Saint Joseph College marked another milestone as the institution held its 134th Mid-year Commencement Exercises at the CCN Mini Theatre on November 15, 2025. Graduates, families, faculty, and school administrators have gathered for a day filled with hope, gratitude, and accomplishment.
A Thanksgiving mass was presided over by the school president, Msgr. Oscar A. Cadayona, blessing the ceremony and the graduates, preparing them for whatโs to come. The vibrant setting of the Mini Theatre set the tone for a heartfelt celebration full of hope and anticipation. After the mass, the graduates had their hooding and capping ceremony at the Hacbang Gym, receiving their graduation hood as they await their transition.
Then, the graduates marched in procession back at the Mini Theatre for the graduation ceremony, their loved ones witnessing this defining moment. The atmosphere was filled with excitement, a mix of relief and hope from the years of hard work and dedication.
The program began with the National Anthem, followed by the singing of the Papal March. Next came the welcome address given by Ms. Joyce Omelde, one of the graduates, highlighting the purpose of this event. Then, the presentation of candidates for graduation followed. Each graduate stood as testament to resilience in the face of trials and uncertainty.
The highlight of the ceremony came with the formal conferral of titles and degrees along with the distribution of diplomas and presentation of awards. The room echoed with applause as each graduateโs name was called. The ceremony was a culmination of effort, struggle, perseverance, and hard work.
Ms. Marife Lagurin-Estilloro, MAEd, gave her words of gratitude, thanking the people behind her success and inspiring her fellow graduates. As the ceremony reached its finale, Ms. Noreen S. Buhat, SJC Office of Alumni Relations Director, administered the pledge of loyalty to the graduates, encouraging them to carry the values of the institution. The ceremony concluded with the singing of the SJC Hymn.
As the graduates stepped out of the Mini Theatre, they carried with them not just their hard-earned diplomas but also the confidence and courage molded during their time in SJC. Smiles, tears, and heartfelt embraces filled the scene, capturing the emotion of a new beginning.
โTo my fellow graduates, this ceremony is not the end of the test. The world will continue to challenge us, but we now carry greater resilience, deeper wisdom, and a stronger sense of purpose. Remember, resistance is the confirmationโthe pushbackโit is the proof that you are moving towards something meaningful. Tonight, we honor not just success, we honor transformations; not just the outcome, but the becoming. May we continue to rise, evolve, and walk with grace,โ said Marife Lagurin-Estilloro, MAEd, during her words of gratitude.
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Words: Manuel Francis Corollo | The Josephinian
Photos: Adrian Cedric Mancera | The Josephinian
