UP student from Marawi to deliver valedictory speech

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 19) — A Molecular Biology and Biotechnology student at the University of the Philippines-Diliman (UP) from Marawi City will graduate summa cum laude on Sunday.

College of Science's Arman Ghodsinia, who has a weighted average grade (WAG) of 1.176, was chosen to deliver the valedictory speech in the university's 106th commencement exercises.

Ghodsinia is one of the 36 summa cum laude students who will lead the 4,000 graduates.

Summa cum laude, Latin phrase meaning "with greatest honors," is the highest academic award for graduates with the WAG of 1.20 or higher.

Also among the summa cum laude graduates is UP Lady Maroons'  Katherine Bersola, who has a WAG of 1.18.

Bersola, who will graduate with a Sports Science degree, is the first summa cum laude from the College of Human Kinetics.

The other summa cum laude graduates are:

Williard Joshua D. Jose (BS Electronics and Communications Engineering) - 1.058

Rangel DG. Daroya (BS Electronics and Communications Engineering) - 1.074

Patricia S. Sy (BA Sociology) - 1.089

Victor Carlo G. Irene (BA Philosophy) - 1.101

Stephanie Ann B. Lopez (BA Psychology) - 1.102

Paollo Deo R. Reyes (BS Statistics) - 1.103

Martin Anthony M. Salud (BA European Languages) - 1.104

John Ian V. Baytamo (BS Mechanical Engineering) - 1.115

Arla Mae Nicole T. Salcedo (BA Psychology) - 1.125

John Alexander O. Soriano (BS Business Administration and Accountancy) - 1.131

Jeynald Jeyromme L. Endaya (BS Computer Science) - 1.133

Johntee T. Tantuco (BS Industrial Engineering) - 1.152

Quirby Angelo S. Alberto (BS Industrial Engineering) - 1.154

Angelica Cielo B. Gozar (BA Psychology) - 1.157

Philip Christopher S. Cruz (BS Physics) - 1.163

Krizzia Elyse B. Mañago (BA Linguistics) - 1.163

Jose Monfred C. Sy (BA Comparative Literature) - 1.166

Marco Angelo DP. Samonte (BS Electronics and Communications Engineering) - 1.166

Clare Feliz S. Tan (BS Computer Science) - 1.166

Jan Patrick C. Tan (BS Molecular Biology and Biotechnology) - 1.168

Kristine Larissa B. Yu (BS Chemistry) - 1.169

Christine Darla A. Bautista (BS Business Administration) - 1.171

Christian Cariño (BS Chemistry) - 1.172

Corinna Victoria C. Martinez (BS Psychology) - 1.172

Marco G. Del Valle (BS Business Administration) - 1.173

Jennifer B. Rucio (BS Tourism) - 1.173

Ian Christian Belando Fernandez (BS Computer Engineering) - 1.177

Ryan Timothy D. Yu (BS Molecular Biology and Biotechnology) -  1.179

Marly Vea Clarisse L. Elli (BA Linguistics) - 1.182

Mary Anne Balane (BA English Studies) - 1.183

Angelo Rafael E. Arcilla (BS Business Economics) - 1.183

Erica Camille U. Lau (BS Business Administration and Accountancy) - 1.193

Teod Carlo C. Cabili (BS Statistics) - 1.196

Kamille Anne U. Areopagita (Bachelor of Fine Arts [Visual Communication]) - 1.197

Meanwhile, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno will be confirmed with the Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, and will be the commencement speaker.

Diokno is also a Professor Emeritus at the university's School of Economics.

According to CHED, the honorary Doctor of Laws degree is given to "outstanding lawyers, politicians, public servants, and statesmen who have contributed so much to and distinguished themselves in international understanding, leadership, and the rule of law."

UP planned on April to confer the degree to President Rodrigo Duterte, which he declined after criticisms from the students.