Graduation Special Issue

Story by John Derrick Cordova

by Patrick Bryan Porras

HONORIANS from the Graduate School, College of Education, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, and DHVSU Lubao Campus embarked the five-day inpersongraduationlastAugust15.

The so-called “exciting part” has already started as a total of 1,615 graduates from the Graduate School(GS),CollegeofEducation (COE), College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP), and DHVSU Lubao Campus (DLC) have trodden towards the

university stage as starters of the 5-day in-person graduation ceremony, which kicked off, August15.

Serving as the inspirational speakers for the first day were Pampanga 4th District CongresswomanAnna York P. Bondoc and Social Welfare Officer III of DSWD Region 3, Gezelle Anne V. Garcia.

Photo by Christine Joy Sese

1, 408 CEA studes earn baccalaureate degrees; Civil eng’g logs highest number of grads at 767

by Lovely Angel Marie Alcantara and Ronnel Tiongco

CONTINUING the five-day faceto-face commencement exercises of the different programs, 1, 408 graduatingstudentsfromDHVSU's College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA)— consisting of767CivilEngineeringgraduates — proudly marched their way at Dr. Ernesto T. Nicdao Sports Centre to receive their hard-earned diplomas,August17.

Notably, data from the Office of the University Registrar show that graduates from the Civil Engineering Department have the biggest number of graduates, comprising 10.78% of the total 7,110 graduates in the whole university including the other campuses.

Moreover, among the graduates from DHVSU-CEA, 53 were from Bachelor of Science in Architecture;116fromBachelorof Science in Electrical Engineering; 84 from Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering; 183 from Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering; and 205 from BachelorofScienceinMechanical Engineering.

For the commencement exercises of the civil engineering students in the morning, Julian Rikki C. Reyes led the graduating class as he received a high honor — magna cum laude, a kind of distinction which is rare to achieve in the said program.

With him was Arnel M. Mananghaya, Jr. who graduated as cumlaude.

While in the afternoon period, leading the remaining 641 graduating students of DHVSUCEA was Cedrix Joshua Eligio from Industrial Engineering,

who graduated as cum laude. Five outstanding students with distinction were also recognized.

The commencement speaker was CongressmanAurelioD.Gonzalez, Jr., the 3rd district representative ofPampanga

Despite having hundreds of graduates, the institution diligently followed health and safety procedures to mitigate the spread of the virus during the ceremony proper.

Only a small number of guests and necessary personnel were allowedtojointhecommencement exercises with the graduates.

‘Kahit malayo na tayo, may ilalayo pa tayo’: CEA Magna Cum Laude reminds fellow graduates about theirfuture

Julian Rikki C. Reyes, a Magna Cum Laude graduate from the Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering program, communicated in his message of gratitude how uncertain he was about his future during his freshmanyear.

Withhisencountersinlife,Reyes reminded his fellow graduates not tobeapprehensiveofuncertainties, as a future of apprehensions may be a prospect of excellence.

“Kahit malayo na tayo, may ilalayo pa tayo,” he accentuated in front of his fellow graduates.

‘Fight does not end here’: Eligio stresses during his message of gratitude

On the other hand, Cedrix Joshua Eligio, a Cum Laude graduate from the Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering program, energetically prefaced his message of gratitude with a big ‘finally.’

In his speech, Eligio underscored the significance of not being handily won against pain and struggles, and so there’s a need for courage to fight for dreams.

“Doubt destroys more dreams than failure,” Eligio asserted.

“Wemayhavefacedmanybattles, many struggles, but the fight does not end here,” he added as he encouraged his fellow graduates to remaincourageous

MAY ILALAYO PA RIN. Julian Rikki C. Reyes, CEA’s lone magna cum laude and one of its only three Latin honorees, shares his message of gratitude and reminds his fellow civil engineering graduates to press on in life. Photo by Patrick Bryan Porras

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 2 YEARS

Honorians relish face-to-face graduation

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AFTER TWO years of virtual commencement exercise, DHVSU finally witnessed physical processional as the face-to-face graduationcommencedlastAugust 15.

The five-day long ceremony spread through all colleges and campuseswashelduntilAugust19 intheDr.ErnestoC.NicdaoSports Center,MainCampus.

According to data acquired from the University Registrar, there wereatotalof7,110candidatesfor graduationforthisyear.

The College of Engineering and Architecture had the highest

number of graduates at 1,408 composed of six programs: Architecture, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Industrial Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.

The Department of Civil Engineering yielded the most graduates among all curricular programsat767.

Among the satellite campuses, Sto.TomasCampuswasthelargest at 628 graduates.

Minimum health protocols were in place during the conduct of the ceremonies.

Board exam topnotchers were alsorecognizedinthesessions.

Honorians from GS, COE, CSSP, DLC...

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During the morning session, 318 candidates for graduation from the GS department were the first to march up while their thesis titles were being announced and their diplomas were being distributed onstage.

Following them were Honorians from the COE department, which has a total of 717 graduates from different programs, namely; Bachelor of Secondary Education, Bachelor of Physical Education, BachelorofElementaryEducation, Bachelor of Technical-Vocational and Teacher Education, and Bachelor of Technology and Livelihood Education.

Meanwhile, in the afternoon period, a total of 316 graduates from the DLC went to the main campus to reap the fruit of their laborforthepastfouryears.

They came after the CSSP department’s candidates for

graduation, which tallied a total of 454 graduates, including the valedictorian of the batch 2021–2022,NathanielC.Mendozaofthe BachelorofScienceinPsychology, whowasalsorecognizedassumma cumlaude.

Aside from Mendoza, Mary MillicentB.Marquez,MagnaCum LaudefromMasterofEducationin Education Management and Hans Christian A. Ortega, Summa Cum Laude from COE, also gave their messageofgratitude.

In a separate interview earlier, Regine D. Clavo, a summa cum laude from COE, considered her graduation as a fulfilling moment, as, like everyone, it is something that she has been looking forward tosincethefirstdaysheenteredthe university.

“Tinatawag ko siyang “finally” moment that I’ve been looking forward (to) since Day 1 in (the) university,” said Clavo.

'Tomorrow is not promised' DHVSU Summa Cum Laude shares inspiring valedictory remark to batchmates

by Carlo Samia

NATHANIEL C. Mendoza, a summa cum laude graduate and DHVSU Batch 2022 valedictorian from the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP), Department of Psychology, shared his heartfelt message, August 15, during the 2022 Joint Commencement Exercises.

With the theme “Traversing the Present via the Future: DHVSU’s Foresight through Sustainable Development Goals,” Mendoza centered his speech on reminding his batchmates about turning uncertain times into opportunities todotheirbest.

“Remember, fellow graduates, thattomorrowisneverpromised.It isstillunknown,”saidMendoza,as he apprised his batchmates of the precariousnessofthefuture.

“We are not assured of where we will be after this graduation. We mayormaynotbeplacedwherewe are supposed to be. But wherever we are and will be, may we always choose to do our best and to trust our hopes more than our doubts,” he appended, reiterating the need to remain steadfast wherever we mayendupaftergraduation.

In addition, Mendoza also shared how God has helped him get through the hurdles of college life

and emerge triumphant after four years.

“He’s the One who was and is carrying me out when I can’t carry on. I am grateful for His wisdom, ways, and works toward me. You may not see my God, but I hope you see Him through His great instrumentalities and wonderful works in me,” he said in front of

his fellow graduates from CSSP and DHVSU Lubao Extension

Campuslisteningtohisspeech.

Mendoza also extended his sincerest gratitude to his family, friends, CSSP faculty, CSSPSC family, and the university for playing prominent roles in his collegelife.

This is the first face-to-face valedictory remarks after two consecutive batches graduated in a virtualsetupduetostrictguidelines onpublicgatheringsbroughtabout by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a separate interview with The Industrialist, Mendoza recapitulated two things that helpedhiminhisacademicjourney attheuniversity.Accordingtohim, “divine intervention,” knowing that there is a holy God who helps and empowers him in spite of his limitations as a human being, and “diligence” as a person to pursue his academic journey despite the struggles and being enthusiastic abouthispassionanddreams,were the two main factors that helped himgetthroughhiscollegeyears.

The now-Psychology degree holder was hailed as the batch 2022 valedictorian after garnering the highest GWA among the graduating Summa Cum Laude across all colleges and extension campusesofDHVSU.

wherever we are and will be, may we always choose to do our best and to trust our hopes more than our doubts.

NATHANIEL C. MENDOZA

SWEET VALEDICTORY. Nathaniel Mendoza, delivers his speech as the Class of 2022 valedictorian in front of his co-graduates from the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy and DHVSU Lubao Campus in the commencement exercises held at the Ernesto T. Nicdao Sports Center. Photo by Chirsitine Joy Sese.

CBS holds in-person graduation with 4 Latin Honors graduates

by Mian Elly Manaloto and Roselhen Noreen Escoto

DHVSU’s COLLEGE of Business Studies (CBS) Class of 2022 has producedfourgraduateswithLatin Honors as announced during its first live commencement exercises aftertwoyearssincethepandemic, onAugust16.

With the theme, “Traversing the Present via the Future: DHVSU’s Foresight through Sustainable Development Goals,” the pioneer batchofK-12programbroughtout 1,181 students from CBS various departments, with two students obtaining summa cum laude, one magna cum laude, and one cum laude.

“I know it wasn’t easy for you to reach this day because of unprecedented events that affected you and the whole world too… However your presence today shows a true Honorian spirit… You heard the call, go ahead and unleash your potential,” DHVSU’s President, Dr. Enrique G. Baking

saidasheprefacedtheprogram.

ThegraduationritesatDr.Ernesto T. Nicdao Sports Center was separatedintotwobatcheswherein the morning session was graced by 611candidatesforgraduationfrom Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Bachelor of ScienceinEntrepreneurship.

Aldrin John Bondoc, summa cum laude, from BS Business Administration Major in Marketing, centered his speech

1,408 CEA stude... them.

with seven stories, including his near-death experience in 2006 and capped it off by reminding his batchmates that they can be anywhere and so they should take their place as they are an audience of someone’s life.

“Since the pandemic happened, face-to-face graduation has been one of the dreams a graduating studentwouldwish,sobranglaking fulfillment nito sa part naming because after all the hard work, isa siya sa mga pinakaaabangan sa college life,” Bondoc said during an interview.

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and inclined for futurestruggles.

3rd district rep of Pamp congratulates CEAgrads

Congressman Aurelio “Dong” Gonzales Jr., in his inspirational message, congratulated the graduates for transcending the struggles and hardships that the pandemic and online learning have given.

Gonzales also reminded the graduates to never give up even if they don’t have the courage and when the world turns its back on

Furthermore, Gonzales advised thegraduatestousetheknowledge, skills, and talent they learned to be productive contributors to the community. Also, he stressed that graduation is not an end but the onset of opportunities, so they should not be afraid of continuous exploration.

“Your graduation signals a new chapter in your life. This era of positive change will bring countless opportunities. Never be afraid to explore [a] wider horizon, but always stick [to] your values and aspirations,” he said as he finished off his speech.

Meanwhile, 570 candidates for graduation from Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, Bachelor of Science inAccounting Information System, and Bachelor in Public Administration who proffered their meritorious persistence during the four years of rough sailing set foot to claim the bounty of their sail during the afternoonsession.

Another summa cum laude, Rowell Dela Cruz, from Bachelor of Public Administration encourageshisfellowgraduateson his remarks to be free, courageous and always challenge

FILLED AGAIN. The hall of Dr. Ernesto T. Nicdao Sports Center during the College of Business Studies commencement exercises, graced by togas and tassles as face-to-face graduation was held in the usual venue for the first time in two years since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. Photo by Christine Joy Sese

AN EMPTY SEAT

Silence echoes at DHVSU gym as Honorians condole for graduating student’s death

by John Dale Taruc and Kyla Dizon

AMIDST THE resumption of the five-day commencement exercises, August 18, a moment of silence has sounded inside the DHVSU gymnasium while Honorians offered a prayer to commemorate the loss of the bereaved family of a graduating student from Mexico Campus.

In his speech during the afternoon session of the graduation, DHVSU President Enrique G. Baking sympathized with the death of Renna Rose Lacanlale, a College of Education (COE) student, who was supposedtograduatewithacademic distinction.

“Iknowthatthereisanemptyseat, rightnow…Butletusbecomforted by knowing that she had finished her race on earth with flying colors,” Baking uttered in front of 819 candidates for graduation, 414 of those came from College of IndustrialTechnology and 405 from Mexico campus.

Even Lacanlale didn’t get the chance to grace the stage on her special day in college, his brother, Reynald Lacanlale served as his proxy yesterday to claim the signature of her hard work and perseverance.

Meanwhile, during the morning session, the College of Arts and

Sciences (CAS), which registered 88 graduates and the College of Computing Studies (CCS) that produced 590 graduates, marched on stage to receive diplomas.

During the time, Ar-Gui Villanueva, a graduate of BS Biology and a magna cum laude, stated in her message, “But I choose to speak before you today, to remind everyone that we should also be grateful for the experiences that may not be as pleasant, but we

ended up building something from them. We must be thankful for the crosses that we bear.”

Arvin T. Guzman, summa cum laude from the COE program of Mexico Campus also delivered his messageofgratitude.

In his speech he underscored that, “to a person who encounters any form of barriers or hindrances that may occur simultaneously will not be solved if you don’t have any dreams to pursue”.

A lead university in

DHVSU commits itself to provide an environment conducive to continuous

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GONE TOO SOON. One of many tributes offered to the late Renna Rose Lacanlale, an education student from DHVSU Mexico Campus, who died on August 17, just one day shy of her graduation. Photo from DHVSU Mexico Campus - Cayanaquang Talaturu Facebook Page.

Whispers of Passing Wind

by Stephen Roy Galang

The edge of the world - felt like an eternity. A lifelong journey ends in this adamant landmark. Not a fanfare in sight; only the wind's whispers Of questions, of answers, of promises, all at once.

It takes a leap of faith to the abyss below Towards the sea, adrift with the waves. Where would those who dared to dream ended up? How sure are those wishes would meet the shore?

And not one experience could set the course Of the unsettling voyage after that fateful jump. Some may be on boats, others on makeshift rafts, Yet most would be on their own, battling the tide's wrath.

And what now if newfound land were to be reached? To survive is one, and to conquer is but another. Be one with its bewildering nature, or be consumed alive, Or thrive in its strive, and learn to blossom and yearn.

The edge of the world - an eternity felt and lost. A lifelong journey ends in this adamant landmark. Only the wind’s whispers guide these strangers Of life, of death, of glory, of ruin, all at once.

Prototype Testing

The face-to-face graduation was not the only “first” in the endeavor last August 15-19. The first in-person commencement featured the achievement of the first batch of the K-12 education system. The pioneers will now attest theprogram’sefficacyinterms of its global competitivenessaim.

The pioneers graduated after six years, which could’ve been four years in the old system,ofarevisedcurriculum centered on improving the competitiveness of students. Equipping them with aptitudes designed in pattern to other nation’s education curriculum

was one of the main objectivesoftheshift.

However, the Department of Education revealed that officials are carefully studying the issues and problems within the curriculum. The department’s openness to proposals and improvement towards the program was also acknowledged.

Even before the new administration transitioned, President Bongbong Marcos has also said that “there is need to improve the quality of educationinthecountry.”

If at the scope of the administering curriculum, cracksoflightarealreadyseen, what more at the immersion

of the first graduates to the workforce?Itwouldshedmore challengesandrealizations.

What sufficed in the first face-to-face graduation in two yearsisabeginningofanother test for the effectiveness of the K-12 program in the materializationofthesolutions it posed for the previous system. This must be closely taken into account as its aim is just about to be seen as the freshgraduatesstreamtowards thelaborenvironment.

Theso-called“experiment” may not be over. Pioneers are expected to be respondents again in post-graduate and career assessments. Government agencies are also

expected to conduct surveys to measure the curriculum’s impactforthepioneers.

From then on, we must expect a verdict. While talksonabolishingtheK-12 curriculum that is currently at its10thyeararise,anothershift must be carefully weighed on withitsimplications.

After all, the system was more than just adding two moreyearsofeducation,itwas anissueofeducationalquality.

As more results shed light to dark situations in the country’s education, it is imperative to bring solutions

topass.

With the entry of the new administration, the abolishing of K-12 curriculum was put into talks again. It has been clearly stated that the removal of the system will not be consideredinthenearfuture.

As Vice President and DepEd Secretary Sara Duterte hascontinuallyuttered,aswell as the education department itself, K-12 will not be scrappedbutimproved.

Thisisastepwelcomedfor with the ever-changing needs and demands brought by time, qualitymustberelevant.

After all, the system was more than just adding two more years, it was an issue of educational quality.

CARMELA SALTA, KYLA DIZON, ANGELICA ROMERO, CATHERINE VALERIO, KLARENCE LAYUG, ELLYZA DEL FIN, MARC NAVIDA, NATHALIE MIRANDA, JAREN KYLE CASTRO, DYAN THERESE LIM, RUDOLF IAN CANLAS, PAUL CHESTER GALANG, KYLA JIN GREGORIO, DANNIA BONDOC, CYRIX BUTIU, MARK ANTHONY MESINA, JADE DUANA, ARLENE P. PAGUIO Senior Staff

JULIA MAE N. CALARA, RICA MAE O. CURIOSO, JHON PAUL M. DE JESUS, CEE JAY C. DUCUT, ROSELHEN NOREEN L. ESCOTO, TERRENCE CLAIRO M. GUEVARRA, MA. CRISTINA D. MAGALLANES, NHEANNE GEENE B. MANALO, MIAN ELLY G. MANALOTO, ZSETZ WARRETT B. NUQUI, FEBE D. OCAMPO, PAUL ANDREI D. PAGUINTO, SAMANTHA D. PITCOCK, RICA MAE S. SANTOS, TRISHA KATE D. SANTOS, CHRISTINE JOY R. SESE, JOHN DALE M. TARUC, CLARENCE S. VERGARA Junior Staff MS. ANTONIA B. FERNANDEZ, DR. CHONA M. NAVARRO Advisers

From Experiments to Degree Earned

STORY BY KYLIE MAE ABEGONIA PHOTOS BY CHRISTINE JOY SESE

Have you ever had an experience wherein you can’tsleepatnightbecause of how excited you are about the things that are about to happen? As you lie awake, you are already foreseeing the things that you are about to do that day, so everything will be perfect. Well, this is one of those days. So, prepare your togas and caps as we are about to march to the center of the stage and get that hard-earned degree. However, the journey was not easy.

The progress was not linear; it also had some bumps along the way.Youfirsthadtoconquermany adversities in order to reach your destination.

Just like when riding a plane, we have to go through a series of processes in order to take off and land to where we are supposed to begoing.

Pre-Flight: The Start of SomethingNew

We have heard the oft-quoted passage, “In this world, the only thing that is constant is change,” and our educational system is no exception to that. It was in the year 2016, you were a 4th-year high school student—readying yourself for your college journey—when they suddenly announced the rollout of the additional two years at the secondary level of our educationsystem.

The12-yearprogramwasadopted by the Philippine Educational System to align the nation’s curriculum with the demands of the global market, where a highquality education has become a necessity for everyone.

The Department of Education (DepED) offers five academic

strands which include Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS), Accountancy, Business, and Management (ABM), Technical Vocational Livelihood (TVL), and GeneralAcademicStrand(GAS).

When choosing a strand, your interests are taken into consideration. Additionally, it broadens your knowledge and abilities while also introducing youtoyourchosenfieldofstudyin ordertogetreadyforcollege.

However, no matter how promising the new curriculum is, many complications have emerged because the Philippines is not fully equipped to handle the addition of new programs. The first batch became the “experimental babies”. The first to undergo and adjust to the K-12 curriculum.

Thefirsttocompletejuniorand senior high school, experience thestartoftheacademicyearunder a global pandemic, and also the first in their first batch to graduate fromcollege.And,upuntilnow,no findings have been released.

There was no guarantee that the initiative would actually help them in their future endeavours in the

Some parts say yes, it may help somehow. Yet, the dream of holding their own diploma and wearingtheirtogaisgettingfurther away from being reached.

BeforetheClimb:Readying toTakeOff

Entering a new era is somehow difficult, especially since we need to adjust and familiarize ourselves with the new environment. This is wherewearesupposedtogrowand develop key capabilities to take on bigger things. We are starting to pick up the handbook of “figuring things out”.

Most students struggle because they are unprepared for the challenges of academic life. For

each person, college has a different meaning.

In this phase, the student will be responsible for showing up to class, finding their way around campus, and asking for assistance when necessary. When young people leave home to pursue their academic careers, they start a new journey filled with independence, adventure, and the discovery of theiruniqueness.

This is the phase where we can meet so many people. Some of them are our mentors, advisers,

We are starting to pick up the handbook of “figuring things out”.

andeducatorswhowillserveasthe crew of this flight. They are who we considered as second parents.

Like some of the most influential role models for person’s development, they are responsible for more than just academic enrichment but also, teaching us life lessons that will help us succeed outside of standardized tests and term papers. Not to mention those random people who always smile at you whenever you seethem,thethingthatwilllightup thebeginningofyourday.

There are times that you can’t handle things on your own, you are seekingacompaniontogothrough all of academic life’s challenges with you. Life, whether it’s sad, happy, or lonely, is good when it’s shared. When we have someone to enjoy the trip with. Along the journey, we will meet so many people that will either shape us or breakus.

You must be so fortunate to be abletofindtruefriendship—asitis so rare nowadays—from strangers that turn out to be your family by heart, the ones who make the burdenlessbearabletocarry.

They will motivate us to do

better and be the best version of ourselves. These are the people whom we consider “college buddies” or “study buddies”, our co-travelers towards our chosen destination.

Attention: now, off to go. You need to take your seat, put on your seatbelt, and be ready for a long rideahead.

En-Route: Dealing with Turbulence

When you thought you were travelling smoothly, you suddenly experience turbulence, some unsteady movement because the plane passes through huge clouds, or maybe the weather is not that good. The course will suddenly havea180-degreeturnthatyouare not expecting to happen. During times like this, it is quite difficult to come up with a sound decision on some of our life’s dilemmas and transitions because we are torn between so many factors, like what would be morally right.What would appease others and, most importantly, what would make us ultimatelyhappy.

Just like when the pandemic started, who would have thought that it would cause such an enormous impact to the whole world? We also made a huge

adjustment from maintaining our closeness to other people to distancing ourselves from them.

In line with this, due to the circumstances, the majority of K–12 institutions moved to online teaching–learning to maintain continuity in the absence of inperson instruction. Although we are certified tiktokerist, the transition was not easy. Many people have been affected. More doors have closed and many have been struggling since then. Students are all affected by school and college closures. Numerous distance learning solutions have since been implemented across the nation. In addition to this paradigm shift in the way that studentsaretaughtandlearn,there are significant restrictions on their ability to go outside and maintain socialdistance.

Some activities at the university and schools that we wanted to participatein,suchastheuniversity ball, intramurals, seniors’ night, and band guests for an event, were no longer accessible. We have been emotionally, mentally, and physically challenged. Not to mention that not all students can afford to buy gadgets, have a fast internet connection, and other necessities needed to work or study at home. That soon resulted

in others having no choice but to stop their studies due to many circumstances.

This is the process where we also question ourselves and our capabilities. The once set-up mind becomes haywire again, back in the step of trying to figure things out.As graduation day draws near, some frequently doubt not only their future but also their course in life. We often think that we are not good enough to be where we are. So, know that you are in this world forareason.

You are born with a purpose. There may be times when you want to give up, but look at yourselfnow,you’vegotyoureyes

now, off to go. You need to take your seat, put on your seatbelt, and be ready for a long ride ahead.

on the prize. There will always be a sequel now that you are down to your last chapter. A new story for you to unfold. Nobody knows where we might end up; as stated in the speech of Nathaniel C. Mendoza, a Summa Cum Laude and the batch valedictorian, “Whenever we are and will be, always choose to do our best and to trust our hopes more than our doubts.”The world isn’t a stagnant world. One day, everything will turn upside down, even if someone manages to stop the world from spinning. Always keep your head held high, look upon the windows, and you will soon triumph against any turbulence along your way until smooth flies and serene skies areinsight.

Descend: Approach and Landing

We are now in our last phase. Graduation signifies the end of a journey and the accomplishment of an objective. A graduate will experience a range of emotions during this exciting time in their lives. While the majority of people view graduation as a memorable and exciting occasion, many neglect to acknowledge the other emotions that are triggered by this periodoftransition.

Graduation can evoke a variety of emotions, including those of loss, discouragement, and fear, in additiontofeelingsofanticipation, pride, and excitement.All that you are feeling is valid, and this is the confirmation that you are near to yourdestination.Yet,afterallthese struggles, you, as the first batch of the K12 program, have now graduated.

Finally, you will soon land, so be ready to explore the new surroundings that you are about to get yourself into. You had to say your goodbyes to the people who accompanied you on the ride. For now, you will have to part ways with them. It is now the time that you need to figure things out on your own.

Maybe you may not know where you are going, take a pause, then take a risk. Leaving your comfort zone is better than staying in the same environment where you are staying just the same and not growing.

Find your real purpose and why you are living. No matter how hard the journey is, you will surely miss it. You will never get those days back again, though it’s sad, it is what is supposed to happen. Expect that much turbulence will still come along your way but you must always remain steadfast. You

have your entire life to face. It is now your time to leave a mark on the world. Until then, continue soaringhigh.

Padayon, K-12 Pioneers! This is not yet the end, but rather the beginningofbiggerthingsthatyou are about to conquer, so be still and enjoy the ride.As of now, your plane has just successfully landed.

Padayon, K-12 Pioneers! This is not yet the end, but rather the beginning of bigger things that you are about to conquer, so be still and enjoy the ride.

As of now, your plane has just successfully landed.

Comics by Kay Patrick Tadeo

Yabut kins cap highest honors to lead DST grads

by Rodney Liwanag

PROVINGTO be steadier down to the culmination of their collegiate journey, cousins Gabriel O. Yabut andEllaizaY.Ducutforefrontedthe graduates of DHVSU Sto. Tomas (DST) Campus as they achieved Summa Cum Laude honors, to cap the five-day face-to-face joint commencement exercises.

Yabut centered his speech on highlighting the significance of the word"dreaming"asheexperienced the spitfires and pitfalls of life and turning pessimistic comments into motivation to do their ultimate.

“Dreaming tells us how we can change our lives even in a very small action, until, we reach our goals.All we need to do is to work hard,untilsomethinghappenedand change everything in our lives,” said Yabut as his co-graduates showered him a round of applause.

Aside from achieving Summa Cum Laude, Yabut also awarded as DST Campus’Rank 1 President Lister, Best Feasibility Presenter (3rd Research Colloquium), and Best Presenter in Research (3rd ResearchColloquium).

In addition, Yabut did not waste any single opportunity to express his heartfelt and utmost gratitude to his parents, especially his aunt, as he considered them, as a source ofmotivationandfinancialsupport in achieving all of his goals in life and achievements.

Yabut also extended his sincerest gratitudetohisfriends,classmates, DST Campus faculty, and the university for playing a significant role in motivating, guiding, and supporting him throughout his college journey.

Meanwhile, Gab’s cousin Ellaiza Y. Ducut also garnered the rarely achieved Summa Cum Laude as well as several awards - Best Business Research, Best Feasibility Study and Best Paper (3rd DSTC Research ColloquiumBusinessResearchCategory).

In a separate interviews, the cousins shared how being pioneers of online classes and the K-12 programhelpedthem.

“It gives us a better quality of education. It helps us acquire the necessary abilities for our chosen profession. It is also very helpful because it gives us the chance to

learn and gain experience that will beveryusefulinthefuture,”Ducut added in an interview online.

Having the same faith, the Yabut cousins grew in a marginalized familybutitdidnothinderthemto to strive harder in becoming one of the finest Honorians.

Furthermore, the now-Marketing degree holders gave some tips for allthesummaaspirants.

Gabriel cordially said, “Faith in God should not be lost and being a self-learner. You should also be transparent, dynamic, every time there is a change around you, you should adopt it where it will develop you and mold you even more.”

Conversely, according to Ducut, “Just do your best and remember to enjoy the journey. Everything will be easy if you love and enjoy what you are doing. Focus on your goals, have confidence in yourself, and remain motivated."

She also reminded her fellow Honorians to not be afraid of failing because the word “fail” has nothing to do with actual failures but it refers to one’s initial attempt atlearningsomething.

CBS holds in-per...

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themselves.

In a separate interview, Percival Rongcal Jr., magna cum laude from BS Business Administration banners his section no drop out and graduated 60 out of 60.

Rongcal also mentioned that Senior High School is definitely effective as SHS became a training ground, preparing and enlighteningstudentslikethemon what to expect in college.

Due to the influx of graduates it produced,CBSisthesoleprogram to conduct graduation rites for a whole day.

COUSINS ACT. Ellaiza Y. Ducut (left) and Gabriel O. Yabut (right) both made their family proud as they both graduated summa cum laude, the highest achievements for the DHVSU Sto. Tomas Campus this year. Contributed Photos.

page 16

paces, as before Henzon obtained his college degree, he worked as a service crew and a maintenance worker at McDonald’sMaimpisBranchfrom the year 2016 to date.

He reminisced that during his junior high school years, he was excelling in academics. However, the reality he had to endure exposed him to the labor force at an early age of 16, making him realize that life as a student is not only about being intellectually good, but it also requires strategy, perseverance, and even “kapal ng mukha.”

“I’m an AB+ student po noong nasa JHS ako, pero since nag-work po ako sa murang edad (na) 16, namulatpoakonahindipurotalino (lang), kailangan pong samahan ng diskarte, tiyaga, at kapal ng mukha,” Henzon elaborated.

The San Fernandino also quoted his favorite line fromAvicii’s song entitled The Nights, “One day, you’ll leave this world behind, so live a life you’ll remember,” emphasizing that what drives him to achieve greater heights is the fact that he does not want to gain zerofromlife.

Now, after he paced towards the

DHVSU stage last August 16 in his graduation, Henzon is already a degree holder of the said course hestudiedfor.

Unlocking the next level

In the latter part of the interview, Henzon highlighted that part of what he looks forward to after his graduationisbecomingsuccessful.

However, he clarified that more than the success of becoming rich, having an exquisite house, and owning a car, what he is fondly anticipating is genuine happiness bydoingthethingsheloves,trying things he hasn’t tried, and making worthwhile memories with the people who make him happy.

“Siguro po ‘yung pagiging successful ay part lang po ng goal ko, hindi po siya yung 100% na goal ko sa buhay, like yumaman, magkaroon ng magandang bahay, sasakyan etc. Kun’di, genuinely happiness po. Mahilig po akong magtravel, mag-try ng bagay na ‘di ko pa po nasusubukan, at magmake memories po kasama ‘yung mgataongnagpapasayasa’kin,”he

writing, the Facebook post

POST-GRAD ON CEMETERY. AJ Henzon (left), the Honorian behind the heartwarming post-graduation picture that went viral online (right), posts for a picture with his diploma while donning a toga on the grave of his late father in Good Shepherd Memorial Park in City of San Fernando. Photo from AJ Henzon

INDUSTRIALIST

MORE THAN FLYING COLORS

Honorian grad shares story behind viral ‘heartwarming post-graduation’ photo

Story by Patrick Bryan Porras

A story of perseverance, hope, diligence, and triumph is what lies behind the now-viral, heartwarming post-graduation photo of a DHVSU graduate.

AJ P. Henzon, 22, a Bachelor of Public Administration (BPA) graduate living in City of San Fernando, recently captured the hearts of netizens after a Facebook user named JR Lacap posted a photo of him in a cemetery, wearing his toga and holding his diploma.

In Lacap’s Facebook post, Henzon seemed to have stayed in the cemetery to visit his late loved one.

Henzon’s Haven

The BPA grad shared in a chat interview with The Industrialist that the person he had visited in Good Shepherd Memorial Park was his late father, whom he consideredashissanctuary.

“Sa viral photo po na ‘yun,

tatay ko po ‘yung pinuntahan ko. Hindi lang po sa dahil(an) na nakapagtapos po ako, (pero) pinupuntahan ko (rin) po siya kapagmaymgarantsakosabuhay, may mga ganap po ako sa buhay, (kahit na) small achievements,” he noted.

He added that he also visits the grave of his loved one on special occasions, including his father’s death anniversary—which is now in its 19th year, based on Henzon.

Moreover, the Honorian also said that on the day he stopped over at the cemetery, it was coincidental that two of his friends, Joyce Pahimnayan and Cristina Vitug, were at the bathroom when his viral picture was taken by Lacap.

Working-student now degree holder

At the back of the viral photoisalsoanindependent working student who has beenputthroughhis

Official Student Publication of Don Honorio Ventura State University