ONE HUNDRED eighty-nine graduates marched on March 23, 1:30 p.m., as the university held the joint elementary and high school graduation exercises at the Teatro Ilocandia located at MMSU’s main campus in Batac.  Lawyer  Lolibeth Ramit-Medrano, undersecretary of the Office of the Presidential Chief of Staff at the Malacañang Palace, served as guest of honor and speaker.

Mark Daben J. Libardo of the Science High School (SHS), April Joy B. Guiang of the Laboratory High School (LHS)-Batac, Jaztyn Ross E. Sanchez of LHS-Laoag, and Eidan Cesar C. Rivera of the Laboratory Elementary School led this year’s batch of graduates.

Science High School-Batac

Libardo, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joeben Libardo of Brgy. Nalupta, Batac, Ilocos Norte, obtained a general weighted average (GWA) of 1.30865 to become the SHS class valedictorian.  He was also the highest achiever in biology, chemistry, physics, science research, computer science, and Filipino.  He is recipient of the Mercury Award in Science and the Ilocos Norte Science Community Excellence Award in Science.

Mariden C. Abucay, getting a GWA of 1.38295, graduated as salutatorian of the class and highest achiever in PEHM-CAT.  She was also recipient of the Co-Curricular Excellence Award. Following Libardo and Abucay in the honor list were:  Marc Jan Q. Soria – son of MMSU Foundation, Inc. Director and Mrs. Marimel F. Soria, first honorable mention (1.41325) and highest achiever in mathematics, science research, computer science and recipient of the Mercury Award in Mathematics; Jean August Dominique B. Monsod, second honorable mention (1.4365) and highest achiever in social science and English; and Peniel A. Montante, third honorable mention (1.4564) and recipient of the Gerry Roxas Leadership Award.

Graduating “with distinction” were:  Marc Renmel N. Abiva (1.4760), Sammy L. Gamez Jr. (1.5099), Kenneth John Z. Duldulao (1.5872), Sharaff Jeaford N. Agbayani (1.6411), and Arianne Rae L. Rubio (1.6649).

Abiva was also recognized as highest achiever in computer science while Pol Wilbert I. Gavino  was given the Alfredo Yuchengco Foundation Award for National Discipline.

LHS-Batac

April Joy B. Guiang, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Faustino R. Guiang Jr. of Brgy. Sumader, Batac, Ilkocos Norte, was this year’s top graduate of LHS-Batac.  Aside from getting the top honors, she was also the highest achiever in Filipino, science and technology, araling panlipunan, and technology and livelihood education (agriculture). She was also recipient of the Academic Excellence Award.

On the other hand, Ma. Katherine Q. Aguilar finished as salutatorian. She was also the highest achiever in mathematics, and technology and livelihood education (homemaking).

Sharing the limelight in the list of honors were:  Ishtar Lovern P. Rasay, first honorable mention; Zhiela Marie H. Esteban – daughter of CAF Dean and Mrs. Carmelo J. Esteban - second honorable mention; and Love Joy L. Battulayan, third honorable mention.

Graduating “with distinction” were:  Maria Louise P. Valbuena, Kyle R. Aurellano, May Antonette M. Tabones, Althea Daphne U. Quinajon, and Lei Frances E. Ribac.

Esteban was also the highest achiever in MAPEH and recipient of the Co-Curricullar Excellence Award.

LHS-Laoag

Jaztyn Ross E. Sanchez, a resident of Brgy. 20, Laoag City and daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rosalito Sanchez, topped this year’s batch of LHS-Laoag graduates finishing “with honors”.  She was also the highest achiever in Filipino, social studies, and English and recipient of the Scholastic Excellence Award and the Chief Girl Scout Medal Scheme Award.

Alyssa Trixia F. Ilagan also graduated “with honors” and the class’ best in MAPEH/CAT.

Others “with honors” were:  Graciela Anne M. Miguel who was also the highest achiever in science and this year’s recipient of the Mercury Drug Award for Excellence in Science; Izel Lorraine P. Padaong – daughter of Mr. and Mrs. (Marie Paz P. Padaong of LHS-Laoag) Anthony Padaong – who was also the highest achiever in technology and livelihood education and recipient of the Co-Curricular Excellence Award; Camella Marie G. Acoba who was also the best in mathematics and recipient of the Mercury Drug Award for Excellence in Mathematics; Ma. Eda V. Acido; Neil Justine P. de la Cruz; Isabelle Jeanne A. Ragadi;

Diana Rose A. Aguilar who was also given the AY Foundation Award for National Discipline and the San Lorenzo Ruiz Medallion with a cash incentive of P7,500; Ma. Cristina A. Raguindin; Heren Joy Evalor G. Vivit; and Vanessa V. Daquioag.

Francis Christer Harmon A. Libo-on was this year’s recipient of the Gerry Roxas Leadership  Award. 

Laboratory Elementary School

Eidan Ceasar C. Rivera led this year’s 72 graduates of the elementary department of the university.  He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Rivera of LHS-Laoag.  Aside from being the valedictorian of the class, he was also the highest achiever in science, heograpiya, kasaysayan, at sibika, and edukasyong pantahanan at pangkabuhayan.  He is recipient of the Academic Excellence Award and the Ilocos Norte Science Community Award for Excellence in Science.

Graduating as salutatorian was Emmanuel John A. Borromeo, son of Mr. and Mrs. (Roselia A. Borromeo of LES) Emmanuel Borromeo of Brgy. 24, Laoag City.  He was also the class best in English, and musika, sining, edukasyong pangkatawan at pangkalusugan. He was leader of the year and received the Co-Curricular Excellence Award.

Others in the honor roll were:  Anjo Neil D. Guillermo, first honorable mention; Julian Marie Lorenz D. Alipio, second honorable mention; and Duke Danielle T. de los Santos, third honorable mention.  De los Santos was also recognized for being the highest achiever in mathematics and was given the Ilocos Norte Science Community Academic Excellence Award in Mathematics.

Graduating “with distinction” were: Danah Mae R. Arzadon, Guien Eidrefson P. Garma, Akira Isaak Medina, Carlo Magno C. Vistro, and Sidney Lyndon D. Dolores.  Garma, son of Mr. and Mrs. (Sergia P. Garma of CAF) Ferdinand Garma, was also the highest achiever in Flipino.

Guest speaker

Lawyer Lolibeth Ramit-Medrano graduated from the LHS-Laoag in 1999 with “high honors”.  She completed her elementary education from Shamrock Elementary School as salutatorian.

She took her Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from the University of the Philippines in Diliman where she graduated cum laude.

She went to attend school at the Macquarie University in Sydney, New South Wales in Australia under an Australian Development Scholarship to pursue her Master in Politics and Public Policy.

She has attended sessions of parties of the United Nations on the Kyoto Protocol in Kenya and Canada and of the United Nations Environmental Program on global concerns in the United Arab Emirates and Italy.