By: Mary Glidyl P. Nuñez
Just like last year, Capiz State University opted to hold the 17th Commencement Exercises virtually, July 30, for big mass gathering like graduation is not yet allowed due to COVID-19.
Through Facebook live stream of the CAPSU Public Information Office, the 1,030 graduates heard the confirmation of their graduation and conferment of their respective degrees by the University President Editha C. Alfon.
| Dr. Alfon confirms the graduation of Class of 2021.
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The momentous occasion was graced virtually by Commissioner J. Prospero E. De Vera III, Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education, who gave an inspirational message, and Honorable Fredenil H. Castro, Capiz’s 2nd District Representative, who served as the commencement speaker.
| Commisioner De Vera delivers his inspirational message.
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De Vera expressed his sympathy with the graduates who would have wanted to experience a live graduation in college but commended them for overcoming the challenges brought about by the pandemic and continued their studies despite the obstacles and limitations.
Just like the graduates and University who were able “to courageously respond to the needs of the times, move forward as one and rise above the challenges,” De Vera said that the Commission on Higher Education “acted quickly and conscientiously at the onset of the pandemic and devised ways to allow continued access to quality education through flexible mode of learning.”
Amid the pandemic, De Vera was able to visit various universities and colleges in the country. This gave him the opportunity to talk and mingle with the students, teachers and employees.
“I heard stories of struggles in the midst of the pandemic. We recognize the diligence, patience and hard work of both the administrators, the faculty, the staff and most important, the students, for not allowing the pandemic to ruin your dreams and aspirations,” he said.
De Vera also shared the inspiring stories of the Tertiary Education Subsidy (TES) grantees.
Among them were siblings Maria and Remegio Escudero from Tibiao, Atique who are studying at the University of Antique. Their family survives in selling balut but lost their means of livelihood when the pandemic struck.
The TES they received in May 2020 had helped them a lot because after buying all that they needed in their studies, they used the remaining amount to revive the small business they lost during the pandemic.
When De Vera was in Cebu, he met another TES beneficiary named Rinamae Nuñez. She used her first subsidy for the installation of electricity in their house. From her second subsidy, she was able to buy her first cellphone in her life, and from the third subsidy, she bought a second-hand laptop for herself and her brother.
“She continues to study to better herself. She will be the first in her family to get a college education,” De Vera shared.
Another TES beneficiary he met was Catherine Eje who used her subsidy to put up a sari-sari store and to repair the roof of their house after buying her needs for flexible learning.
De Vera was also hopeful to meet soon some of the TES beneficiaries at Capiz State University.
The CHED Chairman considers the success stories from their scholars a proof that the free higher education is a success.
“These stories of success from our scholars are the reason why this year we claim victory for free higher education,” he declared. “These stories are proof that the Duterte administration prioritizes free and quality education for our young people.”
He proudly and happily announced that even in the midst of the pandemic, more than 1.6 million Filipinos in more than 200 public universities continued to receive quality higher education for free.
To highlight his message, De Vera claimed that the Free Higher Education under R.A. No. 10931, the “most important social legislation in the history of higher education,” is a success.
To the graduates, De Vera expressed his optimism that after as they leave the portals of their University they will become “active contributors to national growth and the competitiveness of our county.”
On the other hand, to begin his commencement address, Castro mentioned about the efforts to establish Capiz State University with the purpose of bringing opportunity for Capizeños to become educated through a university just within the province, especially to children and parents who are less in material wealth.
Castro likens Capiz State University to a rice field that produces sturdy graduates who are disciplined, committed, intelligent, with ability and ambition for a bright and prosperous future.
According to Castro, Capiz State University is successful for every year it is able to produce quality graduates.
He encouraged all the graduates of the University including those who graduated years ago not to doubt reaching their dreams because of the pandemic. He believes that all of them are prepared to fight the challenges brought by COVID-19 and the difficult situation.
For him, the intelligence, preparation, discipline and right direction with the Lord will bring them to their success.
He wanted the graduates to always remember that they owe the success they achieved or will achieve in the future to the good governance of Capiz State University.
| Congressman Castro conveys his message to the graduates in his commencement address.
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Coming up the stage to receive their diplomas is what graduates have dreamed of since they stepped into the University. Though this did not happen, they somehow found consolation while their names were called one by one and their pictures displayed on the screen.
The 55 graduates of CAPSU Mambusao Satellite College composed of 11 BS Food Technology, and 44 BS Computer Science rejoiced after hearing their names and seeing their pictures flashed on the screen.
To express their gratitude to the University, their mentors, their parents and all the people behind their success, Jasmin D. Arraya, a Cum Laude graduate of Bachelor of Secondary Education major in TLE from Roxas City Main Campus, was tasked to deliver words of gratitude on behalf of the graduates.
Knowing that the graduates were joining their graduation online, Dr. Fortunato A. Azarcon, CAPSU Alumni Association President, sworn the graduates into the Association.
Finally, on behalf of the graduates, Dr. Charlie V. Dublon, Doctor of Education graduate from Pontevedra Campus, led his fellow graduates in their pledge of loyalty to their Alma Mater.
As practiced, the graduation exercises concluded with the singing of the CAPSU March.