QUEZON CITY — Graduates of the University of the Philippines Diliman College of Media and Communication were urged to use their education and public platforms to combat misinformation and uphold truth, as television host and media personality Vice Ganda delivered a commencement address emphasizing the responsibilities that come with careers in media and communication.
Speaking during the college's recognition rites on July 5, Vice Ganda told the Class of 2026 that graduates from the country's premier state university were expected to contribute positively to public discourse rather than spread false information.
“Much is expected of you because you are the product of the country's premier university. You are expected to spark change, not chaos. You are expected to share your education, not disinformation,” Vice Ganda said during the ceremony.
Addressing students preparing to enter journalism, broadcasting, public relations and related fields, the speaker said graduates should reject corruption, deception and the manipulation of public opinion, stressing that communicators have a responsibility to use their influence ethically.
Vice Ganda also reflected on a childhood marked by poverty, saying those experiences shaped a determination to pursue education and opportunity. The address acknowledged that while hard work is important, broader structural challenges continue to affect many Filipinos, including rising living costs and limited economic opportunities.
The speaker further recalled the closure of ABS-CBN's free-to-air broadcast operations, describing the experience as reinforcing the importance of using a public platform responsibly and recognizing the accountability that accompanies influence.
The message came as universities across the Philippines hold commencement ceremonies for Academic Year 2025–2026. At the university-wide commencement exercises on July 5, the University of the Philippines Diliman conferred degrees on more than 5,000 graduates. Former Ombudsman and retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Conchita Carpio-Morales, the keynote speaker for the university-wide ceremony, likewise called on graduates to uphold respect and public service in an increasingly divided society.
The College of Media and Communication's recognition rites formed part of the broader graduation season at the University of the Philippines, where faculty leaders and invited speakers have emphasized the role of higher education in preparing graduates to address societal challenges, including misinformation, inequality and technological change.
The University of the Philippines continues its commencement activities across its constituent universities this month, with graduation ceremonies scheduled at several campuses following the Diliman exercises.
