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A quarterly newsletter for the visitors of the University of Makati APRIL—JUNE 2015 • ISSUE NO. 3 • VOLUME 1

2,669 GRADUATES RECEIVE

DIPLOMAS IN 2ND HSU

COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES: Another Breakthrough in the History of the Philippine Education System

University of Makati Oval, Saturday, April 11 – The big-gest number of senior high school graduates in the country was once again recorded by the Higher School ng UMak (HSU) as 2,669 graduates received their senior high school diplo-mas from national and local officials led by Makati Mayor Jejomar Erwin Binay, Jr., De-partment of Education (DepEd)-Bureau of Secondary Educa-tion Director Jocelyn Andaya, DepEd Makati Superintendent Dominico Idanan, UMak Exec-utive Vice President Raymundo Arcega, and UMak Vice Presi-dent for Academic Affairs Da-lisay Brawner. It may be recalled that Univer-sity of Makati (UMak) was one of only 33 institutions in the country that piloted the K to 12 Senior High School Program in 2012. With the blessings of Mayor Binay, UMak President Tomas Lopez, Jr. boldly ac-cepted the invitation from De-pEd Secretary Armin Luistro by declaring a moratorium on the acceptance of first year col-lege students for two years. This paved the way for the full implementation of the program, unlike other institutions that made it optional for the stu-dents and opened only one or two pilot sections. President Lopez prophesied that “this educational reform can be the key to unlock the full potential of the 21st centu-ry Filipino” during the orienta-tion summit and soft launch in 2012. Now on its fourth school year of implementation and

with two batches of senior high school stu-dents successfully graduated, the HSU is living proof of an edu-cational reform that has enhanced the stu-dents‟ learning-to-learn competencies in the context of Filipino culture and values, while equipping them with course options aligned with their area of interest for speciali-zation or potential work opportunities. The HSU graduates are therefore ready for the world – be it for the world of higher educa-tion or the world of work. “I am highly confident that the Higher School ng UMak has suffi-ciently prepared our graduates for the demands of tertiary edu-cation, and even for employ-ment should they decide to en-ter the workforce. Such prepar-atory learning is assured with the facilities UMak provides and its strong partnership with the business community. The theme of the Commencement Exercises, „A Legacy of Institu-tionalizing a New Education Paradigm‟, reflects the cher-ished thrust of UMak of proac-tively embracing change to mold its students into produc-tive, innovative and dependable citizens and leaders of the fu-ture,” said Mayor Binay as he congratulated the graduates.

Other key officials who graced the event were Vice President for Administration and Finance Aurora Serrano, University Secretary Elyxzur Ramos, HSU Dean Estrella Chan, HSU Prin-cipal Gloria Mallari, University Registrar Ellen Punzalan, plus other academic deans, directors and heads, administrative direc-tors and heads, and faculty members. In her Commencement Ad-dress, Dir. Andaya narrated the four-minute mile stories. “Batch 2015, there will be times when you might encoun-ter the four-minute mile barrier. They come in many forms: financial, physical, emotional, personal or even family. There might even be people around you who say you can‟t do it or that it simply couldn‟t be done. If you encounter them, it is all the more reason for you to per-severe, to be determined. Don‟t be afraid or get discouraged. All it takes is faith … if you have faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, „Move from here to there,‟ and it would move. Nothing is impossible.” Before concluding her speech, Dir. Andaya paid tribute to the parents of the graduates for their untold sacrifices to send their children to a good school. In consonance with this, Carlos Nicolas, the 2nd HSU valedic-torian graduate, honored his recently departed mother.

“To my best friend, super hero and alarm clock, to my mother, this is for you.” Nicolas, who specialized in local government management, recalled his moth-er‟s financial struggle. Facing the thousands of graduates, he recalled how he was deter-mined to surpass the trials he and his mother were going through so he pushed himself to study hard to earn the coveted medal and make his mother proud. Nicolas‟ story is surely worthy of joining the ranks of the four-minute mile stories. A tripartite memorandum of agreement was signed by De-pEd, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and the City Government of Makati back in August 2012 to formally launch UMak‟s senior high school modeling program, branded Higher School ng UMak or HSU. Envisioned to produce “holistically developed learners who have 21st century skills and are prepared for high-er education, middle level skills, employment and entre-preneurship,” the HSU model offers four tracks: 1. Academ-ic; 2. Technical-Vocational; 3. Sports and Arts; and 4. Needs of the Locality or Community. All students of HSU enjoy the privilege of free tuition, books, school supplies and uniform.

The hour-long procession of the biggest senior high school graduates in the country

Mayor Binay and EVP Arcega are all smiles as they hand the diploma of a Grade 12 graduate.

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Page 2 APRIL—JUNE 2015 • ISSUE NO. 3 • VOLUME 1

UniversityOfMakati1 @UMak_Official @OFFICIAL_UMAK google.com/+UniversityofMakati1

UMak Commencement Exercises: NOTABLE SPEECHES FROM EQUALLY NOTABLE

SPEAKERS A charismatic, singing preacher who urged the graduates to dream big, spread their wings and fly; A beauty and brains lawyer, named first female Asia Pacific CEO of the year in 2013, about to face the senate, who gave her practical three-point advice in life; An emphatic educator-writer, math and science guru who articulately enlightened both teachers-to-be and teachers that to excel in the hardest job in the world takes courage, commit-ment and true love; and A high-ranking member of the academe, Hall of Fame award-ee, the epitome of a strong-willed achiever, with her finalé four-minute mile stories and her challenge to break the four-minute mile barrier; These and more were show-cased during the University of Makati (UMak) 42nd Com-mencement Exercises on April 7, 8 and 10, 2015 and the High-er School ng UMak (HSU) 2nd Commencement Exercises on April 11, 2015. The notable commencement addresses from equally notable commencement speakers were lessons and legacies that the new UMak graduates can live by, all in keeping with the theme of the commencement exercises, “A Legacy in Institu-tionalizing a New Education Paradigm”. Take a look at some of the unforgettable lines from the experts. Bro. Alvin Barcelona Singer and Preacher Light of Jesus Philippines 7 April 2015, College of Busi-ness Administration “Napakasarap mangarap, im-portante ang mangarap pero tandaan ninyo, hindi madaling abutin ang pangarap. (It feels good to dream. It‟s important to dream but remember, it‟s not easy to reach your dream or aspiration.) It‟s not served on a silver platter. Hindi yan dinide-liver sa‟yo ng LBC o ng FedEx. (It‟s not delivered to you via LBC or FedEx.)" Pastor Nixon Ng Senior Pastor

Victory Malate 7 April 2015, College of Busi-ness Administration “I know you learned a lot at the University of Makati. But the thing is, learning does not stop here and, in as much as you have learned so much at the University of Makati, my hope is this - That the one thing that your teachers imparted to you is, not just that you learned something from them but, that you love learning because one of the things that you will never stop doing in this world is to learn.” Dr. Oscar Torralba Technical Panel Head Commission on Higher Educa-tion 8 April 2015, College of Com-puter Science and College of Engineering and Technology Management "Perseverance, more than luck, is the secret of people who make it through difficult times - falling a few times but rising up stronger and more determined to carry on." Atty. Darlene Marie Ber-berabe President and Chief Executive Officer Home Development Mutual Fund 8 April 2015, College of Arts and Sciences “Helping has, in turn, helped me to become more open, more humble, more thankful. The kindness that you received along your way coming to this day, pay it forward, give it back to others and your success will have more meaning and pur-pose. I hope that you will for-ever remember the people who helped you make today happen. Remember your parents who sacrificed so much so today could be your day. Dear gradu-ates, please do consider these three points in life – be grateful, be bold and be gritty. Do not just be anyone. Be someone and be someone that matters positively.” Dr. Alex Brillantes, Jr. Commissioner Commission on Higher Educa-tion 10 April 2015, College of Gov-ernance and Public Policy, Col-

lege of Allied Health Studies, Center for Broadcast and Digi-tal Arts, and Center of Human Kinesthetics “We look at things the way they are and we can say that there are things that we have to reject, there are things we have to accept, and there are things we have to deconstruct. Things change as we discover knowledge.” Dr. Queena Lee-Chua Writer and Educator Ateneo de Manila University) 10 April 2015, College of Edu-cation “A business executive asked me, „Ang galing mo! Bakit ka teacher lang?‟ Alam ninyo kung anong sinabi ko? „Kasi magaling ako kaya teacher ako!‟ („You‟re so brilliant! Why are you just a teacher?‟ You know what I told her? „Because I‟m brilliant that‟s why I‟m a teacher‟)” “We have to prove that we know what we are doing and I ended by telling the business people, and I will also end by telling you, that being a teacher is thrilling ...dramatic... it is the hardest job in the world. You are sick, your heart is breaking, your kid is in the hospital. You have to go into the classroom and act as if you are totally okay. You have to smile even if you feel like crying. You feel like staying at home but you cannot. Why can‟t you? Because you love your stu-dents, because it's a choice,

because you want them to grow and you want that when they become teachers ... scientists ... writers ... TV announcers ... ballet dancers ... athletes ... you want them to be like you. You're their best role model ... Taking education is an act of courage but it is something our country so desperately needs.” Dr. Jocelyn Andaya Director and OIC Bureau of Secondary Educa-tion, Department of Education 11 April 2015, Higher School ng UMak "Do you have what it takes to break the four-minute mile bar-rier? As you create your four-minute mile stories, do not fear. I firmly believe that more than the knowledge, the University of Makati has taught and given you the weapons to arm your-selves with, in your journey. More important than knowledge is, of course, the strength of your character. So, hold on to the positive values that your Alma Mater has taught you. Never let go of the absolutes or the non-negotiable: the love of family and friends, the importance of values and the unwavering and steadfast faith in God." As more than 5,000 graduates marched to receive their diplo-mas, the University and the City are hopeful that they have done their part in molding UMak Batch 2015 into world class, productive citizens of the country.

FULL HOUSE GRAND THEATER. The first day of the four-day, seven-part graduation ceremonies commence with the biggest number of college graduates from the College of Business Administration.

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: HDMF President and CEO, Atty. Darlene Marie Berberabe, Victory Malate’s Senior Pastor Nixon Ng and Technical Panel Head of the Commission on Higher Education Dr. Oscar Torralba