UP graduates receive "excellence awards"

CEBU, Philippines - Two graduates of the University of the Philippines received an “excellence award” each from a giant television network and a politician.

Rachelle D. Sindo, a 20-year-old cum laude graduate of Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication, received the GMA Network Excellence Award during the 74th Commencement Exercises of the University of the Philippines Cebu College (UPCC) last Wednesday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Michael Joaquin, a summa cum laude graduate with a degree of Bachelor of Science in Mathematics, is the recipient of the Manny Villar Excellence Award.

GMA Network opened the awards to Mass Communication and Engineering students in Cebu who show interest related to the media.

Maria Teresa Pacis, vice president for corporate affairs of GMA Network Inc., and GMA 7 Cebu station manager Marie Tan gave Sindo a plaque and P10,000 cash.

“I feel honored… and I share this award to my classmates and to all Mass Communication graduates,” Sindo said.

She graduated with an average grade of 1.51.

Joaquin, for his part, in his valedictory address encouraged the value of service people and advocates for the preservation of the Visayan language.

Also during their graduation day, a rally was conducted by members of the Nagkahi-usang Kusug sa mga Estudyante (NKE) who are call for the ouster of the Dr. Enrique Avila, the dean of UP Cebu College.

The sound system was cut off, however, on Jomar Narsico, a graduate who was supposed to deliver a speech to tackle the issue. The protesters raised placards calling Avila to vacate the dean’s position. Avila has been rocked for months now with allegations of corruption. – (FREEMAN)