By Mark Vincent A. Durano

Far Eastern University Central Student Organization (FEUCSO) led a petition submitted to the Academic Executive Council, urging the recognition of lived names among students during graduation ceremonies.

The petition, dated March 5, was published last March 11.

Other signatories include all seven Institute Student Councils (SC), FEU Sexuality and Gender Alliance (SAGA), FEU Gender and Development Desk (GADD), and FEU Faculty Association (FEUFA).

The petition requests the Administration to create, streamline, and publicly announce the processes to use the lived names of graduating students. 

Lived names are names that an individual uses that is different from their legal name or name at birth.

Per the statement, the petition stemmed from students, such as transgender and non-binary individuals, to use their lived names in significant milestones.

“These heartfelt requests reflect a deep need for recognition and respect, and they align closely with our university's core values of inclusivity and honoring the dignity of every individual. It is crucial that we ensure all students are seen and celebrated for who they truly are, particularly in highly public and meaningful events like graduation,” it read.

Additionally, the governing student organization emphasized upholding the University’s commitment to create an inclusive environment that validates students’ identities.

FEUCSO proposed using students’ lived names on the PowerPoint slides and when called during the ceremony, which is not exclusive to transgender students, but also individuals who use a different name from their legal name.

The organization also suggested compiling all eligible students for graduation together with their lived names.

“As they are responsible for submitting the official list of graduating students to the Deans and the Office of the University Registrar, this ensures that the process is cascaded properly through the necessary administrative channels,” the statement added.

In an interview with FEU Advocate, Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (ITHM) SC President and transgender woman Cy Christianne Dela Paz shared the significance of recognizing lived names as being seen and validated within the community.

“After spending years studying, growing, and contributing to this community, we want to walk that stage as our authentic selves, just like any other Tamaraw. Having this recognition at such a major milestone makes us feel like we truly belong in the green and gold community—not just as students, but as the people we know ourselves to be,” she said.

For Dela Paz, the practice also ensures that every transgender student in FEU can celebrate their achievements without fear of misrepresentation. 

She also recognized the difficult process of changing names and gender markers in the Philippines, regarding the FEU community to continuously respect transgender individuals, even beyond the campus.

“The real vision is an FEU where inclusivity isn’t something we have to ask for, but something that’s naturally practiced. Where transgender students don’t just exist at FEU but thrive—without constantly having to fight for basic recognition,” Dela Paz stated.

Furthermore, she challenged student-leaders to ensure that the petition is not a one-time decision but a tradition for future graduates.

Besides using lived names during milestone activities, the ITHM SC president also suggested allowing students to use them on school accounts such as Microsoft Office and Canvas.

Dela Paz also urged the strengthening of gender sensitivity workshops and embedding awareness and respect into FEU’s culture, such as using correct names and pronouns.

Moreover, FEUCSO, SCs, FEU SAGA, FEU GADD, and FEUFA vow to enjoin in raising awareness and supporting the implementation of these processes.

FEUCSO also reiterated that they have no intentions of altering any legal paperwork but to use lived names during the Commencement Exercises, not in official documents.

(Photo by Gwyneth Mendoza/FEU Advocate)