CMDI holds 5th commencement exercises

Posted on August 18, 2023

Written By: Harlene Joy Reyes

CMDI Bay Campus Class 2023 Outstanding Student and Magna Cum Laude Krisha Joy M. Villarin expressed her heartfelt gratitude, saying, “God made our journey possible as he sent us the right people with whom we can dream of being able to wear this sablay sa kabila ng mga sablay natin sa buhay.”

The Bay Campus of CARD-MRI Development Institute, Inc. (CMDI), the academic institution of CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI), held its fifth commencement exercises, honoring the graduates of the Academic Year 2022-2023 on July 28, 2023.

With the theme “CMDI Graduates: Molded through a Resilient Educational Foundation,” the academic institution celebrated the resilience and readiness of its graduates for their future endeavors.

CMDI President Dr. Flordeliza L. Sarmiento expressed her gratitude to the graduates, “I believe that CMDI has prepared you to face the world with hope and optimism, and we are very grateful that we have produced another class who has the strong heart to promote development not only for themselves but also for their family and community.”

In total, 449 students completed their studies this academic year. Of these, 84 graduated from Senior High School, and 365 earned college degrees.

CARD MRI also encourages CMDI graduates to join its mission of ending poverty in the Philippines, confident that the values instilled during their education at CMDI will have a lasting impact on their communities.

Furthermore, Dr. Dolores M. Torres, CMDI Senior Dean and CARD MRI Senior Management Adviser motivated the graduates to partake in nation-building and poverty eradication efforts of CARD MRI or other activities outside the organization. Dr. Torres believes that sincere acceptance of helping communities to improve their quality of life can facilitate the achievement of the mutual goal of eradicating poverty in the country.

Also, the Undersecretary for Human Resource and Organizational Development (HROD) at the Department of Education and the program’s guest speaker, Dr. Gloria Jumamil Mercado, MNSA, urged the graduates to continuously challenge the norm by serving beyond personal interest with love for their country and fellow citizens. Dr. Mercado reminded the graduates to use their education to serve humanity and our country with love and compassion. She also urges them to participate in community initiatives, cultivate volunteerism, and promote unity, equality, and inclusivity that will impact our country’s progress and development.

CARD MRI Founder and Chairman Emeritus and CMDI Chairperson Dr. Jaime Aristotle B. Alip said, “Education will always be a great equalizer. An educated person will never revert to poverty because it is their tool to transcend it.” Dr. Alip firmly believes that education opens excellent doors of opportunities that can help them break the cycle of poverty in their families.

In pursuit of this goal, CARD MRI offers scholarships and vouchers to deserving students, with 615 active scholars on Bay Campus and 1,656 total scholars on both of its campuses at Bay and Tagum City, Davao del Norte, as of June 2023.

In their speeches, CMDI’s outstanding senior high school student Nikka Joy V. Bautista and college’s outstanding student and Magna Cum Laude Krisha Joy M. Villarin expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the unwavering support they received throughout their academic journey.

In his closing remarks, CARD MRI Managing Director Mr. Aristeo A. Dequito recognized CMDI’s role over the past 23 years in shaping individuals to fulfill their dreams and assume leadership roles to combat poverty in the country.

To know more about CMDI, their training programs, and academic courses, visit its Facebook page @cmdiofficial or website at https://cmdi.edu.ph/.