In their commencement speeches, class valedictorians of UP Rural High School (UPRHS) Class of 2020 and 2021 used the podium to challenge their peers to embody the Ruralite principles of academic freedom and public service.
Leading a total of 93 honor students, Mary Elizabeth R. De Guzman, class valedictorian of Class of 2020, spoke of the context of their virtual commencement exercises which was postponed due to quarantine restrictions roughly four months since the government declared a state of emergency in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.
“If this graduation has taken place a year ago, perhaps I would have concluded my speech with an anecdote about grades when academics seem like the only thing that was important in my world,” she said.
Now a student of BS Molecular Biology and Biotechnology in UP Diliman, De Guzman discussed how her struggles as a student in a competitive school environment has prepared her and her peers for what she deems as the systemic failure of the government. Amidst such failure, De Guzman said she recognizes how her peers have managed to “rise to the occasion.”
Conferred as graduates on July 30, 2020 by former College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Dean Felino P. Lansigan are 124 students who are now pursuing higher degrees through the remote learning modality.
Rising to the Occasion
De Guzman was not just talking about how her peers have excelled in their chosen schools. Instead, she dedicated her speech to those who are actively involved in causes that are beyond academics.
“I watched my batchmates take on leadership positions in their orgs and student councils, start fundraisers to aid those in need because of the pandemic…. I watched as they work to fill the gap where the system fails its people.”
Meanwhile, Alexandra Hendrich P. Marco, class valedictorian of Class of 2021, expressed in her valedictory address how much she recognizes the immensity of her role as a Ruralite.
“I’m not here to tell you to look only at the bright side of things…. The merit that I have today is largely aided by the privileges that I have.”
Alongside Marco, who is now pursuing a BS Biology degree in UP Los Baños, are 92 honor students. After acknowledging a long list of people who have helped in her education, she also enumerated the marginalized causes that are “drowned out” and remained “unheeded” by those in power.
“Past all the brilliance of our success is the responsibility to aid those who are not as privileged as we are; to help those who didn’t and can’t make it as we did; to amplify the voices of our fellow students fighting for genuine academic freedom which today is being threatened away from us,” she said.
Facing Uncertainties
Marco leaves her batchmates with a challenge to face the uncertainty of our situation. “[Bravery] is not found in the absence of fear, but rather in its unmistakable presence,” she said, addressing 125 graduates of Class of 2021 conferred by CAS Dean Maribel L. Dionisio-Sese. They are the first batch to graduate from the UPRHS remote learning setup implemented in A.Y. 2020-2021.
Recognizing the anxiety of the times, Marco added, “Being afraid just means that you care for a cause and bravery is being able to act for these causes despite being afraid. So I encourage you to never stop caring.”
The Senior High School Virtual Commencement Exercises of Class 2020 and 2021 lifted its theme from a line in the UPRHS Hymn: “karunungan ay laging malaya at laganap sa madla.” The pre-recorded ceremonies were broadcasted via Facebook and YouTube on August 27, 2021.
— JM Urrea
