Blackwell University · Commencement MMXXVI

Julian Reyes

Four years of late light and long drawings come to a close. You are warmly invited to the celebration of a degree earned in full.

Saturday13 June 2026Manila

Twenty twenty-two — twenty twenty-six

The road
to the podium

2022

Presidential Scholar

Admitted on a full merit scholarship, one of nine in a cohort of four hundred. The first drawing board arrives; it never really gets tidy again.
2023

Dean’s List, all terms

Eight consecutive semesters on the Dean’s List — a run that begins here and does not break once before the final review.
2023

Undergraduate Research Grant

Awarded for a study on passive cooling in tropical low-rise housing. Later published in the university’s design review.
2024

President, Design Society

Led a hundred and forty members through the largest student exhibition the college has staged. Learned that a good building starts with good listening.
2025

Exchange Term · Delft

A semester abroad in the Netherlands. Cold studios, warm people, and a sketchbook that came home twice as heavy as it left.
2026

Summa Cum Laude & Valedictorian

Highest honours in the College of Design, and chosen by the faculty to give the commencement address on behalf of the graduating class.

Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.
Malcolm X

The Celebration

Two moments, one day. Come for the ceremony, stay for the dinner — or simply arrive when you can. The seat is yours either way.

The Date

Saturday
13 June 2026

Kindly reply on or before the twentieth of May.

The Hours

4:00 in the afternoon
Conferment ceremony

7:00 in the evening
Dinner & toasts

The Place

Aurelian Hall
The Peninsula, Makati

Ceremony held at the Blackwell Grand Auditorium, a ten-minute drive prior. Valet parking from 3:15 PM.

The Dress

Formal
Black tie optional

Should you wish to follow the evening’s colours: deep navy, ivory, and gold.

Four Years, Briefly

No photographs here — only the shapes they left behind.

The first morningAugust 2022 · Gate Three

Late lightStudio 4B · every November

The plan that workedThird year · final review

Delft, in the coldSpring 2025 · exchange term

The markSigned on every sheet since 2022

And then, the toss13 June 2026 · 5:40 PM

Répondez s’il vous plaît

A short reply is all it takes. Julian would rather know you are coming than be surprised by an empty chair.