The Ateneo School of Government holds online graduation of MPM Class of 2020 and Class of 2021

The Ateneo School of Government (ASoG) held online commencement exercises for the Class of 2020 and the Class of 2021 last 19 December 2021. A total of 144 candidates were officially conferred the graduate degrees in Master in Public Management (MPM).  The graduating classes were led by Class of 2020 Class Valedictorian Mary Grace R. Postor and Class of 2021 Class Valedictorian Jaime DR. Bonifacio, Jr.  

The afternoon event began with a Baccalaureate Mass concelebrated by Ateneo de Manila University President Father Roberto C. Yap of the Society of Jesus, and ADMU Professional Schools Chaplain Reverend Father Ruben JR Orbeta Jr. of the Society of Jesus.  The Mass was celebrated at the ADMU’s Church of the Gesu. In his homily, Fr. Orbeta spoke about the winding down of the Advent season to give way to a more historical event that is the birth of Christ, which is the essence of Advent. He connected this to the commencement exercises, noting that in the same way, the journey “on the hill” of the graduates ends to give way to their real mission “down the hill”–service to the country and the world. Fr. Orbeta said to the graduates, “Your stay on this hill formally ends today. But with this formal ending, we mission you to go down from this hill, to the world where you truly belong, and there with your MPMs, make a dent in societal transformation, in nation-building, in making the Philippines a far better place for all of us, especially for our children’s children.”

The graduation ceremony was then formally opened by Vice President for the Professional Schools John Paul C. Vergara PhD, after which the Class Valedictorians shared their thoughts on graduation day. In their respective speeches, the class valedictorians highlighted the graduates’ foremost responsibility as they leave the halls of the ASoG, that is to serve the Filipino nation as leaders who are sensitive and responsive to the needs of the Filipino people.

Ms. Postor, currently a Project Development Officer at the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), expressed her gratitude to the people who accompanied her throughout the years of taking up the MPM; namely, her batchmates from the DOST who, alongside her, took up the MPM Technology-based Enterprise Development Track; she also expressed gratitude to the management of DOST, the professors and staff of the ASoG, and her family. She ended by noting her confidence that as finishers of the MPM degree, that she and her fellow graduates are “equipped to be ethical leaders and good public servants.” She concluded with a call to her fellow graduates: “We celebrate today but tomorrow let us keep in mind that we have the responsibility to pay it forward, by being good citizens, servant leaders, and child of God.” 

Mr. Bonifacio, on the other hand, began by narrating snippets of his conversations with dedicated Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) in several provinces, who, Bonifacio shared, possess unselfish desires to serve in their respective communities. The Class Valedictorian, currently a Quality Care Advisor in the Research Triangle Institute (RTI) International, however expressed that despite being inspiring, the plight of many BHWs and other similar community servants are met with difficulties and challenges, often brought about by the injustice and corruption in the country. Mr. Bonifacio did not mince words when he spoke against the unjust incentives of corruption, comparing it with the obstacles and distractions meanwhile thrown at people with the genuine desire to serve. He said that systems of integrity are necessary to improve the lives of many Filipinos, including those committed to serve like the BHWs. He went further by directing this call for integrity to fellow ASoG graduates whom he referred to as “ASoG-educated leaders.” He said, “As ASOG-educated leaders and highly privileged individuals, we are called and have the responsibility to be the leaders that our country needs. We need to be steadfast in our fight against corruption and abuse of power. We must all fight for a just, humane, honest, and transparent governance.”

Meanwhile, the event was also graced by the presence of the esteemed commencement speaker, the Honorable Senator Risa Hontiveros. In her message, Sen. Hontiveros emphasized how the commencement exercises are “a step towards the right direction,” noting that this is only the start of the real “battle” for being better leaders and ethical public servants. She also encouraged the graduates that, despite sometimes having a thankless job in public service, they must soldier on for service is the essence of their work. She highlighted the need for “true and genuine public servants” who “serve others with hearts” to build and nurture Filipino communities. Sen. Hontiveros ended by speaking about transparency and accountability as musts in public service, especially during a pandemic. “We need people like you who will bring back the integrity and accountability in public office. Our democracy needs its champions. Umaasa ako na makakasama namin kayo sa laban na ito,” said Sen. Risa Hontiveros.

The main event then followed with ASoG Dean Ronald U. Mendoza PhD presenting the candidates for graduation to Ateneo de Manila University President Father Roberto C. Yap SJ, who then accepted the candidates and conferred their degrees. The candidates were called one by one and were officially declared ASoG graduates. Col. Michael G. Logico of the Philippine Army and Member of the ASoG MPM Class of 2009 then administered the Oath of Alumni to the graduates.

The event concluded with Father President Yap’s message to the graduates which centered on dedication and service to the development of the Filipino nation. In his message, Fr. Yap pointed to the upcoming national elections, the most important democratic exercise, and expressed that “Ateneo de Manila’s institutional hope (is) that the leaders we will elect will be those whose hearts, minds, and hands are inspired by true service and the desire to uplift the lives of all Filipinos.” Father President Yap also noted that while the results of the national elections in 2022 will have a direct and personal impact on the life and work of the graduates, no matter who wins, each of the graduates still possesses the intellect, skills, and love for country that is needed among leaders. Fr. Yap thus encouraged the graduates to take the ASoG vision to heart and to retain the integrity and compassion in their service