Marikina City First District Representative Marjorie Ann "Maan" Teodoro guided the students of 32 public schools in the city as they marched on stage, and received their diplomas in a succession of face-to-face graduation ceremonies held from June 26 to July 2.
Teodoro attended the ceremonies of 14 high schools, 17 elementary schools, and the senior high school and collegiate levels of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina (PLMar) as a keynote speaker and one of the guests of honor.
She asked students to remember the time they've spent in school as part of their "formative years" that they will explore more as they move to the next stages of their lives.
"You are now armed with knowledge, skills, and more importantly a resolute character...Whichever path you choose, I am confident that this institution has prepared you well," she said to the graduating batch of Nangka High School on Saturday, July 2.
"Kami po ni Mayor Marcy, natutuwa kami na katuwang namin kayo sa pagpapalaki sa susunod na henerasyon (Mayor Marcy and I are glad to have been your partners in raising the next generation)," Teodoro added.
The catalyst for the return to face-to-face graduations was the announcement of the local government sponsoring the on-site ceremonies for the graduates of PLMAR on Sunday, June 26 and Monday, June 27.
Through their efforts in curbing the Covid-19 virus for more than two years, Marikina City Mayor Marcelino "Marcy" Teodoro said face-to-face graduations are now permissible in the city.
Mayor Teodoro, along with other city officials, graced the graduates of PLMar students who finished their college degrees in the academic years 2019-2020, 2020-2021, and 2021-2022.
On Wednesday, June 29, the senior high school batch of PLMar held their graduation, along with eight elementary schools, namely the Industrial Valley Elementary School, Leodegario Victorino Elementary School, Kalumpang Elementary School, San Roque Elementary School, Marikina Elementary School, Malanday Elementary School, Sto Niño Elementary School, and Barangka Elementary School.
Elementary students of eight other schools were able to graduate in the flesh on Thursday, June 30. These schools were Concepcion Elementary School, the elementary batch of the Concepcion Integrated School, H. Bautista Elementary School, Nangka Elementary School, St. Mary Elementary School, Parang Elementary School, Fortune Elementary School, and SSS Village Elementary School.
Kapitan Moy Elementary School held their graduation on Friday, July 1. On the same day, eight high schools – Kalumpang National High School, San Roque National High School, Sta. Elena High School, Marikina Science High School, Concepcion Integrated School (Secondary Level), Tañong High School, Sto. Niño National High School, and Barangka National High School – conducted their own ceremonies.
Aside from Nangka High School, graduates of Malanday National High School, Marikina High School, Jesus dela Peña National High School, Parang High School, and Fortune High School bade their last farewells to their alma mater on Saturday, July 2.
Teodoro expressed her gratitude to the students, teachers, and the Marikina chapter of the Department of Education (DepEd) for continuing to deliver quality education amid the pandemic, and the obstacles faced in virtual learning.
She also reiterated the local government's support for the educational institutions in the city, urging them to "always remember that we, your family, your community, your city are always rooting for your happiness and success."