By: Joshua Emil B. Lizardo and Micah Marie F. Naadat
MENDIOLA, MANILA–The San Beda University-College of Law (SBU-COL) held its first face-to-face graduation rites since the pandemic at the Jonathan Sy Auditorium last July 23.
The Class of 2022 boasted 150 Bedan law graduates during the 70th Commencement Exercises.
The Baccalaureate Mass was presided over by San Beda University’s Rector-President, Rev. Fr. Aloysius Ma. Maranan, OSB with Rev. Fr. Rembert Tumbali, OSB as a concelebrant.
During the homily, Fr. Maranan echoed the Benedictine motto of “Ora et labora” (prayer and work). He urged the graduates that once they have sworn their oaths, they must keep on praying for “lawyers are not exempted from praying.”
This year’s graduates were headed by the batch valedictorian, Yna Marei Aguilar. She was also the recipient of the Judge Agustin P. Montesa Memorial Award or the Most Outstanding Law Graduate Award and the Justice Florenz D. Regalado Memorial Award.
During her valedictory speech, Aguilar reminded her batch of their reasons as they prepare for the upcoming Bar examinations this November. She also emphasized the value of courage in overcoming all adversities and in achieving their dreams.
Likewise, she called on her batchmates to become instruments of justice. Quoting the letter of the late Senator Jose W. Diokno to his eldest son while in detention during Martial Law, “The truth remains true that never have our people had greater need than today for great lawyers, and for young men and women to be determined to be great lawyers. For the madness that holds out our nation must end, and the rule of force must yield to the rule of law.”
The other academic honorees and awardees were the batch salutatorian, Bienvenido Co, Jr. who received the Dean Feliciano Jover Ledesma Academic Achievement Award. Both Nicole Vane Santos and King Laurenz Masilungan were the honorable mention awardees. While the Risel G. Castillo-Taleon Memorial Award was given to Dohn Alfred Aquilizan as the chairman of SBU-COL’s Centralized Bar Operations.
The commencement speaker was Dr. Ulpiano P. Sarmiento III, Dean of the San Beda Alabang School of Law. He pointed out the three simple lessons in life. First, humility is God’s way and it is the way of Jesus, no other. Second, to work hard; to pray intensely; and to submit to the Lord or in short, “ora et labora.” Third, to always come from a place of immense gratitude.
“A heart overflowing with gratitude is really what keeps one grounded. Not thinking too little of yourself in that you don’t have confidence at all, but not thinking too much of yourself either in that your ego will be overly inflated,” he said.
Dean Sarmiento III also emphasized that as Bedan law graduates, they should remember to act justly, love tenderly, and always walk humbly with God.
The commencement address was followed by the reciting of the Pledge of a Loyalty led by James Karl Daniel Alvaro; the Pledge of a Loyalty led by Atty. Peter-Joey Usita, Director of SBU-COL’s Legal Aid Bureau; and the Alumni Oath led by Atty. Jonas Cabochan.
The program ended with the singing of the Alma Mater hymn led by Katrin Ann Aruta.
THE BARRISTER 