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The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila is honored to recognize 1,033 graduates on Tuesday, June 30, 2020, as the University holds its first-ever virtual commencement exercises.

The Class of 2020 is the first batch to graduate from the University at a time of a pandemic, with strict quarantine measures prohibiting traditional graduation rites to prevent possible infections. This year’s theme is “Solidarity and Hope: Living beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic,” meant to inspire our newest alumni as they move to the next chapter of their lives by drawing strength from their PLM education in navigating the new economy.

It is PLM’s mandate to provide quality and tuition-free education to undergraduate students, initially to the youth of the City of Manila and later expanded to include others who qualified for admission, so that they may be equipped with the right skills and values to break the cycle of poverty and emerge as successful and morally sound leaders. PLM acknowledges that the newest set of graduates will enter the job market amidst uncertain times, but trusts that their education will allow them to prosper.

“Congratulations to PLM graduates of batch 2020! While PLM may have prepared you well to take on regular jobs, the COVID-19 pandemic has rearranged the world order that may now require you to take on new roles without much preparation. I am confident, however, that PLM has trained you well to persevere and be creative to overcome this pandemic. Together, we shall overcome,” University President Emmanuel Leyco said.

The University’s 12 academic units –– namely the College of Architecture & Urban Planning; the PLM Business School; College of Education; College of Engineering and Technology; College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences; College of Nursing; College of Physical Therapy; College of Science; College of Law; the Graduate School of Law; College of Medicine; and the PLM School of Government –– will honor graduating students from academic year 2019-2020, who will receive their undergraduate as well as graduate degrees after years of hard work and dedication.

The University will recognize 679 undergraduate students and will confer 354 master’s and doctorate diplomas during the ceremony. President Leyco, alongside members of the PLM Board of Regents, will also deliver congratulatory remarks for the students.

PLM is also proud to recognize six magna cum laude graduates: Ma. Chelsea O. Cruel, Marvic Aces E. Fajardo, Eri John E. Laplap, Jr. (BS Accountancy), Gerald V. De Asis (BS Business Administration Major in Marketing Management) and Angela Delmo (BS Tourism Management) from the PLM Business School, and Heherson I. Domael (BS Computer Engineering) from the College of Engineering and Technology.

Mr. De Asis will deliver the valedictory address as 81 other students graduated cum laude. All the names of this year’s graduates will be read aloud during the online ceremony.

This year’s virtual ceremony will also be led by two true-blue Manileños who have sparked tremendous changes in their respective fields and helped elevate the lives of many Filipinos, and are two inspirational figures for this generation.

Mr. Ramon S. Ang, the President and Chief Operating Officer of the San Miguel Corporation, will lead the graduating students and deliver a speech. The PLM Board of Regents voted unanimously to confer Mr. Ang with an honorary degree as Doctor of Public Health, recognizing his work and contributions in fighting COVID-19 and relief efforts. Through his leadership, his company rolled out the biggest food relief drive and ordered his management team to take steps to ensure food sufficiency during the early days of the pandemic with aid delivered to over 1.6 million families over the last three months.

Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso will also address the Class of 2020 as this year’s commencement speaker. He too is a story of success, rising from poverty and pursuing good education – which, during his youth, seemed to be out of his grasp. PLM plays that role for young Manileños, whose college education is funded by the city government.

Like Mr. Ang and Mayor Isko Moreno, President Leyco said PLM graduates should always be guided by the University’s principles of karunungan, kaunlaran, at kadakilaan in any career they pursue. Taking these values to heart will allow them to take the moral high ground and maintain an honest living as teachers, accountants, engineers, nurses, social workers, lawyers, to name a few, all while contributing to nation-building.

Mr. Ang and Mayor Isko hail from Tondo, Manila while Pres. Leyco grew up and studied in Manila schools.

The online graduation rites can be viewed through the PLM Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/PLM.Haribon/, the Office of the PLM President page at https://www.facebook.com/PoPLMLeyco/, the PLM website at www.plm.edu.ph through YouTube starting 10 a.m. of June 30, 2020.