SAN ILDEFONSO, Ilocos Sur, Aug. 22 (PIA) - “Be a game changer of the future that awaits you.”
This was the challenge of Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Fortunato de la Peña to graduates of the Philippine Science High School-Ilocos Region Campus (PSHS-IRC) Class of 2020, dubbed as “Batch Beinte: the Pack of Wolves,” during the virtual graduation rites held recently.
As part of the new normal due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the PSHS-IRC held its first ever virtual graduation commemorating brilliant scholars who successfully completed six years of the PSHS’ curriculum.
Via teleconferencing, Secretary de la Peña told graduates, “Focus on a clear vision. No amount of uncertainty can derail you. If you set, you have mental fortitude and work with utmost integrity towards your dreams.”
He reminded them that no matter how challenging situations maybe, the Filipinos, particularly them, the youth shall rise above difficulties.
“In this time of pandemic, I urge PSHS scholars to remain steadfast in pursuit of their dreams and the realization of their sense of purpose. Passion for excellence shall propel you to be resilient. Learn new and relevant skills that can help you cope with college and the demand of society under the COVID-19 environment,” he said.
“The COVID-19 pandemic needs the youth to champion leadership along with innovations. It challenges the youth to be efficient collaborators in their respective communities. It calls for the youth to have foresight to mitigate and triumph over potential and recurrent threats against humanity,” he added.
Through the DOST, PSHS campuses produce top students every year who shall serve the country to help improve the lives of the most vulnerable members of society through science.
De la Peña further told graduates, “We need more globally competitive science and technology professionals who will lead and advance our efforts in optimizing our countries’ productivity and quality of living. PSHS scholars are investments whose value does not depreciate. PSHS scholars must strive to be a national asset in the field you choose to be.”
With these future challenges, Mark Joshua Macabeo, native to Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur who delivered the class graduation message, put his 100 percent trust to "Batch Beinte" that they can accomplish the responsibilities they will face as PSHS scholars.
“As this crisis unfolds, we push for collective action to start change. And I believe, we, the graduates have sufficiently invested in ourselves that we can contribute to meaningful changes,” he said in his graduation message.
We have to march forward, Macabeo said to his fellow graduates, struggling to get through these trying times.
“This (year 2020) might be unfavorable to us but we have to march forward. We have to chase positivity and prepare ourselves to move,” he added.
On behalf of “Batch Beinte," Class President Jelica Rose Badua expressed her gratitude to all who have contributed significantly to their success individually and collectively as a batch.
“To DOST, PSHS system, our teachers, the staff, the canteen and other school personnel, our service providers from the immediate community who drive us around and wash our clothes, to the whole municipality of San Ildefonso for embracing us all as your sons and daughters, to our parents for allowing us to leave the comfort of our homes and for sacrificing being away from us for the last six years, to family and friends, and to all of you, agyaman kami amin kanyayo! (We thank you all!),” she said in her salutation.
"Batch Beinte" produced 87 intelligent students, 13 of whom graduated with high honors.
Last July, PSHS-IRC ranked fifth of the top performing schools (Category B with less than 100 examinees) of the University of the Philippines' College Admission Test (UPCAT) with 88.51 percent passing rate.
Seventy seven of the 87 graduates passed the prestigious examination. (AMB/JMCQ/PIA Ilocos Sur)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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