by Abigail Rose Marin, BA Comm-4, Centralian Link Intern

Proud mom, pinning the badge of accomplishment on her daughter at a momentous ceremony.

Central Philippine University (CPU) held a heartwarming ceremony to honor the achievements of its graduating psychology students from “Batch Sinagtala.” The 4th Pinning and 2nd Candle Lighting Ceremony took place last January 26, 2024 from 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM at the Rose Memorial Auditorium, marking a significant milestone in the students’ academic journeys.

With the theme “Celebrating Minds, Nurturing Futures, Through Adversities We Rise,” the ceremony paid tribute to the hard work and dedication of the soon-to-be psychologists as they prepared to enter the professional field. Senior Pastor Rev. Cris Amorsolo Sian of CPU University Church delivered a moving speech that captured the essence of the theme, inspiring the graduates to embrace the challenges ahead with resilience and compassion.

The ceremony featured two symbolic elements: the pinning and the candle lighting. Dr. Stella Fernandez, the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, presented the pins to the graduating students, describing them as badges of honor signifying their academic accomplishments. Professor Pauline Marie D. Wong, Psychology Coordinator, then proceeded with the candle lighting, explaining how the candles represented the transformative power of knowledge and the student’s potential to illuminate the lives of others.

Beyond a formal recognition of academic success, the ceremony served as a significant psychological rite of passage for the students. It instilled in them a shared commitment to promoting mental health awareness and understanding. The event also fostered a sense of camaraderie among the peers, marking not just the end of their academic journey but also the exciting beginning of their professional lives as mental health practitioners.

The 4th Pinning and 2nd Candle Lighting Ceremony was a beautiful and inspiring event that celebrated the accomplishments of “Batch Sinagtala” and prepared them for the important role they will play in society.