Cris de los Santos Andalis is UCW’s Spring 2025 valedictorian after graduating from the MBA program with a 4.07 CGPA.
“My fellow graduates, it wasn’t just sheer luck or a checklist of academic requirements that helped us reach this milestone,” he said during his valedictory address.
“This success was fueled by our courage to say yes. Yes, to opportunities, even when we were unsure. Yes, to growth, even when we were uncomfortable.”
Cris was born and raised in the Philippines along with three siblings. His mother was a retired public school supervisor and his dad was a self-employed jeepney driver and public servant.
Cris graduated in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Management from the Asia Pacific College, Makati City, Philippines.
He fulfilled various roles in banking, property management and customer service in Singapore, and was a member of the Filipino Voice Symphony Choir that raised money to send under-privileged children to school.
He wanted additional post-secondary education and chose to pursue an MBA far from family and friends at UCW.
Cris was an active member of the UCW Community and was involved with UCW’s Filipino Student Association and volunteered during New Student Orientation in various roles. He volunteered for the Peer2Peer Program, where he served as a Peer Leader. He was later promoted to Senior Peer Leader and earned UCW’s Spotlight Award.
“At UCW, we didn’t just study, we turned learning into action by solving real-world challenges, leading with purpose and building strategic connections,” he said during his address.
Cris currently works at Scotiabank as a Customer Experience Associate and was the recipient of Scotiabank’s Best of the Best Award in 2024 for being a part of the top performing team in the BC & Yukon Region.
Despite his academic accomplishments, his learning is not yet done. He is working towards earning his Canadian securities certification.
“I would like to help people achieve their goals,” he said.
In addition, Cris would like to follow in his mother’s footsteps and become a teacher so he can inspire students like his UCW professors inspired him.
In his leisure time, he loves making music, playing the piano, singing and writing songs.
While busy with his professional endeavours, he continues to volunteer to give back to his community.
Cris volunteers as the pianist for the 1 pm Choir in St. Mary’s Parish and recently played the piano for the launch of Project Advance, the Archdiocese of Vancouver’s annual fundraising appeal to support vital ministries, outreach programs and parish development.
Related stories
William McCarthy O.B.C. received Honorary Doctorate
George Conrad Reifel O.B.C. receives Honorary Doctorate from University Canada West
Distinguished faculty recognized during Spring 2025 Convocation
Caps fly high as Spring 2025 grads take the stage
