Commencement Exercises of the Mindanao State University-General Santos on July 14 showcased significant milestones in the history of the university: the return after two years of face-to-face ceremonies for the combined 3,505 graduates of Class 2020, Class 2021 and Class 2022; the awarding of its third Summa Cum Laude; and the graduation of a 66-year old barangay kagawad from the indigenous Blaans, the oldest graduate of Class 2022.
The eldest among eight, he finished Elementary at the Big Margus Elementary School in 1979, and secondary education at the Big Margus Barangay High School in Glan Padidu Annex B. Tatay Davy is also a respected politician in Batutuling. He entered politics in 2010, elected as a member of the Barangay Council. Kagawad Matugol has been serving his barangay for three consecutive terms. He recalls that he asked a favor from the late Chancellor Dr. Anshari P. Ali, for consent to be absent from his classes during the regular session of the Barangay Batutuling Legislative Council, which is scheduled either on the first or second Friday of the month.
While celebrating his Senior High School graduation in an eatery in Barangay Margus, Tatay Davy met two professors from MSU-GenSan — Jerry Dela Cruz, the Director of the Admission Office, and Richard R. Pernia, chair of the Department of Political Science.