By Stephanie Camille Ilar

𝘈 24.35% 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘭𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳’𝘴 556 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘴.

Mariano Marcos State University honored 669 academic achievers of the Class of 2025 on July 9 at the MMSU Covered Court during the 2025 Academic Excellence Awards.

Surpassing the 538 awardees from 2024’s recognition ceremony, MMSU produced 43 magna cum laude and 626 cum laude graduates this year–the largest number so far in the university’s history.

Kryshna Campañano, Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, and Xamantha Angelique Ruiz, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, co-lead the MMSU Class of 2025 with a general weighted average of 1.2500, graduating magna cum laude.

During the program, Campañano received the CHED-UniFAST Academic Excellence Award, conferred by CHED Region I Supervising Education Specialist Angelica Dolores. Meanwhile, Ruiz was honored with the Manny Villar Excellence Award. 

The top 11 graduates also received academic excellence awards from Senator Imee R. Marcos.

MMSU President Virgilio Julius P. Manzano, Jr. recognized the perseverance of the honorees, emphasizing that with talent and consistency, they become MMSU’s pride.

“You are now bearers of the MMSU spirit. One that stands with wisdom, innovation, spirituality, excellence, and resilience. So as you step out forward into a more complex world, I hope you remain rooted in these values,” Dr. Manzano said.

Seventh MMSU President and CHED Chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis also extended her congratulatory message to the awardees who began their college journey in remote learning due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“You lived through times of great uncertainty, navigating remote learning during the global pandemic, enduring financial hardships, and adapting to a rapidly changing world,” Dr. Agrupis said in a video message.
“But in every challenge, you stood tall, and now, here you are: matatag, matapang, matagumpay,” she added.

Meanwhile, Mr. June Arvin C. Gudoy, Vice President of the Corporate Concerns Center at the Development Academy of the Philippines, served as the guest speaker. He is a distinguished alumnus of MMSU, having graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts in English Studies major in Communication Arts, now known as the Bachelor of Arts in Communication.

In his speech, Mr. Gudoy shared tips that honorees can apply once they enter the workforce. He advised them to build a strong reputation, expand their network, choose critics wisely, and most importantly, learn from the best in their fields when given the chance. 

“I can sense and see that your youthful vigor in your excitement to go out in the world and explore is palpable. And I’m sure that all of you will do great and amazing things, not only in the country, but all over the world. We are all rooting for you,” Mr. Gudoy told the awardees.

Class of 2025 Salutatorian John Manuel Sanchez of the Bachelor of Science in Accountancy encouraged fellow awardees not just to graduate but to become changemakers in their professions and communities.
“We are products of a state university, an institution built on the dreams of people. Therefore, our diplomas must not just be used for credentials, but instruments of justice,” Sanchez remarked.

Similar to previous years, the College of Teacher Education has the largest number of awardees with 247 honor graduates, followed by the College of Business, Economics, and Accountancy with 207, College of Arts and Sciences with 74, College of Health Sciences with 63, College of Computing and Information Sciences with 32, College of Industrial Technology with 27, College of Engineering with 13, and the College of Agriculture, Food, and Sustainable Development with six.

The 669 honor graduates will join another 2,574 graduates who will receive their degrees during the MMSU 47th Commencement Exercises on July 11 at Sunken Garden.