The UP Open University Faculty of Education (FEd) proudly recognized 177 graduates for the AY 2024-2025 — many of whom received academic distinctions — during the FEd Recognition Rites and Fellowship held on 05 December 2025, 8:00 AM at the International Convention Center (ICC), UP Open University, Los Baños Laguna.
This FEd graduating class of AY 2024–2025 includes a remarkable number of honor recipients across programs. The Bachelor of Education Studies (BES) program produced 31 graduates, including 16 Latin honor awardees. The Associate in Arts program celebrated 45 graduates while the Diploma in Mathematics Teaching and Diploma in Science Teaching programs produced 8 and 6 graduates, respectively. The Diploma in Language and Literacy Education program recognized 28 graduates, along with 3 graduates from the Master of Arts in Language and Literacy Education and one graduate from the Master of Education (Language and Literacy Education) program. Meanwhile, the Diploma in Social Science Education program distinguished 18 graduates, alongside two graduates of the Master of Social Science Education program and the lone Doctor of Philosophy in Education graduate, who also earned a Chancellor’s List distinction.
Across all programs, the Faculty of Education proudly recognized 13 Dean’s List awardees and 5 recipients of the Chancellor’s List academic merit.
Chancellor Joane V. Serrano opened the ceremony as the first faculty recognition rites scheduled for this day with a warm message of joy and pride, noting a welcome full of recognition for many of the graduates who visited the university in person for the first time during this momentous event. 
A keynote message filled with gratitude, inspiration, and challenge to future educators was delivered by Raymond D. Basilio, the first graduate of the BES program and currently the Secretary-General of Alliance of Concerned Teachers-ACT Philippines. In his message, he underscored the pressing realities confronting the education sector and illuminated what it means to be a guro ng bayan, calling on graduates to engage with the world, transform it, and serve the people — reminding them that, “You are stepping into a task far larger than yourselves.” He further emphasized that “the education sector stands at a crossroad. The forces of decay and stagnation want to preserve the present order. But the people demand change. The children demand hope”.
This year’s ceremony also marks a milestone with the Faculty of Education’s first summa cum laude awardee, Fritzielynn Jaye G. Vigonte of the BES program, who is also recipient of the Commission of Higher Education (CHED) UniFAST Academic Excellence Award. In her speech as the undergraduate representative, she reflected on the value of the proverb, “It takes a village to educate a child,” that gave depth to her meaningful years as a BES student and how her journey was culminated by a collective support. She also encouraged her fellow graduates to become part of that “village” for others.
This year’s commencement theme, “Constancy, Change and Coexistence” was given a more meaningful reflection through the speech of the Graduate representative, Mark Nickhole R. Bernandino from the Masters of Distance Education program. He highlighted this year’s theme as a call of action, embodied in his words, “PANANATILI sa prinsipyo at dangal; PAGBABAGO sa mga bulok na sistemang nagpapahirap sa mamamayan; at PAGKAKA-COEXIST sa lipunan bilang tinig na may tapang, may talino, at may malasakit”.
The recognition rites also honored the service of the eight FEd graduates who selflessly served as Ugnayan ng Pahinungod volunteers, followed by the intermission and cultural show of the UP Los Baños Filipiniana Dance Troupe (UPLB-FDT).
In her closing remarks, Dean Charisse T. Reyes expressed profound gratitude to the entire Faculty of Education for reaping the harvest from the years of dedication and commitment to expanding access to quality open education. She urged the challenge to graduates to pay it forward through community service, living out the values of honor, excellence, and service as a true Iskolar ng Bayan.
Written By: FPCMurphy
Edited by: Asst. Prof. Angel Mae O. Ombid and Asst. Prof. Ana Katrina T. Marcial