COVID-19 Special Issue Volume 40, Issue 4
rundowns
Photo courtesy: Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Facebook Page
PLM holds first online graduation for Class of 2020 Mecaela Mae GUMADE
P
LM honors the Class of 2020 graduates on its first-ever virtual graduation rites aired online last June 30, 2020, in accordance with imposed national health protocols on the current COVID-19 pandemic. With this year's theme, “Solidarity and Hope: Living beyond the COVID-19 pandemic”, the 52nd commencement exercises recognized the momentous milestone of 1,033 graduates as they bravely took on the challenge of thriving beyond the uncertainty of the present time. University President Emmanuel Leyco led the commencement rites with his opening remarks, addressing the pressing weight of today's global pandemic situation, especially on the poor. Despite the restrictions of physical distancing, he encouraged to further strengthen our solidarity, bearing in mind the hope of a better tomorrow. Acknowledging his remarkable support on the local COVID-19 response, a Doctorate Degree in Public Health, honoris causa, was conferred to Ramon S. Ang, the president and chief operating officer of San Miguel Corporation. Manila Mayor Francisco 'Isko Moreno' Domagoso expressed his salutations to the new graduates, impelling them to uphold the PLM values of karunungan, kaunlaran, at kadakilaan, and to remain
steadfast during trying times. “Most of all, maintain a close relationship with God and you shall never lose your way,” the Mayor said. The University graduates’ names, consisting of 674 undergraduate degrees and 354 master’s and doctorate degrees, were read alongside their degrees and special citations, conferred by University President Leyco. Batch valedictorian and magna cum laude Gerald V. De Asis delivered his address, encouraging his fellow graduates to persevere on achieving their goals despite hurdles. “Believe that nothing can hinder us from achieving our defined success. Not our past failures nor this crisis”. He reminded them to take a break when needed, as he emphasized that ‘progress and healing are not linear’. He also encouraged the youth to speak loud and clear in the face of injustice. “The future of our country lies on the capability of the youth”, De Asis said in his valedictory address. “This is the time to be loud. So loud, so the adults and authorities will hear us as we demand transparency, accountability, and aligned solutions. No one can measure the power of collective humanity amongst us”. The airing of the commencement exercises was moved from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and were viewed by the graduates and their families through Facebook, YouTube, and the PLM website.
PARENTS, GRADUATES VOICED OUT DISMAY ON THE AIRED COMMENCEMENT RITES As the online graduation rites proceeded on honoring the graduates, apparent disappointment from families and students were expressed on the comment section as the presentation flashed, criticizing on what they deemed to be an insufficient effort of making such a significant occasion satisfactory for the viewers. Christina Cerezo, BS Psychology graduate, admitted that she’s upset on the said presentation. “I was really disappointed sa pagpresent nila ng graduates; sobrang pinagsisikan sa isang slide ‘yung faces to the point na halos hindi na ma-distinguish and hindi na talaga nababasa ‘yung names. The editing was really bad.” Despite her discontent, she hopes that such circumstances served as a lesson for the university’s administration to further ensure the appropriate management of future significant events. “Although I’m not satisfied sa naganap na graduation, I was thankful sa Pamantasan for giving us a high-quality education,” Cerezo added. University President Leyco addressed such grievances in his statement released the same day of the online graduation. He apologized and assured that they will work with their outsourced production crew to re-do the presentation, ‘showing individual graduates with their earned degree and honours, if any’.
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