Beyond a theme and a tagline, “Nurtured Rizalianos: Igniting Minds, Blazing Trails, Illuminating the Future; Magningas, Mag-alab, Magliwanag” was both a reminder for the 2026 Graduating Class of Rizal Technological University (RTU) that their graduation is only the beginning of their real-world journey, and a challenge to never stop learning, progressing, and making a path for others that succeed them.
At the 55th Commencement Exercises of the university, a total of 5,592 Rizalianos from across the various colleges and institutes of Pandayang Rizalia finally closed their stories of academic endeavors filled with heartbreaks and triumphs as they welcomed the new chapter of going out onto the new roads that life would open for them.
During the ceremonies held on July 29 and 30 at the EVM Convention Center in Quezon City, the graduating class, their parents, and the university faculty and administrative personnel celebrated the Conferment of Degrees to the Rizalianos who satisfactorily completed the academic requirements that reflect excellence, integrity, compassion, and the values of the Rizaliano community. The ceremonies were a commemoration of the four or five years the graduating class had spent honing their skills, sharpening their minds, molding their characters, and creating a path towards a better future for themselves, their family, their communities, and the greater society.
The University President, Dr. Ma. Eugenia M. Yangco, congratulated the graduates with a message that emphasizes the theme, saying “Ang ating tema ngayong taon ay isang malakas na panawagan at hamon sa bawat isa sa inyo… Gusto kong baunin ninyo ang tatlong mahahalagang mensahe na nakapaloob dito habang tinatahak ninyo ang susunod na kabanata.”
She elaborated her intent, expounding on the three points of the theme. Challenging them to carry the spark of excellence beyond the university, Dr. Yangco told the graduates, “Your minds have been ignited. Ang apoy ng karunungan ay nagsimula na sa inyo. Huwag ninyong hayaang mamatay ang kuryosidad at ang hilig sa pagkatuto.” In reminding them that a true Rizaliano leaves a trail of excellence behind for others to follow, she said, “Hindi sapat na matalino lang tayo. Ang tunay na Rizaliano ay may nag-aalab na puso para sa serbisyo, inobasyon, at pagbabago… go where there is no path and leave a trail. Blaze your own trails.” Finally, the University President said, “Sa labas ng unibersidad, marami kayong makikitang kadiliman-krisis, kawalan ng katiyakan, at mga pagsubok sa prinsipyo. This is where you come in. Kayo ang magsisilbing liwanag. Illuminate the future.”
Dr. Yangco ended her address by saying, “Habang humahakbang kayo palabas ng ating institusyon, bitbitin ninyo ang dangal at giting ng isang Rizaliano. Laging tandaan: Magningas sa talino, mag-alab sa puso, at magliwanag sa buhay ng tao.” With the president’s profound reminder of what it means to be a Rizaliano, the graduating class received more than congratulations; they were tasked with giving justice to their identity as Rizalianos and alumni of RTU.
Joining the President in addressing and inspiring the graduates, Pandayang Rizalia invited six guests of honor to serve as the commencement speakers for this year’s ceremonies. The six individuals are considered successful in their chosen fields and are fully capable of inspiring the graduates on the day of their achievements.
First to address the graduates was the Representative of the Lone District of Pasig City, Hon. Roman T. Romulo, who spoke to the 729 graduates from the College of Education in the Mandaluyong Campus and the Pasig Branch, the Institute of Human Kinetics, and RTU’s Graduate Programs on July 29. In a rather concise yet strong message, the congressman reminded the Rizalianos that whatever path they may take, they should not let the fire that moves them be extinguished. Rep. Romulo also urged them to let integrity and compassion guide them, and not let their values be second to ambition, wealth, titles, and recognition.
Addressing the second batch of graduates, Retired Brigadier General Gerardo Zamudio, who now serves as the Commandant of the Climate Change Task Force, reminded the 939 graduates from the College of Business, Entrepreneurship, and Accountancy-Pasig Branch and College of Arts and Sciences-Pasig Branch to uphold the principles of integrity. He said that even when RTU had opened the doors of opportunity to the graduates, it was their integrity that would keep those doors open.
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Michville Rivera, spoke at the last batch of the first-day ceremonies. In his message to the 934 graduates from the College of Engineering-Mandaluyong Campus, the Institute of Architecture, and the Institute of Computer Studies, Dr. Rivera shared his interpretation of Dr. Jose Rizal’s famous line, “Ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan.” His view is that Rizal did not mean that the youth alone is the hope. Rather, he believes that there’s a harder, more honest version, saying, “Hindi lang kayo ang pag-asa. Kasama namin kayo, kasi bahagi na rin kayo ng problema. Not because you’ve done anything wrong yet—most of you haven’t had the chance to—but because every one of us, the moment we choose silence over discomfort, becomes part of whatever [the problem] is.”
Dr. Rivera believes that to avoid becoming indifferent to society’s woes, the graduates must make it their personal concern. He urged the graduates, saying “So gawin nating personal ang usapin ng ating bayan… the pothole on your street you complain about but never report, the barangay hall you avoid because the line is too long, the sibling’s future you’ll help design more carefully than any stranger’s. Kapag naging personal na yung problema niyo… doon pa lang tayo madalas aaksyon.”
On the second day of the ceremonies, Dr. Richard Nixon, President & CEO of The Global Leader Inc., started the day with a strong message of the adage “Huwag mong ipagpabukas ang kaya mong gawin ngayon.” He reminded the graduating class of 1,002 Rizalianos from the Institute of Computer Studies and CBEA’s BS Entrepreneurship, BS Accountancy, and BSBA Financial Management that efficiency is a quality that will lead to opportunities.
The 1,007 graduates of BSBA Human Resource Management, BSBA Human Resource Development Management, BSBA Operations Management, and BS Office Administration welcomed the Representative of the Lone District of Mandaluyong City, Hon. Alexandria “Queenie” Gonzales, as their commencement speaker. Rep. Gonzales once again echoed the theme of the ceremonies, encouraging the graduates to illuminate a path for others and make a difference, even in the smallest ways. She said, “Illumination starts small. It’s the barkada group chat where you can actually fact-check fake news… It’s mentoring a kid you know… It’s the helping hand you extend… and the loving heart you put out… It’s the integrity in every small thing that you do.”
981 graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences-Mandaluyong Campus and College of Engineering-Pasig Branch were honored with the address of Mr. Mark Roy Boado, the Vice President for Business Development of R-II Builders Inc. He told the graduates that a generation inherits two things: a heritage and a responsibility, challenging the Rizalianos to rise to the challenge of facing the societal problems that they have inherited. He urged the graduating class to be courageous in using their education for good, saying “Tranquility from wrongdoings is not peace; silence in the face of injustice is not wisdom. Ang edukasyon ay walang saysay kung natatakot tayong gamitin ito para sa kabutihan.”
As the ceremonies closed, the graduating class pledged their loyalty to the university and took the alumni oath, symbolizing their commitment to upholding the values imparted to them by RTU. Batch 2026 also sang ‘Simula’, a Rizaliano-composed graduation song, to commemorate the first steps they will take in their new chapter of life.
This year’s Commencement Exercises were about more than recognizing the achievements of the graduating class; they were a final lesson in the values Rizal had upheld. It was a final reminder to Batch 2026 that a degree is more than a ticket to the job market and their eventual success; their education is a unifying tool that can create ripples of positive change.
Congratulations, Batch 2026! May the education RTU has imparted to you be the key that opens the doors to your future success.
