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| Photo from UST-CASA Multimedia |
Deemed as the ‘final stop’ before the much-awaited commencement ceremonies, this year’s Baccalaureate Mass, which entailed a total of 9,473 students of the Graduating Batch 2023, covered the Ceremony of Light and Send-off Rites, including the exiting through the Arch of the Centuries.
Highlights of the Baccalaureate Mass ‘23
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| Photo from UST-CASA Multimedia |
The program went underway as early as 4 P.M., including the Processional Walk to the Open Field with the graduating CASAns sporting their Baccalaureate Mass gimmicks spearheaded by the incoming-UST CASA Executive Board and the Artlets Student Council.
The said gimmicks from the home association were the UST-CASA umbrellas, red cords, stickers, and plaque cards while tote bags were given by the ABSC. These props were aligned to the chosen theme of the faculty being ‘The Eras’ of singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, with the ‘Speak Now’ era being designated to AB Communication.
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| Photo from UST-CASA Multimedia |
Hosted by the event’s correspondents Jedd Leaño, Alia Denise Aguilar, KC Alanis Turtem, and Julian Carl Colilap, they gave acknowledgments of the various colleges and faculties as they parade the Open Field.
The Baccalaureate Mass then continued with the celebration of the Holy Eucharist led by Rector Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P. Ang’s homily pertinently enjoined the graduates in preparing for their future life endeavors.
Do not rehearse only for graduation day but get ready for the life that lies ahead. What is your vision? What is your preferred future? Pursue it with much passion—with much gusto. Move forward and move up.
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| Photo from UST-CASA Multimedia |
An Audio-Visual Presentation (AVP) was then presented with the title, ‘Looking Back, Looking Forward,' displaying clips of the graduates' Thomasian journeys leading up to their moment of Graduation.
Following the AVP was a graduation message from the outgoing-UST Central Student Council and a graduating senior from the Faculty of Civil Law, Nathan Raphael Agustin, who encouraged his fellow graduates to "devote not only prosperity but to service" as well.
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| Photos from UST-CASA Multimedia |
The Ceremony of Light then occurred, as well as the blessing and imposition of the Thomasian Mission Crosses led by UST Rector Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, and the university’s deans and regents. The recital of the Thomasian pledges also took place.
Wrapping up the events in the Open Field was the singing of the UST hymn and the anticipated Voltes V & K-pop themed Fireworks Display.
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| Photo from UST-CASA Multimedia |
The graduating batch of 2023 then proceeded to their processional march exiting the Arch of The Centuries. The AB Communication seniors passed through fifth among the courses in the Faculty of Arts & Letters. This part of the event was hosted by Adrian Clemence Molina and Tatyana Alexi Austria.
A Perspective from a CASAn Graduate
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| Photo from Mylferd Joshua Supnet |
Jerome Benedict Poblete, the block president of 4COM3 Batch ‘23, goes all out with his college and graduation journeys in an interview with Chronicle.
Q: How does it feel that after four fruitful years as a Thomasian, you’re stepping into your graduation already?
Mixed emotions, of course, kasi andito yung pagka-excite mo sa paglabas ng Arch conquering new challenges after the school year but ofcourse, there is also the sadness kasi hindi mo na makakasama yung mga kaibigan mo after 4 or 6 years or yung mga blockmates mo; those enjoyable moments na di niyo na magagawa because of you each of your responsibilities.
Q: How were the preparations for the upcoming graduation personally and as the block president?
Personally, being the class president, it’s kind of dreadful while fulfilling kasi parang huling hurrah mo na siya as the class president and bilang estudyante rin naman, while I'm putting myself in their shoes, it’s the last announcements I'm giving already as the presÃdent and it’s nice na matatapos ko na responsibilities ko and I know I fulfilled mine to them. Of course, sana mag-enjoy kami this baccalaureate mass, because one thing is for sure, na dapat mag enjoy lahat sa mass.
Q: If there’s one word to culminate your college journey as a CASAn, what would it be and why?
Unraveling. It has unraveled so much of the goods, the bads, the rights, and the wrongs of each experience and person. All of these things make it more memorable and more fruitful in a way na di ko makakalimutan si UST and gugustuhin kong bumalik at bumalik UST.
Q: What is your message to CASAns who are bound to also step foot into their moment of graduation sooner or later?
I’m gonna cite Yvie Oddly from [Rupaul's] Drag Race where she said ‘Fail’, fail fail fail. Part of failing is also part of you learning new lessons, new experiences, meeting new people na importante bilang estudyante, because once na natalo ka, alam mo kung pano manalo, kung paano bumawi sa mga kailangan mo gawin at pag aralan pa. 3rd year is really a dreadful semester for us, I mean sa lahat ng 3rd year diyan, and kapag na-conquer niyo na yung 3rd year, it’s also a new beginning, a new challenge for 4th year pero more fulfilling na siya because patapos na kayo. Doon niyo naman talaga mai-apply in the real world yung mga pinagaralan niyo talaga. Wag kayo matakot na matalo, kasi pag natalo kayo, its not really losing but more of learning talaga.
Other Details
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| Photo from UST-CASA Multimedia |
In case you missed anything that happened during the Baccalaureate Mass 2023, you may view CASA Chronicle's live coverage of the event via Twitter. You may also watch the replay of the live stream on UST Tiger TV's Facebook page.
The Solemn Investiture Rites of this year’s graduating batch of the Faculty of Arts & Letters will take place on June 5th.
Long live, CASAn Graduates! Congratulations and best of luck in your future endeavors.
