40th Commencement Exercises of World Citi Colleges

        It has been almost a week already since our school held its graduation at the PNP Multi-Purpose Hall. But despite this, I still fondly reminisce on it, most especially when I see wonderful photos of our graduates and the ceremony itself posted on their Facebook. I have always been a part of this major school event since November of 2002, my very first semester at WCC (second semester 2002 to 2003). I vividly remember that on my way home from Greenhills, I got a call from the Department of Student Affairs informing me that I was chosen to be the emcee of that year's graduation, together with a faculty from the Chemistry Department. I could not say no that time – too shy to say it.

        It was held then at the AFP Theater, and my first ever hosting assignment! The next two commencement activities (2004 and 2005) saw me emceeing again, but this time, it was a one-man show. I myself decided not to pick a co-emcee, for the simple reason that I believed that can do it alone and it turned out good (thank you Lord!). But after 2005, I decided to retire from my emceeing chores for it did not sound fulfilling to me anymore - been there and done that! My colleagues though, would insist that I emcee it again, and my name would always surface up during meetings. I was very flattered, but had to politely decline

        The subsequent years since 2005 saw me and my department (College of Ats and Sciences) taking charge of the physical arrangement of the venue. Since 2004, the graduation was held at the Convenarium of Crossroad 77. When everybody else was taking that much needed beauty rest to look good and fresh the following morning for the graduation, me and my fellow CAS faculty were at the venue the night before, until eleven in the evening fixing the stage, arranging the chairs, and supervising the florists mount the flowers and other stage decorations. I usually got home at around twelve midnight, ate a bit and did some other stuff, and then hit the bed by one in the morning. But since my energy was still very high in anticipation of the activity the following morning, I got to sleep way past one in the morning,  then usually woke up at around five.

        But this year is different. I was appointed as over-all chair of this year’s 40^th Commencement Exercises. Being the registrar, I somehow expected it and had no qualms about it for I have always been a part of our school's graduation every year since 2003. Plus, I know the caliber of the members of the different working committees, in the sense that I can really trust them, and depend on them. This did not mean though, that I just rested on my laurels and waited for things to fall on their proper places. I also had to constantly remind the different committees about the progress of their preparations.

        At this point I wish to thank the following for their significant contributions to the success of our graduation last April 16, in no random order:

        Ms. Mira Saldi (Head, Values Formation) and Mr. Jonas David (Research Associate), for coming up with graduation theme proposals so that our President will have several to choose from. The process of brainstorming  and having it approved by the President almost took three weeks! Thank you Mr. Jonas David again, for helping the President with her inspirational message. However, at the last minute, two hours before the graduation, the President decided to change her speech! The rolled “diplomas” had to be pulled out, to be replaced with her new speech. The graduates know very well that the rolled papers handed to them during the ceremony were not their diplomas, but the President’s inspirational speech instead. A few minutes before the start of the processional, two of the President’s staff and one utility personnel were busy rolling the “diplomas” and placing ribbons on them (from the previous “diplomas”) on one side of the stage. Thank you to Ma'am Del Gacula, Ma'am Ligaya Hidalgo, Bb. Precie Tapero, Ate Cynthia del Rosario, and Ate Tess Villon for preparing the first batch of the "diplomas", and Niña Lacay and Jomari Entig for preparing the second batch of "diplomas" (the ones that were distributed).

WCC @ 40: Setting the Trends and 

Rising to the New Challenges of Time

        Mr. Gian Carlo Cristi (DSA Coordinator) and Ms. Mary Ann Diaz (Guidance Counselor) for agreeing to be the masters of ceremonies. I sincerely thank them for immediately saying yes the first time I informed them about it. They were actually my first and personal choice if I may brag about it. Their good chemistry and rapport with each other are incomparable, that’s why they handled the event and dictated its pace with so much brilliance and ease. They are also very good-looking if I may add. See you Gian and Mary Ann in next year’s graduation, and in the next commencement activities. Thank you Ma'am Tina Estioco and Mr. Sherwin Villegas for preparing their script.

        Next is Mr. Arci Fruel, our resident artist and VPED staff for a job well done in making the invitations and tickets, as well as the design of the tarpaulin for the stage. Gone are the days when we had to ask the Marketing Department to create a design for the invitation and tickets, and reproduce hundreds of them. With Arci’s creativity around and his humble printer, we are assured that they will be reproduced and distributed on time. Ikaw na! Thank you to those who helped in the preparation and distribution of the "invites": Ma'am Tina Estioco, Prof. Rey Yago, Bb. Precie Tapero, Mr. Sherwin Villegas, and Mr. Joed Tividad.

        Thank you also to Dean Tina Estioco (Nursing) for helping me in the updating of the list of graduates in the invitations, as well as in the updating of the list of academic and loyalty awardees. She even reported to school on a Saturday (April 14) to help me with the list. Monday afternoon (April 16) was the graduation and we were still updating the list earlier that day! I will never forget her line: “Siguraduhin mo Sir Tristan ha kundi dalawa tayong tanggal!" Thank you too Ate Cynthia del Rosario for helping me in the evaluation of the students. Half the battle was already won because of you.

        For the orderliness of the ceremony, rehearsals, and the floor plan, the credit is given to Mr. Sherwin Villegas (CESO Coordinator), our perennial Rehearsal Director. With Sir Sherwin at the helm, we know that everything will be fine, from the processional to the recessional. Thank you and see you next year Sir She and in the years to come. For graduation and capping ceremonies, just look for Mr. Villegas! Thank you also Ma'am Tina Estioco for supervising all the rehearsals at the school and at the venue itself.

        The venue! Thank you to Dean Ellen Tiamzon (CAS) and Ma’am Babes Gonzales (Head for Administration) for coordinating with the PNP at Camp Crame for the reservation of their Multi-Purpose Center. The flowers and the stage were excellent Ma’am Ellen! Do you know the story behind the tarpaulin? The utility personnel – Kuya Roldan and Kuya Jomari had a hard time mounting the “tarp” because of its billboard size. It actually fell the first time that it was mounted since not only that it was huge, it was heavy as well! Ma’am Ellen then suggested cutting the “tarp” to reduce the size a bit so that it will fit as stage backdrop. The “tarp” made the stage look magnificent from afar, hands down. Thank you also to Ma'am Del Gacula and Bb. Precie Tapero , Kuya Roldan Elicano, and Kuya Jomari Entig for the "physical arranging" of the venue.

         Congratulations to the WCC Chorale, headed by its master Dr. Elsa Batalla (CAS), for the wonderful rendition of the Philippine National Anthem and WCC Hym. The last time that the graduation had a choir was last 2003. The live rendition of the anthem and hymn made the affair more personal and meaningful, and added more drama to the event. Please take care of your voices for next year, and the years after that!

        No commencement program is complete without a guest speaker. So thank you to Ms. Marivi Miguel (Registrar, Antipolo) for tapping Dr. Leonida B. Sigua-Calagui, CHED Director for Region IV-A to be the commencement speaker and making all the necessary arrangements to get the good Director’s sweet “yes.” Thank you also to Dean Zenny Sabio (Allied Health) for her support.

        We capped the night by having dinner at the second floor of the venue, immediately after the recessional. Thank you to Dean Aleth Reyes (SIHM) for coordinating with Vieren Catering Services for the sumptuous dinner. You satisfied our hungry and thirsty souls!

        Thank you too to the rest who supported me: Mr. Alvin Gonzales (Campus Administrator, Caloocan), Mr. Norbert Barretto (Campus Administrator, Antipolo), Ms. Jemma Moral (Academics Head, Caloocan) Ms. Elsa Creencia (Registrar, Caloocan), Ms. Kit Gerardo (Guidance Counselor, Caloocan), Ms. Rose Rola (Registrar Staff, Quezon City), Dr. Gina Planes (Campus Clinic), Mr. William Rint (GIG), Mr. Willy Estorba (Supply) and Mr. Fitz Mingoa (Integrated Laboratory) for the togas and other graduation paraphernalia, Mang Steve for his driving services, Ms. Fran Pavino (Administration Office) for lending us Mang Steve and the service van, the Housekeeping Department for lending us the elegant chairs that were placed on the stage, the Marketing Department for the printing of the tarpaulin, the Vieren Catering staff for the wonderful service, and Mr. Jess Misa (Director, ITSD) and his staff for the technical support. RNG Studio as well for the coverage and wonderful pictures. Before I forget, another set of “thank yous” to Ms. Mary Ann Diaz and Mr. Gian Carlo Cristi for making sure that we got our beautiful pictures from RNG Studio. 

        And lastly, thank you to Dr. Cesar C. Eustaquio (VP for Tertiary Education), Mr. Raymond Patrick V. Guico (Executive Vice President for Tertiary Education), Ms. Bonna Faye R. Velicaria (AVP for Finance and Administration), and Dr. Arlyn Grace V. Guico, President of WCC, for believing and having faith in me. Thank you for your unwavering support.

Dr. Cesar C. Eustaquio, Dr. Arlyn Grace V. Guico, and Ms. Bonna Faye R. Velicaria

Congratulations to all the graduates!

Let's Celebrate!

Pictures courtesy of Carla Argabioso, John Raytmundo, Jd Bernabe, 

Che Fallorina, Marlyn Aloy, Brian Marin, Vladimir Salum, Jave Taclas, 

Elaisa Payumo, and Angela Dizon, 

THANK YOU!