22/07/2026
๐ช๐ต๐ฒ๐ป ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐๐ต๐ถ๐ฝ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐บ๐ถ๐ฐ ๐๐
๐ฐ๐ฒ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ด๐ฒ:
๐๐๐ ๐๐๐จ๐ ๐ค๐ ๐๐๐ก๐๐ง๐๐ฎ, ๐๐ฃ๐ซ๐๐๐๐โ๐จ ๐๐๐ง๐จ๐ฉ ๐๐ช๐ข๐ข๐ ๐พ๐ช๐ข ๐๐๐ช๐๐
Marl Joshua C. Uclaray built his four years of student leadership across two campuses: one term as PRMSU Supreme Student Government (SSG) President at the Main Campus, and second as SSG President at PRMSU-Botolan Campus. On July 22, 2026, that path leads him to the PRMSU Main Campus Gymnasium, where he is set to become the first summa cm laude of the Environmental Science Department of the College of Agriculture and Forestry (CAF).
In an interview, Uclaray described how finding out he was graduating as summa cm laude felt like a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders. With the announcement came a sense of relief and all the pressure and expectations he had carried throughout his academic journey seemingly disappeared.
Overwhelmed with emotions and gratitude, Uclaray felt great honor upon realizing that his achievement was a milestone for the Environmental Science Department. And while the Environmental Science program spent a year in PRMSU - Botolan Campus, he emphasized that he is very grateful to the three years he spent at the main campus where he begin all his journey not just as a student but also as student leader, noting that the achievement bis a shared one by both the Main and Botolan Campus.
This was no easy feat for Uclaray, especially while juggling his personal life, academic responsibilities, and student leadership duties.
Uclaray spent nearly four years in student leadership, beginning as the PRMSU CAF - SBO Iba Campusโ Secretary, before serving his first term as PRSMU - Supreme Student Government (SSG) President at the Main Campus and as Student Regent during his third year, and is now the outgoing SSG President at PRMSU-Botolan Campus, where he served his second term.
His second term as SSG President, this time at PRMSU-Botolan Campus, placed him at the center of the satellite campusโ student affairs in the same years he was carrying his heaviest academic load while going back and then at Sta. Cruz, Zambales where he conducted his research study seeking for more sustainable way to rehabilitate mined-out areas and conserve native trees situated there. Balancing that post alongside his coursework at Botolan added another layer to the leadership path that led to his summa cm laude bid, on top of the term he had already served at the main campus.
When asked about his biggest challenge in balancing his responsibilities as a student leader while maintaining his academic standing, he shared how he prioritizes his studies emphasizing that โwe are students first; that's why the student comes before the leader in the term student leaders.โ
Despite this, Uclaray admitted that there was a time where he chose to serve first before his academics, a decision that nearly cost him his chance at graduating summa cm laude. He explained that he chose to serve first since he believed that more students would suffer or be disappointed if he failed to fulfill his responsibilities, whereas he alone would bear the consequences of missing such academic award. Fortunately, he was still able to finish and pass the requirement with the help and understanding of his instructor who was appreciative of the efforts student leaders make.
He expressed deep appreciation for his support system. He thanked God for always guiding and blessing him of every challenge, decision and action he make. He thanked his family who supported his academics and student leadership, his mom whom he is very grateful of, for her unconditional love, tireless efforts, countless sacrifices, and unwavering dedication and his grandfather who would wait for him to arrive home before heading to bed. He also acknowledged his relatives and godparents who offered financial support even sponsoring in some events heโs organized, his instructors who encouraged participation in extra curricular activities, and his college friends, who were there to remind him of activities and school works he might have otherwise missed and gone through with with every struggles in his life, and of course. He shared how one time he had to abruptly leave lunch after being called to the office, only to find his friends had packed his unfinished lunch and brought his things back to their classroom. He reiterated that because of these people, he managed to balance his academic and student leadership responsibilities.
โHinding hindi ko malilimutan yung efforts and sacrifices nila or support nila sakin. Kasi di naman ako mapupunta sa lagay na to, na super well balanced ang academic and student leadership ko without this kind of support system.โ
Despite the milestones he has achieved, Uclaray stated that he wishes to be remembered as someone who remained approachable and accommodating. โHuwag mong problemahin ang problema, solusyunan mo yung problema, always with a smile,โ Uclaray shares, highlighting that he is someone who chooses to smile despite all the challenges, uncertainties, pressure and responsibilities that he may face.
For aspiring students while serving as a student leader, Uclaray advised them to find their inspiration, and discover what they want to dedicate themselves to. He encouraged students to have the determination to push through their goals despite the challenges ahead and establish a strong support system that will stand with them every step of the way.
Maintaining the academic standards required for summa cm laude was no easy feat, according to Uclaray.
