The 水果视频 bids farewell to its 7795 newly minted Thomasian alumni from the degree-granting units in the Baccalaureate Mass 2024 held on May 31, 2024, at the UST Grandstand and Open Field.
This year, UST produced 11,878 Thomasian alumni, including those from the basic education units.
The pandemic batch
Acting Rector and Vice-Rector Rev. fr. Isaias D. Tiongco, O.P., JCD, paid tribute to the pandemic batch he dubbed as ‘pioneers of a new era,’ for their academic journey in UST started in a time of great uncertainty, but they proved to embody and display Thomasian Excellence against difficulties.
“The sudden shift to online learning, the absence of traditional campus life, and the need for constant adaptation tested your limits, yet you rose to the occasion. Despite overwhelming odds, you transformed your homes into classrooms, turned virtual spaces into communities, and maintained your commitment to learning,” fr. Tiongco said.
Outgoing Central Student Council president Ierathel Tabuno delivered her message on behalf of her fellow graduates. “Despite the doubts, the what-ifs, the ‘almosts’ and the ‘fails,’ there [were] people that believed in us from the start, even if we ourselves would not have thought that we had come this far when we started,鈥� Tabuno said.
After the mass, the graduates took part in the ceremony of light that represents UST’s mission of illuminating the world through the light of education and evangelization. The flame that originates from the torch of the Presider, fr. Tiongco, was passed on to the torches of the Deans and Regents of the academic units, and they in turn passed these to the students, until only candlelight pierced the darkness of the Open Field.
Each graduating student was given a Thomasian Mission Cross, a reminder to stay true to Thomasian ideals, even after they leave UST. A recitation of the Thomasian Pledge of Loyalty followed the blessing and imposition of the crosses.
After the post-Mass Program, the graduating students symbolically left the University in the traditional recessional parade where they exited through the historic Arch of the Centuries–the original gateway of the University when the campus was still in Intramuros–signifying the completion of their student life in UST.
Fr. Tiongco and Secretary-General Rev. fr. Louie R. Coronel, O.P., EHL, with the administrative and academic officials, ushered the graduates at the Arch to cap their journey in UST and embark on a new chapter in their lives as professionals.
