UPLB goes Virtual for 48th Commencement Exercises: 1 Masters and 14 Bachelor's Graduates from GeneSoc

by John Nicolas Olitin (Isochore) 

LOS BAÑOS, LAGUNA | The limitations on face-to-face assemblage did not stop the 1,630 students of UPLB Class 2020 from graduating on August 15, 2020 through the first ever online commencement exercises that were livestreamed on YouTube and Facebook.

The official Facebook pages of the university and the respective colleges and the official YouTube account of UPLB broadcasted the even where graduates and their families alike watched the proceedings at their homes.

UPLB alumnus and current UP Regent Francis Laurel served as the commencement speaker and started things off with his speech. The roll call of the graduates then followed, after which the class valedictorian and magna cum laude, Shantel Anne Nicole Chavez from the College of Economics and Management, delivered her speech.

Among these graduates, 15 were from The UPLB Genetics Society, 14 of which obtained their bachelor’s degree and a lone master’s degree graduate, Prof. Roden Carlo Lizardo (Transcriptome), with an MS in Plant Pathology and a Minor in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.

The remaining 14 were mostly BS Biology graduates, except for Arion Juris Umali, who has a BS in Mathematics and Science Teaching, Major in Biology. Two of the BS Biology graduates had Majors in Genetics, which were Blaire Jazlin de Borja (Helitron) and Anlene Jane Rocha (Genophore), the latter being the IBS valedictorian and with cum laude honors. Anlene Jane Rocha also qualified for the MD-PhD (Molecular Medicine) Program of the UP College of Medicine in Manila.

Three had Majors in Cell and Molecular Biology, namely: Juan Miguel Balatibat (Hybrizyme), John Paolo Janiola (Replichore), and finally Lance Spreewell Lopez (Spireme), who graduated as the IBS salutatorian and with cum laude honors, as well.

Four had Majors in Microbiology, namely: Saina Therese Bondad (Cybrid), Sean Timothy Gacutan (Helitron), Alexis Gin Malagotnot (Cybrid), and John Albert Torre (Cyclosome). Another four graduates had Majors in Zoology, namely: Micko Joseph Alojado (Spireme), Rainshield Joy Dalupirit (Cybrid), Arlon Jover De Jesus (Aptamers), and Princess Joy Humarang (Helitron).