UP holds in-person graduation rites

MANILA, Philippines — For the first time since the COVID outbreak in 2020, the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City yesterday held its commencement exercises in person.

Multi-awarded Chinese-Filipino author and academician Caroline Sy Hau, who is teaching at the Center for Southeast Asian Studies in Kyoto University in Japan, was the guest speaker at the 111th rites.

The event carried the theme “dasig,” a Cebuano word of various nuances: most commonly, liveliness and cheer; more profoundly, strength of spirit and resolute determination, according to UP Diliman.

“It reflects the university’s collective resolve to celebrate the students who, with strength of mind and spirit, finished their degrees amidst the challenges of the pandemic,” the university said.

In her speech, Hau emphasized that the theme “is timely and fitting.”

“As an adjective, the word means lively enthusiastic, and spirited. As a verb, it means to encourage, and to inspire,” she said.

“In other words, dasig is not only a mark of one’s character. It’s a signal, a declaration of intent. And just as important: a call to action,” she added.

UP Diliman earlier announced that there are 150 summa cum laude graduates from various colleges and programs in the Class of 2022.

Translating to “with the greatest honors” in English, the summa cum laude Latin honor serves as UP’s highest distinction for students who have a graded weighted average of 1.20.
This year’s crop of summa cum laude graduates is a bumper harvest. Last year, UP Diliman only had 29 students graduating with summa cum laude honors.

Data from the Office of the University Registrar showed that UP Diliman conferred academic degrees on 3,475 graduates as of July 25. Out of the 3,475 graduates, 2,516 were baccalaureate degrees and 959 were graduate degrees.

Meanwhile, about 20 graduates and students staged a traditional “lightning rally” during the graduation rites.

After singing the “UP Naming Mahal” hymn and before presenting the university colors at the end of the ceremonies, they walked up to the front of the stage of the amphitheater holding banners with “Ipagtanggol ang Kasaysayan at Katotohanan, Marcos-Duterte, Itakwil,” “Serve the People,” “Defend Press Freedom,” “Itaas ang Sahodm,” among other banners.

The rallyists also chanted “Iskolar ng Bayan, Ngayon ay Lumalaban” and “Never Again to Martial Law.”