UP Diliman to hold in-person graduation rites

MANILA, Philippines — For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic started, the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City will hold physical graduation rites on July 31.

Similar to the pre-pandemic setup, the commencement exercises will be held at the university amphitheater located behind the UP administration building.

According to the guidelines released by the Office of the University Registrar, all attendees must have completed the COVID-19 primary vaccination.

Graduates are allowed to have one companion, except summa cum laude graduates who can be accompanied by a maximum of two guests.

The university has yet to release details of the graduation, including the total number of graduates and those receiving honors.

There are also no details yet on who will be the commencement speaker this year.

In the past, UP has invited newly elected presidents to speak before the graduates.

Former president Rodrigo Duterte declined the invitation in 2017. He also did not accept the honorary degree offered by the university.

Then budget chief and now Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno, a professor emeritus at the UP School of Economics, received an honorary degree and served as commencement speaker in 2017.