In auspicious ceremonies last May 20, 2016 (Friday), the University of Santo Tomas sent off its 8,801 Graduating Students, with the annual Baccalaureate celebration, at the Quadricentennial Pavilion and Parade Grounds.
Thomasians never die
In his homily, Acting Rector Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., PhD paid homage to the Thomasians for being a unique breed, one who is not afraid to live with the masses and endure the plight of day-to-day life in the metropolis. “Hindi takot ang Tomasino na sumakay ng jeep, kumain sa karinderya, at lumusong sa baha.”
Fr. Ang emphasized the Thomasian students’ positive and cooperative attitude, which makes them the most employable set of professionals in the country, evidenced by UST ranking first in the 2016 QS Employability Rankings and second in the 2016 JobStreet survey.
On a mission
Batch 2016 found itself in a unique spot, being the batch who graduated during the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy and the Jubilee of the 800th year anniversary of the Founding of the Order of Preachers in 1216.
After the Baccalaureate Mass, the Graduating students were given the Mission Cross, which they placed around the neck of their seatmate, symbolizing not only the call to the mission of spreading the faith and being a light to others, but also the shared nature of this mission.
Bearers of light
The Ceremony of Light capped the celebrations in the Quadricentennial Pavilion, with Fr. Ang lighting the Candle that served as the source of the flame that later on lit the candles of all graduating students in the arena. Deans and regents lit their own candles from the Acting Rector’s candle, then spread the flames to the graduating students.
Endless gratitude
In her message on behalf of the 2016 batch, Central Student Council President Anna Mariz V. Mangalili of the AMV-College of Accountancy expressed her and her batch mates’ thanks to their administrators, teachers, staff, and most importantly, their parents and classmates, who joined them in their journey.
Festive atmosphere
Following the ceremonies, a fireworks display pierced the night sky, accentuating the festive atmosphere in the historic Parade Grounds. At the close of the event, the graduates took turns in exiting through the Arch of the Centuries, a turnaround from their entering through the Arch when they were freshmen.
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