Irah Shiene Guiang, from the Bachelor of Arts in History, has been named this year’s College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) Valedictorian. Graduating with the distinction of Summa Cum Laude, Guiang is no stranger to the halls of CASS as she currently serves as the governor of the college’s executive council.
In her valedictory address during the 55th Pre-Commencement Ceremonies of CASS, earlier today, June 26, Guiang delivered a heartfelt speech that broke away from traditional narratives of triumph. Instead, it places the spotlight on resilience, authenticity, shared struggle, and a call to fellow scholars in the humanities.
“I am not the success story. Being valedictorian doesn’t mean anything. I am not the standard, the blueprint, the most ideal student—because that person does not exist.”
Far from merely a celebration of personal victory, Guiang’s message served as a collective salute to the graduating class, emphasizing the unseen battles many had fought in silence. She also acknowledged the emotional and mental toll of academic life on every student.
“Graduation unites us all in success, but also in struggle. We are all students, but we don’t fight the same battles”.
In a moment of personal vulnerability, Guiang revealed that she once stood at the registrar's office and was ready to file for an off-semester, overwhelmed and seeking escape. After receiving professional help, Guiang took small steps toward healing: a journey that eventually led her to the podium, not in perfection, but in powerfully lived truth.
“Maybe you too have that version of yourself who marched like a robot, meeting expectations no matter how drained or broken you felt. I am begging you to embrace yourself from the past. Even if you feel like giving up, they got us here.”
“Never lose faith in yourself. You are not required to be perfect— just real. And today you are proof that real people, with real struggles, real failures, real dreams, can make it,” she added.
She also expressed her challenge to the graduands of social science as well as a homage to the CASS identity that goes beyond sheer academics, one that is radically human, informed by empathy, social responsibility, and cultural sensitivity.
“We are graduating at a time when truth is being distorted, history rewritten by those who have never even lived it. The world needs not just professionals—it needs thinkers, feelers, leaders. We carry not just academic knowledge and excellence, but the weight of critical thinking, cultural sensitivity, and social awareness. These are not just soft skills—these are essentials.”
Guiang reminded everyone of the civic duty that their individual pursuit entails, inviting attention to the contemporary issues that particularly ask graduates of the humanities to heed the call for a solution.
“In a world obsessed with speed, we are called to pause, to think, and to remember that progress without purpose is just motion. So if you ever doubt your place in this world, remember that you are exactly what the world needs— artists, historians, writers, leaders, activists, political thinkers, sociologists, psychologists, philosophers, educators, dreamers — the world is in need of you,” Guiang declared.
Meanwhile, CASS produced 452 graduands set to be officially conferred tomorrow, June 27, for the 55th Commencement Ceremony of Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology.
Renowned journalist Kara David will also be gracing the significant milestone to leave graduates with an inspiring message as the commencement speaker.
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