by: Shyra Jane Villavert & Keith Brandon L. Cari-an
Carlos Hilado Memorial State University (CHMSU) proudly celebrated the Advanced Education Program Commencement Exercises held on June 23, 2026, at La Proa, L’ Fisher Hotel, Bacolod City, honoring the academic achievements of 139 graduates from 15 Advanced Education Programs.
This year’s cohort consisted of 95 graduates of the Master’s degree programs and 44 graduates of the Doctorate degree programs, reflecting the institution’s continued commitment to advancing scholarly excellence and professional development across disciplines.
A holy mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Michael Juan Alfredo Ma. Cuenca before the commencement exercises.
CIER / Jericho Drilon & John Carlo Visca photos
The graduates came from the College of Arts and Sciences with 22 graduates, the College of Business Management and Accountancy with 11 graduates, the College of Education with 70 graduates, and the College of Industrial Technology with 36 graduates.
In recognition of outstanding academic performance, 13 graduates were conferred Highest Distinction, while 7 graduates received Academic Excellence. Moreover, three graduates received the Best Dissertation Award and three earned the Best Thesis Award for their scholarly outputs.
CIER / Jericho Drilon & John Carlo Visca photos
The ceremony was graced by Atty. Maria Rowena Guadalupe Lopez-Lizares, Mayor of Talisay City, who served as the commencement speaker and delivered an inspiring message that emphasized courage, resilience, personal sacrifices, and professional responsibilities.
“The pursuit of advanced education demands courage to begin with and the resilience to overcome the challenges along the way. Each of you made a decision to take the first step despite your professional responsibilities, family obligations, and personal sacrifices,” Mayor Lizares said.
She added, “What may have once seemed a distant or difficult understanding has now become a well-deserved success. this goes to prove that personal and professional advancement are made possible when we dare to embark on the journey of lifelong learning.”
Meanwhile, the message of the graduates was delivered by Richard Din Gomez from Doctor of Education major in Educational Management program, who graduated with Highest Distinction and was one of the Best Dissertation Awards.
Gomez shared, “Beyond this personal victory lies a greater truth: our journey as graduates was never meant to end within us-it was meant to reach beyond us, to touch lives and respond to greater realities.”
“As a teacher and school head in a last-mile school, I have seen these realities in the lives of my learners… And I have seen eyes that long not only for knowledge, but for reassurance that someone believes in them, that their dreams matter, and that their future can still be different,” he said.
CIER / Jericho Drilon & John Carlo Visca photos
This milestone reflected the dedication, perseverance, and intellectual rigor of the graduating class as they advanced toward greater roles in leadership, research, and service to the community.
CIER / Jericho Drilon & John Carlo Visca photos
