BATCH 2022 celebrated their much-awaited face-to-face Baccalaureate Mass and 24th Commencement Exercises after two years of virtual graduations last June 29 at the Tugade Auditorium. 

The Baccalaureate Mass 

The Baccalaureate Mass opened the program presided by SBCA Rector-President Rev. Fr. Gerardo Ma D. De Villa, O.S.B. In his homily, the Rector-President talked about the importance of faith and God in life, hoping that the religious activities that the graduates participated in during their stay in the college helped strengthen their faith in God. De Villa further stated that by receiving the Holy Communion, one “joins your human nature to Christ,” emphasizing that the students’ graduation cannot be complete without Jesus Christ. 

The Last Chapter 

It was reported in an article by The Bedan Herald that this year’s Baccalaureate Mass and 24th Commencement Exercises were going to be face-to-face. In both morning and afternoon batches, the college registrar, Ms. Rica D. Ancheta, Ph.D., convened the program while Prof. Elaine A. Aclan and Prof. Arnold F. Aviles served as the Masters of Ceremonies. 

In her welcome address, Lyan Crystal V. Cabral (BSBA FM), a magna cum laude graduate and former Student Executive Council (SEC) Secretary, stated that graduation is the most anticipated moment in a student’s academic life. She recalled their batch’s obstacles, from being the first to undergo the K-12 program to experiencing their formative college years during a pandemic. “Our college experience is not what we expected, but worth remembering. For we have chosen to rise beyond the challenges, and here we are celebrating the fruits of our labor.” Cabral said.

Moreover, she relayed her gratitude to the parents, professors, students, and student leaders. To end her speech, Cabral expressed her well wishes to her fellow graduates, saying, “Wherever your future takes you, let it take you somewhere. Let us make our alma mater proud.” 

For the PM batch, magna cum laude Precious Rose K. Sorita (BS-IT) began her welcoming address by reflecting on their dreams, hope, and excitement, which remained since their first year of college. Though the pandemic struck and disrupted their physical communication, she believed that they were able to “embrace a new way of learning and living” after all of the physical, emotional, and mental challenges. “Together, we celebrate the fruits of our labor [today]. It would not have been possible without the love and support of our dear parents.” Sorita said. 

Trust in the Leap of Faith 

For this year’s AM Commencement Exercises, SBCA invited Hon. Eric D.L. Olivarez, Mayor of the City of Paranaque, a professor at the graduate school of the College of Education of the De La Salle University-Manila, and Vice President for Academics and Services of Olivarez College. 

In his speech, Olivarez congratulated the graduates and their parents for making it to the finish line of their tertiary education. Likewise, he extended gratitude to the college and its faculty and administration. “This morning, there are 217 reasons for us to celebrate because it accounts for the 217 2022 San Beda College of Arts and Sciences graduating students,” Olivarez said, proceeding to commend the graduates for pushing through despite difficult times describing them as “resilient.” 

The mayor also talked about the importance of decisions, emphasizing that while they are free to make choices in their life; they are not exempted from its consequences. He also encouraged the graduates to take a leap of faith, noting that the universe has no fixed agenda and listed various values which the graduates should keep in mind. Olivarez then offered the graduates a piece of advice when they begin looking for a job, saying, “You should not settle for mediocrity. Everything you do, you should do it 110%. Nothing compares to sipag at tiyaga.”

Ending his speech, Olivarez reminded the students to put God in the center of everything they do “for He is the ultimate source of all our strengths.” Followed by a presentation of inspirational quotes in the form of a video. 

Atty. Marciano G. Delson, the commencement speaker for the PM batch, introduced himself as “an advocate of Ora et Labora as a way of life, a promoter of the Bedan brand of legal education, a believer of the Benedictine spiritual formation offered by the monks of the abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat, and a die-hard fan of the Red Lions.” He shared a few questions which he surveyed to his family about happiness, its hindrances, and the solution. Unity was highlighted in his personal stories of family and teaching life in Mendiola, saying it prevents chaos and brings peace, “but take note that unity is not always joining the opposite side. The true sense of unity is understanding and accepting the views, beliefs, and choices of others.”

Delson proceeded to remind parents to trust their children as they now graduate and shall encounter the crossroads in their personal, family, and professional lives. “Trust that they will ultimately make the right choices for the greatest happiness. For the Bedan compass will always point them to the right direction; to Bedans, happiness is a natural thing.” To bring an end to his speech, he requested the graduating batch to stand up and passionately shout “We are Bedans!” after being asked, “After your graduation, out in the world of your own, what shall you not forget?”

Both speakers were awarded a Plaque of Appreciation by CAS Dean, Dr. Juan Ruffo D. Chong, and Fr. Gerardo Ma D. De Villa, O.S.B, Rector-President. 

Conferment of Degrees 

Gabriel Joaquin C. Duran (BSBA FM) led the Petition for the Conferment of the Degree in the AM batch, while Mae Krystine G. Respeto (BSP) led the PM batch. Dr. Chong presented the candidates for graduation while Fr. De Villa pronounced the students as graduates of their respective degrees. Immediately, this was proceeded by awarding diplomas and special awards to students who earned them by their respective Department Chairs. 

The Light at the End of the Tunnel 

Joben Emmanuel O. Morales (BSBA MM), summa cum laude, delivered the Address of Thanks for the AM batch. He began his speech with a quote from Albert Schweitzer, an Alsatian-German polymath, “At times, our light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cost to think with deep gratitude of those who have lightened the flame within us.” He then related the quote to those who served as the light in the graduates’ college journey, highlighting that the day was not only for graduates but theirs as well. 

He thanked his parents, loved ones, and the faculty and staff of SBCA, saying, “Thank you for instilling in us the Benedictine values of prayer, work, peace, community, service, and excellence. These learnings and values shaped us to be a better version of ourselves.” Morales also relayed his gratitude to Dr. Chito San Mateo for his guidance throughout his college life. To conclude his speech, Morales thanked God for answering their prayers for face-to-face graduation. 

The address of thanks during the PM batch was delivered by magna cum laude Robyn Isabelle S. Roy (BA-IST). She expressed her gratitude to the important figures of the college to the staff, personnel, caterers, and loved ones before describing SBCA as her gateway to a world she never thought she would step in after moving away from home. “No matter what route it took for you to get on this stage, what matters is you’re here now.” Roy urged students that even if they are to graduate and leave SBCA after, “let it continue to change you, make you keenly sensitive to the injustices, make you empathetic to the struggle of others, and embolden you — if not to change the world — to make a new one.” She shared how leaving the campus was difficult and how the institution relied on students to improve their confidence unlike in other universities, which performed vice versa. As a resolve to her speech, she wished luck and godspeed to the graduates.

Closing Ceremony

Ma. Mikaella G. Clemente (BSE), cum laude, led the graduates of the AM batch in reciting the Pledge of Loyalty to SBCA, while Samtah Dae N. Ducul (BSP), also cum laude, led the PM batch. Atty. John R. Jacome, an alumnus of SBCA Batch 2010, inducted the graduates into the San Beda College Alumni Association. On the other hand, Atty. Charles Washington T. Baculi, a Batch 2016 graduate, led the Alumni Oath for the afternoon batch. The graduates, faculty, and administration proceeded to sing the Bedan Hymn, and the Registrar formally declared the ceremony’s closing, followed by the exit of colors and recessional. 

Farewell from Home  

The Bedan Herald interviewed some graduating students during the event on how they felt about graduating face-to-face. For the AM batch, Ariane Taino (BSBA FM) said that it felt like a “brand new experience” as for the past two years, everything was done online, including graduation. Ashley Carganillo (BSE), on the other hand, expressed that they were expecting the venue to be at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) as it had been the traditional venue for the college as well as for their parents to be present in the same venue as them, but she was still thankful. Meanwhile, Oliver Diongzon (BSBA MM) said, “Masaya kasi hindi lahat naka-experience ng face-to-face. Kahit hindi sa PICC, at least na sa sariling home natin.” 

Eduardo Vinuya (BSLM) responds positively, saying that he feels lucky: “After two years, we’re the first batch na to finally get a face-to-face graduation kaya kahit limited, I still find it to be a blessing.” Therese Trinos (BSP) also shared the same sentiment, for she initially expected their graduation to be virtual. “Ngayon, [kahit] medyo tumataas na uli yung cases so parang medyo happy pa rin kasi nag-push though pa rin ang face-to-face grad.” 

These events marked the first time in two years that the college celebrated the Baccalaureate Mass and Commencement Exercises onsite. Heeding the safety protocols imposed both by the national and local government, SBCA managed to send off their Batch 2022 graduates with a celebration they rightfully deserved.