The Department of Speech Communication and Theatre Arts is proud to present its two (2) summa cum laude graduates for the Academic Year 2021-2022: Lance Al Francis S. Daniel and Neil Piolo P. Villanueva. Lance and Piolo are both BA (Speech Communication) majors under the Interpersonal and Instructional Communication Area of Concentration (AOC). 

 

Let's take a look at their equally-inspiring stories in pursuing their well-deserved distinction.

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Briefly narrate your journey towards being summa cum laude including your inspirations, challenges encountered, and life lessons learned along the way.

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LANCE 

Growing up in an underprivileged family was never easy. Due to our socio-economic status, I was deprived of a myriad of opportunities. My parents are both high school teachers and we do not receive financial help from any relatives. To provide for us and pay for my mom's depression medications, my parents resorted to applying for loans. This caused a decrease in their already low monthly salary - making our everyday life extra harder.

 

Fortunately, I passed the UPCAT and qualified for UP Diliman in 2018, giving me free tuition in college. Although my education was basically free of charge, life in the city still became financially grueling because of the relatively expensive cost of living. Back at the campus, I had a tough time budgeting my little allowance. My closest dorm mates know the sacrifices I made to survive, such as eating Mang Juan as my ulam for lunch.

 

Working as a freelance host and voice actor made it possible for me to live a far better life in the city. This marked the beginning of my thumping extracurricular activities and experiences in college. I started joining organizations, running for student council positions, spearheading different projects, and volunteering in various initiatives. Accordingly, I became “BS Org” at the ripe age of freshman year.

 

I eventually developed a love for serving the people through my academics and extracurricular activities. From selfish to selfless interests, I've found a genuine purpose in everything I did. This epiphany taught me that I can pursue my personal goals while still being in service of others - that in everything I do, it is important to know why I am doing it, as this grants me enough strength and drive to keep moving forward.

 

For four years, I have lived my childhood aspirations of studying in my dream school. However, unlike before, I now see it differently - not as a university that produces whip-smart students who'll become the next millionaires, but as a cradle for young minds to explore and foray into the paths that they want, finding their authentic purpose in doing so. UP Diliman helped me realize what it means to truly live, and that our life becomes a hundred times more meaningful when we share it with others.

 

Likewise, UP opened my eyes and heartened my love for the Philippines to a whole new level. I learned that being an “outstanding” student demands the strength to exhaust all means to genuinely serve the Filipino people in every possible way that embodies honor, excellence, and compassion. As a Speech Communication major, I’ve strived to be of this caliber by using my voice to forward campaigns on gender and education through hosting, voice acting, organizing, and simply speaking up. As a student leader, I’ve headed projects anchored on my advocacies of quality education and gender justice, be it through my organizations or the student council. Ultimately, I’ve dedicated my heart and soul to championing the causes I am passionate about.

 

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PIOLO

Shiftee ako from English Studies na degree program bago ako naging Speech Comm, kasi sabi nila ‘yung former daw ‘yung “best” pre-law course, kung sakali, given my HUMSS background. Sa degree program na ‘yun, isa sa pinakaunang GE na kailangan ko itake ay ‘yung Eng 13. Binago nung course na ‘yun ‘yung pagtingin ko sa maraming bagay at na-realize ko rin doon na ang dami ko pang kailangan matutunan kaya from then on, sinipagan ko rin talaga sa pag-aaral sa acads ko, at lalo’t higit sa social issues.

 

In the process, na-realize ko na hindi for me ‘yung pag-major sa English Studies, at dahil na rin siguro sumasali ako noong bata pa ko sa speaking contests, at kakagraduate lang din ni Sky kaya sikat na sikat ang Speech Comm, napagdesisyunan ko nang mag-shift. Ngunit, lahat ng speech na akala ko irerecite ko sa Speech Comm, hindi ko na-recite kasi hindi pala tungkol dun ‘yung degree program na ‘to, pero masaya ako sa desisyon kong ‘to kasi dito ko mas naunawaan yung power asymmetries---na bagamat lahat tayong mga tao ay may kakayahang mag-communicate, hindi lahat napapakinggan at pinapakinggan.

 

Kaya ‘yung clout at platform na meron ako ngayon bilang Summa, gusto kong sulitin, hindi na siguro para sa’kin kasi relatively mas napapakinggan na ako, pero para mag-shed ng light sa iba’t ibang panlipunang isyu at realidad.

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What makes a DSCTA Summa Cum Laude unique?

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LANCE

DSCTA Summa Cum Laudes are unique, because they are critical, creative, and competent storytellers. They are individuals who inspire, motivate, and empower people through their words, actions, and performances. Ultimately, they use everything they've learned to not just be a mere echo, but a resonating voice that genuinely serves the people.
 

PIOLO

‘Yung kafreshan. Sa DSCTA kasi mapipilitan ka talaga mag-generate ng fresh ideas, tipong dapat handa ka sa kahit anong ipagawa sa’yo para laging kabog at standout.

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What’s in store for Lance and Piolo? What are your plans in the near future (career and advocacy-wise)?

 

LANCE

I am an incoming Human Resources Manager at Procter & Gamble (P&G), a leading multi-national corporation in the consumer goods industry. I will start working on August, right after graduation. I also plan to pursue either a Master of Business Administration or a Master of Industrial Relations degree to further hone my skills and knowledge on the corporate world. Lastly, I am also planning to host a podcast which would tackle my personal advocacies and also some study and career tips.

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PIOLO

Maging model ng pancit canton at Heartstopper T_T Pede pala maging witty dun sa fun facts sa’min sa Summa pic huhuhuhu, akala ko serious serious lang dapat huhu.

 

Priority ko talaga ay matulungan ‘yung parents ko muna. Itatry ko muna sa corporate world kasi na-iintrigue ako sa kung anong posibleng direksyon ang buksan nito for me. Tapos extra extra sa mga BL para ma-meet ko rin in person ‘yung mga pinapanood ko, kung palarin. Hahaha.

 

After a few years, kapag kaya ko na sustentuhan sarili ko, balak ko mag-pursue ng law, and eventually mag-offer ng free legal services sa mga ‘di kayang mag-afford nito. Eventually, gaya ng lagi kong biro (na medyo ‘di biro) sa mga kaibigan at teachers ko, gusto ko mag-Presidente sa 2040, kung di mag-extend ‘yung isa dyan.

 

Habang kumakayod para maachieve ko lahat nung mga nabanggit ko, ayaw kong mawala ‘yung advocacy work. Sasali pa rin ako sa mga ganap ng org ko ngayong college kung may opportunity, at magiging active sa isang local chapter ng NDMO. In this way, patuloy pa rin ‘yung pagkatuto ko at paglilingkod nang direkta sa lipunan. Greatest fear ko kasi talaga ay ‘yung makalimutan ko ‘yung tinuro sakin ng ng UP at maging kagaya ako noong mga nag-abuse ng husay nila for personal gain. Kaya sobrang importante sakin na maging active sa pag-forward ng mga advocacies ko para mapaalalahanan ako kung para kanino ‘yung mga ginagawa at gagawin ko in life.

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