26/06/2025
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐏𝐉: 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐀𝐍 𝐏𝐎𝐄 𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐙𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐒
Brian Poe Llamanzares, PhD, MNSA, led the second day of the 92nd Commencement Exercises of Bohol Island State University Main Campus with this commencement address to prepare the graduates for the complex and dynamic world ahead.
Llamanzares, representative-elect of the FPJ Panday Bayanihan Partylist, challenged the graduates to “lead with empathy, think critically, [and] rise with dignity.” He adds: “Ang tunay na tao ay lumalaban para sa tama.”
Invoking his grandfather, the late Fernando Poe Jr., the commencement speaker said: “FPJ reminded us that courage is not about power or about fame. It’s about standing up for what is right.”
Llamanzares, the son of Senator Grace Poe, is a graduate of Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration from the University of Perpetual Help. He also wields a Master’s Degree in National Security Administration from the National Defense College of the Philippines, and a Master’s Degree in Liberal Arts, Climate and Society from Columbia University. He is the chairman of Pantheon Holdings and chief executive officer of Oracle Media Group. He also served as Chief of Staff of the office of Senator Grace Poe.
He ended his commencement address by reminding the graduates to “never forget your roots.” “Always remember where you came from and who helped you to get there.”
