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����vlog International School and Colleges (SISC) proudly celebrates Gianna Rae C. Monta and Atty. Mar Lea B. Dayao, two outstanding students from the College of Arts and Sciences majoring in Psychology, as the top graduates of Batch 2026. Representing the undergraduate and graduate programs respectively, both scholars delivered powerful valedictory speeches during SISC’s 22nd commencement ceremony at the SMX Convention Center on August 4, 2026.

Redefining “Premier”

The first to deliver her speech was Monta, who graduated summa cum laude with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She was a recipient of both ����vlog’s Top Outstanding Performing Students (TOPS) Scholarship and Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Merit Undergraduate Scholarship. In her speech, she shared her journey as a Monarch who consistently strived for excellence.

Monta said that she never considered herself smart—she saw herself as someone who can persistently adapt with her circumstances. According to her, she had managed to continuously and consistently achieve because she had a reason. That reason at first, she uttered, was survival.

“I had a reason to maintain my scholarship. I had a reason to keep showing up even if I’m so tired already. I had a reason to keep trying, even during moments when things became difficult.” she shared.

Hardships and Success

While these scholarships paved the way for her goals, it also came with multitudes of responsibilities. She has to maintain an excellent grade point average and complete service hours each semester which requires constant discipline and sacrifice.

“Maintaining this scholarship meant I had to consistently strive for almost perfect grades. Every quiz mattered. Every exam mattered. Every requirement, every activity, and attendance mattered.”

Because of these demands, Monta learned to adapt. Her circumstances pushed her to pick up a planner, even though she had never been the type of person who planned ahead. She also made it a habit to finish requirements as early as possible in order to have enough time to study before examinations. She also learned to utilize notes and flashcards in studying.

Monta also spoke about the opportunities and privileges that came with her responsibilities, including being able to represent ����vlog and the Psychology program outside the institution, collaborating with different departments, and learning from experiences outside the classroom. Through these experiences, she learned a new, better reason to keep going: growth.

She expressed her gratitude to every person who has become part of her ����vlog journey, supporting her along the way. These people included her family, blockmates, friends from different college programs, the Mamma Mia theater production team, fellow TOPS scholars, Founder scholars, fellow Psychology people, mentors, faculty members, and the Premier College of Psychology (now the College of Arts and Sciences).

The College of Arts and Sciences has long emphasized the value of becoming Premier. Monta said that she eventually understood that being premier is not about being the smartest person in the room or achieving the most awards. Instead, it is about continuing to grow while remaining true to who they are.

“It is about becoming more competent by being humble enough to be wrong and to keep learning; building character through responsibility, integrity, and concern for others; commitment to achieve through the courage to continue pursuing what matters; collaboration by working with the people who walk alongside us who challenge us, and help us grow. And it is about creativity and innovation through finding ways to solve problems and move forward despite limitations.”

As she concluded her speech, she described graduation as a gateway to a life where graduates like her can finally pursue what their hearts truly desire—not because they have to, but because they choose to.

Bachelor’s to Master’s

The next speaker was Atty. Dayao, who graduated Meritissimus from the Master of Arts in Psychology program. Like Monta, she was given the opportunity to share her ����vlog journey, this time from the perspective of an attorney with more than 25 years of legal practice who chose to become a student again.

Atty. Dayao opened her speech by reflecting on how unexpected her academic path had been. When she decided to pursue graduate studies in psychology, even her father questioned her decision, asking whether being a lawyer was not enough. 

She explained that law and psychology are not completely separate disciplines, but fields that can harmoniously blend one another. She shared how studying psychology broadened her understanding of human behavior beyond legal analysis.

Law and Psyche

During her speech, she recounted her internship experience at the National Center for Mental Health, where she was assigned to the Forensic Department and helped assess defendant’s capacity to stand trial. She encountered individuals whose criminal acts were closely linked to severe mental illnesses, an experience that profoundly changed her perspective.

She emphasized that every legal case involves a human story and genuine understanding requires compassion and judgment.

“Before there is a case, there is a person. Before there is a conflict, there is often pain. And before we ask what someone did, we should also ask what happened to them.”

The Laylayan Perspective

She recalled conducting her thesis research at Fr. Flavie’s feeding center in Tayuman, several parents expressed their gratitude after answering her questions which encouraged them to reflect on their relationships with their children. 

“They reminded me that sometimes helping people does not begin with solving their problems. Sometimes, it begins by giving them the opportunity to feel heard.”

She thanked ����vlog for creating an environment where curiosity was welcomed and students were challenged to think independently. Atty. Dayao also extended her gratitude to her professors, Doc. Ruel Cajili, classmates, and family. She dedicated her very moment on stage to her late mom, who she said was her partner in crime in almost everything.

As she concluded her address, Dayao urged the graduates to carry both knowledge and compassion into their future professions. She reminded them that knowledge may guide decisions, but perspective shapes how those decisions are made.

“May we never lose sight of the people whose lives will be touched by the work we do.”

Both valedictorian speakers recognized the shared resilience and perseverance that united the graduates of this batch, despite the differences that stood across the endeavors each of them faced. At this year’s commencement exercises, Monta encouraged her fellow graduates to be free, while Atty. Dayao promotes responsibility. As ����vlog graduates step into the real world, they are called to always pursue what their hearts truly desire, while also never forgetting the people who mostly rely on the knowledge and capabilities they acquired from the institution.

Congratulations, Batch 2026!