Marking a major academic and personal milestone, 1,421 graduates took center stage during the 46th Commencement Exercises of the University of Southeastern Philippines Obrero Campus held at the University Gymnasium and Cultural Center (UGCC) on June 27, 2025.
The ceremonies were held in two parts: the morning program for graduates from the Graduate Schools, and the afternoon program for the undergraduate programs, respectively.

President Gabales: A call to serve with impact

In both ceremonies, University President Dr. Bonifacio G. Gabales, Jr. delivered his message, commending the Class of 2025 for their determination, sacrifices, and perseverance. He acknowledged the unique journeys of the graduates, many of whom overcame personal, financial, and academic hurdles.

“You graduate today not just to make a living, but to make a life that gives, a life that contributes, and a life that endures. At USeP, we measure success not only by output, but by impact,” Dr. Gabales said. He emphasized that a USeP degree is more than a credential. “As you move forward,” he added, “may you never lose sight of why you began this journey. Let your knowledge be used not to widen the gap, but to close it; not to accumulate power, but to empower others; not for personal ambition alone, but for shared progress.”

He also shared key institutional milestones, including USeP’s performance in the recent licensure examinations and the topnotchers in the fields of education, engineering, and accountancy; consistent upward trajectory in national and international rankings such as QS Asia, UI GreenMetric, and the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.

“These are not just numbers,” he noted. “They show that USeP is a regional university with national impact and global ambition.”
He closed his message with a call to action: “Build not only a career, but a life of meaning. Serve not only for achievement, but for impact. Rise not just for yourself, but for others. Mindanao, the Philippines, and beyond need your voice, your vision, and your values.”

Graduate School Commencement

The morning program honored 166 graduate students across disciplines, including law, education, business administration, science, and economics. Dr. Anthony M. Penaso, President of Bohol Island State University and current President of both the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP) and the National Network of Quality Assurance Agencies (NNQAA), served as Commencement Speaker.

Reflecting on his own journey as a doctoral student at USeP, Dr. Penaso recalled the long hours, the doubts, and the difficult days. “I went through all the rigors of education here,” he shared, “but I was also reminded that it is not the degree itself that transforms our lives—it is the person we become in the process of earning it.”

He reminded the graduates that their presence at the ceremony was not a result of chance or luck, but of deliberate decisions—the choice to stay, to fight, and to finish.

Dr. Penaso challenged the Class of 2025 to reject complacency. “Mediocrity has no place in the business of shaping institutions and transforming lives,” he said. “To be mediocre is to be average. And if you’re average, you’re the best among the worst and the worst among
the best. That is why mediocrity is a sin.”

He also emphasized the importance of being proud of one’s roots. “You can leave USeP, but USeP will not leave you,” he declared. “Giving back to USeP is not about coming back here with your awards and recognitions you received— it is about making this University impossible to ignore; it’s about making your successes so loud, so disruptive, so game-changing, that the world starts asking, “Where do these leaders come from? And all we have to say, “Taga USeP ko.”

Undergraduate Program Commencement

In the afternoon, 1,255 graduates from the University’s seven colleges were conferred degrees. Commission on Higher Education Chairperson and USeP Board of Regents Chair Hon. Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis served as the commencement speaker. Dr. Agrupis was represented by CHED Regional Office XI Director Dr. Maricar R. Casquejo.

CHED Chair Dr. Agrupis underscored that the event’s theme—Fostering Excellence. Embracing Diversity. Transforming Communities. —was more than a backdrop to the celebration. “It is a declaration of purpose, a call to action.”

In her speech, Dr. Agrupis challenged the graduates to reflect on their readiness—not only to excel in their fields but also to lead with inclusivity and to give back to the communities that shaped them.

Her speech also paid tribute to the people behind the students’ success: families, mentors, and educators who supported them through their academic journeys. In the same breath, Dr. Agrupis highlighted USeP’s significant role in shaping not only skilled graduates but also socially
responsive citizens.

“As the only Level IV SUC in Region XI, USeP has proven that excellence in public education is not only possible—it is thriving,” he said, citing the university’s community development efforts, innovations in higher learning, and commitment to uplifting underserved sectors.
More than just a milestone, the CHED official reminded the graduates that their diploma symbolizes a public trust—a shared investment made possible by taxpayers and public support.

“Your diploma is not just a certificate of completion—it is a shared investment,” Dr. Agrupis stressed. “Public service is not a position. It is a mindset. ‘Wag lang maging propesyonal—maging makatao, makabayan, at makabuluhan.”

In closing, the CHED Chair urged the graduates to remain humble and to carry the USeP legacy with pride, purpose, and integrity.

Clark Kent A. Angeles, Magna Cum Laude, from the Bachelor of Secondary Education major in Science, delivered the valedictory address. He spoke on behalf of the Class of 2025, reflected on the collective struggles, sacrifices, and triumphs of their graduating batch. “We rise higher when we lift others with us,” he said, urging fellow graduates to pursue growth, follow their passions, and stay grounded in faith and gratitude.

The ceremony also featured a special musical performance by the graduates, who performed “Liwanag sa Dilim,” originally by Rivermaya and popularized by SB19’s Pablo.

Traditions and Closing Rites

In both ceremonies, Ms. Giana Alliona A. Caminade, Immediate Past President of the University Student Government and former Student Regent, led the Pledge of Loyalty to the Alma Mater, reaffirming the graduates’ enduring ties to the University.

Moreover, Hon. Julius P. Borbon, President of the Federation of USeP Alumni Associations, Inc., Alumni Regent, and member of the USeP Governing Board, inducted the new graduates into the alumni federation, officially welcoming them into the broader USeP alumni community.

The ceremonies concluded with the singing of the University Hymn, weaving the graduates, faculty, and guests in a shared moment of pride.

#WeBuildDreamsWithoutLimits
#USePCARES
#TransformingLivesAndCommunities
#USeP46thCommencementExercises

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•