Following her inspiring speech was an acknowledgement by Mr. Joel Santos, Thames International’s President and Co-founder, in which he shared that “Now more than ever, our country really needs leaders who truly serve the people rather than be self-serving.” After which he then announced the “Jesse and Leni Robredo Servant Leadership Scholarships” for 20 Senior High School students as the institution marked its 20th anniversary.

The program continued with the presentation of graduates led by Ms. Leah Macatangay, Director of Academics, and the Conferment of Degrees by Thames President Joel Santos for the following: BS in Entrepreneurship, BSBA Major in Operations Management, BSBA Major in Marketing Management, and BA in Communication. Then there were also a number of undergraduate students who were recognized for having successfully completed their Advanced Diplomas as they continue preparing for their imminent plans of moving to their chosen Thames’ partner universities in the UK. Moreover, postgraduate students who successfully completed their Management Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate Courses in Innovation and Creative Entrepreneurship were also presented and recognized. This happened shortly after the message from Ms. Maria Rita “Rhea” Matute, the Executive Director of Design Center of the Philippines, wherein she emphasized that “creatives should show us the way forward.”

After each of these students were individually presented with their names, photos, and accomplishments on screen, Thames also conferred Academic and Institutional Awards to deserving students. Ms. Sheila Dingcong, Thames International’s College Dean, announced the following academic awardees: Jannah Dominique Chua (Magna cum Laude), Christine Joy Sion (Cum Laude), Jannika Alyzandra Arciaga (Cum Laude), and Rika Kobayashi (Honorable Mention), all under BSBA Major in Operations Management. The Innovation and Creative Entrepreneurship Awardees were announced by Ms. Katrina Mallillin, the ICE Program Manager. The Academic Distinction awardees from the ICE Program were Bryann Bernard Gonzales, Monique Hilario, Erika Ng Wong, Pia Ocampo, Regine Feraer, Gian Carlo De Jesus, Paolo Herras, and Jhoana Velarde.

Aside from the academic awards, the following Institutional Awards, presented by faculty representatives, were also given to deserving students who have made significant impact during their Thames journey. The Eo Award, given to a student who has shown the greatest advancement or moving forward (“Eo” is the latin term for “to advance” or “to move forward”) in terms of personal development while in Thames, was given to Jannika Alyzandra Arciaga. The Leadership Award, given to a student given to the student who has best demonstrated excellent leadership and who holds the most promise to ascend to greater leadership positions, was given to Christine Joy Sion. The Vici Award, given to the student who the student who has overcome extraordinary adversity through perseverance, hard work, self-reliance and self-belief without compromising values and integrity, was given to Anela Nicomedes. The Entrepreneur for Society Award, given to the student, who, directly through one’s venture, and/or indirectly, through personal endeavours and efforts, has demonstrated a strong sense of social responsibility and has made a significant positive impact on the community and/or environment, was given to Pia Ocampo. Lastly, a posthumous degree was awarded to a member of the pioneer batch of the ICE Program, John Charles “Carlos” Celdran. The award was received by his wife, Tesa, who was present at the ceremony.

Near the end of this momentous occasion were student speeches delivered by Jannah Dominique Chua (Magna Cum Laude) and Pia Ocampo (Academic Distinction and Entrepreneur for Society Awardee), both conveying a message that “we are the own artists of our lives and must lead our talents for the world’s greater good”.

The Thames Class of 2020 was then led in the Pledge of Loyalty by student awardee Jannika Arciaga. This was followed by the launch of the Alumni Association and the announcement from Mr. Joel Santos of the Isabel Rodriguez-Bondoc Scholarship in partnership with Ms. World Philippines for two undergraduate students. In her closing remarks, Ms. Sheila Dingcong expressed her takeaways for the graduates — “to always pay it forward, make a stand, and embody Novus Ordus, the school’s philosophy of providing a new order of leaders for the next generation”.

Officially concluding the Virtual Commencement Exercises was a send-off music video which features the performances of professional singers Pinky Amador and Viktoria Agbayani, both of whom are now ICE Program graduates. The music video was incorporated with the photos of the graduates as they reminisce about their Thames journey together. This was then followed by photo opportunities for the Thames Class of 2020 with the school administrators, faculty and Vice President Robredo before they all officially bid goodbye to the school they all considered a second home.

Whether physically or online, a graduation ceremony is an unforgettable experience for students, as well their families and mentors who helped mold them into the professionals they chose to become. It is our hope that their journeys with Thames International will prove to be the spark not just for their own individual greatness, but also for a servant-leadership that will bring about meaningful change for the nation and for the world.

Below is the highlights video of Thames’ Virtual Commencement Exercises 2020, edited by Thames Undergraduate student, Arna Lañas.

Social Cards: Designed by Ms. Kat Mallillin, Thames ICE Program Alumna and Program Manager, and Edited by Thames Undergraduate Student, Jullien Resplandor