The top student of the University of the Philippines Diliman graduating class of 2017, Arman Ali Ghodsinia of Marawi City, highlighted the struggles of Maranao people in Marawi City in his graduation speech.
Ghodsinia, who graduated summa cum laude with a general weighted average of 1.176, described how his hometown suffer from poverty despite its rich natural resources.
He said it is hard for him to celebrate both Eid’l Fitr and his graduation while the lives of thousands of people in Marawi City are still in danger.
“The lives of our fellow Filipinos, both Muslims and Christians, have been at risk due to the aggression of certain groups. Ramadan just took place and yet many of our brothers and sisters have been forced to run for their lives,” the Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology graduate told fellow graduates.
Ghodsinia also urged his fellow “iskolar ng bayan” to unite and give back to the country.
“Here I am speaking to you as proof that regardless of religion, socio-economic status or ethnic ties, anyone can excel if equal opportunities are available to all,” he said.
Ghodsinia is one of the 36 summa cum laude graduates from UP Diliman.
Credit: UP Diliman Facebook Page
