UNLIKE PREVIOUS solemn investiture rites and Baccalaureate Masses that saw pandemic-induced restrictions, UST is eyeing to celebrate this year’s graduation season with fewer limits.
In an interview with The Flame, Secretary-General Fr. Louie Coronel, O.P. said the University would return to its ‘regular format’ in carrying out the annual send-off activities.
“This year is different since we are under better conditions. Of course, COVID still exists, but we have more of a fight (against the virus),” Coronel said.
“We want many to be able to attend [the event] and be safe since we don’t have COVID (restrictions) anymore…We want to make this memorable, especially for the graduating batch since the situation is now different.”
During the height of the pandemic from 2020 to 2021, Thomasian graduates of both batches marked their milestone in an online set-up, including one held via Minecraft.
UST only approved the conduct of in-person rites the following year, allowing batches 2020, 2021 and 2022 to set foot in the campus and symbolically exit the Arch of the Centuries.
Other long-standing traditions in the University, like the much-anticipated fireworks display for the Baccalaureate Mass, did not return until 2023.
Coronel gave assurance that UST would still stage a pyromusical for batch 2024’s Baccalaureate Mass on May 31 as it is part of the institution’s “overall tradition.”
The University official expressed hope that the upcoming events would also instill a deeper sense of gratitude among Thomasians.
“It will be nice to reminisce their (students’) joys and reflect on the pains that they endured because all of those are part of why they will (succeed). It is an intense journey…but they will all lead to gratitude,” he said.
University-wide protocols like Thomasians’ daily health declaration have been scrapped at the start of the academic year following the lifting of the pandemic-driven state of public health emergency in the country earlier in 2023.
Despite the easing of some restrictions, executive assistant to the Office of the Secretary-General Emmanuel Batulan reminded the graduating batch to observe the University’s guidelines for the Baccalaureate Mass.
According to him, students can be creative in preparing props and gimmicks for the march but should avoid using balloons, confetti and similar materials that are harmful to the environment.
Batulan advised students to wear clean and proper type A attire, encouraging the students’ tradition of writing on their uniforms to be performed after the mass.
More attendees?
Meanwhile, Coronel raised the possibility of allowing members of batch 2024 to invite more people to attend their solemn investiture rites but clarified that the plan is not yet final as it would vary depending on the academic units.
The changes would also be made in consultation with the heads of the UST Health Service and UST Campus Safety and Security to ensure that regular guidelines would still be followed, he added.
“Every graduation is special since it is both a beginning and an end…It is the exciting part of life. There are still many life challenges that will be faced (by the graduates) but our formation within the University is something that we will bring with us as we exit the Arch of Centuries,” Coronel said.
The University’s graduation season will commence with the Student Awards Day on May 24, 9 a.m., at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion, while the solemn investiture rites for different academic units will take place from June 1 to July 1.
Graduating students of the Faculty of Arts and Letters will have their send-off proper on June 10 from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m.
The rites will be live-streamed on the official Facebook page of the University of Santo Tomas. F – with reports from Cali Asajar
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