PWU affirms commitment to education with

purpose, as it prepares for a stronger future

Most schools are not usually built to last and thrive for the better part of a century. Most
colleges do not usually make it through 96 years worth of presidents, protests, and
propaganda. Most universities do not survive a vicious world war to continue its story of
heritage, service, and leadership. Most ordinary educational institutions do not. But we are
not making reference to any ordinary school here we are talking about the academic icon
that is Philippine Womens University.
That PWUs legacy continues to live strong was evident in its 92nd Commencement
Exercises, held recently at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. For
an institution with such an illustrious history, formation and education has always
remained its top priority as it continues to make its presence felt in Philippine society today.
Boasting a 2015 graduating class comprised of 692 young women and men of competence
and integrity, PWU has withstood the test of time to become one of the most reliable
providers of tertiary education in the country.
With this years commencement theme, Quality Service, Quality Education, PWUs Legacy to
the Nation, PWU reaffirms its commitment to the educational principles set forth by its
founding mothers almost a century ago an institution that provides education with
substance and purpose, against a backdrop of quality delivery and a clear contribution to
nation-building.

Perhaps no two people summed this up better than the special commencement speaker, no
less than Department of Education Secretary Bro. Armin A. Luistro, FSC, and the class of
2015s Magna Cum Laude Drew Barie Cajandab. Secretary Luistro recognized and praised
PWU for its efforts in education and the empowerment of women: PWU can take a bow for
its trailblazing path to educate and empower Filipino women, not just to become productive citizens
of the Republic but as organizers of civil society, as mobilizers of their communities, and as the
pillars of their homes and families, he said.
Bro. Armin, who was also bestowed an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws at the
commencement ceremony, thanked PWU for the special honor conferred upon him.After
todays ceremonies, I suppose I can proudly wear your badge of honor and declare that I am an
honorary woman, I am an honorary Filipina. I dont think theres any other Philippine university
who could have afforded me the temerity for such a claim Maraming salamat sa Philippine
Womens University, Luistro remarked.
Amidst this years slew of honor graduates and awards recipients, one stood out above the
rest as the class of 2015s top awardee. Drew Barie L. Cajandab, a Bachelor of Arts in
Communication Arts major and recipient of Magna Cum Laude honors, delivered a
poignant valedictory address that affirmed what PWU continues to stand for. PWU is now
going through its own struggles, but that is not new. It has seen wars and civil strife, survived
through the countrys darkest days. It has been bombed, stoned, and shot at but it remains to be the
Philippine Womens University its founders envisioned it to be providing not simply an education,
but an education with purpose and substance, Cajandab said.

Like many before her, she ended by thanking the institution which has served as her home
for the past couple of years: [everyday] I come back to the Philippine Womens University not
seeking an education, but preparing myself for life. And I thank PWU for teaching me [how] to
live, she declared.
Other guests of honor at the commencement rites included Commission on Higher
Education (CHED) Commissioner Ma. Cynthia Rose Bautista, PWU Chairman Dr. Helena
Benitez, and members of the PWU Board of Directors former President Dr. Jose Conrado
Benitez, Mr. Conrado Benitez II, and Dr. Amelia Reyes. Aside from Cajandab, other
graduates who received Cum Laude honors were Ann Mariel Recio (BA Foreign Service),
Jose Michael Angelo de Dios (BA Communication Arts), Juhan Nusrat (BA Psychology),
Joyce Tiffany Reyes (Bachelor of Fine Arts). Acheline Jade Tisado (Bachelor of Elementary
Education) and Jake Wallace Galvez (BA Foreign Service) graduated Honorable Mention.
Fueled by its enduring spirit, Philippine Womens University strives to remain relevant in
the field of tertiary education today. Almost a hundred years since its establishment in 1919
as one of the most influential and ground-breaking educational institutions of its time,
PWU remains true to the timeless values of its founders. It is a university that develops
individuals into citizens of character, excellence, and competence. It steadfastly commits
itself to providing all students with the kind of holistic education that has guided the
numerous generations that have come before, and ensuring that the same remain imbibed
in the students of today.
PWU began as Philippine Womens College in June 9, 1919, spearheaded by its seven
founders (Clara Aragon, Concepcion Aragon, Francisca Tirona Benitez, Paz Marquez
Benitez, Carolina Ocampo Palma, Mercedes Rivera, and Socorro Marquez Zaballero). It set
out with the goal of preparing young Filipino women for a life of dedicated service and
wholehearted leadership; in 1932 just thirteen years later the institution won university
distinction, making PWU the first university for women in Asia, founded by Asians.
Without doubt, PWU has left its mark in history, but its story and legacy is far from over.
Now on its 96th year, Philippine Womens University looks forward to celebrating its
Centennial in 2019, as it prepares for an exciting and even stronger future. PWU President,
Dr. Jose Francisco Benitez, assures that the esteemed institution will be able to overcome its
present challenges, and with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to our educational

mission and its historical significance, we shall rise transformed and ready to build the scaffolding for
another hundred years. Together, we shall build on the strong foundations of our educational mission
as the university moves towards its centennial and beyond.
Surely, PWU will continue to deliver on its promise made almost a century ago,
empowering the Filipino to reach greater heights through the delivery of quality education
and holistic development.

Blogged by: JayL Aquino on Monday, May 18, 2015

Filed Under: Education, Lifestyle, News
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