At the 11th Commencement Exercises of Pampanga State Agricultural University (PSAU), Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman turned the spotlight on two exceptional graduates who rose above life’s toughest challenges to earn their diplomas — Brenner Basa and Sharmane Rellama.
Pangandaman, who served as Guest of Honor and Speaker, praised the graduates for their courage and perseverance, calling their stories “a testament to the power of heart, hope, and higher education.” She was joined at the ceremony by Undersecretaries Goddes Hope Libiran and Wilford Will Wong.
Brenner Basa, a BS Agricultural Business graduate, was born with short stature and lost his father at a young age. Despite these difficulties, Pangandaman said, “He may be the smallest in the room, but make no mistake: his spirit towers over us all.”
She recounted how Brenner found more than an education at PSAU—he found a second family in his classmates and professors who supported him wholeheartedly. “They made sure he never felt different. They looked beyond his condition and saw his determination, his talent, and his unbreakable will.”
Sharmane Rellama, meanwhile, faced the quiet hardship of setting aside her dreams due to financial limitations. “Tahimik na isinantabi ang mga pangarap para unahin ang pang-araw-araw,” Pangandaman noted. But her story turned when PSAU President Dr. Anita David stepped in, opening doors that led Sharmane to theater and literature.
Sharmane’s writing and performances won regional awards, but Pangandaman emphasized that her work went deeper than accolades. “Her poems and plays weren’t made just for applause or trophies. They were cries for justice. Songs of healing.”
Sharmane not only wrote powerful pieces — she brought them to life on stage, embodying her own characters and sharing her voice with the world.
As Pangandaman honored both students, she reminded the graduating class that education is not just about diplomas—it’s about resilience, compassion, and courage.
“Brenner and Sharmane show us that no obstacle is too great when you’re lifted by community, guided by purpose, and fueled by belief in yourself,” she said.
