Graduating accountancy and management students from the School of Business and Accountancy (SBA) marched at the University Theater, completing the second and third batches of the Commencement Exercises for AY 2025–2026 held on November 20 and 21, 2025.

The commencement kicked off with the hooding ceremony, where the organizers recognized graduates for their academic distinctions across various fields. Student Activities Coordinator Paul Carreon handed out several notable awards, including Most Outstanding Accountancy Student, Most Outstanding Management Accounting Student, Best Research Paper, Leadership Excellence Award, and Journalism Award.

Afterward, graduating candidates marched with their parents toward the University Theater as the graduation rites officially began. The program opened with the Entrance of Colors, followed by a prayer and the Holy Angel University Chorale’s performance of the national anthem. University President Leopoldo Valdez then delivered a speech addressing the graduating students and their guests.

The momentous occasion continued as graduates received their diplomas, and laude awardees, along with other distinguished Angelite speakers, delivered inspiring messages.

Angela Claudine Pineda, an Angelite speaker and accountancy graduate, encouraged her fellow students to persevere through personal struggles. “I ain’t mediocre, average, or mid, because I fought for my place here, just like you have. Lumaban at lumalaban tayo,” she said.

Meanwhile, Leanne Jean Dela Peña, valedictorian and summa cum laude of the accountancy program, reflected on the idea that life often demands revisions. She emphasized that although others may interpret our “canvas” differently, “what truly matters is that we understand the meaning and story behind our own art, as we are the artists of our masterpiece.”

For the third batch of commencement exercises, Angelite speaker Chezkha Sayra Gabarda, a management accounting graduate, delivered a powerful message about the program’s challenges. “Accountancy is not for the weak. Back then, I used to laugh it off, not realizing that it would humble me and that those words would become my truth, my battle cry, and my badge of honor,” she said.

Christine Joy David also shared her journey, saying, “I couldn’t even count how many times I almost gave up, thinking about whether all the hardship would be worth it, but at last we are now at our destination.” She ended her speech with a call for integrity in the profession: “Accountants shouldn’t be instruments of corruption but protectors of public trust and confidence in our nation.”

Although the program started 30 minutes late due to the delayed arrival of several graduates, the Commencement Exercises concluded on a high note.