Boac, Marinduque – Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) President Dr. Manuel M. Muhi who hails from the town of Boac served as the commencement speaker during the Marinduque State College’s 66th Graduation ceremonies at MSC gymnasium Friday, July 15. The PUP Prexy was recently awarded as MSC distinguished alumni during the 70th Foundation day last June 21.

The theme for this year’s commencement, “MSC Graduates: Testimony of Seven Decades of Quality Institutional Service.” There would be another commencement exercise with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) commissioner Dr. Jo Mark Libre by August 3 with the College of Accountancy, Business and Governance, College of Education, Arts and Social Sciences along with the Graduate School and College of Natural and Allied Health Sciences. The House Speaker Hon. Lord Allan jay Q. Velasco and Marinduque Provincial Governor Hon. Presbitero J. Velasco Jr. also provided messages, words of challenge imparted by former Board Member John Fernandez and inspirational remarks for the said occasion.

Dr. Muhi underscored the importance of staying grounded with the journey ahead, he shared among his varied and myriad experiences of teaching. The PUP president once had a student who was habitually tardy and one time drenched in sweat rather because of the rain. The fellow was a working student and only goes from Divisoria to Santa Mesa on foot. To his surprised, he encountered the very same student as a successful engineer in United Arab Emirates with his own company. He related to the new graduates, his own struggles and tribulation as he thread from Brgy Murallon to Tanza, he had to traverse Boac River just to go to Marinduque School of Arts and Trades then, “hindi na bale walang laman ang bituka, basta may laman ang utak.”

A baccalaureate Services for the College of Engineering, Industrial and Information Technology was undertaken earlier with the parish priest of Immaculate Conception Parish rev. Fr. Jojie Mangui. The graduating students offered symbolic objects such as candles, flowers, headphones, artwork, skull guard, medals, certificates and diplomas with hood and caps. After the thanksgiving mass, the Hood, Cap and Candle Ceremony was led by the MSC Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Victoriano Regio. The MSC VPAA explained the significance of the hood and cap while the CEIIT Dean and respective associate Deans proceeded with the lighting of candles. There was also an awarding of Special and other co-curricular and non-academic Awards.

The 66th Commencement Exercise started with the processional with the candidates for graduation, personnel, faculty members, officials, guests, board of trustees, the college president and the commencement speaker. Followed by the entrance of colors by the ROTC honor guards and the college mace by the College and Board secretary Mam Maria Morena V. Santos. Then there was a commencement prayer, national anthem before the confirmation of graduates, conferment of degrees, titles and certificates and charging of graduates. 

MSC is celebrating its platinum anniversary from its humble beginnings as Marinduque School of Arts and Trades in 1952, before becoming the Marinduque Institute of Science and Technology by 1983 with the offering of more courses and degree programs. Marinduque State College became what it is today serving the communities in Gasan, Torrijos and Santa Cruz by 1992. And last June 20-21, MSC celebrating its 70th foundation anniversary until becoming the future Marinduque State University.