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Tertiary and Graduate Schools' Joint Commencement Exercise sends off Class of 2025

By Luis Gabriel R. Santiago | July 6, 2025

CELEBRATING the achievements of the graduating batch of 2025, San Beda College Alabang conducted its joint commencement exercise last July 4 at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City. The rites mark the culmination of the graduates' academic years and the beginning of their professional lives.

The event saw a total of 300 graduates from the undergraduate programs comprised of 112 graduates from the School of Arts, Sciences, and Education (SASE), 138 from the School of Business, Accountancy, and Management (SBAM), 30 from the School of Engineering and Technology (SET), and 20 from the Graduate School. 

With four students awarded Summa Cum Laude, 20 for Magna Cum Laude, and 19 for Cum Laude. Nine graduates were recognized for the St. Maur Award for Area Excellence, which is awarded to graduates who earn the highest major CGPA in their major subjects. 11 awardees for the Our Lady of Montserrat Loyalty Award, given to individuals enrolled in the institution since first grade. One Rector’s Leadership awardee from the graduate school who has shown exemplary leadership in co-curricular and special interest areas.

Ma. Bianca Lavin, a Summa Cum Laude graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, opened her welcome address by reminding her fellow graduates that they were there today as a culmination of hard work. 

Lavin presents two reflections that she hopes will resonate with her fellow batchmates. "That in all things, God may be glorified." These are the words that Bedans live by, and she expressed that the meaning of these words serves as a reminder of a larger picture of who Bedans are. She reminds them that all things they have endured are for God's glory and that Bedans must never lose sight of it. 

The Psychology graduate ends her speech by giving recognition and dedicating the honor to those behind the success of the graduates. The parents facing their silent battles, the professors who patiently honed each student and the educational institution that instilled in them the Benedictine core values.

"Graduates, as we rise from these seats and accept the honor of our degrees, may we do so with faith, with humility, and with the unshakable conviction that in all things, God shall be glorified," she concludes.

This year’s commencement address speaker, Atty. Roderick "Dicky" R.C. Salazar III, the newest member of the board of trustees of SBCA and a senior partner of Fortune, Narvasa, and Salazar Law, prefaces his speech by congratulating the graduates that they have "done" it after the countless struggles and challenges they have faced.

Atty. Salazar cautions the graduates that they are "graduating in uncertain times" where inflation rates are high, AI is becoming increasingly prevalent, and job markets are being saturated. He adds that the country's political scene is full of “plot twists, divisiveness, and drama.” 

He stressed that their "puso" is their greatest asset and relates it to the recent historic stint of Filipino tennis player Alex Eala. He advises that when graduates are faced with losses and rejections, "be an Alex Eala, or close to one. Rely again on your puso.”

Concluding his speech with a final challenge to the graduates, he encourages them to “be courageous when it's easier to conform. Be compassionate when the world tells you to compete. Be grounded when the world wants you to perform.”

Afterward, the petition of conferment of the degrees was delivered by Jules Mykel Reyes, Summa Cum Laude from Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Major in Marketing Management. 

This is followed by the presentation of the graduates by the respective deans for each school. Dr. Andres Ignatio C. San Mateo Jr. for the Graduate School, Dr. Rosario Mielmia C. Aquino for SASE, Atty. Juan Ruffo D. Chong for SBAM, and Engr. Jerry V. Turingan for SET.

The conferring of degrees was presided over by SBCA Rector President, Rev. Fr. Gerardo Ma. De Villa, OSB, and awarded by the respective deans of the schools.

Nathan Chester Casacop, a Summa Cum Laude graduate from Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, began his address of thanks by highlighting the different set of challenges and unique experiences faced by his batch as they embarked on their college journey during the pandemic. 

Casacop addressed his thanks first to his parents, who provided him with his needs, to SBCA and the city government of Muntinlupa, who gave him 4 years of academic scholarship, to his professors and the administration, who gave him educational and life lessons, to his friends, who helped push him to rise and to God, who he claims he is nothing without. 

Moreover, the Accountancy graduate  also gave recognition to names not included in the presentation of graduates, stating how they fought the same battles and faced the same struggles. “There will always be vacant seats reserved for you. For the meantime, we will wait for your turn until you cross the finish line.

On his last note, he urged his fellow graduates not to let their names be written off but to “inhabit the world and ride the history of San Beda College Alabang.”