TO RECOGNIZE the perseverance and achievements of students, a school in Sibalom, Antique conducted graduation ceremonies using a van as makeshift stage.

Demar Cahilig, Department of Education Sibalom South District supervisor, said that poor internet connection was the reason behind the holding of the “transportable” graduation ceremony.

“Tulatula Elementary School principal Arnulfo Batiao together with his teachers decided to hold a mobile graduation for their 18 elementary pupils on July 12. The mobile graduation was held using a multicab van, which was decorated to look like a stage, and visited each house of a graduating student,” Cahilig said.

The school was the first of the 39 public elementary and high schools to hold a graduation ceremony.

Cahilig said that a parent of the graduate was allowed on stage to pin ribbons and for a photo opportunity.

“My message was recorded so that it was played using a mobile sound system installed also on the multicab,” he added.

The DepEd ruled out the holding of face-to-face graduation and other end-of-school-year ceremonies because of the pandemic.