UP College of Law Holds Recognition Rites for Class of 2024 with the theme ALPAS (Break Free)

The UP Law Community celebrated the graduates of UP Law Class of 2024 in recognition rites held last August 3, 2024 at the UP Diliman University Theater. The Class of 2024 chose the Tagalog word ALPAS as the theme for their graduation, signifying freedom and breaking-free from limitations. ALPAS served as the graduates’ reminder of their potential to rise above limitations and to soar towards their dreams for themselves, for their families, and for the country.

The theme ALPAS also featured prominently in the welcoming remarks of UP College of Law Dean Darlene Marie Berberabe and in the speech of guest of honor Senator Risa Hontiveros.

Dean Berberabe noted that the first limitation the Class of 2024 had to break free of was the Covid-19 pandemic that marked the first two years of their stay in the College. Then they had to hurdle the rigors of academics. Dean Berberabe also pointed out that “Makaalpas” meant freedom to think and decide for oneself, to imagine, to share differing opinions that challenge ideas and lead to critical thought until the truth emerges.  The Dean’s final message to the graduates was to strive not to break free of the lesson the College had taught them, that is, to use their knowledge and skills to provide honest and meaningful service to the country.

Meanwhile, Senator Hontiveros in her speech said the graduates were fortunate to have had a head start in becoming great lawyers by being in the UP College of Law. She stressed however that the real work starts when the graduates step out of the campus.  She encouraged the graduates saying that with the law as their tool, they will be able carve out paths for people to achieve justice wherever their legal practice may take them. “There are many hats to wear and different paths to take, pero lahat sana ay tungo sa isang bagong umagang makakaalpas tayong lahat mula sa tanikala ng hirap, gutom  at kawalan ng hustisya (but I hope all of them lead to a new morning where we can all break free from the chains of poverty, hunger, and injustice).”  She added, “patuloy ang pag-asa at tiwala ko sa henerasyon ninyo (I continue to hope and trust in your generation).”

Shortly after Senator Hontiveros delivered her speech, 211 graduates were conferred the degree of Juris Doctor while a lone graduate was conferred the degree of Master of Laws. Of the 211 J.D. degree holders, 24 received cum laude honors while two received magna cum laude honors, including the Class Valedictorian, Steffi Eunice Say-ao Ramos. Special non-academic awards were also given to select graduates.

Class Valedictorian Ramos delivered a message on behalf of her fellow graduates in which she posited the need to reframe the appreciation of the concept of service. She stressed the importance of finding avenues for service even beyond the traditional areas of academe and government. She also acknowledged the obligation of UP Law graduates to render service to the Filipino people who have subsidized their legal education. She explained that “service, at the end of the day, goes back to honor and excellence. Pursuing excellence and chasing every possible legal victory with rectitude and living honorable and ethical lives is service to our clients, to ourselves, to the legal profession, and service to the nation.”

After Ramos’ Valedictory message, the graduates took their oaths as members of the UP Law Alumni Association before the association’s President, Atty. Jose Perpetuo M. Lotilla.

Associate Dean Solomon F. Lumba delivered the closing remarks.

The event was well attended by families of the graduates, UP Law faculty, and alumni, including UP Diliman Chancellor Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II, UP Cebu Chancellor Leo B. Malagar, and former UP President and former UP Law Dean Danilo L. Concepcion.