“TO love is to do the greatest and most powerful thing there is,” Aldric Rafael S. De Leon said, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a magna cum laude graduate, during his Address of Thanks in the 2023 Commencement Exercises of the San Beda College Alabang (SBCA) last July 14 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

De Leon explained by citing Apostle Paul’s famous letter to the believers in Corinth, how among everything, “....the greatest is always love,” he quoted. The psychology student and magna cum laude graduate shared how this love guided them in living out the core values of the institution and love being at the center of it all.

In his speech, De Leon spoke about the death of his mother as the biggest challenge he had to face last 2021. Despite the sudden loss, he shared how amidst it all, he finds hope and love, discovering parts of his mom through the people around him.  

He also said that every batch has its unique characteristic that would best characterize them and for this batch, it was love that would best describe them. “This batch right in front of you ladies and gentlemen, will be known for our ability to love,” he said. 

Atty. Eric Landicho, Managing Partner and CEO of Deloitte Philippines, and a Bedan Alumni shared his journey from being an accountancy student to an aspiring lawyer, and how he eventually became the CEO of one of the country’s leading firms. 

He gave advice to the graduates by telling them to cultivate important virtues such as integrity and to further build their character as it will reflect in the work that they do. “Always look for ways how you can make an impact to the people around you and to your organization,” he added. 

In ending his message, the Deloitte Philippines CEO shared that although the “real world” is challenging he is excited to meet all the graduates and learn from them. “Keep your faith, grow your knowledge and hold on to your virtues,” Landicho said. 

This year’s graduation recognized 16 magna cum laude awardees, 32 cum laude awardees, 10 students for the St. Maur Award for Area of Excellence award, and 10 Our Lady of Montserrat Loyalty awardees. 

Present at the graduation was the SBCA administration, headed by Rector President Fr. Gerardo Ma. De Villa, OSB, Dr. Andres Ignacio C. San Mateo Jr, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Graduate School Dean, and the four new deans of the College, Atty. Juan-Ruffo D. Chong for the School of Business, Accountancy, and Management, Dr. Rosario Mielmia C. Aquino for the School of Arts and Sciences and Teacher Education, Engr. Jerry V. Turingan for the School of Engineering and Technology, and Ms. Roma Wynn C. Sedo, Dean of Student Affairs.