Event: 105th UP Manila Commencement Exercises
Date: April 25, 2014
Venue: Plenary Hall, Philippine International Convention Center (PICC),
Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) complex,
Roxas Boulevard, Manila
For the first time in UP history, a man of the cloth
was the Guest of Honor and Speaker in one of its
campuses' graduation rites. Manila Archbishop Luis
Antonio G. Cardinal Tagle was the Commencement
Speaker at the University of the Philippines Manila's
(UP Manila) 105th Commencement Exercises.
The event was held on 25 April 2014 at the Plenary
Hall of the Philippine International Convention Center
(PICC). The theme for this year was "Dangal at
Katapatan sa Paglilingkod sa Bayan."
Cardinal Tagle is described as an excellent choice
as speaker by the 2014 UPM Commencement Rites
Committee. For people who know or have covered the
cardinal, he is a dedicated scholar and a 'man of the
people', passionate about the rights of the 'voiceless':
workers, poor, abused children, victims of human
trafficking. He also has a strong environmentalist
streak and knows enough to avoid the isolation that
comes with power. "That he is a 'man of the cloth'
as well only puts more emphasis on what he feels his
fellow Filipinos should be doing, what Pope Francis
feels everyone should be doing—fighting inequality,"
said one administrative official. 'Fighting inequality',
added to a love for scholarship, are things that resonate
with UP's soul.
Cardinal Tagle is the 32nd Archbishop of Manila and the
second youngest cardinal in the world. He is well-known
for his presence in various social networking sites, and is
the most popular cardinal on Facebook. Those who have
heard him speak attest to his being a gifted communicator
which makes him a sought-after speaker and media
personality.
Cardinal Tagle addressed 1,092 UPM graduates, with
171 being the cream of the crop. It was comprised of
one (1) summa cum laude, 24 magna cum laude,
and 146 cum laude.
Written by: Fedelynn M. Jemena /IPPAO-UPM
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This article was prepared by the
Information, Publication, and Public Affairs Office (IPPAO) of UP Manila
Landlines: 336-6215 / 554-8400 loc. 3842
Email: ippao@post.upm.edu.ph
