Davao City — Over a thousand college graduates of Ateneo de Davao University (Addu) were reminded by Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio of the Supreme Court (SC) to be mindful of their civic duties as this will increase good governance.
“As graduates you are ready to fulfill your dreams but never should you forget your civic duties. As you journey through life there will be choices to follow. But as Ateneans you have to plan, analyze and act according to your conviction and fulfill your civic duties,” Carpio said.
As guest commencement speaker, Carpio told the Addu graduates that it was their civic duty as Filipinos to reach out for the truth and stick to the truth because there could be no good governance without the truth. He told the graduates to be vigilant and never be complacent when it comes it corruption to prevent any abuses of government officials.
The SC Justice encouraged the graduates to participate in the governance of the country and emphasized the importance of the upcoming elections. He cited the recent US election calling it emotional because many who before did not participate in the political exercise came out to cast their votes.
Carpio also reminded his fellow Ateneans to respect the fundamental rights of fellow citizens and to be fair in dealing with others. Carpio was born in Davao City and graduated from grade school (1962) and high school (1966) at Addu. He transferred to Ateneo de Manila University for his collegiate education (AB Major in Economics, 1970) and graduated cum laude and class valedictorian at the College Law in University of the Philippines-Diliman Campus (1975) and placed sixth at the 1975 Bar examinations.
Addu conferred to Justice Carpio the Honorary Doctorate of Laws during its commencement exercises in recognition of his outstanding service record in the legal profession, in government as chief presidential legal adviser and as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, and in private practice as a respected teacher, law practitioner and managing partner of a leading firm.
In the same occasion, Addu also conferred to Rev. Robert C. Hogan, S.J., former chair of the Theology Division and member of the Ateneo de Davao Jesuit community, the Archbishop Clovis Thibault Award. This was in recognition of the Jesuit’s quiet life as a teacher and priest, especially his unselfish concern for the poor and disadvantaged through the Daily Bread feeding program and his many personal charity works and his work in support of the Christian Life Communities.
The Philippine Catholic Lay Mission was also given the Jess and Trining Dela Paz Award in recognition of the group’s generous and dedicated participation of the church by preparing and sending lay missionaries within and outside the Philippines to preach the gospel and assist and serve God’s people.
Leading this year’s graduates are Trishan Krissel D. Wee, B S Nursing, Valedictorian and Division and Program Awardee; and Maria Ilsea W. Salvador, AB Philosophy, Salutatorian, Division and Program Awardee and the Faith and Justice Awardee; while James Earl S. Chew, AB Political Science, got the Leadership Award.
The other Division and Program Awardees were Lindelle Paul L. Anos, Accountancy and Management Accounting; Kristelle Brooke Dianne B. Jarabelo, Business Administration; Krystel Mae M. Labio, Computer Science; Menchie T. Egos, Engineering and Architecture; Ian DJ D. Gencianeo, Humanities; Cathy C. Carpentero, Natural Science and Mathematics; and Carl Michelle T. Ong, Social Science and Education.
Meanwhile, Fr. Antonio S. Samson, S.J., Addu President told the fresh graduates to make use of the good education given them. “My prayers are with you that you may find suitable employment. There will be challenges in quest for excellence but all of these you must face in the name of the Glory of God,” he said.
The commencement marked that marked the 57th year for School of Arts and Science, 9th of the School of Business and Governance and 5th for the College of Nursing. Samson said that with Addu already on its 60th year, they will continue to strive further in order to deliver the needed education that will make the Ateneo students become “Men and Women for Others”. (PIA XI)
