“Don’t let fear defeat or paralyze us. Be bold, take risks.” Senator Ana Theresia “Risa” Navarro Hontiveros-Baraquel told UP Cebu’s Class of 2024 on July 5. The UP Cebu 85th Commencement Exercises kicked off the UP System’s graduation season this year.
In her commencement address, she also assured the 386-strong graduating class that “rejections can be turned into redirections” as she narrated her journey from aspiring to become an actress in musical theater to entering politics and becoming an advocate and lawmaker.
The class valedictorian. Jethro Sia Modequillo (BS Computer Science, summa cum laude), likewise wished for his fellow graduates to “be open to failure” and to draw lessons from their setbacks since they are part of the learning process. “I strongly believe that people can do better when they do so without expectations, when they’re given space to succeed, and fail, and explore, and learn. . . because making mistakes means you’re actively engaged in the process of learning.”
Practicing self-care
Hontiveros-Baraquel and Modequillo emphasized that practicing self-care was also necessary in order for an Iskolar ng Bayan to be able to serve the people.
“Put your health and wellbeing first. Otherwise, you risk burnout, stress, and decreased efficiency in all that you do. Prioritizing yourself is key to maintaining the emotional, physical, and mental capacity you need to serve our Inang Bayan, to give back to the community, and [to] contribute to our nation’s progress,” Hontiveros-Baraquel said.
Modequillo recounted his struggles with burnout and resentment because of his fear of failure, saying he wished he was “more forgiving” to himself. “The only way you can avoid mistakes is if you never challenge yourself, never expand your horizons, and never achieve your potential.”
The calling to serve the people
Beyond the pursuit of honor and excellence, Modequillo hoped that, whatever careers his fellow graduates may choose upon leaving the halls of UP Cebu, they would strive to “make this nation a better place with what they’ve learned.”
“Every time you look at your degree, I hope you remember the hundred million Filipinos who are the reason that we get to wear this Sablay on our shoulders, and the reason why this University exists.”
Ed Tejano Caitum (BA Psychology), former UP Cebu University Student Council Vice Chair, led the traditional lightning rally during the commencement ceremony, calling on his fellow graduates to dedicate their lives to advancing social change.
“Mga Iskolar ng Bayan, we are not defined solely by our diplomas and Sablays: we are defined by our choices on which side of history we’re going to stand and whose interests we are going to serve. We are defined by our lifetime calling to serve the people,” Catium urged.Apart from Modequillo, there were four other summa cum laude graduates in UP Cebu’s honor roll of 254. Also included were 71 magna cum laude graduates, 166 cum laude graduates, and 12 Master’s degree graduates with distinction.
