In a solemn celebration of Rizalianos’ four-year academic journey embellished with achievements of excellence and outstanding milestones, Rizal Technological University (RTU) filled the EVM Convention Center with pride and honor as the graduating class of 2026 was recognized for their outstanding academic and non-academic achievements at the 55th Recognition Rites, held on July 28.
Batched into two sessions, Rizalianos who excelled in sports and athletics, cultural artistry, and those who were recognized by scholarship programs were honored in the morning ceremony, while Rizalianos who went above and beyond with their academic performance were honored in the afternoon ceremony, along with the loyalty awardees and the outstanding students.
Enriching the commemorative spirit of the event, Dr. Andres Philip Mayol, an Associate Professor, Researcher, and Energy & AI Consultant at the De La Salle University, addressed the non-academic awardees. He encouraged the graduating class to persevere, be patient, and to seize their future by taking initiative, committing to one’s passions, not giving up, and taking accountability for one’s decisions, actions, and shortcomings. He drew wisdom from his experience as a former football athlete, sharing the challenges he wanted to play despite being injured. He encouraged student athletes and student artists to learn patience along with passionate perseverance; to pause when needed but continue once ready.
In the afternoon ceremony, Rev. Fr. Glenn William Relucio, President of Cainta Catholic College, shared his wisdom with the academic awardees. True to his passion of being a person of faith and a reverend, Fr. Relucio seemed like he was delivering a homily where he was commending the achievers for their unrelenting pursuit of excellence, but also reminded them of humility. He warmly reminded the graduating class that while Latin Honors are milestones worthy of applause, the achievement was a result of the collective spirit of the student, their parents who supported them, their professors who mentored them, and their friends who walked along the same path. His profound message gave the academic awardees a strong reminder that humility is a partner of excellence.
In this year’s Recognition Rites, RTU honored hundreds of non-academic awardees and more than a thousand of academic awardees, underscoring Pandayang Rizalia’s continued pursuit of holistic excellence where academic performance is paired with strong programs for sports and the arts.
As the graduating class of 2026 wraps up their academic journey at RTU, the university remains positive that as the Rizalianos depart from its campuses, the values and teachings of Pandayang Rizalia will continue to guide the students to excellence—may it be academic or in other endeavors.