Fair and sunny weather greeted the 1, 506 graduates who received their respective degrees during the DEBESMSCAT’s 27th Commencement Exercises held at DEBESMSCAT main campus, Cabitan, Mandaon, Masbate on July 14, 2022 with a theme: “Resilient Graduates: Striving and Excelling as Shapers of a Post-Pandemic Future.”
Figures from the Office of Admission and Registration led by Dr. Flora C. Royo, Registrar III, showed that from the total graduates, 26 graduates received their graduate diplomas, Master and Doctoral degrees, while 1,480 graduates received their baccalaureate degrees respectively. Among the different Colleges, the College of Industrial Technology produced the most graduates at 497. Moreover, the 10 graduates with Latin honors (cum laude) came from the College of Education, 9 from the main campus, and 1 from the Cawayan campus.
Wearing their togas and caps, the graduates with their family and friends, assembled in the DEBESMSCAT open field as early as 2 PM to get in line and take photos near the venue before the start of the program. The processional of graduates with their parents, administrative officials, teaching and non-teaching staff, BOT members, Vice presidents, SUC President, and the Commencement Speaker started exactly at 4 PM.
The event proceeded in an organized manner and was hosted by Dr. Ulysis L. Ferreras, Planning and Development Services Director, and Dr. Jona M. Royo, BSED Program Chair. One of the highlights of the event was the awarding of Civil Service Honor Graduate Eligibility (PD907) to the 10 Cum Laude, which was made possible through the active cooperation and collaboration between the school administration and CSC represented by Dir. Jocelyn L. Marifosque, Director II, Masbate Field Office. The abovementioned eligibility is automatically granted to those who graduated summa cum laude, magna cum laude, or cum laude, in their baccalaureate degree, regardless of the number of years of completion. The HGE (PD907) shall be considered appropriate for first and second-level positions in the government that do not involve the practice of the profession and are not covered by Bar/board/other special laws.
Dr. Renee A. Lamela, SUC President III, did the honor of introducing the 17th Commencement Speaker in the person of Atty. Ryan L. Estevez, OIC, Office of the Executive Director IV, UniFAST. Atty. Estevez finished his Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy at the Rogationist Seminary College-Adamson University, Bachelor of Laws at the University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi, Master of Arts in Religion Education at the Ateneo de Manila University, and Master of Arts in Public Policy at the National Graduate Research Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) in Tokyo, Japan. He is currently finishing his dissertation for his Doctorate in Public Administration at the La Consolacion University Philippines. At present, he dedicates himself to the implementation and supervision of UniFAST under RA 10687, which implements student financial assistance programs.
In his commencement address, Atty Estevez emphasized the potential of the graduates in becoming the faces of the next generation of professionals who will contribute to nation-building in the near future. Moreover, Atty. Estevez reminded the graduates to not let fear limit them in attaining their dreams.
“Slowly is the fastest way to get where you want to be… Fast-paced ang buhay pero always take time to rest and contemplate [on] your next step,” Atty. Estevez stated in his speech.
The commencement exercises lasted until past 11 PM. The 7-hour event may be exhausting but for the graduates receiving their hard-earned diplomas, everything is worth it.
Congratulations to DEBESMSCAT Graduates of 2022! Mabuhay!
Ladies and gentlemen,
