Mary Manuelita Tan and Benreo Rex Rembulat, summa cum laude graduates of the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) class of 2023, gave back-to-back messages centered on inclusivity during the 44th Commencement Exercises held on July 20, 2023 at the Miagao campus.
Tan, a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Public Health graduate, talked about bridging the gap between the privileged and marginalized – persons with disabilities; individuals who are stereotyped; those with lower economic status, and people who are discriminated for their identity.
These people “lack bridges that can connect them to better life circumstances,” she said, and added “although many of us with privilege do not need such bridges, it should not be a matter of what only serves us, but about what our community, our people, and our nation need.”
Tan had Ms. Ma. Teresa Caritativo, a sign language interpreter, beside her to allow family and friends from the deaf and hard-of-hearing community to share the ceremony with the graduates.
The nod marked the second time UPV used sign language for such ceremonies, according to the Division of Biological Sciences’ first-ever summa cum laude, with the first during her response at the College of Arts and Sciences’ recognition program last year.
Tan pointed out that sign language is sometimes seen during news programs or in public spaces, “yet, every day, this is a reality that many have to face. Without this bridge, many of them are cut off from the rest of us,” she said.
She likewise shared first firsthand experience of her time in distant rural communities as part of their Public Health course, where she saw how people in those areas miss a meal during unfavorable weather conditions or take longer – and steeper – walking routes to ensure safety.
“We must listen to those excluded and marginalized, and join them in their struggles. Inclusion is vital, so we must listen to the people we promised to serve and not belittle their cry for help,” Tan said.
Meanwhile, Rembulat, a BS in Applied Math graduate and the valedictorian of the UPV class of 2023, shared how “lucky” he was despite misfortune and how others should be given an equal opportunity.
He disclosed how he came from a well-off family, with his father being a seafarer, but experienced a setback after both his parents were unemployed when he reached high school.
Rembulat recalled giving up on dancing because they could no longer pay for lessons and costumes and turning down a layout artist position for their campus publication because he did not own a laptop.
His fortune changed when he passed the UP College Admission Test (UPCAT) and earned a scholarship with Department of Science and Technology–Science Education Institute (DOST-SEI).
Despite these, he also had to land an online job with the help of his Chemical Engineering batchmates when he grew anxious about the possibility of a family member needing medical attention due to COVID-19. The job helped him to finish his studies and provide for his family.
However, Rembulat acknowledged that his story is not to inspire, but serve as a cautionary tale, saying, “we should not celebrate someone who got lucky – but we should make sure that luck never has to play a role in someone’s success ever again.”
“I am lucky I had the chances I did – but for every Benreo who made it out, there are thousands upon thousands more who were lost to poverty, to rampant drugs, to systematic corruption, to undocumented abuse, to preventable dangers had we done enough,” he added.
Rembulat urged his batchmates to advocate progressive solutions to the country’s adversities, particularly on human rights, poverty, healthcare services, price increase of basic commodities, and quality education.
“We recognize the power we have as graduates of the University of the Philippines. In sharing our knowledge and skills, we become a vessel through which the voices of the masses may be amplified and heard,” he said.
Along with BS in Applied Math graduate Stephen Carlo Areño, Tan and Rembulat are the top of the UPV 2023 class as summa cum laude graduates.
