Dr. Rommel T. Vargas Reminds USM Medical Graduates: Be Doctors Who Care
June 19, 2026
The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) College of Law celebrated a historic occasion on June 19, 2026, at the University Auditorium, USM, Kabacan, Cotabato, as it held its first-ever Graduation and Commencement Exercises, honoring its five pioneering graduates.
The five first graduates of the USM College of Law were the following:
1. Anarna, Jeramie P.
2. Cunanan, Jennyfer M.
3. Dagmil, Irish D.
4. Julian-Torralba, Ma. Kristy C., and
5. Nuñez, Josef Tyronne E.
Hon. Judge Lily Lydia A. Laquindanum (Ret.), President of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cotabato Chapter, served as the Guest of Honor and Speaker. A retired Regional Trial Court Judge, she is a respected member of the legal profession with more than 40 years of service in law and public service.
“Never stop learning. Graduation is not the end of your education; it is the beginning of a lifetime of learning. The law continues to evolve and every client every case and every experience will teach you something new,” Judge Laquindanum highlighted in her talk.
Moreover, Rev. Fr. Alfredo Palomar Jr., DCK, served as the resource speaker of the baccalaureate service. He emphasized that being the first batch of graduates in the USM College of Law is an honor and a responsibility.
“You are the first fruits of a vision; the first generation to carry the name and legacy of this institution into the legal profession… you are the first class who dared to build the road, as you walked in, you are not just graduates you are founders,” Fr. Palomar expressed.
Further, Jennyfer M. Cunanan, one of the graduates, emphasized that while the legal profession demands a strong mind, it also requires resilience, perseverance, and strength of character. She noted that the graduates’ struggles did not diminish their dreams, but instead prepared them to achieve them.
“There were nights when the weight of the bar and the pressure of the semester behind made us wonder if the dream was worth the cost. We saw our friends in other profession building lives, while we were building mountains of highlighters, books, and codals, yet we stayed… because we knew that the dream left untested is just a wish but a dream forged in fire becomes a destiny,” Cunanan spoke.
In his closing message, Atty. Freddie H. Baynosa II, the dean of the USM College of Law, honored the achievements of the graduates as well as their resilience, determination, and steadfast refusal to give up despite the challenges they faced.
“Our dear graduates indeed you have been tested, you have been forged, you have been polished and now you stand before this institution as the first batch to carry our university into that dreaded bar examinations,” he remarked.
“We cannot guarantee that your legal journey moving forward will be easier; on the contrary from here on forward, your path will get tougher, your responsibilities will be [more] heavier and the stakes will be higher, [but] nevertheless this graduation proves that you are stronger now, you are sharper, and you are more equipped,” the dean added.
Atty. Baynosa reminded the graduates that law school was only the easy part and that graduation was not the finish line. He noted that the grueling four years they had endured were merely a warm-up for the challenges ahead. Nevertheless, he encouraged them to celebrate the milestone, savor the compliments and congratulations, and take pride in all that they had earned.
“Tomorrow [go] back to studying, continue your bar exam preparations to become the lawyers this country needs. your law school family will always be here, the University of Southern Mindanao will always be behind you; we won’t just support you we will be cheering for you every step of the way,” he ended.
Gathered in the momentous occasion were the USM Board of Regents, USM Administrative Council, Faculty Members of the College of Law, Law students of the university, and the parents, spouses, and family members of the graduates.
