THE UST vice rector told graduating students the true measure of education lies not on wealth or public success, but the strength of one’s character.
In his homily, UST Vice Rector Fr. Isaias Tiongco, O.P., said that the world does not need more people “obsessed only with status,” influence or recognition, as achievement without purpose eventually becomes exhausting.
“The real test of education is not simply whether a person earns well or succeeds publicly. The deeper question is, what kind of person have I become?” Tiongco said during the afternoon Baccalaureate Mass.
A Catholic university, he stressed, must not only form competent professionals, but mold people who can stand for truth even when doing so may cost opportunities, feel inconvenient, or be mistaken for weakness.
“The world needs good people,” Tiongco told the 3,536 graduating Thomasians of the afternoon batch.
“It needs honest engineers, compassionate nurses, ethical business leaders, truthful journalists, principled lawyers, dedicated teachers, responsible public servants, and professionals who still know how to pray, how to forgive, how to care,” he said.
Tiongco reminded the graduating students that success alone cannot satisfy the human heart, rather what one can do for other people through kindness and faith, even in the face of adversity.
“Wherever life takes you after today, never be ashamed of your faith. Never be embarrassed by kindness. Never think that goodness is outdated,” he said.
This year’s Baccalaureate Mass was held at the Quadricentennial Pavilion for the second consecutive year, as a precaution to avoid disruptions in case of downpours. Last year’s heavy rains forced the postponement of the sendoff event.
The second batch was composed of graduating students from the Faculty of Theology, Faculty of Philosophy, Faculty of Canon Law, Faculty of Civil Law, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Engineering, College of Education, College of Science, College of Architecture, Graduate School, Institute of Physical Education and Athletics, College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, and the Graduate School of Law.
In Academic Year 2025- 2026, a total of 11,523 candidates will join graduation ceremonies.
