UP holds first virtual graduation exercises

MANILA, Philippines — The University of the Philippines System successfully held its first ever virtual commencement exercises yesterday as it complied with physical distancing restriction amid the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Leading Class 2020 were a bumper crop of 28 summa cum laude, an academic distinction for graduates who earned a weighted average grade (WAG) of 1.20 or better.

Figures from the Office of the University Registrar showed that 302 received the Latin distinction of magna cum laude (WAG of 1.4 or higher) while 683 graduated cum laude (1.75 or higher).

Of the total candidates for graduation, 2,892 received a baccalaureate degree and 897 were conferred graduate degrees in the diploma, master’s and doctoral levels.

Observing the health and safety protocols set by the COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force, the virtual commencement exerices were limited to key participants.

The 109th Pangkalahatang Pagtatapos carried the theme “Maglingkod, Magmalasakit, Manindigan.”

It called on the graduating class, particularly in these challenging times, “to serve the country with empathy and conviction so that excellence, rights and justice may prevail.”

It also paid tribute to frontliners and those who lost their lives to COVID-19. It was also a protest against the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 and Congress’ vote to not renew ABS-CBN’s franchise.

Forming the backdrop for the ceremony was “Dalunduyan,” a triptych of arches depicting portals. Created by artist and UP Diliman faculty member Toym Imao, the work is a portmanteau of three vernacular terms – “daluyan” meaning a channel or portal; “lunduyan” or center; and “duyan” or cradle. The artist uses the cradle to symbolize the graduates as vessels of compassion or “malasakit.”

Dalunduyan will remain at Quezon Hall until December, marking the duration of the university’s lockdown because of the pandemic.