January 25, 2020 – On the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, SPUP held its 15th Mid-Year Commencement Exercises with the theme: “Paulinians, Making a Difference Globally”.
At the Our Lady of Chartres Chapel, the Baccalaureate Mass, which incorporated the solemn Rite of Mission Sending, was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Bernard Corpus (Parish Priest, St. Peter’s Metropolitan Cathedral Parish) with Rev. Fr. Adalbert Barut (Rector, Ermita de San Jacinto) and Rev. Fr. Jake Ordillos, Jr. (Chancellor, Archdiocese of Tuguegarao) as concelebrants. With their Paulinian education, the graduates are sent to be communicators of faith, hope and love. Moreover, the graduates prayed for their Missionary Promises as the congregation imparted their blessings on them.
At the University Grandstand, the Graduation Ceremonies were highlighted by the Commencement Address of the Guest of Honor, Hon. Lilian De Las Llagas, MSCTM, PhD, LLB (Commissioner, Commission on Higher Education). She elucidated the theme by expressing that global education espouses academic excellence and global competence. She thoroughly expounded that to make a difference globally, Paulinian graduates must imbibe appreciation of culture, thoroughness to evaluate information, excellence in communication, technological literacy, responsiveness to development goals, the ability to demonstrate 21st Century skills, and the practice of professionalism and ethical values. She also said that globally competent graduates are marketable.
In the Graduation Rites, Mr. Jake Maggay (Doctor in Information Technology) led the Graduates’ Prayer. Mr. Jacque Andrei Ramos (BS Medical Technology, Cum Laude) read the address of petition followed by the presentation of the graduates by Dr. Agripina Maribbay (VP Academics). Subsequently, Sr. Merceditas Ang, SPC (University President) conferred on the graduates the titles and degrees of their respective courses and programs. Mr. Joshua Jerard Guillermo (BS Medical Technology, Magna Cum Laude) expressed the gratitude of the graduates through his valedictory address. Mr. Justine Paolo Valencia, (BS Medical Technology, Loyalty Awardee) led the graduates in their Pledge of Loyalty, while, Mrs. Marietta G. Reyes, (Treasurer, SPUPAA) inducted them to the Alumni Association.
A total of 806 graduates (composed of Filipino and International students) marched in celebration of their success. Also recognized were the National Topnotchers in the October 2019 Psychometrician Licensure Examination – Ms. Shania Myca Salas (Top 10) and in the June 2019 Nurse Licensure Examination – Mr. Geevee Ventula (Top 3), Ms. Lea Marie Serador (Top 7) and Mr. Airon Vince Calica (Top 10).
Dr. Julieta Paras (Regional Director, Commission on Higher Education), Dr. Nerissa Canguilan (Regional Director, Civil Service Commission), Ms. Katlyn Mangupag and Ms. Rowena Anzia (Supervising Professional Regulation Officers, Professional Regulation Commission) also graced the celebration.
