577 MPC Achievers Lauded Ahead of August 3 Graduation

Five hundred seventy-seven student achievers of Batch 2026 proved that technical mastery is forged through pure grit and hard work, as Marikina Polytechnic College held its Recognition Day on July 30, 2026, at the 5th Floor of the Academic Building. The celebration of academic excellence mirrors the Commission on Higher Education’s push for human capital transformation and advanced technical readiness anchoring the day’s theme, “Future-Ready Graduates: Bridging Skills, Innovation and Enterprise for Nation-Building.”

The Baccalaureate Mass at the Diocesan Shrine and Parish of Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados in Sta. Elena, was officiated by Fr. Lamberto Ramos. Subsequently, the Recognition Rites, which was held at the Academic Building, opened with an invocation by Bachelor of Technical-Vocational Teacher Education (BTVTED) student Ghemenel I. de Jesus, who won third place in the Deklamasyon competition last April during the 2026 Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges Regional Culture and Arts Festival (PASUC-RCAF) for National Capital Region.

Dr. Ma. Ara B. Santos-Bava, Vice President for Institutional Advancement and Quality Assurance, welcomed the awardees and their parents/guardians by recalling her own college years and the elusive “Ultimate Trifecta” of Latin honors, Best Thesis, and a Leadership Award.

“Your journey at MPC will always be a core memory. More than the medals or even the ‘Ultimate Trifecta,’ my greatest hope is that this institution has carved into you the values that truly matter: discipline, humility, and integrity,” VP Santos-Bava said.

College President Dr. Rene M. Colocar delivered an inspiring keynote address, highlighting a group of BTVTEd students who built a low-cost teaching aid for rural schools out of recycled materials as the definitive example of the MPC spirit.

“When you experience innovation, I’ve seen it in you. I remember a group of BTVTEd students who designed a low-cost teaching aid for rural schools using recycled materials. That very innovation born, not from privilege, but from or out of your resourcefulness. That is the MPC spirit. Keep that fire. The world doesn’t need more people who follow the rules; it needs people who rewrite them. When you dedicate yourself to enterprise, some of you will start businesses, some of you will lead organizations, some of you will create jobs for others. But enterprise is not just about profit. It is about taking responsibility for the world around you. It’s about saying, ‘I can build something that helps my family, my community, and my country,’” Pres. Colocar said.

Julianne Roshell C. Mampusti (Magna Cum Laude, Bachelor of Industrial Technology Major in Food and Service Management) expressed fulfillment upon receiving her long-awaited academic milestone. “Masaya kasi natanggap ko na po ‘yung matagal ko na pong pinapangarap,” Mampusti shared.

Lord Daniel R. Ricafort (Magna Cum Laude, Bachelor of Industrial Technology Major in Civil Technology) described the recognition as validation against long-standing pressure. “Feeling ko nag-paid off ang lahat ng puyat, ng pagod, at lahat ng pagdududa sa sarili ko. Kaya ko naman pala,” Ricafort shared. He plans to begin his “adulting” transitions by completing work requirements to pursue a career as a City Officer in the civil technology sector.

Jerlyn S. Sonio (Cum Laude, Bachelor of Technical Vocational Teacher Education Major in Food and Service Management) expressed immense gratitude to MPC for offering free tuition opportunities, praised her peers for motivating her through difficult times, and thanked her family for providing for her despite financial shortcomings. “Thankful po ako sa MPC dahil isa po ako sa nabigyan ng opportunity na makapag-aral ng libre, to my friends, sobrang pasasalamat dahil sila po ang nakapag-motivate sa akin noong panahon na down na down na po ako. And to my family po na kahit kapos na sa pera, kulang na po sa baon, itinaguyod pa rin po nila ako upang magkaroon ako ng magandang buhay,” Sonio said.

Closing the ceremony, Dr. Glen R. Mangali, Vice President for Academic, Technical Education, and Skills Development, challenged the achievers to remain humble while reaffirming the college’s strict alignment with CHED’s institutional quality standards. He emphasized that training this batch of future-ready graduates moves MPC closer to its vision of becoming the future National TVET University of the Philippines.

“At Marikina Polytechnic College, we believe that education goes beyond classrooms and examinations. We prepare graduates who are competent and innovative contributors to national development. To our awardees, today is not the finish line. It is the beginning of greater responsibilities. Continue to be humble in victory, gracious in success, and steadfast in your pursuit of lifelong learning. The world you are about to enter demands more than intelligence; it requires integrity, creativity, adaptability, and compassion,” VP Mangali stated.

The ceremony, hosted by Professors Ma. Criselda R. Santos and Jocelyn F. Casio, successfully conferred 577 distinctions across graduate studies, technical-vocational programs, entrepreneurship, engineering, research, and institutional service awards. The successful Baccalaureate and Recognition Program was chaired by Dr. Wilma A. Balbarais, Program Chair of the Institute of Technical Teacher Education.

Following the recognition rites, the institutional Task Force Committee is finalizing preparations for the 66th Commencement Exercises, where the graduates will officially receive their degrees at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City on August 3, 2026.#

More photos here:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1GAO3L43IEF6MTU8J5UOy3Mz776DHBi_1?usp=drive_link