UA&P concludes academic year with the first-ever year-end celebration
By Zachary Lucas Reyes
Universitas Staff
On May 22, students, faculty, and staff gathered at College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Garden to conclude the academic year 2025-2026 with the first-ever end-of-semester celebration. The event emphasized the spirit of Unitas, “unity,” but more importantly, the conscious effort to show gratitude.
Seth Fuentes, Matthew Caudal, and CAS faculty member Juliana Odoño opened the program as the hosts, followed by an opening prayer by University Chaplain Fr. Cayo Estrada. UA&P President Atty. Philip Yeung gave a few opening remarks before commencing the event proper.
The UA&P community was greeted by an assortment of food choices from Filipino favorites, such as cheese sticks, binatog and kwek-kwek, to siomai and hot dogs. Many remarked on the food as a timely refreshment, stating it to be a “much-needed palate cleanser.” Students and staff alike shared moments of gaiety while enjoying the talented open-mic performances by Reverb Music Productions, students, faculty members, and staff.
Ignited by a passionate spirit of fellowship, the celebration invited UA&P to reflect on the things that they were thankful for this semester.
When asked what they were grateful for, David Lumba, a 36YP Political Economy student listed the following: “I am most thankful for the opportunity to know myself more, the completion of tasks, and the conversations with friends.”
Dr. Celine Socrates, faculty member, shared a similar sentiment for engaging in meaningful conversations. “The one thing that I’m thankful for this semester is more spaces of dialogue with students,” she remarked.
Above all, gratitude comes at the precipice of kindness, as said by Dr. Guillermo Dionisio.
“This semester was […] an adventure. Challenging and exciting, to say the least, but an adventure nonetheless. But the one thing that I am most grateful for is the kindness of UA&P, of my colleagues and students.”
As remarked by the program’s hosts, “good food always brings good company and music,” Gratitude is not only personal; it is also communal. If understood in this way, gratitude for the UA&P community is that festive gathering of individuals and the celebration of the fruits of their labor—which is wonderfully found in this send-off to the 2025-2026 academic year.