Commencement Address of the UPLB Chancellor to the 120 #ProudViscans of the Graduate Education

To the President of Visayas State University, Dr. Prose Ivy Yepes; members of the Board of Regents; distinguished administrators, faculty, and staff; proud parents and families; and most importantly, to the Graduate Education Class of 2025- congratulations, and good morning to all of you!

It is a distinct honor and privilege to address such an accomplished group of graduates and to join you in celebrating this momentous milestone in your academic and professional journeys.

Let me begin by thanking the VSU community for this opportunity— to stand before you and share in this meaningful occasion as you reach a milestone that is as hard-earned as it is well-deserved.

It is humbling to be in the company of scholars, professionals, and lifelong learners who, today, complete a significant chapter in both their academic and personal lives.

Graduate school is not simply a continuation of learning.

It is a choice— a deliberate and often demanding one.

Many of you pursued this path while working full-time, caring for families, responding to community needs, or rebuilding in the aftermath of a pandemic or natural disasters.

Yet here you are—graduates, survivors, trailblazers.

Your presence today speaks volumes.

It shows that you did not settle for what was easy.

You chose rigor over routine, purpose over comfort, and the long road of mastery over the shortcuts of convenience.

And so, allow me to speak to you not just as a university administrator, but as someone who understands the power of perseverance— and the profound promise of education.

Like many of you, I come from a rural community, and I know what it means to dream big in places that may seem small to others.

I also know that higher education, when anchored in the right values, can transform not just lives, but entire communities.

My own journey —from barrio schoolrooms to becoming the Chancellor of UPLB— is living proof that it is possible to dream beyond one's immediate circumstances, and that education can truly be the bridge between humble beginnings and meaningful, even global, contributions.

You are earning your postgraduate degrees today.

This is no ordinary feat.

It takes extraordinary discipline, determination, and deep personal commitment to complete a postgraduate program.

Whether you pursued your degree while balancing professional work, raising families, or responding to the many uncertainties brought about by a post-pandemic world— today stands as a testament to your resilience and your unyielding pursuit of growth and excellence.

You are here not simply to earn a credential, but to deepen your knowledge, sharpen your skills, and expand your capacity to make a meaningful difference.

And that brings me to the heart of what I wish to share with you today.

As you step into this next chapter, I invite you to carry with you four principles that have guided me throughout my own academic and professional journey—Sustain your dreams. Be strong. Be agents of positive change. And always practice humility.

First: Sustain your dreams.

Your dream brought you here— to this very moment of celebration and fulfillment.

But do not let it stop here.

Let this degree be not the culmination of a journey, but the launchpad of a greater one.

Sustaining your dream means continually refining your purpose, expanding your vision, and taking concrete steps to turn your aspirations into reality.

Ask yourselves: What more can I contribute? How else can I serve?

Let your dreams evolve, grow deeper, and reach further.

Even when the world seems overwhelming, your dreams can ground you and guide you.

So nurture them, commit to them, and take action every single day that brings you closer to them.

Second: Be strong.

Postgraduate work teaches us that intelligence is only one part of success.

Grit, discipline, and emotional resilience often matter just as much— sometimes more.

In the real world, there will be moments of uncertainty.

The economy may fluctuate, institutions may shift, and you will likely face setbacks.

But remember—strength is not about never falling—it is about rising each time you do.

Build your strength not just in your expertise, but also in your character.

Strength that is grounded in empathy, integrity, and a sense of purpose will carry you far.

Third: Be agents of positive change.

Visayas is home to vibrant cultures, proud histories, and resilient communities.

And you, as scholars from this region, hold within you the potential to lead in ways that reflect those values.

As holders of advanced degrees, you now carry an even greater responsibility—not just to succeed for yourselves, but to uplift others.

Our country and our world need leaders who think critically, act ethically, and serve compassionately.

Whether you are researchers, educators, healthcare professionals, public servants, entrepreneurs, or advocates— let your work be a force for equity, sustainability, and human dignity.

Let your leadership empower others. Let your knowledge solve real problems.

Your expertise must not remain in journals, reports, or office cubicles— it must live and breathe in communities.

Your knowledge should not elevate you above others but bring you closer to those you aim to serve.

And fourth: Practice humility.

No degree no— matter how advanced - should take away our ability to listen, to learn, and to be corrected.

As scholars and professionals, your openness to learning will be your greatest strength and your greatest gift to others.

The most brilliant minds are often those who ask the most questions and show the greatest willingness to collaborate and grow with others.

Stay grounded in your values.

Be grateful to those who supported you—your families, mentors, peers, and all those who made sacrifices so you can reach this point.

Humility does not diminish you.

In fact, it elevates you—because it invites others in, it keeps you open to learning, and it allows you to lead with authenticity and wisdom.

Dear graduates, as you leave the halls of Visayas State University, I hope you carry with you not only what you have learned, but why you learned it—to contribute to progress, to uplift lives, and to shape a future that is more just, inclusive, and sustainable.

Remember— your journey is not just for personal advancement, but for the public good.

Your story does not end here.

It continues - in boardrooms, in classrooms, in laboratories, on farms, in hospitals, and in policy spaces.

Your success will not only be measured by the titles you earn or the positions you attain, but by the lives you touch, the communities you improve, and the legacy you build.

Wherever your path leads, may you walk it with clarity, courage, and compassion.

Once again, my warmest congratulations to the Visayas State University Graduate Education Class of 2025— and to the families, faculty, and administrators who have supported them every step of the way.

Mabuhay and Visayas State University!

Mabuhay kayong lahat!

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