1,137 graduands, including 131 academic awardees, marched through the length of the Mahogany Avenue with their parents and guardians and entered the Clemente Sports Complex for the 75th Commencement Exercises of Central Philippines State University-Main Campus.
On behalf of Dr. Aladino C. Moraca, University President, Dr. Grenny I. Jungco, Vice President for Academic Affairs, confirmed 1,137 members of the class of 2025 as graduates on June 25, 2025โcelebrating 1,260 stories of success as a legacy of CPSUโs service to the nation and to the world.
401 College of Agriculture and Forestry (CAF) graduates, 109 College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) graduates, 69 College of Hospitality Management (CHM) graduates, 136 College of Computer Studies (CCS) graduates, 124 College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE) graduates, 107 College of Engineering (COE) graduates, and 191 College of Teacher Education (COTED) graduates received their baccalaureate diplomas and Good Moral Certificates.
โYou must also eventually define your success in your careers by the good you bring to the people. Not by titles, not by compensation, but by the lives that you have touched, the problems of society that you have solved, and the hope that you inspire among others. As Mahatma Gandhi said, โThe best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.โ May I also remind you to remain humble always. Just like the old Filipino saying goes, โAng punong may bunga ay laging nakayuko.โ Let your accomplishments speak for themselves. Always acknowledge those who help shape your journeyโyour professors, mentors, family, and, of course, your alma mater. And finally, remember that you are all capable of greatness, but more importantly, you are capable of goodness. And in the end, it is goodness that transforms excellence into your legacy as you grow,โ said Hon. Rowen R. Gelonga, CESO II, Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region VIโRegional Director, CPSU Board of Regents Member, in his commencement speech.
Hon. Gelonga, Dr. Jungco, and Engr. Marc Alexei Caesar B. Badajos, Ph.D., CPSU Vice President for Administration and Finance, awarded medals and certificates of recognition to the academic awardeesโ5 Summa Cum Laude, 99 Magna Cum Laude, 23 Cum Laude, and 4 Special Awardees.
Ms. Charity M. Cofreros, Summa Cum Laude and Class Valedictorian, delivered the commencement address and said, โAbove all, all praises and glory belong to Almighty GodโฆThank you, God, for writing this chapter of our story. This is a proof of your faithfulness and grace to each one of us. Thank you for being the quiet, yet great strength behind this big moment of joy. Dearest fellow graduates, let's join together! This commencement exercise marks a rite of passage. Symbolizing a significant transition from student life to embracing new roles in the society as degree holders. The little us must be very proud of all the things we achieved. We made our parents proud today. Let us make them even prouder of the people we are becoming. May we always be humbled by all of our experiences, especially the hardships that we encounter."
She adds, โMay we discover our purpose in the paths we choose and have the courage to navigate our lives in alignment with that purpose. Wherever we go next, we go with courage and humilityโฆ The world needs graduates who work wholeheartedly with kindness and purpose. Remember that we do not just chase success. Our biggest task is that we have to create meaning.โ
Honored guests and CPSU Board of Regents members, namely, Hon. Gelonga, Hon. Congresswoman Mercedes โChedingโ K. Alvarez, Negros Occidental 6th District Representative; Hon. Demer G. Paglomutan, Faculty Regent; and Hon. Michael Joerge M. Polca, with CPSU Board Secretary V and University Mace Bearer Maโam Nelly N. Cabual, beheld as the graduates and academic awardees were lauded for their diligence, dedication, and perseverance in earning their degrees and in receiving their medals.
โBack in 2016, National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) Regional Director Efren Carreon was our commencement speaker. He once said, โThere is no substitute to humility.โ So, as you climb the ladder of success, be kind to the people you meet. Because these might be the same people you will meet when you go down. So do not allow your head to swell when you are at the top. Thus, my advice is, the higher you fly, the lower the ego. Last but not least, gratitude. Thank your school, your beloved CPSU. Thank your teachers and thank your classmates because they were part of your journey, regardless of whether it was a hard or an easy journey. And most importantly, thank your parents. At the end of the day, our parents are the only ones who love us unconditionally,โ said Hon. Cheding Alvarez, who also joined the vice presidents in conferring the graduatesโ hard-earned diplomas, warmly congratulated them for their baccalaureate milestones.
Members of the esteemed CPSU Academic and Administrative Council were joined by Hon. Benjie M. Miranda, Kabankalan City Mayor, represented by his Executive Assistant, Dr. Joel R. Palata, and Dr. Marcelino A. Dechavez, former Negros State College of Agriculture President, were also present at the ceremony held at the Clemente Sports Complex, which culminates all academic endeavors for the Academic Year, 2024-2025.
Deans, namely, Dr. Hanzel L. Pedrosa (CAF), Dr. Michael M. Bacolod (CAS), Maโam Shiela A. Ignacio (CHM), Maโam Debbie Lou B. Enquilino (CCS), Sir Elmer S. Manzanares (CCJE), Engr. Janet P. Serisola (COE) and Dr. Merfe C. Hucalinas (COTED) presented the candidates for graduation per program from their respective colleges, while Registrar Officer-in-Charge Maโam Elysa Jane T. Arlos recited the names of graduates for the diploma conferment.
In his written message in the Commencement program, President Moraca encourages the newest additions to the CPSU Alumni, stating, โDear graduates, you leave these halls not just with degrees but with a missionโa mission to be wise leaders, compassionate citizens, innovators, and changemakers. The world you are entering is complex and often unpredictable, but I believe with all my heart that you have been prepared not just to survive it, but to transform it. May you walk forward, carrying the proud legacy of CPSU, while also daring to forge your own paths. May you lead lives not just of success, but of significance.โ
Graduation caps with green, yellow, pink, orange, gray, maroon, silver, and blue tassels went airborne, tossed by the graduates who ended the ceremony with enthusiastic cheers as they performed their graduation song and graduation dance.
As the university mace was lifted and raised in the recessional march, it marked the turning of another Cenphilian chapter, boasting 75 strong years of service, which illuminates infinite futures for students, families, communities, the country, and the world.
