Around 4,000 students of the University of the Philippines at UP Diliman in Quezon City, on April17, 2011, graduated in Sunday afternoon’s 100th commencement exercises at the UP Amphitheater.
According to the Office of the University Registrar, the UP batch 2011 boasts of 21 summa cum laude, 215 magna cum laude, and 794 cum laude. Leading them was 19-year-old BS Math student John Gabriel Pelias.
His general weighted average of 1.016 set a record that was second only to Exequiel Sevilla, who graduated with a degree in BS Commerce in 1927 with an average of 1.0.
Aside from being summa cum laude, Pelias also received a best thesis award among all BS Math students, an outstanding BS Math Student award, and an award of excellence from the College of Science.
His mother, Emma Lopez, was ecstatic over her son’s achievements. “I am so proud of him,” she said.
In his speech, Pelias urged fellow graduates to give back. “The least we can do in return to this country’s taxpayers who paid a huge part of our UP education is to dedicate even just some time of our lives in the service of the Filipino people,” he said.
He was given a standing ovation during the graduation rites.
During the commencement exercises, UP also bestowed its highest academic honor and rank, Master of Laws, Honoris Causa to President Benigno Aquino III, who was the graduation speaker.
This is the first time in 12 years that a President has attended UP graduation rites.
“Hindi ako nag-aral sa UP, pero malinaw pa rin ang sinabi sa akin ng aking ama, na ang UP ang naghubog sa kanya,” he told graduating students.
By Pia Gutierrez, ABS-CBN News
