Voices of FEU Class of 2025 Valedictorians

Commencement Exercises at Far Eastern University is more than just a rite of passage, it is a celebration of stories. For the Class of 2025, nine valedictorians stood before their peers, not only to receive medals, but to reflect on journeys marked by grit, growth, and grace. From quiet breakthroughs to personal losses, from redirections to fierce declarations of identity, these Tamaraws prove that excellence wears many faces — and speaks in many voices. 

For Rae Elaine S. Ragos, Bachelor of Science in Internal Auditing, Cum Laude, the journey to graduation was paved not with perfection but with perseverance. Her story is one of repeated setbacks and deep faith—faith in herself, in her dreams, and in the value of not giving up.

“Here’s something you do not usually hear from someone on this stage… I failed. Not once but many times over. And each failure nearly convinced me that I do not belong here.” 

She recounted a life marked by almosts: almost on top, almost chosen, almost there. Despite setbacks—even failing the qualifying exam—she held on. "I remember crying as I looked at the results, thinking, ‘Saan kaya ako nagkulang?’" But then, "FEU took a chance on me." The Ramon S. Ang Foundation scholarship gave her not just a second wind, but a second chance. 

That moment felt like an answered prayer. “It reminded me that even in hardship, I was not invisible. And because of that I’m standing here today—living the dream I once thought I had lost,” Rae said. “Never dismiss your 'almosts.' Let them fuel your passion.” 

As she stood on stage after 16 years of striving, she declared, “I was never a failure. I am and will always be a work in progress. We all are. And that’s more than enough.” 

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“Today is a feat we all have been waiting for, to honor our efforts and every small act of courage we took to arrive here,” said Capela Mariz C. Fuljencio, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Marketing Management, Magna Cum Laude. This is after she braved through literal and emotional floods—“the floodwaters underneath our home, the constant pleading to the authorities for rescue boats, for a way out, for a chance to just get here.” 

In her speech, she anchored everything on one Filipino word: KAYA. “It became a whispered prayer we uttered while trying to hide the silent weight of pressure.” For Capela, and many like her, it meant carrying the weight of scholarships, side hustles, and sacrifices. 

“I vowed to myself that I would do my best to keep my scholarship until the end... because I didn’t want to burden my parents.” She recalled her parents asking, “Kaya pa ba?” and their unwavering support: “Gagawin natin ang lahat para ma-afford ang tuition mo.” 

Her message built on past, present, and future strength: “Kaya natin noon, kinakaya pa rin natin ngayon, kakayanin pa natin bukas.” Her parting words were a tribute to faith and gratitude: “All glory to God for the strength we never knew we had.” 

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When Mia Nicole L. Mercado, Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication, Magna Cum Laude, entered FEU, it was a time of transition, uncertainty, and heartbreak. Like many students who began their college journey during the pandemic, she recalls sitting in front of her laptop during orientation, hearing the familiar question: “Bakit ka nag-FEU?” 

For her, the answer was candid: she chose FEU “when another door didn’t open.” But what initially felt like rejection turned into something deeper and transformative.  

In the years that followed, Mia found herself growing and healing in the very place she once considered her second choice. “We stopped looking back. We stopped comparing. Because we realized—this is the dream.” From laughter at the Freedom Park to food trips during Institute Week, from failed plans to unexpected wins, FEU became more than a university—it became a home. 

Mia’s reflections were honest and unfiltered. She shared the reality of not having a medal, or a dream job lined up. With quiet strength, she championed a new narrative: that success is not measured solely by accolades, but by the courage to keep going. “This year, I clapped for so many people even when it hurt. Even when I wanted to disappear.” 

She ends with a message to every graduate walking their own uncertain path: “We may not all leave here with medals, but we leave with meaning. With stories worth telling. With hearts that tried—really, truly tried.” 

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“In thy happy halls.” 

These four words from the FEU hymn sparked a journey that took Princess Joanna V. Ramos, Bachelor of Science in Medical Biology, Cum Laude, from her hometown to the heart of Manila—where dreams were tested, and her purpose was sharpened. 

“To say that I was afraid would be an understatement… but beneath my fears were hopes too big to ignore and dreams far too important to give up on.” 

As she navigated life away from home, the university became her sanctuary. “When our dreams trembled under the weight of doubt… there is no denying that Far Eastern University has become our home. An oasis in the desert, as some may even call it.” 

Beyond campus, her advocacy was shaped by injustice she witnessed in real life: “I joined civic organizations, volunteered in outreach programs, and utilized my platforms to advocate for what I believe the Filipino people deserve.” 

In one defining moment during her internship, a patient cried over the cost of a test. “He was crying while shouting that what I was doing was wrong,” Princess said. That encounter pushed her to act with deeper empathy. “To meet people in their most vulnerable moments with compassion.” 

Princess Joanna now steps forward as both a healer and an advocate, carrying the light of her education into the lives of others. “Thy happy halls are not only ours, but also for every Filipino whose dreams are destined to be championed… We owe it to every struggling Filipino to carry forward the light we found here… and to ignite the change we aspire to see in our society.” 

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“Mich, paano ba maging matalino?” 

That million-dollar question led Michkaella P. Alberto, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Cum Laude, to reflect on what she knows best—not how to be smart, but how to be ordinary. “I always knew in my heart that I am ordinary.” But from that ordinariness, she distilled three truths. 

Secret number one: “Being ordinary is dreaming of becoming extraordinary.” Citing Life of Pi, she shared: “The lower you are, the higher your mind will want to soar.” 

Secret number two: “Being ordinary is being consistent.” Drawing from a U.S. Navy SEAL tradition of making the bed to perfection every morning, she shared how mundane acts like this could be “small victories.” And from her own practice, she realized, “These victories are quiet, they are small, they are ordinary, but they are consistent, and they are mine.” 

Secret number three: “Being ordinary is being human.” She emphasized that “to unlock the potential of that humanity, you must first have humility,” and that “once we understand not just our humanity, but more importantly, the humanity of the people around us, we will find ourselves more firmly grounded than ever.” 

And in a world full of expectations to excel, Mich reminded her fellow graduates: “You do not have to be overly smart or extraordinary to earn your place in the sun. Dreaming, consistency, and humanity are values that must have always been inside of you.” 

She ended her speech with a moving call to embrace one’s humble journey: “In a world where you are expected to stand out, you do not have to leave your ordinariness behind. After all, extraordinary is just extra without the ordinary.” 

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“We were the batch who finished high school and graduated online, right in the middle of a pandemic. And now, today, we graduate once more, amid flooded streets, warnings of strong rain, and the uncertainty of whether we’d even make it here at all,” said Czarina D. Servando, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Cum Laude. 

Czarina’s journey toward Nursing began during the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. She recalled how witnessing a nurse’s calm and quiet care moved her to pursue the profession herself. “Even when her own safety was uncertain, she showed up with calm and care. And that was it. That was the moment I saw the soul of nursing. Resilience.” 

She reflects on the shared strength of her batch: “Resilience was when we kept showing up for ourselves and for others, even when life was hard.” And for herself, “I started to see a glimpse of the person I was becoming. And I realized I was no longer just chasing the light. I was learning how to carry it.” 

In her closing call to action, she reminded her fellow Tamaraws: “Let us be the strength in someone’s struggle, the light someone sees from miles away when they feel lost at sea. A beacon that shines—even in the Far East.” 

“You are not just graduates. You are leaders. You are advocates. You are lightbearers.” 

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Hannah April B. Dayrit, Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management – Hotel Operations Track, Magna Cum Laude, opened her speech with warmth and honesty, capturing both the exhaustion and joy of the student journey: 

“Today is one of those beautiful, unforgettable moments when we finally get to celebrate ourselves— for everything we’ve conquered, survived, and laughed or cried through… We found a way… We deserve this moment. We earned it. Let’s own it!” 

She offered an honest glimpse into the internal struggles many students endure and shared how her academic journey surprised even herself. While she once thought she'd find her path in the kitchen, FEU helped her discover a different passion. “I found my passion in mixology and oenology. I also discovered I speak well and thrive in the front office setting.” 

In a heartfelt note to FEU, Hannah expressed what it meant to be part of the university’s inclusive culture: “As a scholarship grantee and a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, I want to say this from the heart: never ako naging invisible dito sa FEU.” 

She reflected on how her time at FEU shaped not just her knowledge, but her values. “Excellence is when you learn how to collaborate, take initiative, and actually care and do something about what’s happening around you,” she said. “Life is not just about career and success. It is also about being a good person and looking out for others… Speak up. Show up. And never stop learning and growing.” 

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Paul Christian S. Reyes, Bachelor of Science in Psychology, Magna Cum Laude, believes his journey is defined by persistence. “I showed up,” he repeats throughout his speech — a phrase that captures his commitment to being present despite fear, uncertainty, or judgment. 

Paul expressed gratitude to FEU for helping students like him believe that “our dreams aren’t too big or too far away.” As a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, he shared how claiming his space — and his identity — was itself a triumph: “Let this moment be proof that when queer people are truly embraced, we don’t just exist — we show up, and we thrive.” 

Studying Psychology taught him the value of empathy and presence. “It taught us to listen — not only to those seeking help, but to one another, especially in moments we need each other the most,” he said. 

To his fellow graduates, Reyes reminded them that the act of being present is itself powerful: “Showing up isn’t about having everything figured out. It’s about standing in your truth, claiming your space, and saying: ‘I am here. I matter.’” 

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“After all the sleepless nights, tight deadlines, and constant doubts, we finally made it. And we owe it all to ourselves for showing up again and again,” said Angelle Joy Salonga, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration– Leadership and Human Capital Management, Cum Laude. 

She entered college as an Engineering student—driven by practicality and the pressure to succeed early. But during the pandemic, she felt disconnected. In 2021, she made a courageous shift to Business Administration, fearing judgment for “wasting two years.” Instead, the change led her to purpose, scholarship, and leadership. 

Representing FEU Makati, Angelle acknowledged the quiet strength in choosing a different path, despite doubts and societal pressures. 

“There is a narrative we’re often told – that success requires certainty. But fear doesn’t diminish our strength; it becomes our strength.” 

To her fellow graduates, she offered this reminder: “Keep showing up when you feel confident and keep showing up even when you don’t. Give yourself grace in the process of becoming.” 

Together, these nine voices tell the story of a generation shaped by disruption but not defined by it. In their own ways, they each captured what it means to be a Tamaraw in 2025—resilient, compassionate, driven, and ready to lead with purpose.