Dr. Freddie T. Bernal, regional director of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Region VII, will speak before the 600 graduates of the University of Bohol during its 146th commencement exercises on March 31, 2014 at 4:30 o'clock in the afternoon at the university quadrangle. Director Bernal who hails from San Miguel, Catanduanes is a product of public elementary and secondary high school. He obtained his AB Political Science degree from Catanduanes State Colleges. His first option was to take up Bachelor of Laws at the University of the Philippines but due to financial constraints he shifted to take MA in Development Education at University of Sto. Tomas (UST) on scholarship and graduated Benemeritus for his Master's degree. Director Bernal went straight on for his PhD in Development Education from the same university and at age 24, finished Doctor of Philosophy -Meritissimus.

A former Administrative Officer of Angeles University Foundation (AUF) and a school Principal of an international school in the United Arab Emirates, Dr. Bernal joined the Department of Education then the Commission on Higher Education for more than 20 years now. In public service he began as Educational Researcher, Director III and finally Director IV. He assumed post as Regional Director of CHED Region VII last January 16, 2014. As Division Chief and Director of the Office of Student Services of CHED, he crafted various Policies, Standards and Guidelines (PSGs) on Student Services and Development, National Service Training (NSTP), Tuition and Other Fees, Scholarship, Grant and Loan programs and awards on the best Student Services Programs of colleges and universities. These were all approved by the Commission en Banc and issued as CHED Memoranda.

The commencement speaker will be introduced by Dr. Gina T. Lopena, UB Community Extension Services Officer and PhD in Human Resource Management –Meritissimus graduate. Mrs. Dalia Melda T. Magno, CPA, MPA , school registrar, disclosed that a Thanksgiving and Remembering ceremony was already held last March 20, 2014, at the UB gymnasium with Col. Cesar J. Pamaong, PAF (Ret.), UB/RPC Alumni Association, Inc. president as guest. At 9:00 o'clock in the morning of March 31, 2014, a Recognition Program and Tribute to Parents will take place at the university gymnasium where honor graduates will be awarded medals and the parents will be honored and recognized. (L.A. Boncales)