Teen summa cum laude breaks 65-year UP record

MANILA, Philippines -  After 65 years, a teen broke the record of a professor emeritus in political science in the University of the Philippines by garnering a weighted average of 1.016.

Nineteen-year-old John Gabriel Pelias is graduating summa cum laude with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Mathematics.

Except for only three subjects, Pelias got 1.0, the highest grade possible, in his entire stay in the UP Institute of Math. He got 1.25, the second highest possible grade, in other subjects, GMA News reported.

Prof. Emerenciana Yuvienco Arcellana, Ph.D, widow of the late National Artist for Literature Francisco Arcellana and mother of STAR desk editor Juaniyo, held the previous record with 1.02 upon graduating in 1946, whose commencement speaker was President Manuel Roxas.

Dr. Gertrude Gwendale M. Baron was the closest to the record of Arcellana with an average of 1.03 upon graduating with the degree in B.S. Biology.

Pelias is one of UP’s poorest scholars with his family earning less than P80,000 a year.

His scholarship money supported his family for years, Instead of taking a ride, he walked from his home to school, according to the report.

The achievement of Pelias was announced on the Facebook of Jose Wendell Capili, UP assistant vice president for Public Affairs and director for of Alumni Relations, UP System.

“He has unwavering focus and maturity beyond his years. I see him discussing philosophy and political theory with former UP President (Francisco) ‘Dodong’ Nemenzo. I was one having a nose-bleed, not him (when they talk),” Capili said on Facebook.

Aside from Nemenzo, Pelias is a protégé of Math Prof. Fidel Nemenzo and College of Science Associate dean Marian Roque, math Prof. Noli Reyes, and UP Institute of Math Director Balmaceda.

“Pelias is a true iskolar ng bayan (nation’s scholar) who is ready to give back to the country and institution that supported his academic pursuits by teaching in his alma mater when classes resume in time,” said Capili.

He will be this year’s speaker on behalf of UP Diliman’s graduating batch on April 17.