[Top] University Registrar Karen Joyce Cayamanda, Chancellor Lyre Anni Murao, Exec. Vice-President Jose Fernando Alcantara; [Middle] Summa cum laude Meluzvia Marie Amora; [Bottom] Graduates of the Class of 2023 transfer their Sablay from the right to the left shoulder, to signify their graduation.

Ms. Meluzvia Marie Amora of the BS Food Technology program leads the UP Mindanao Class of 2023 as class valedictorian. Ms. Amora earned a Cumulative Weighted Average Grade (CWAG) of 1.1460, within the range of 1.000-1.2000, based on the highest possible grade of 1.00, earning her the Latin honor of summa cum laude. 

She is UP Mindanao’s third summa cum laude and also the third from the BS Food Technology program. Her thesis was on "Ultrathin Polyelectrolyte/AgNP Film as a Potential Antibacterial Surface Coating."

The Class of 2023 also has 57 magna cum laude. Each earned a CWAG within the 1.021-1.45 range. The Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Arts program leads with 15 magna cum laude, followed by the Bachelor of Science in Food Technology with 13 magna cum laude and the Bachelor of Arts in English with nine magna cum laude.

They are followed by 99 cum laude or students who earned a CWAG within the 1.4501-1.75 range. The Bachelor of Science in Biology program leads with 25 cum laude, followed by Bachelor of Science in Architecture with 20 cum laude, and Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Media Arts with 15 cum laude. 

The speakers at the 25th Commencement Exercises sent off the Class of 2023 with the highest hopes for nation-building in Mindanao. 

In his message to the graduates, UP President Angelo Jimenez said, "I call on you to take on the moral responsibility of an Iskolar ng Bayan and to give back to the nation and the region that nurtured you. Be humble enough to learn from others, be patient enough to understand the diversity of our needs and realities, and be empathetic to the struggles of those who are not like you, especially the voiceless and marginalized."

Commencement speaker Mr. Ronald Mascariñas said, "As you embark on your respective path, strive to make a positive impact.  Be the catalysts for change and progress that our country needs.  Seek opportunities to bridge gaps, uplift the marginalized, and foster inclusivity."

UP Mindanao Chancellor Lyre Ani Murao, for her part, pointed to the Sablay, the garment worn over the shoulder of a UP graduate. 

"Palagi nating tatandaan na ang Sablay ay isa ring biyaya, isang pribilehiyo na may kaakibat na responsibilidad upang magdulot ng kagandahan sa ating bayan at sa mundo. Higit pa sa talino ay ang inyong kapangyarihan upang makaimpluwensiya o makapagpabago ng buhay, makapaghubog ng mundo, at makapaglikha ng isang mas maliwanag na hinaharap kung saan ang lahat ay kasapi. Mabubuo ito sa tulong ng inyong kabutihan, integridad, at malasakit, bilang mga mamamayan na ang nais ay maiangat ang kapwa at hindi ang personal na ambisyon."

Summa cum laude Amora, in her valedictory speech, said, "Bilang pagtatapos, nawa’y dala dala natin na ang ating mundo ay mas malaki at mas kumplikado kaysa sa mga larangan kung saan pinili mong magtapos. Tayong lahat ay may pananagutan. Hindi lang ikaw, kundi pati mga magulang at mga guro natin. Maaaring kakailanganin ang iyong katalinuhan, pagkamalikhain, puso’t imahinasyon upang linangin ang mundong ating ginagalawan."

Chancellor Murao led the awarding of diplomas, assisted by Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs Annabelle Novero and University Registrar Karen Joyce Cayamanda. Alumni Regent Robert Lester Arancon, Executive Vice President Jose Fernando Alcantara, and Vice President for Administration Nestor Yunque were among the witnesses to the awarding. UP Media and Public Relations Office Director Sir Anril Tiatco and Padayon Public Service Director Cherish Aileen Brillon completed the UP System delegation.

View the YouTube livestream here: https://tinyurl.com/UPMin-25th-Graduation