New Tandem

𝗔𝗗-𝗝𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗡𝗢𝗦: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱-𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

From coverage to other publication functions, they stood up as torches of their respective colleges. They might have room to settle in or might have not, these impediments didn't stop them from upholding their sworn oath: to guard the truth for every student within or beyond their reach.

Their time in the institution may be adjourned, but forever, they will be valued as campus journalists.

Warmest felicitations to the graduate campus journalists of 2025-2026!

✍️ | 𝘕𝘦𝘴 𝘘𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘰𝘱
💻 | 𝘑𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘝𝘪𝘻𝘤𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘢, 𝘕𝘦𝘴 𝘘𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘰𝘱

‎𝗡𝗧𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗧𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗺 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱-𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 (1/2)
‎
‎The moment you entered in the cramped space of the office, you stopped merely practicing writing, art, and journalism, and instead let them become permanent lenses through which you view the world. And now, as you step out into a wider reality, remember that your responsibility to the truth and your drive to create do remain fully yours. Keep looking closer, keep protecting nuance, and keep telling the stories that matter.
‎
‎Once an NT-ty of truth, will always be an NT-ty of truth—that's for NTernity!
‎
‎Congratulations to the Graduates of New Tandem, Batch 2025—2026!

✍️ | 𝘙𝘶𝘵𝘩 𝘋𝘢𝘴𝘶𝘨𝘰
💻 | 𝘕𝘦𝘴 𝘘𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘰𝘱
‎

𝗥𝗘𝗙𝗟𝗘𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 | 𝗜𝗡 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠 𝗪𝗘 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗡

One taught us to have the 𝗖𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗔𝗚𝗘, the other told us to embrace 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗦, the next said that we must 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗘, one commanded to face our own 𝗧𝗥𝗨𝗧𝗛, and the last pleaded to unite for 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗢𝗡 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗. Different clamours yet they stand on a common ground, and that is for us to lead with purpose, grow through challenges, and serve beyond ourselves

Their journey to the top is a reflection of every dream that shouldn't just exist as a dream. So, 𝗝𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗟et's forge our success out of hardwork, 𝗔𝗗𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗟𝗟𝗘arn to ground yourself with humility, be at your 𝗘𝗥𝗟nest to 𝗝𝗔𝗞𝗘 every opportunity ahead, and lastly, 𝗞𝗜𝗔nderstand that whatever happens, you have your own autonomy to your future.

Hats off to our cluster valedictorians but more importantly, a huge praise to our UNP Batch 2026!

✍️ | 💻 | 𝘕𝘦𝘴 𝘘𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘰𝘱

𝗤𝗨𝗢𝗧𝗘 𝗨𝗡𝗤𝗨𝗢𝗧𝗘 | 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀

Clustered graduation brought different programs together. Some may appear cohesive, some may appear disconnected. But if we try to look beyond, whatever career we choose, the common ground would be the interest to serve with people, to be with people.

Just like Cluster V Valedictorian Kia Francoise Corpuz said, "‎Our fields are no longer separate narratives. They become dependent on one another. Because society survives not when one field succeeds alone, but when every discipline remembers its responsibility to the common good."

📷 | 💻 | 𝘕𝘦𝘴 𝘘𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘰𝘱

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | “𝗪𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁,” 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝘂𝘇 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗨𝗡𝗣-𝗖𝗹𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟱 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀

University of Northern Philippines (UNP) Cluster 5 valedictorian Kia Francoise Corpuz reminded graduates that education goes beyond academic achievements and diplomas, emphasizing that the professions they are entering demand integrity, accountability, and public trust during the university’s 61st Commencement Exercises held May 15 at the UNP Gymnasium.

“We are not graduating merely to enter industries. We are entering a public trust,” Corpuz said.

“In doing so, we carry the distinct brand of a UNP graduate, molded to serve, to stand, and to redeem... Because society survives not when one field succeeds alone, but when every discipline remembers its responsibility to the common good,” she added.

Meanwhile, guest speaker PCol. Marlo A. Castillo emphasized that success does not begin after graduation in his commencement address.

“Many people believe success begins after graduation but the truth is your success began long before today. It began during the moments when you felt tired but still continued studying...Those moments shape the person you are today—they built your resilience, discipline, and your determination,” he stated.

He also shared three reminders for the graduates using the acronym UNP— uphold their roots, navigate success with humility, and pursue their purpose using their knowledge to uplift and empower others.

A total of 815 graduates from the College of Public Administration (CPAd), College of Criminal Justice Education (CCJE), College of Social Work (CSW), College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAd), and College of Hospitality and Tourism Management (CHTM) were honored.

Of the total graduates, 160 came from CPAd, including eight Doctor of Public Administration, 11 Masters of Public Administration Major in Governmental Administration, one Master of Public Administration Major in Culture Based Governance, one Master of Public Administration Major in Local Governmental Administration, six Master of Public Administration Major in Police Administration, and 113 Bachelor of Public Administration graduates, with four magna cm laude and 15 cm laude.

CCJE recorded 141 criminology graduates, comprising of nine Master of Science in Criminal Justice with Specialization in Criminology and 132 Bachelor of Science in Criminology graduates, including two magna cm laude and 34 cm laude, while CSW produced 122 graduates, with two magna cm laude and eight cm laude.

CFAD honored 84 graduates, including 53 Bachelor of Science in Interior Design, 12 Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Visual Communication and 19 Bachelor of Fine Arts Major in Painting, with two magna cm laude and 18 cm laude distinctions.

CHTM accounted for 307 graduates, composed of 134 Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management and 173 Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management, producing 11 magna cm laude and 63 cm laude awardees.| 𝘷𝘪𝘢 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢 𝘙𝘩𝘦𝘪 𝘉𝘢𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘢 𝘎𝘸𝘺𝘯𝘦𝘵𝘩 𝘙𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴

📷 | 𝘕𝘦𝘴 𝘘𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘰𝘱

𝗤𝗨𝗢𝗧𝗘 𝗨𝗡𝗤𝗨𝗢𝗧𝗘 | 𝗙𝗹𝗮𝘄𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗹𝘆 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁

We have irregularities in life and that's perfectly normal. No one is perfectly made, no one is born without flaws. In life like this, we can have the concept of perfection as a direction, but don't make it as your final destination.

Just like Cluster IV Valedictorian Jake Axel Tacadena said, "‎In the end, the measure of being true is not being perfect, but the courage to face our own truth."

📷 | 💻 | 𝘕𝘦𝘴 𝘘𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘰𝘱

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | 𝗨𝗡𝗣-𝗖𝗹𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟰 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝟯𝟰 𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗮 𝗰𝘂𝗺 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀, 𝟭𝟳𝟮 𝗰𝘂𝗺 𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗲𝘀

University of Northern Philippines-Cluster 4 produced the highest number of Latin honor awardees during the 61st Commencement Exercises held May 14 at the UNP Gymnasium, with 34 magna cm laude and 172 cm laude among the 805 graduates.

The cluster consisted of the College of Teacher Education (CTE), which produced 13 magna cm laudes and 50 cm laudes; the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) with 18 magna cm laudes and 69 cm laudes; and the College of Communication and Information Technology (CCIT) with three magna cm laudes and 33 cm laudes.

Dr. Carlito E. Balita, guest speaker, urged the graduates to embody what he described as the two meanings of UNP — “Unlimited Nurturing Potential” and “Unconditional Nationalistic Passion” — as they pursue professions dedicated to serving humanity.

“Passion is when you do something with your heart, and I want you to be nationalistic by heart because your country needs you,” he said.

Balita also introduced the acronym “NORTH VIGAN” as a guide for graduates in shaping their future, which stands for nurture vision, optimize individuality, recharge godliness, think abundance, and harmonize with nature.

“Find your North; Find your Vigan,” Balita said.

He concluded his speech by reminding graduates to remain grounded in hope, faith, and love as they face life beyond the university.

“Ang diploma ay isang napakanipis na kalasag para sa mundong naghihintay sa’yo,” he added.

Jake Axel B. Tacadena, Cluster 4 valedictorian and a magna cm laud of Bachelor of Arts in Political Science under CAS, reflected on the consequences of people’s actions by relating them to the story of Pinocchio, emphasizing that decisions do not only affect oneself but also others.

“Ang bawat desisyon natin ay may taong nadadamay, may taong nasasaktan, may taong nawawalan… sa pinakamasimpleng salita, politika,” he said.

He concluded his speech by urging graduates to remain grounded in truth and goodness despite life’s challenges.

“Like Pinocchio, I stand here before you, no longer just graced by lies but shaped by truth, grounded in love, and finally brave enough to be real. Carpe diem, Batch 2026,” he said. | 𝘷𝘪𝘢 𝘈𝘩𝘭𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦 𝘛𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘢 𝘙𝘦𝘺𝘦𝘴, 𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘗𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘢 𝘎𝘸𝘺𝘯𝘦𝘵𝘩 𝘙𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴

📷 | 𝘕𝘦𝘴 𝘘𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘰𝘱

𝗤𝗨𝗢𝗧𝗘 𝗨𝗡𝗤𝗨𝗢𝗧𝗘 | 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗼𝗿

Different people, different backgrounds, different stories—these make up life, these make up every moment of existence. There are no perfect ones, yet what exist are those stories that went through beautiful journey of ups and downs just to get where it ends.

Just like Cluster III Valedictorian Erl Zigfreid Nalundasan said, "‎We do not stand as perfect stories, but as stories that chose to continue even when it was hard, even when it was unclear, and even when giving up felt easier. And that is what makes this moment powerful."

📷 | 💻 | 𝘕𝘦𝘴 𝘘𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘰𝘱

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | 𝗨𝗡𝗣-𝗖𝗹𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟯 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀, 𝗹𝗮𝘄, 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀; 𝗖𝗕𝗔𝗔 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘀

Comprising the College of Business Administration and Accountancy (CBAA), College of Law (CLAW), and College of Open and Distance Education (CODE), the University of Northern Philippines (UNP) Cluster 3 honored 998 graduates during its 61st Commencement Exercises held May 13 at the UNP Gymnasium, with CBAA recording the most number of graduates among the colleges of the university.

CBAA led the cluster with 881 graduates, composed of 20 Doctor of Business Administration, 29 Master of Business Administration, 56 Bachelor of Science in Accountancy, 366 Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Financial Management, 261 Bachelor of Science in Business Administration major in Human Resource Development Management, 37 Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship, 33 Bachelor of Science in Cooperative Management, and 79 Associate in Office Management graduates.

CLaw produced 24 new Juris Doctors, while CODE accounted for 93 graduates consisting of 22 Master of Arts in Nursing, 25 Master in Public Administration, three Master of Arts in Education major in Science, two Master of Arts in Education major in Mathematics, 34 Master of Arts in Social Work, and seven Bachelor of Science in Criminology graduates.

Of the total graduates, six graduated magna cm laude, 88 cm laude, and three with honors.

Guest speaker Dr. Cherrie Melanie Ancheta-Diego graced the celebration with her remarks for the graduates.

“It dawned on me that your common denominator is, today, you are grounded with a shared responsibility to become agents of change. Pulling your expertise together as professionals will certainly drive economic growth; advance existing discoveries of discourse and human development through research and innovation; and serve as voices of what is just and what is right,” she said.

She further shared the four core dimensions from Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People for a meaningful, principled, and secure life: love, live, learn, and leave a legacy.

“Let your voices be heard, not only in our country but even across the world. Let this voice of a graduate of the University of Northern Philippines resonate with excellence, with integrity, with efficiency because that is the brand of a graduate of the University of Northern Philippines,” she added.

In his valedictory speech, Erl Zigfreid P. Nalundasan, a Magna Cum Laude of BS Accountancy, emphasized that even unseen efforts and unacknowledged sacrifices are not meaningless.

“Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted truly counts. Because success is not only found in how much we earn but in how much we endure. Not only in how high we climb, but in how we choose to rise. Not only in what we build, but in who we become,” Nalundasan said. | 𝘷𝘪𝘢 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘓𝘢𝘺𝘥𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘢 𝘎𝘸𝘺𝘯𝘦𝘵𝘩 𝘙𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴

📷 | 𝘕𝘦𝘴 𝘘𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘰𝘱

𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦 | 𝗨𝗡𝗣-𝗖𝗧𝗘 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁-𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗻𝗮𝘁’𝗹 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗟𝗘𝗧

Posting a 100% passing rate in the Elementary level and 95% in the Secondary level among first-time takers, the University of Northern Philippines-College of Teacher Education (UNP-CTE) surpassed the national passing rates in the March 2026 Licensure Examination for Teachers (LET), as announced by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) on May 12 through its official page.

UNP recorded an 80% institutional passing rate in the Elementary category, exceeding the national passing rate of 56.03%.

Meanwhile, the university posted a 66.67% institutional passing rate in the Secondary category, compared to the national passing rate of 73.10%.

For retakers, UNP obtained a 75% passing rate in the Elementary level and 48.39% in the Secondary level.

The examinations were conducted in various testing centers nationwide on March 15.

According to the PRC, the March 2026 LET posted a combined national passing rate of 67.17% is the highest recorded passing rate in the history. | 𝘷𝘪𝘢 𝘕𝘦𝘴𝘤𝘪𝘢 𝘎𝘸𝘺𝘯𝘦𝘵𝘩 𝘙𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴

💻 | 𝘌𝘥 𝘎𝘢𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘭 𝘌𝘭𝘷𝘦ñ𝘢

𝗤𝗨𝗢𝗧𝗘 𝗨𝗡𝗤𝗨𝗢𝗧𝗘 | 𝗙𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗙𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁

People always tend to fear failing for things they are doing. They are afraid that failures will hold them back forever. Indeed, fear can be scary but we must learn to embrace it.

Just like Cluster II Valedictorian John Adrielle Donato said, "‎Failure is simply the universe reminding us to challenge ourselves further and to grow into the person our dreams require us to become."

📷 | 💻 | 𝘕𝘦𝘴 𝘘𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘰𝘱