VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur (PIA) — Ten outstanding graduates of the Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (ISPSC) received the Senator Imee R. Marcos academic excellence award during their 26th Commencement Exercises held on July 11 at the arena in Candon City, Ilocos Sur.
Senator Maria Imelda Josefa Remedios “Imee” R. Marcos served as the guest of honor and speaker for the college graduation ceremony on the eight campuses of the ISPSC.
The awardees were Mark Cuevas-Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science, Wayne Barba-BS Agriculture, Melo Damasco-Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSED) Science, Mary Grace Legaspina-BSED Science, Eloisa Mae Dauz-BSED English, Cyan Jude Mosuela-BSED English, Love Lyn Claor-BS Forestry, Kimberly Baldos-BS Information Technology, Ria Dela Peña-BSED English, and Jhovedel Valdez-BS Elementary Education.
The senator expressed her joy in being able to join the graduates, saying, “Certainly, we are very happy today, there is indeed a great deal to celebrate. I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate those at the very top of our roster—the topnotchers for Batch 2024.”
She said that the graduates can finally reap the joy and pleasure of the glorious occasion.
“You are now embarking upon careers in criminology, hospitality, information technology, and all these other courses in engineering, education, and nursing. What a joy to meet you today, and I am certain that you will be exceptional avengers of the universe because you will enter new industries in tourism, information technology, peace and order, and engineering,” she said.
“You will now shape the world; we count on you to shape and build the new world that is upon us,” Senator Marcos told the graduates.
She also emphasized how perseverance and determination play an important role in achieving success.
Cuevas, the valedictorian of the batch, mentioned that as the child of a farmer who juggled work with his education, he had to push through, hoping that his hard work would eventually pay off.
“I persevered through it all; I did not give up until I could finish school—this story is not just about hardships; this is about the determination and perseverance that are required to push through those tough times,” said Cuevas.
He challenged his batch to dream big, to venture into the unknown, and to tackle problems with innovative solutions.
Moreover, Senator Marcos invited the graduates to join the Young Creatives Challenge, a contest in seven different sectors initiated by her office.
Marcos said, “I am certain that you can join in songwriting, scriptwriting, animation, and game development. Please join us; the prize is P1 million per category, and I am sure you are ready to compete with the very best of the Philippines.”
The ISPSC produced 1,857 graduates this year, including 27 Magna Cum Laude graduates and 163 Cum Laude graduates.
Senator Marcos was also invited as the guest of honor and speaker at the commencement ceremony of the University of Northern Philippines, where she also handed the same excellence award to the top students.
Apart from this, she also spoke with the Association of Barangay Chairpersons and Sangguniang Kabataan officials in the first and second districts of Ilocos Sur and discussed programs for the welfare of the residents. (AMB/ATV/PIA Ilocos Sur)
