Letran holds virtual graduation for grade school students

After the Department of Education announced graduating classes across the country will have to skip the traditional commencement exercises this year due to COVID-19 pandemic, Colegio de San Juan de Letran decided to conduct a virtual graduation ceremony instead.

According to JP Soriano’s 24 Oras report on Wednesday, Letran made sure its elementary students would still experience the graduation ceremony they deserve.

Instead of the usual ceremony, which is now prohibited as it is construed as a mass gathering, Letran conducted their graduation via live streaming on the students’ television screens.

Despite not experiencing an actual graduation, Raian Xavier Moreno still made the ceremony count.

He said he was thankful for the experience, but is saddened that he did not get to say goodbye to his teachers and fellow graduates.

“I was sad that I was not able to thank my teachers and I’m also sad that I cannot say goodbye to my classmates,” Moreno said.

Meanwhile, his parents, who were Letran alumni, were still proud of his accomplishment.

“Kailangan naming tanggapin na this is the new normal. Nalungkot man kami na hindi talaga kami nakaakyat sa stage, which is supposedly a proud moment, natuwa naman kami kasi mas maraming nakapanood sa kaniya ngayon,” Moreno’s mother said.

Moreover, Letran officials said they conducted the virtual graduation for the students to feel all their hard work paid off.

“Sa pamamagitan po nito, nabigyan natin ng pagkakataon ang ating mga estudyante na ma-experience na magkaroon ng graduation ceremonies kahit sa pamamagitan lang ng online,” Jhennie Villar, directress of Office of Alumni and Public Affairs, said. —Ma. Angelica Garcia/LDF, GMA News