Latest news with #114thGeneralCommencementExercises
Filipino Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Filipino Times
Jessica Soho inspires UP graduates with bold, heartfelt commencement speech
Award-winning Kapuso journalist Jessica Soho returned to her alma mater, the University of the Philippines Diliman, as the keynote speaker during its 114th General Commencement Exercises. In a stirring address, she reminded the graduates of the privilege and responsibility of being an 'Iskolar ng Bayan.' 'Eh ano ngayon kung UP ka?' she challenged. Soho urged graduates not to see the question as an insult, but as a reminder to use their voices and education for the greater good. She called on the Class of 2025, many of whom began their academic journey during the pandemic, to become agents of hope and change. 'With your voice, baka naman, meron nang pag-asa. Sana, kayo ang matagal nang hinihintay na pagbabago.' Soho emphasized empathy and social connection, reflecting on the Filipino values of loob and kapwa, saying: 'Hindi mo puwedeng sabihing maganda ang loob mo kung wala kang malasakit sa kapwa.' The veteran journalist also reflected on her own career, sharing how real-life relationships led her to powerful stories like her award-winning exposé 'Kidneys for Sale,' which influenced national policy on organ trafficking. She recounted her coverage of major events—from local tragedies like the 1990 Baguio earthquake and Super Typhoon Yolanda to global conflicts in Afghanistan and Israel. Soho urged graduates to stay grounded, ask questions, and use their privilege and tools to serve society. She ended her speech with a powerful challenge: 'Go rock the world!'
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
20 years later, Atom Araullo gets his graduation moment with parents at UP Cebu
After skipping his own college graduation 20 years ago, Atom Araullo finally had his sablay moment at the University of the Philippines Cebu. On Facebook, the Kapuso journalist revealed that he didn't attend his graduation ceremony in 2005 because "tinatamad lang talaga ako." Admittedly, he failed to realize back then that the ceremony's significance was not just for him but for his parents. "Ang hindi ko naisip noon, para rin sana ang araw na 'yon sa mga magulang nating ilang taon nagsakripisyo para maitawid ang pag-aaral natin," he wrote. Two decades later, Atom made up for it by joining the 2025 graduating class of UP Cebu, not as a student but as the keynote speaker. And this time, he brought his parents along. "Kaya kahapon, nang maanyayahan akong maging graduation speaker sa UP Cebu, isinama ko na sina Mama at Papa," he said. "First time ko rin magsuot ng sablay—ang opisyal na academic costume ng UP. O 'di ba, parang nag-march na rin ako… 20 years delayed nga lang!" he added. He ended the post with a warm thank you to the university and a powerful reminder to the graduates. "Daghang salamat, University of the Philippines Cebu, sa pagkakataon,"he said. "At isang taos-pusong pagpupugay sa lahat ng nagsipagtapos. Paglingkuran ang bayan!" Meanwhile, Jessica Soho also served as a keynote speaker at the 114th General Commencement Exercises of the University of the Philippines Diliman on Sunday. Previously, Atom and Jessica were among the guest speakers at an industry roundtable organized by the Asian Academy of Creative Arts, where they shared their purpose as journalists and the importance of telling the stories of underprivileged and marginalized communities. —Hermes Joy Tunac/MGP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Health
- GMA Network
Jessica Soho challenges UP Diliman graduates to be worthy of being 'Iskolar ng Bayan'
Jessica Soho delivered an inspiring keynote speech at the 114th General Commencement Exercises of the University of the Philippines Diliman on Sunday. The veteran Kapuso broadcast journalist returned to her alma mater not only to celebrate the graduates' academic achievements but also to issue a call to action on the honor and responsibility of being an "Iskolar ng Bayan." "Eh ano ngayon kung UP kayo?" Soho asked. "Kapag may nagsabi sa inyo nito, don't be triggered, don't take it as an insult, but a gentle nudge, challenge or reminder na, 'Yes, UP tayo, what a blessing, but it is also a responsibility.'" Soho encouraged the Class of 2024, many of whom began college during the pandemic, to keep using their voices to inspire change. "With your voice, baka naman, may pag-asa na. Maybe you are the change we've long been waiting for," she said. She also urged graduates to stay connected to their communities, echoing the Filipino values of "loob" and "kapwa." "Hindi mo puwedeng sabihing maganda ang loob mo kung wala kang malasakit sa kapwa," she said. "UP and society must go hand in hand. We are not above the people, we are part of them," she added. The "Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho" journalist reminded the crowd that inspiration often comes from real-life stories. She shared how relationships helped her uncover some of the most important reports in her career. She recalled her award-winning investigative piece, "Kidneys for Sale," which exposed how impoverished Filipinos in Tondo were selling their organs to survive. "I would not have stumbled on another story if an old acquaintance did not trust me enough to lead me and my team to one of the poorest neighborhoods in Tondo, where poor men sell their kidneys," she said. "Because of our exposé, the government now regulates kidney donations. Bawal na, diumano, ang kidneys for sale," she added. "Update: marami pa rin ang nagbebenta ng kidney." Throughout her 40-year career, Soho also highlighted some of her most memorable media coverages, including the Afghanistan war in 2002, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the 1990 Baguio earthquake, the Ormoc flash floods in 1991, and Super Typhoon Yolanda in 2013. Soho also said that studying at UP means connecting the learning to the realities of life. "To be humble and thankful. Oo UP kayo, huwag maging mayabang. Magpasalamat. Maging mapagkumbaba. Stay grounded. Hindi tayo naiba o nakaangat kung 'di kaisa ng komunidad at ng lipunan," she said. "Relationships are important. Your lives will be richer if you include people who are not like you," she added. "Reach out to more people, get out of your own circles or silos or echo chambers." "Sa panahon ngayon na lahat tayo meron nang boses, na puwede pang i-amplify o palakasin sa pamamagitan ng social media, kailangan din nating makinig and listen well." As she concluded her speech, Soho urged graduates to keep asking questions, disrupt what is broken, and use their privilege for good. "You have the skills, the tools, and technology. Use them for good. But yes, toughen up," she said. "No one becomes an expert overnight, and to learn is to fail. So keep trying, don't crumble," she added. Soho ended with a short but powerful message of encouragement to the graduates: "Go rock the world!" —Hermes Joy Tunac/Mariel Celine Serquina/MGP, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
3 days ago
- General
- Filipino Times
UP Diliman to confer latin honors on 2,369 graduates in 2025
The University of the Philippines has announced that 2,369 students from its Diliman campus will graduate with Latin honors, as announced by the Office of the University Registrar. Of these honorees, 241 will be awarded summa cum laude, 1,143 will graduate magna cum laude, and 985 will receive cum laude distinctions. The criteria for these honors are based on weighted average grades (WGA): summa cum laude requires 1.20 or higher, magna cum laude 1.45 or higher, and cum laude 1.75 or higher. In comparison, the 2024 graduation saw 286 summa cum laude, 1,109 magna cum laude, and 788 cum laude recipients. Altogether, more than 5,000 students are graduating from UP Diliman this year. The 114th General Commencement Exercises will be held at 7 a.m. at the University Amphitheater, carrying the theme 'Lunas', a call for healing through knowledge and public service. Broadcast journalist and GMA News anchor Jessica Soho, a proud alumna of UP's College of Media and Communication, will serve as the guest speaker. Graduating student Mark Andy Pedere, who earned a WGA of 1.066 under the Philippine Studies program, will deliver the valedictory address on behalf of the graduates. This milestone adds to the university's continued streak of excellence, including recent top finishes in the April 2025 Electronics Engineer licensure exam and its consistent recognition as the country's top university according to EduRank.
GMA Network
4 days ago
- General
- GMA Network
241 UP Diliman students to graduate summa cum laude in 2025
A total of 2,369 students will be graduating with Latin honors from the University of the Philippines Diliman on Sunday. According to the UP Diliman Registrar's Office, 241 students will graduate summa cum laude, 1,143 will finish magna cum laude, and 985 will graduate cum laude. Graduates with a weighted average grade (WGA) of 1.20 or higher receive summa cum laude; those with a WGA of 1.45 or higher earn magna cum laude; and those with a WGA of 1.75 or higher achieve cum laude. In 2024, 286 graduated summa cum laude, 1,109 earned magna cum laude, and 788 finished cum laude. More than 5,000 students will be receiving their academic degrees from UP's flagship campus in 2025. UP Diliman College of Media and Communication alumna and GMA Integrated News pillar Jessica Soho will be the guest speaker during the 114th General Commencement Exercises. Mark Andy Pedere (Philippine Studies), who earned the WGA of 1.066, will deliver a speech on behalf of the graduates. The ceremony, which will begin at 7 a.m. at the University Amphitheater, features the theme 'Lunas,' which aims to encourage graduates to expand the body of knowledge and embody the true meaning of "university." —Jiselle Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News
