“USE everything you have learned in and out of school.”
This was the advice given by Mayor Honey Lacuna to all the graduating students of the Universidad de Manila, where she served as the guest of honor and speaker in two separate graduation cere,onied held at the UDM yesterday.
In her speech, Lacuna thanked UDM President Dr. Ma. Felma Carlos-Tria, other university officials, deans, members of the faculty, non-teaching personnel, the parents, and the graduating students in attendance and congratulated all of them for a job well done which culminated in the said graduation rites.
“I would like to greet you all – CONGRATULATIONS! To the entire UDM Batch 2022 and everyone who made this possible for you our dear students to finally fulfill your dreams of obtaining a diploma from your chosen field. Bukod sa inyo na mga magsisipagtapos, binabati ko rin ang buong UDM community, dahil sa pagsisikap nilang maitawid kayo sa mapanghamong panahon, na sa kabila ng pandemiya ay naipagpatuloy pa rin ang pagbibigay ng pagkakataon na maturuan, magabayan, at maisakatuparan ang paglilinang ng inyong karunungan at kasanayan,” she said.
The mayor cite the UDM for having efficiently carriedout online classes and having a synchronous and asynchronous format of learning.
UDM has adopted new methods to still provide students with the knowledge, information and skills that they need, Lacuna said.
“Hinamon tayo ng pandemyang ito na tanggapin ang mga makabuluhang pagbabago sa mga pamantayan ng ating pang-araw-araw na pamumuhay. Lalo tayong pinatatag sa pagharap sa mga kalamidad, trahedya, kaguluhan, at lahat ng kahirapan. Patuloy tayong nanindigan at itinaas ang ating mga ulo upang ituloy ang ating mga layunin at maabot ang ating mga pangarap,” Lacuna added.
The lady mayor also congratulated the parents and guardians and the whole family of the graduates, for having given the latter much love and support and for standing by ythem during those years that they are so preoccupied with so many home works, projects, research, reports, presentations and so many other related activities.
“…Na kahit minsan ay ginagawa pa ninyong dahilan ang pag-aaral upang huwag lamang kayong mautusan sa mga gawaing bahay, ipinadama pa rin sa inyo ng inyong pamilya ang kanilang pag-unawa at malasakit,” she said in jest.
Lacuna said that every graduation is aproduct of the combined effort, perseverance, support and care of all the units involved in a student’s learning journey.
“Ipinakita sa pagtatapos ninyong ito ang resulta ng pagtutulungan at pagsasanib puwersa ng lahat ng may kaugnayan sa pagbibigay sa inyo ng pagkakataong maabot ang inyong mga pangarap sa buhay,” Lacuna stated.
In ending, she expressed hope and called on the students to use their knowledge and what they have learned to improve themlseves and help their respective families, communities and the country in general.
“Ngayon na ang panahon upang ganap na ninyong maitaguyod ang inyong sarili at mahanap ang pinaka-angkop na lugar ninyo sa ating lipunan ayon sa inyong mga napiling larangan. At huwag nating kalimutang ibalik ang karangalan, kaluwalhatian at pasasalamat sa ating Poong Maykapal sa lahat ng biyayang ibinuhos sa atin,” the mayor said. (Baby Cuevas)
