Moreover, WU-P conferred the Doctor of Humanities ‘Honoris Causa’ to Mr. Mike M. Baydoun, Chairman of the Board of World Medical Relief, and Doctor of Laws ‘Honoris Causa’ to Hon. Leila Norma Eulalia Josefa M. De Lima, Member of the House of Representatives, the guest speakers of the General Commencement Exercises held in the morning and afternoon sessions, respectively. The honorary degree, the highest recognition the university can bestow, was granted by the authority of the Board of Trustees and upon the recommendation of the Academic Council, and approval from the Commission on Higher Education and Legal Education Board.
“Faith that even in the darkest hour, a single act of service can light a fire of hope. This is the kind of faith that does not (only) reside in prayers,” Baydoun said in his message.
De Lima, on the other hand, shared inspiration through her experience, saying “At sa lahat ng iyon, natutunan ko na ang tunay na lakas ng tao ay hindi nakikita sa anyo o sa katawan kundi sa diwang hindi sumusuko. Isang diwang kaya pa ring magningning sa gitna ng pinakamadilim na gabi. At tandaan ninyo, ang mga bituin ay hindi nagniningning sa liwanag ng araw kundi sa dilim ng gabi. Kaya, sa panahong nadadaan kayo sa kadiliman, huwag matakot dahil doon mismo kayo magsisimula kumislap.”
The college class valedictorian, Kristoffer Ban L. Cabiles, a Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Social Studies graduate, delivered addresses on the true meaning of excellence by being a good, decent individual and of interconnectedness or humanity toward others in light of the African philosophy Ubuntu (I am because we are).
“Ang tunay na mahusay ay mapagbigay sapagkat ang tunay na mahusay ay nag-uumapaw; hindi kailangang magdamot—nag-uumapaw sa kaalaman, sa kabutihan, at sa pang-unawa. Ang tunay na mahusay ay hindi ipagdadamot ang kanyang sarili sapagkat ibabahagi niya ito. Ang tunay na mahusay ay magpakumbaba sapagkat batid niya na ang rurok ng tagumpay ay hindi pala isang hantungan. Hindi siya alipin ng palakpak o kinikilala lamang dahil sa taas ng kanyang naabot. Samakatuwid, ang tunay na mahusay ay may puso,” Cabiles said.
Graduate School valedictorian Jerwin D. Asuncion, Master of Education in Social Studies Education, also reflected on perseverance and faith as the foundation of success.
“Doon ko napatunayan na, oo, libre lang ang mangarap, ngunit mahal ang paglalakbay. Puno ito ng takot, pagod, at luha. Ngunit sa bawat paghakbang, dito natin natutunan ang kahalagahan ng pagtitiyaga, pananampalataya, at muling pagtindig, dahil ang tunay na pangarap ay hindi nasusukat sa bilis ng pag-abot kundi sa tapang at tibay ng loob ng naglalakbay,” Asuncion shared.
To accommodate the large number of graduates, the University held two sessions: the morning program for the graduates of the College of Nursing (CON), College of Allied Medical Sciences (CAMS), College of Engineering and Computer Technology (CECT), College of Education (COED), College of Hospitality and Tourism Management (CHTM), Wesley Divinity School, and the College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE); and the afternoon program for the graduates of the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business and Accountancy, Graduate School, and John Wesley School of Law and Governance
The events continue with the Clustered Recognition and Awarding of Diplomas, including hooding ceremonies from August 27–29, 2025.
by Ayumi San Cai Valerio (PIO)
Photos by Lenscab Photography
