IN THE PRESENCE of family, friends, administrators, faculty, and fellow graduates from the different colleges of San Beda University (SBU), the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Class of 2023 capped off their tertiary education during the Institutional Commencement Exercises at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Plenary Hall last August 16.
The CAS had a total of 585 graduates, as presented by its Dean, Prof. Christian Bryan Bustamante.
Joining them were the graduates from the other colleges of the University such as the College of Law (COL), with a total of 139 graduates, the College of Medicine (COM) with a total of 143, the College of Nursing (CON) with a total of 46 graduates, the Graduate School of Liturgy (GSLit), Graduate School of Law (GSLaw), and Graduate School of Business (MBS), with a total of 20 graduates combined, summing up to a total of 933 graduates for the University’s graduating Class of 2023.
Julienne Allyah Legutan from the Department of Political Science was the CAS’ valedictorian and only summa cum laude. In her address of thanks, she expressed her journey of uncertainty in her university life as well as those of her degree holders, saying, “In this venture of ours, we do not immediately exclaim, ‘I can do it!’ Instead, we utter, ‘can I do it?’” However, she justified that no one can ever journey on untested waters and new lands without the trigger of fear—a lesson she learned as a university student who “struggled between life and academics.”
The graduates were also blessed by the inspirational words of the commencement speaker, Archbishop Jose F. Cardinal Advincula, D.D. of the Archdiocese of Manila, who reminded them to be “strong and to not be tempted or fooled by earthly and worldly possessions,” as well as to use all their learnings to “create a change in the community rather than being a part of such disorder in the world.”
During the ceremony, Cardinal Advincula was also conferred by the University with a Doctor of Humanities, honoris causa degree. according to University Rector-President Rev. Fr. Aloysius Ma. Maranan.
Apart from the commencement exercises, a Baccalaureate Mass for the CAS Class of 2023 took place at the Jonathan Sy Auditorium last August 15, which was celebrated by the University Rector-President Rev. Fr. Aloysius Ma. Maranan, OSB alongside Fr. Placido Acta, OSB. The mass coincided with the celebration of the solemnity of the assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Following the mass was the recognition ceremony where graduating students with Latin Honors as well as academic distinctions received their medals and awards for their outstanding academic performances.
Students with Latin Honors included Legutan, Jan Marie Blanco, Mikaela Mariz Armado, Reianne Maphine Fajardo, Ma. Krishia Fae Jimenez, Crizzele Angela Aquino, Aira Louise Arañez, Kharl Chester Pablico, Raphael Emmanuelle Abay, Ron Ashley Trias, Kaye Abigail Hernandez, Pamela Nicole Balid, and Jediael Ace Leuterio. Furthermore, there were 160 graduates with Academic Distinction.
