Philippine Graduation in New York Recognizes Filipino Achievers Across the US Northeast
NEW YORK, 31 May 2025 – Forty-three Filipino and Filipino-American graduates from various academic institutions across the U.S. Northeast and beyond gathered for the 12th Philippine Graduation (PGrad) on 31 May 2025 at Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center in New York.
A flagship project of the Philippine Consulate General in New York, the event provided graduates and their families a uniquely Filipino-style commencement ceremony, complete with a certificate and medal awarding, and the opportunity for loved ones to join them on stage, a moment often missed in U.S. university graduations.
The ceremony began with the Philippine National Anthem, performed by Banda El Gobernador from Bacoor City, Cavite, who also led the processional march. Also in attendance were officials and representatives from Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, Cebu Institute of Technology University, University of the Philippines, and University of Santo Tomas, who are in the city to promote Philippine higher education and engage with the international academic community.
This year’s graduates completed programs in fields such as accounting, finance, nursing, law, psychology, computer science, public health, nonprofit management, mathematics, architecture, international political economy, and design. Their degrees, ranging from associate to doctoral, reflect the academic excellence and diversity of achievement within the Filipino and Filipino-American community.
In his keynote address, Consul General Senen T. Mangalile spoke of the stories behind each academic journey, of courage, sacrifice, and quiet determination. “Graduation is always a milestone. But when you carry with you not only your own ambition, but also the hopes of your parents, the dreams of a community, and the spirit of a nation, that milestone becomes a legacy,” he said. He acknowledged the challenges of leaving home, the strength it takes to stay grounded while navigating life between cultures, and the pride that comes from honoring one’s roots in ways that are lived, not just seen.
Consul General Mangalile also emphasized the Philippine Consulate’s commitment to nurturing the next generation through a mentorship initiative, connecting young Filipino and Filipino-Americans with accomplished professionals in fields such as law, public service, healthcare, finance, and the arts, among others.
Fordham University’s Jubel Jasmin Coronel, who graduated summa cum laude with dual degrees in Finance and Economics, delivered the graduate response. Reflecting on her experience as a scholar from a working-class OFW family, she spoke of carrying a dream made possible by hardship. Her thesis on OFW remittances drew from that lived reality, underscoring the struggles of families who give more than they can afford in the hope that education will create better futures. She called on her fellow graduates to remember the true cost of their journey, saying, “Graduation isn’t just about celebrating how far we’ve come. It’s about recognizing the sacrifices to get there. And repaying those sacrifices with a future built on security, not just survival.”
Over the years, the PGrad has grown in both meaning and reach. More than a recognition of academic achievement, it reaffirms the enduring strength of identity, heritage, and belonging within the Filipino diaspora. For many graduates and their families, the ceremony offers not just a celebration, but a homecoming. END
