Fourth-year Communication Arts cum laude student Dimple C. Acosta was overcome with a "feeling of power and success" once she stood on the stage of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) during the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina's (PLMar) graduation rites held on Sunday, June 26.
After more than two years of virtual classes amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Acosta, 22, was finally able to graduate in the first face-to-face tertiary graduation ceremony led by the Marikina City local government under the new normal.
Acosta said she and her classmates were excited to be granted the opportunity to actually wear and march in their togas, take live pictures, go on stage, and hear people's claps and cheers.
"Our parents can also watch the program live which brings a different level of joy than watching it live on social media," she said in an interview with Manila Bulletin.
Acosta began her collegiate years in 2018 or prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.
When the pandemic hit in early 2020, she admitted she initially had difficulty adjusting to a more restricted educational landscape.
As a Communication Arts student, she was used to active engagements, face-to-face productions, and school performances which were stopped as schools reverted to online learning.
However, she said, she was able to gradually adapt to these changes.
"It taught me to focus more on my own studies. I'm just lucky to have the equipment and needs to help me. I experienced what most students did – lost internet connection during sessions, and missed communication with block mates or professors. But that didn't stop me from continually learning in my profession," she said.
Acosta stressed that focusing on the positive aspects, no matter how hard a situation, was the greatest value she instilled in herself during her collegiate years, saying "there is faith in hope."
"For those students who are still struggling with their academics, please don’t ever feel the urge to give up. All of the hard work, breakdowns, failures, and rejections will soon be paid off," she added.
As for the future, Acosta said she's "excited to embark on another journey."
"I can't wait to start my dream path and career, and the fact that our graduation was done face-to-face gives me hope that we will be back to our normal lives very soon," she said.
Face-to-face graduation
The local government of Marikina City initially announced on May 8 that the PLMar will hold a face-to-face graduation ceremony on Sunday, June 26, and Monday, June 27, at the PICC.
The venue of the ceremony was announced on Friday, May 27.
"Mas maganda at makabuluhan ang face-to-face graduation dahil nakikita ng isang nagtapos ang kanyang mga kaklase at guro. Dahil dito ay mas ramdam niya ang pinaghirapan at ang kaligayahan ng kanyang magulang (It is better and more meaningful to hold a face-to-face graduation because graduates can relish the occasion with their classmates and teachers. They will further realize the struggle and feel the happiness of their parents or guardians)," Mayor Teodoro said in a statement.
Graduates from three academic years marched on the stage of the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).
Former graduates from school years 2019 to 2020 and 2020 to 2021 held their ceremonies on Sunday morning.
Batch 2019 to 2020 already held their virtual graduations. Due to many requests, Teodoro included this batch in order to give them the opportunity to experience an in-person graduation.
The program for the first-time college graduates from Batch 2021 to 2022 commenced on Sunday afternoon, continuing on to Monday.
Along with Mayor Marcy, District 1 Congresswoman Marjorie Ann "Maan" Teodoro, Vice Mayor Marion Andres, the city's councilors, and the staff of PLMar warmly welcomed the students.
Congresswoman Teodoro addressed the graduates, advising them to "know thyself."
"Knowing thyself is a process of discovery and rediscovering who you are, what you value, and for whom you dedicate all of these. In this way, you allow yourself to embrace your capabilities and limitations. You find a pace that works for you and you steadily follow while everything else takes care of itself. During this process you will also learn that kindness should be extended to the one who always needs or needs it the most, which is yourself," she said during the event.
The event organizers ensured that health and safety protocols were observed by students and staff alike.