Emir-Deogene V. Mendoza, valedictorian of the graduating class of 2015 of the National College of Public Administration and Governance, emphasized UP graduates’ responsibility to serve the people in his speech delivered during the NCPAG Recognition Rites held on June 26, 2015 at the NCPAG Dome.
“Inaabangan na tayo ng ating mga kapwa Pilipino at sabik na silang malaman kung paano natin sila mapaglilingkuran, lalo pa’t galing tayo sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas,” said Mendoza who completed all the requirements for the Bachelor of Art in Public Administration summa cum laude. He later on finished his speech with a surprise beatbox performance. (Read speech of Mr. Mendoza here)
It can be recalled that Emir-Deogene made the College proud when he was awarded one of the “Ten Outstanding Expat Pinoy Children” by the Bank of the Philippines Island in 2013.
This year’s Recognition Rites’ theme is “Challenges of Exemplary Public Administration.” Dean Maria Fe V. Mendoza expressed her hope that “the rivulets among you will become a river to spread good public service, infect optimism amidst gloom, and provide solutions when all seem to be big wicked problems intractable and unsolvable.”
“We are hopeful that wherever you will be or are, you will always carry the torch and illuminate the path of those who are lost and without direction,” added Dean Mendoza. (Read welcome remarks of Dean Mendoza here.)
For her part, keynote speaker Hon. Secretary Leila M. de Lima of the Department of Justice stated that exemplary public administration “is something that is built from the ground up. To expect an adult to make right decisions when his or her time comes.”
De Lima further emphasized that education is a powerful “foundation and building material from which such ideal can be crafted and realized.” (Read speech of Sec. De lima here)
A total of 122 students graduated from the NCPAG with their bachelors (83), master’s (28), diploma (8) and doctoral (3) degrees. Thirty-one students finished with honors—24 cum laude, 2 magna cum laude and 1 summa cum laude.