HOUSE Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez on Wednesday urged over 5,000 graduates of Capiz State University (CapSU) to lead the transformation of the Philippines, emphasizing that the nation’s future lies in the strength of communities outside Manila.

Speaking at CapSU’s 21st commencement ceremony, Romualdez lauded the resilience of students who overcame poverty, typhoons, online learning difficulties, and economic hardships.

“You did not just survive college—you conquered it,” he told the Class of 2025.

He described their achievement as a collective victory, acknowledging the sacrifices of parents, teachers, and the broader community.

“This is their graduation too,” he said.

Romualdez praised CapSU as a beacon of hope and transformation in Western Visayas, noting its role in developing leaders and changemakers.

He called on graduates to embrace unity and service, in line with the ceremony’s theme, “One CapSU: Working Together, Growing Stronger, Reaching Higher.”

“We need your voice, your values, your leadership,” Romualdez said. “This is your time—make it count. Make it matter. Make it history.”