15 summa cum laude grads lead UP rites

MANILA, Philippines - Fifteen summa cum laude students will lead the 102nd commencement exercises of the University of the Philippines-Diliman tomorrow. Each has a general weighted average of 1.20 or better.

Leading the 4,365 candidates for graduation at the premier state university is Charles Michael Herrera, a BS Biology major, with an average grade of 1.065. 

He is followed by Julian David Cabrera, BS Psychology (1.084); and Jann Adriel Sy, BS Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (1.087).

The other students who will receive the university’s highest academic distinction are Jasper Powell Esguerra, BS Chemical Engineering (1.089); Andrew Vincent Yap, BS Industrial Engineering (1.104); Vincent Yu, BS Business Administration (1.112); Jonel Nicole Jao, BA Linguistics (1.119); Angel Jaurigue Jr., BS Civil Engineering (1.123); Mariama Antonette Bilog, BS Psychology (1.143); Krista Carmina Arellano, BA European Languages (1.151); Jane Melissa Lim, BS Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (1.175); Melvin Floyd See, BS Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (1.175); Michelle Ann Lao, BS Biology (1.175); Joshua Vincent Baroa, BS Psychology (1.186); and Louie Arielle Dado, BS Psychology (1.196).

Yu will deliver the speech in behalf of the graduating class.

Aside from the top honors, 218 will graduate magna cum laude, with grades up to 1.45 and 813 cum laude with grades up to 1.75.

Out of the total number of graduates, 3,446 will obtain their undergraduate degrees, 718 will receive master’s degrees and 79 will get doctoral degrees.

Former UP president and Sen. Edgardo Angara will be guest of honor at the commencement exercises. He will also be conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws degree for his “resolute advocacy and contributions to the cause of education in the country” and for his “distinguished service at the helm of the University, his alma mater, championing its tradition of academic excellence and advocating fiscal autonomy and securing its future as the country’s premier institution of higher learning.”