2,387 Graduates celebrate UCU's 74th Commencement Exercises in the spirit of TIMPUYOG
Urdaneta City University celebrated the culmination of its students' academic journey during the 74th Commencement Exercises, held from June 24 to 26, 2026 at the Urdaneta City Cultural and Sports Complex under the theme "TIMPUYOG: Transcending Limitations Together." Across three commencement clusters, the University conferred degrees upon 2,387 graduates, recognizing years of perseverance, sacrifice, and academic excellence while inspiring the Class of 2026 to lead lives of integrity, service, and meaningful impact.
A Celebration of Shared Success
In his opening remarks, Dr. Danilo B. Dorado, Dean of the College of Information and Technology Education, reflected on the collective journey that brought the graduates to this defining milestone, acknowledging the steadfast support of families, mentors, friends, and the academic community. Emphasizing the spirit of timpuyog, he reminded the graduating class that "success becomes more meaningful when it is shared and celebrated together." He encouraged them to become individuals who uplift others, inspire positive change, and help build stronger, more inclusive communities, affirming that "with the spirit of timpuyog, there is no limit to what you can achieve together."
Building a Foundation of Character
The first commencement cluster marked a defining milestone for 782 graduates from the College of Business Management and Accountancy (CBMA), College of Pharmacy (COP), College of Health Sciences (CHS), College of Information and Technology Education (CITE), and College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA), whose years of discipline, sacrifice, and determination culminated in the conferral of their degrees.
Delivering the commencement address, Dr. Cherrie Melanie Ancheta-Diego, Director IV of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Regional Office I, underscored that success requires more than intelligence and excellence.
She reminded the graduates, "Hindi sapat na tayo ay matino lamang... Ang dapat ay matino at mahusay," before expanding the principle with a third defining value—mapaglingkod. Emphasizing that graduates can overcome future challenges by becoming "matino, mahusay, at mapaglingkod," she challenged the Class of 2026 to "choose integrity over profit, truth over misinformation, dignity and accountability over popularity, transparency over concealment, service to people and community over personal gain or self-interest."
Becoming the Change
The second commencement cluster honored 904 graduates from the College of Teacher Education (CTE) and the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management (CHTM), celebrating a milestone shaped by dedication, growth, and academic accomplishment.
In his message, Dr. Adrian Lawrence P. Carvajal, TEC Director, Secretariat-in-Charge of the Student Incentives Support Office, reminded graduates that earning a diploma does not signal the end of life's challenges but signifies that they are now prepared to face greater responsibilities. While acknowledging that graduation does not make life easier, he shifted the focus from obstacles to opportunities, emphasizing that "today is not about challenges, today is about possibilities," because "the future of our society depends on the quality of the people we become."
Calling on graduates to become active contributors to nation-building, he stressed, "Before we transform society, we must first transform ourselves," adding that "the society is not an abstract concept, the society is us." He concluded with a lasting reminder that "A diploma certifies what you have learned, but your life will demonstrate what you have become."
Creating Lasting Impact
The final commencement cluster, marking the culmination of the University's 74th Commencement Exercises, celebrated 701 graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE), College of Human Sciences (CHUMS), College of Law (COL), and the Institute of Graduate and Advanced Studies (IGAS), whose accomplishments reflected endurance, clear vision, and purposeful aspirations.
Addressing the graduating class, Dr. Jimmy G. Catanes, Director of the CHED Office of Programs and Standards Development (OPSD), shared three enduring lessons of timpuyog that challenged graduates to transform personal success into meaningful societal change.
Urging them to "Do not romanticize struggle," he encouraged the Class of 2026 to learn from adversity so that others would no longer have to endure the same hardships. He likewise called on them to "Learn to repair systems, not only stories," reminding them that "A mature mind does not only ask, 'Who is suffering?' It also asks, 'Why does suffering keep happening?'" and challenging them to become courageous enough to repair broken systems rather than merely help people survive them.
Concluding with "Do not let your first success become your next prison," he inspired graduates to pursue leadership rooted in wisdom and sustainability, emphasizing, "The goal is not to become the sacrifice. The goal is to become the turning point."
A Shared Vision for the Future
Representing Urdaneta City Mayor Hon. Julio "Rammy" F. Parayno III, Hon. Franklin V. Villanueva, City Councilor, Educational Sector Representative, and UCU Board of Regents member, delivered the inspirational message, encouraging graduates to recognize that their greatest strength lies not only in what they know but in how they serve others.
He urged them to "be leaders who listen, be citizens who care," reminding the Class of 2026 that "success is richer when it's shared." Calling them "builders of tomorrow," he challenged them to move forward "with courage, with compassion, and above all, together."
The graduates themselves echoed these messages through the responses delivered by Patrick Jan T. Mones, Allyssa Nicole A. Gotis, and Sheena Mae C. Cabang, whose reflections captured the shared journey of the Class of 2026.
Speaking on behalf of their fellow graduates, they affirmed that the greatest reward of their university years was not the medals or honors they received but "the person that we became today." They reminded their classmates that "dreams are never denied. Sometimes, they are only delayed," encouraging everyone to move forward with courage, resilience, and purpose. As they looked toward the future, they left the graduating class with a simple yet enduring reminder: "Pause if you must, but don't lose sight of where you are going."
Carrying the spirit of TIMPUYOG forward
Across the three commencement clusters, university officials, faculty members, parents, families, alumni, and distinguished guests gathered to witness the conferral of degrees and celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2026.
United by the spirit of TIMPUYOG, the ceremonies reinforced the values of integrity, excellence, service, resilience, and shared responsibility, affirming that education reaches its highest purpose when it inspires individuals to uplift others and drive meaningful change.
As they begin a new chapter, the Class of 2026 carries forward the spirit of TIMPUYOG—transcending limitations through unity, purpose, and an enduring commitment to building stronger communities and a brighter future.#