Overview

As part of the August 20, 2026 Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna (MMCL) Commencement Exercises, all graduating students are requested to submit graduation photographs that will be used for official graduation materials and productions.

These photographs will be used for:

• the multimedia presentations during the Commencement Exercises;
• the MMCL Blue & Silver Yearbook;
• official graduation records, documents such as the Transcript of Records, and related graduation materials.

Unlike other colleges of Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna, MMDC follows a different graduation photo process designed specifically for our learners.

A Graduation Photo Process Designed for MMDC Learners

MMDC serves learners from across the Philippines—and even overseas.

After evaluating the graduation photo process for this year's commencement exercises, MMDC opted to adopt a fully digital photo submission process for its graduates.

This approach was adopted with MMDC learners in mind. Recognizing that our graduates are located across the Philippines and overseas, the College chose a process that provides greater flexibility while maintaining the College's standards for official graduation photographs. 

By adopting this process, MMDC aims to provide greater flexibility while reducing unnecessary travel, additional expenses, and scheduling constraints for our graduates.

To ensure consistency across all official graduation materials, submitted photographs must follow the specifications provided in this advisory.

Why is Graduation Photography Included in the Graduation Fee?

Although MMDC graduates will arrange their own photo session at a professional studio of their choice, the graduation photography component extends beyond taking the original photograph.

Each submitted photograph undergoes professional editing, production, and preparation to ensure it meets the official graduation standards and can be used consistently across all graduation materials.

The graduation photography component includes:

• professional editing of the official toga photograph using the official MMCL academic gown;
• preparation of photographs for the Commencement Exercises multimedia presentation;
• inclusion in the MMCL Blue & Silver Yearbook;
• one (1) 5R signature photograph in academic toga;
• four (4) 2R / wallet-size prints of the formal photograph.

This process allows MMDC graduates to enjoy the flexibility of choosing their own photo studio while ensuring that all official graduation materials maintain a consistent standard.

What Photos Do I Need to Submit?

Students are required to submit two (2) digital photo files—one for the Formal Photograph and one for the Portrait for Digital Toga Editing. These may be two separate photographs or, if all requirements are met, two copies of the same photograph using the required filenames.

1. Signature Formal Photograph

This photograph will be used as submitted for official graduation materials.

Recommended Attire

Ladies

• Business attire, blazer, or formal dress
• Hair neatly groomed
• Simple and professional appearance

Gentlemen

• Long-sleeved collared shirt
• Necktie
• Coat or blazer is encouraged
• Hair neatly groomed

2. Portrait for Digital Toga Editing

This photograph will be digitally edited using the official MMCL academic gown.

To ensure the gown can be accurately applied, please wear:

• plain white shirt
• round-neck or simple V-neck shirt
• no collar
• no jacket
• no necktie
• no scarf or accessories covering the neckline

The neckline and shoulders should remain fully visible to allow accurate placement of the academic gown during editing.

Photo Specifications

Please present the following specifications to your preferred professional photo studio.

Photo Size

• Portrait orientation
• 5R composition (5 × 7 inches)
• High-resolution digital copy

Digital File Requirements

• JPEG (.jpg)
• Minimum 1500 × 2100 pixels
• 300 dpi
• Original, uncompressed image

Background

• White background is also acceptable if your studio is unable to provide a blue graduation backdrop

Composition

• Head and upper torso visible
• Centered
• Looking directly at the camera
• Face occupies approximately 70–80% of the image
• Leave adequate space above the head and below the shoulders for cropping and editing

Image Quality

• Professionally taken
• Sharp focus
• Even lighting
• No watermarks
• No studio logo
• No borders
• No beauty filters

Dress Code Guidelines

Graduates are expected to observe proper decorum during their graduation photo session.

Please wear decent, neat, and formal attire appropriate for an official graduation photograph.

Mapúa Malayan Colleges Laguna reserves the right to request a replacement photograph if the submitted images do not comply with standards or are inconsistent with the expected dress code and presentation for official graduation materials.

Submission Deadline

📅 August 3, 2026

Please submit both required photographs on or before August 3, 2026.

Late submissions may affect:

• Commencement Exercises multimedia production;
• MMCL Blue & Silver Yearbook production; and
• preparation of your official graduation materials.

How to Submit Your Graduation Photos

Step 1. Prepare Your Photo Files

Before uploading your photos, please ensure that the files are named using the format below:

Formal Portrait

StudentNumber_LastName_FirstName_Formal.jpg

Example:

202312345_DelaCruz_Juan_Formal.jpg

Toga Portrait (For Digital Editing)

StudentNumber_LastName_FirstName_Toga.jpg

Example:

202312345_DelaCruz_Juan_Toga.jpg

Step 2. Upload to Your MMDC Learner Google Drive

Using you learner Google account, create one folder using the following naming convention:

StudentNumber_LastName_FirstName_Graduation Photos

Example:

202312345_DelaCruz_Juan_Graduation Photos

Upload both photo files into this folder.

Step 3. Update the Folder Sharing Settings

Set the folder permissions to:

Anyone with the link can edit

Step 4. Submit Through the Graduation Photo Submission Form

Complete the Graduation Photo Submission GForm and provide:

• Your Student Number
• Full Name
• Degree Program
• Link to your Google Drive folder

📎 MMDC Graduation Photo Submission GForm

Before You Submit

Please confirm that:

☐ Your folder is named correctly.

☐ Your photo files are named correctly.

☐ You have uploaded both photographs:

• Formal Portrait
• Toga Portrait

☐ Your folder is shared as Anyone with the link can edit

☐ You have submitted the Google Form before August 3, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why doesn't MMDC conduct an official on-site graduation photo session?

MMDC follows a different graduation photo process because our learners are located across the Philippines and overseas.

Rather than requiring graduates to travel to a designated photo studio in Manila, MMDC allows students to complete their graduation photographs at a professional studio that is most convenient for them.

This approach provides greater flexibility while ensuring that all graduates receive the official photographs required for the University's graduation materials.

Can I submit a selfie or an edited mobile phone photo?

No.

To ensure its quality, graduation photographs must be professionally taken at a photo studio and must comply with the specifications outlined in this advisory. 

Can I wear my own graduation toga?

No.

For consistency across all graduates, MMDC will digitally edit the official MMCL academic gown onto the submitted toga photograph.

Students should follow the attire requirements for the Toga Photograph (For Digital Editing) section of this advisory.

I cannot submit my photos before Aug 3. What should I do?

If you anticipate difficulty meeting the submission deadline, please contact the Records Team as soon as possible by submitting a ticket through the MMDC Learner Help Center.

Late submissions may affect the preparation of graduation materials and multimedia presentations.

Can I still attend the official MMCL on-site graduation photo session?

For the August 20, 2026 Commencement Exercises, MMDC graduates are requested to follow the graduation photo submission process outlined in this advisory.

This process was adopted specifically for MMDC to better accommodate our learners, who are located across the Philippines and overseas.

By submitting photographs that meet the required specifications, graduates will receive the same official graduation photo outputs used for the Commencement Exercises and the MMCL Blue & Silver Yearbook.

Need Assistance?

If you have questions regarding the graduation photo requirements or are unsure whether your photographs meet the required specifications, please submit a ticket through the MMDC Learner Help Center before the submission deadline.