UP students hold lightning rally during graduation ceremony

Several students conducted a traditional “lightning rally” during the 111th general commencement exercises of the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City on Sunday.

Before the ceremony ended, groups of students gathered in front of the stage of the amphitheater, holding banners with inscriptions: “Ipagtanggol ang Kasaysayan at Katotohanan, Marcos-Duterte, Itakwil”, “Serve the People”, “Defend Press Freedom”, “Itaas ang Sahod,” among others, according to Luisito Santos on Super Radyo dzBB.

They were also chanting “Iskolar ng Bayan, Ngayon ay Lumalaban”, and “Never Again to Martial Law.”

The university conducted face-to-face graduation rites more than two years after the COVID-19 pandemic started.

According to UP Diliman (UPD), this year’s theme was Dásig,” – a Cebuano word of various nuances: most commonly, liveliness and cheer; more profoundly, strength of spirit and resolute determination.

“The theme reflects the University’s collective resolve to celebrate the students who, with strength of mind and spirit, finished their degrees amidst the challenges of the pandemic,” UPD said.

“It is hoped that each of them continues to meet every crisis with honor, excellence, and compassion, and that as they move forward, they always serve the nation with steadfast integrity and embody the undaunted spirit of social responsibility, grounded in evidence-based critical inquiry,” it added.

Meanwhile, data from the Office of the University Registrar showed that UPD conferred academic degrees on 3,475 graduates as of July 25.

Out of the 3,475 graduates, 2,516 were baccalaureate degrees and 959 were graduate degrees.

Leading the Class of 2022 were 150 students graduating summa cum laude.

Summa cum laude is a Latin phrase meaning “with the greatest honors.” To become one, a student must earn a weighted average grade of 1.20 or better. —Mel Matthew Doctor/KG, GMA News