16 April 2010

Manila Mayor Alfredo S. Lim and former PLM President Adel A. Tamano were among the leading figures who graced this year's graduation ceremonies held at the PICC Forum, Pasay City. A total of 2,154 successful recipients of degrees have marched on stage to receive their diplomae.

Dr. Hermogenes P. Pobre delivered the commencement address in the morning session. Multi-awarded, Dr. Pobre is the publisher and president of the Manila Bulletin who rose to national prominence through his appointment as assistant secretary of the Department of Justice. He went on to serve as chairman of the Professional Regulation Commission under the Office of the President of the Philippines, and commissioner of the Commission on Audit, a constitutional commission, prior to that.

On the other hand, Mayor Lim delivered the commencement address in the afternoon session. Acting President Rafaelito M. Garayblas introduced both speakers. Former President Tamano delivered a congratulatory message, well received as always, after the welcome remarks by Executive vice president Patrick L. Mariano.

Dr. Emilio C. Yap III, director and executive vice president for advertising of Manila Bulletin Publishing Corp., was conferred a Doctor of Business Administration (honoris causa). An accountancy graduate at the De La Salle University and a recipient of a Doctor of Philosophy in Journalism (honoris causa) from the Angeles University Foundation, he is concurrently a director of the Philtrust Bank, the Centro Escolar University, the Manila Hotel Corp., and US Automotive Co., Inc. He is also the chairman of the Manila Prime Land Holdings, Inc.

The ceremonies saw the first public appearance of a newly installed regent, Ms. Gemma Cruz-Araneta, whose appointment by Mayor Lim was recently confirmed by the City Council, along that of another regent, Engr. Jesus B. Triños Jr., who was out of the country during the commencement exercises.

Meanwhile, a baccalaureate or thanksgiving mass was held the night before at the PLM grounds. As an inter-faith activity, celebrants who participated in have represented the faithfuls from the Born-again Christian, Iglesia ni Cristo, Islam, Roman Catholic and Mormons.

This was also the first time that graduation documents and instructions, including the list of graduates, assembly plans and seat plans for the morning and afternoon sessions, were publicly made available thru the official PLM website.



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Graduation Special Page: 42nd Graduation