Tayong mga PUPian ay likas na matatag, laging sinisiguro na maipagpapatuloy ang buhay ano man ang mga paghihirap na ating kahaharapin. Kaya kapwa ko “iskolar ng bayan”, dapat nating yakapin ang ating kahinaan at huwag panghihinaan ng loob. Ang ating mga nagawa ay mas kahanga-hanga habang isinasagawa natin ang mga ito sa panahon ng isang pandaigdigang pandemya! Tandaan na dapat maniwala sa ating sarili gaya ng paniniwala sa atin ng ating mga magulang at ng PUP,” Marticio shared.
She concluded her speech by reminding her fellow graduates that serving the nation is an important part of being a true-blooded PUPian: “Ipagpatuloy natin ang pakikipaglaban para sa ating mga pangarap, para sa karangalang ng Politeknikong Unibersidad ng Pilipinas. Gamiting gabay ang mga natutunan sa Sintang Paaralan sa susunod na tatahakin nating panibagong yugto ng ating paglalakbay.”
The event concluded with pledge of loyalty by the graduates and the singing of the PUP hymn. You may re-watch the complete proceedings here.
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