As the pandemic restriction eases, the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) held an in-person Ceremonial March for the graduates of academic year (AY) 2019-2020 and AY 2020-2021 on 10 December 2022, at the UPOU Headquarters located in Los Baños, Laguna.
In total, 279 graduates were able to attend the ceremony, of which 74 were from the Faculty of Education (FEd), 79 were from the Faculty of Information and Communication Studies (FICS), and 126 were from the Faculty of Management and Development Studies (FMDS).
In her opening message, UPOU Chancellor Dr. Melinda dela Peña Bandalaria assured the audience that holding the Ceremonial March did not mean that the system put less value on the virtual graduations in 2020 and 2021, as the online celebrations then were considered inclusive and accessible for everyone at the time. “We consider this Ceremonial March as a symbolic resumption of a tradition of celebration made more special by the physical togetherness, especially in a 100% online education ecosystem,“ Dr. Bandalaria said.
The Ceremonial March was also a symbol of victory against COVID-19, as many students experienced hardships not only in their education but also in their general well-being.
Dr. Bandalaria reminded the graduates that the event was also another opportunity to reiterate the University’s motto: “Uphold the university’s tradition of honor and excellence and serve the people.”
The ceremony ended with the graduates undertaking the university’s Panunumpa ng Katapatan and singing the UP hymn, UP Naming Mahal.
Written by Alexis Faith Gonzalez
Edited by Myra C. Almodiel and Pinky Halos
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