All roads led to the Ynares Center in Antipolo City on August 3, 2026, as Marikina Polytechnic College proudly celebrated its 66th Commencement Exercises. The venue was packed to the rafters with more than 5,000 attendees, including proud parents, relatives, faculty, staff and external stakeholders. Clad in their formal graduation attire, 2,496 graduates took centerstage to receive their signed diplomas and transcript of records that will enable them to meet immediate employment requirements.
The graduates of 2026 comprised students from the Bachelor of Science in Electronics Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship, Bachelor of Science in Technical-Vocational Teacher Education, Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology, Certificate of Technology, and Graduate School programs.
Impressed by the efficient distribution of credentials during the 66th rites, Marikina’s Second District Representative Romero Federico “Miro” S. Quimbo lauded the college administration. “Napakagaling ng ating presidente. Dito po sa Marikina Polytechnic College, hindi lamang kayo uuwi na bitbit ang pag-asa, bitbit ang saya, kasama ang inyong mga magulang, pero dala-dala na ninyo ang diploma at transcript ninyong lahat,” Rep. Quimbo remarked. He further highlighted the institution’s tracking record, adding, “Ang MPC ang isa sa may pinakamataas na hiring percentage of the graduates among state universities and colleges.”
MPC President Dr. Rene M. Colocar tied these achievements back to the college’s core mission when he talked about this year’s graduation theme, “MPC Graduates: Empowering Nations through Accountability, Responsibility, and Excellence.”
“Accountability is not a heavy burden; it is the ultimate freedom. It means owning your mistakes as quickly as you claim your successes. It means looking at your community and saying, ‘I am responsible for my part of this.’ The nation doesn’t need people who point fingers; it needs people who say, ‘I will fix this.’ Remember that the word ‘responsibility’ is rooted in the word ‘response.’ You have the ability to respond to the needs of your family, your community, and your country. Your degree is your tool, but your willingness to use it for the good of others is your strength. Excellence is not about being perfect. It is about being better than you were yesterday. It is about refusing to settle for mediocrity, even when no one is watching,” Pres. Colocar said.
Through a video message, CHED Commissioner Michelle Aguilar-Ong reminded the graduates that technical preparation is only the beginning of their professional journey.
“Ito ang gusto kong iwan na paalala sa inyo. Huwag ninyong isipin na natapos na ang pag-aaral dahil nakapagtapos na kayo. There will be moments when you have to learn something new or begin again, and that is alright. Ask when you do not know, learn from people who have something to teach you, regardless of their position.The greatest mistake is believing that there is nothing more to learn,” Comm. Ong stated.
Chairperson of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education and TINGOG Party-list Representative Jude A. Acidre disclosed how his grandmother introduced him to education at age five by bringing him to sit in her elementary classroom and faced financial hardships that prepared him for future responsibilities. The lawmaker himself urged the graduates to look beyond the academic metrics of success and focus instead on the lasting impact of their personal values.
“We study not for school, but for life. Education is not only about making a living; it is about making a life. Years from now, people may not remember your grades, but they will remember the difference you made through your character, compassion, and the lives you touched,” Rep. Acidre stated.
Catherine Faith M. Ramilo, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Entrepreneurship, spoke directly to the fears of a generation graduating straight into the Artificial Intelligence Era. She introduced a powerful Filipino word “Pagsuong” that defined their entire college journey.
“Ang pagsuong ay hindi kawalan ng takot. Ito ay ang pagpili na magpatuloy kahit hindi tiyak ang patutunguhan. Ito ay ang pagpiling humakbang kahit nanginginig ang mga tuhod. Ito ay ang pagpiling manalig kahit hindi mo na maaninag ang liwanag sa iyong daraanan,” Ramilo, who has already started working in a government office, stated.
This spirit of pushing through hardship connected beautifully with the national goals of Commission on Higher Education (CHED), under the leadership of Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis. Ms. Ramilo attributed the graduates’ success to MPC and CHED for serving as a financial anchor that kept underprivileged students from dropping out when times got tough. By practicing pagsuong, these 2,496 graduates have become the exact future-ready human capital that the ACHIEVE agenda aims to give to the nation.
John Carlo J. Laud, a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the Bachelor of Technical Vocational Teacher Education, led the graduates in the Pledge of Loyalty. Following the pledge, Alumni Trustee Dr. Christian S. Canlas presided over the formal Induction of the graduates into the MPC Alumni Association.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
College President Dr. Rene M. Colocar and Executive Vice President Engr. Sheila I. Villanueva shared their heartfelt thanks with the entire campus community. They gave a special shout-out to the dedicated leadership teams and working committees whose hard work behind the scenes made the 66th Commencement Exercises a huge success.
Executive Committee: Dr. Ma. Arra Santos Bava (VPAA), Dr. Joemel V. Bautista (VPAF), Dr. Glen R. Mangali (VPPRELQAP); Management Committee: Dr. Medardo B. Bombita, Dr. Marie Luvett I. Goh, Dr. Rudy James D. Tabasa and Ms. Aleah Cervera; Working Committee Chairpersons and Members: Dr. Renylin M. Udaundo, Ms. Josefine Mangaoang, Mr. Kairo Jan A. Co, Prof. Iluminado C. Malla, Jr., Dr. Wilma A. Balbarais, Prof. Realyn M. Bonifacio, Prof. Myla D. Saladaga, Dr. Menere R. Nasiad, Prof. Rialita A. Villarena, Dr. Ricel Pagunuran, Ms. Maribeth Monsad, Prof. Cecile I. Vizcaya, Dr. Maria Sheila Orozco, Prof. Grace A. Cipriano, Engr. Ronel Paglomutan, Dr. Jerry F. Napay, Jr., Prof. Maria Cristina Balmores, and Prof. Joseph Quiles; and Masters of Ceremony: Dr. Edward A. Alonzo and Dr. Rowena C. Mande. #
More photos here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1twrBZsUFZsmWIh–6DUcMmNJGdX1-88t
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