DIGNIFIED AND EQUIPPED with gratitude, experiences, and relief, the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Class of 2025 marked the end of their academic journey as San Beda University (SBU) held the 123rd Commencement Exercises at the SMX Convention Center, Pasay City, last July 14.
The graduation proper was welcomed and hosted by Asst. Prof. Sybil Agreda, who described it as a celebration of the graduating students’ “courage to dream big, to push limits, and to soar high.”
A graduation Mass preceded the opening ceremony and was officiated by Rector-President Rev. Fr. Aloysius Ma. A. Maranan, OSB.
Prof. Bryan Christian Bustamante, Ph.D., Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, formally presented the graduates, followed by their official declaration by the Rector-President.
Among its 496 graduates, CAS produced 84 students who received an academic distinction.
Meanwhile, five students were awarded Latin honors: Lianedrei G. Alabata from BS Entrepreneurship as the sole summa cum laude; Victor T. Victoria Jr. from BS Literature and Julia Lecabel C. Montes from BS Political Science as magna cum laudes; and Sean Audric E. Uy from BS Political Science, Jasmine Faye M. Escopete from BS Information Technology, and John Robert M. Buenconsejo from BS Literature as cum laudes.
Despite the absence of a commencement speaker, Class of 2025 valedictorian Alabata delivered a heartfelt address of thanks, drawing from her personal experiences with marginalized communities.
“…Sa paningin nila, edukasyon ang pagasa—ang mag-aahon sa kanila sa kahirapan, pero kung edukasyon ang tulay palabas sa kahirapan, bakit parang napaka hirap nitong tawirin?” she asked.
Alabata’s speech underscored how education remains to be a privilege, urging students to “set the way for others to follow.”
Following this was the pledge of loyalty, as led by Uy and the graduates’ induction to the San Beda Alumni Association (SBAA), led by its President, Atty. Dominador Dungca Buhain.
The 496 graduates among the different CAS Departments are as follows:
- Entrepreneurship – 36
- Accountancy – 11
- Accounting Information System – 4
- Internal Auditing – 27
- Management Accounting – 11
- Legal Management – 47
- BSBA Human Resource Management – 12
- BSBA Operations Management – 18
- BSBA Marketing Management – 85
- BSBA Financial Management – 28
- Psychology – 63
- Human Biology – 13
- Environmental Science – 2
- Economics – 15
- Information Technology – 32
- Computer Science – 3
- BSESS Fitness and Sports Management – 9
- English – 5
- Literature – 5
- Political Science – 70