Speaker to BukSU 2021 grads: “Continue to upskill and reskill to stay relevant”

MALAYBALAY CITY – “Living in the 4th Industrial Revolution is both promising and disconcerting but it on how we can further improve ourselves,” said Dr. Erika Fille T. Legara, commencement speaker of BukSU’s 87th Annual Commencement Exercises.

The commencement exercises were presented via the university’s official social media account on August 21, 2021 with the theme: “Re-envisioning Education with Innovation and Resilience.” The recorded video, which reached 15,000 viewers, was streamed live from 9:00-10:15a.m.

Based on the data from the Office of the University Registrar (OUR), BukSU conferred academic degrees on 375 candidates for baccalaureate degrees, 79 candidates for graduate degrees and 27 candidates for Juris Doctor. The Class of 2021 were led by four cum laude graduates – Mr. Rogelio C. Longos, Jr. (College of Administration), Mr. Rodel C. Laborte (College of Administration), Mr. Dexter E. Amba (College of Administration), and Mr. Jith Shawn I. Arnoco (College of Business).

Dr. Legara is the Aboitiz Chair in Data Science and the Academic Program Coordinator, Master of Science in Data Science and the Deputy Managing Director at ACCeSS@AIM. She is a data analyst and a true Mindanaoan at the Asian Institute of Management.

She encouraged the graduates of 2021 to stick with their non-negotiables such as values and principles to thrive in a complex world full of tradeoffs and contradictions. “These values and principles will be your true north whenever you feel lost and confused,” she said.

Dr. Legara added that finishing college is not an easy feat whether pandemic or not “but even more challenging during this pandemic.” She reminded the graduates that their next step after the graduation is to find a job that they love.

“The world out there is way tougher and the big step is to make decisions to move forward,” she added.

Dr. Legara highlighted in three key points her words of advice to the graduates.

First, defining at the onset, the non- negotiables such as personal values, ethics and principles, which provides clarity and direction to our life. Second, living with a purpose and committing to something worth the time and skills
are necessary to help themselves and serve their family, community and the country. She emphasized that small things can make big things happen but should never forget that meaningful and considerable change starts from within. Third, she reinvigorated the need to acquire skills and knowledge. She reminded the graduates to never stop learning and improving themselves to remain relevant.

The virtual ceremony was pre-recorded in the Casisang Annex Campus and Main Campus of BukSU with the participation of University President Dr. Oscar B. Cabañelez and Vice Presidents- Dr. Hazel Jean M. Abejuela for Academic Affairs; Mr. Dante S. Victoria Jr. for Administration, Planning, and Development; and Dr. Joy M. Mirasol for Research, Extension, and Innovations. The deans of all seven colleges, as well as the University Registrar, and the cum laude graduates also took part in the video production. This is the second BukSU commencement exercises held virtually – pre-recorded and streamed via social media.

A total of 1,874 students also graduated from the BukSU National Service Training Program (NSTP), based on the video presentation of the 19th Completion Ceremonies, released on September 30, 2021 via the BukSU Bukidnon State University Facebook handle.

Guest speaker Police BGEN. Narciso Domingo, in his speech, urged the students to dream big and aim higher “so that if you miss the target” you can still be on top of the hierarchy of needs.

The completion ceremony focused on the theme: “Empowering NSTP through Responsive Service Learning amidst Pandemic challenges”. Domingo sent a pre-recorded video for the ceremony with key rites recorded earlier in the BukSU mini-theater.

Also present for the occasion were University President Oscar B. Cabañelez and Vice-President Hazel Jean M. Abejuela who confirmed the NSTP student-completers and opened the proceedings, respectively.

Presented for completion were 1,447 Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS) student completers, 189 Literacy Training Service (LTS) student completers, and 238 Reserve Officers Training Corps
(ROTC) student completers. (Marlie Joy S. Sigod/OVPAA with a report from John Ferick Casinabe, NSTP publication contributor)