The Benilde Committee on Student Involvement (BCSI) called for organizations and student leaders to celebrate and acknowledge their triumphant efforts and outpouring of dedication with “SOAR (Student Organization Awards and Recognition) 2022,” its annual awards and recognition ceremony, through their official Facebook page on July 29.

“Gabi Natin Ito”

"SOAR: SIKAT (Sila, Ikaw, Kayo, Ako, Tayo)” encouraged student organizations to uphold the values of service and social participation inside and outside the campus. In line with this year’s theme “Gabi Natin Ito,” the event showcased the limitless potential of Benildean students in contributing to the betterment of society, even amidst the virtual phases of online learning and communication.

This year’s SOAR ceremony was hosted by Vincent Gabriel Rabot, ID 118 Interactive Entertainment and Multimedia Computing student, Allyssa Beatrice Meer, ID 118 Information Systems student, and Lance Salen, ID 120 Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) major in Business Intelligence and Analytics (BSBA-BIA) student, along with a Filipino Sign Language (FSL) interpreter present for the benefit and inclusion of the deaf students.

The ceremony featured an enticing performance by Saint Benilde Romançon Dance Company (SBRDC), the College’s resident dance company, and an intermission number by Coro San Benildo, the College’s resident chorale group一performing a captivating rendition of Apo Hiking Society’s “Panalangin.”

The individual awards were then announced first for their exceptional display of leadership in their respective roles. The winners per category along with their represented student organization are as follows:

Outstanding Treasurer

• 1st Place: Paula Bianca Lee, Travelers in Progress (TRIP)
  
  

Outstanding Secretary 

• 1st Place: Charlotte Tabara, Hotel, Restaurant, Institution Management Society (HRIMS)
• 2nd Place: Karyll Po, HRIMS
  
  

Outstanding Vice-President

• 1st Place: Doria Gwen De Joya, Guild of Rising Interior Designers (GRID)
• 2nd Place: Pauline Bianca Guevarra, HRIMS
• 3rd Place: Angeline Rey, Benildean Scholars Association (BSA)
• 4th Place: Patricia Nicole Trabajo, World-class Hoteliers in Progress (WHIP)
• 5th Place: Danna Betina Visque, TRIP
  
  

Outstanding President

• 1st Place: Aira Fatima Yutuc, Benilde Red Cross Youth Council (BRCYC)
• 2nd Place: Janelle Frances Ang, HRIMS
• 3rd Place: Jose Romualdo Babao, BSA
• 4th Place: Angelika Mae Aguilar, GRID
• 5th Place: Danielle Christianne Austero, Vateliens In Progress (VIP)
  
  

Outstanding Student Leaders

• 1st Place: Kyla Kirsten Amor, TRIP
• 2nd Place: Aileen Abigail Chen, Benilde International Student Emissaries (BISE)
• 3rd Place: Eudosia Narissa Quilao, BRCYC
  
  

The top three student organization advisers were also acknowledged for their remarkable contribution in sustaining the projects and duties of their respective organizations.

• 1st Place: Dr. Karol Ann Antonio, PIID, GRID
• 2nd Place: Mr. Juan Paolo Sumera, WHIP
• 3rd Place: Dr. Teddy Manansala, HRIMS
  
  

After presenting the individual awards, the hosts proceeded with awarding the group and project awards categories.

Outstanding Social Engagement & Development Project Awards

• 1st Place: “ReelTalk Series” by Benildean Film Works (BFW)
• 2nd Place: “PULSE: Blood Drive Integration” by BRCYC
• 3rd Place: “Art Kits for Art Kids” by BSA and MEDIAMAX (MMX)
• 4th Place: “SINAG: Kaagapay sa Kinabukasan” by Benilde Industrial Designers (BIND)
• 5th Place (Tie): “Padayon, Kapatid: Sulong Karunungan” by GRID
• 5th Place (Tie): “KOMINK: Bringing Color Back” by DrawINK and Benilde Arts Management (BeAM)
  
  

Outstanding Constitutional Project Awards

• 1st Place: “Deaf Awareness & Basic Filipino Sign Language” by Benildean Deaf Association (BDA)
• 2nd Place: “VAXX To The Future: Facing the Pandemic Together” by BRCYC
• 3rd Place: “Film Friday Series” by BFW
• 4th Place: “ID Webinar Series” by BIND
• 5th Place: “Industry Meets Sustainability” by HRIMS

Meanwhile, the top 10 outstanding student organizations announced are as follows: HRIMS (1st Place), BRCYC (2nd Place), GRID (3rd Place), Animotion (4th Place), BDA (5th Place), BeAM (6th Place), DrawINK (7th Place), TRIP (8th Place), Greenergy (9th Place), and BSA (10th Place).

Moving on from the awarding segment, the hosts then announced the organizations’ accreditation status for A.Y. 2022-2023. 

The Accredited and Recognized Student Organizations (ARSO) for the academic cluster include Animotion, Association of Information Management (AIM), BeAM, BDA, BFW, BIND, Chefs in Progress (CHIP), Computer Business Association (CBA), Export Management Society (EMS), Gamers Union for Innovation and Leadership Development (GUILD), GRID, HRIMS, Human Resource Management Society (HRMS), Mark of Designers Alliance (MODA), MMX, Social and Academic Guild for Architecture (SAGA), Society of Analytics and Business Intelligence (SABI), TRIP, VIP, and WHIP.

For the socio-civic cluster, among those organizations accredited are BSA, BRCYC, Best Buddies Benilde (BBB), Greenergy, and Benilde Hive (BBB). The next cluster is for special interests, the ARSO are Artelier, Benilde Nature Development and Outdoor Club (BUNDOC), DrawINK, Google Developers Student Club Benilde, Nihon Bunka-bu (NBB), Romancon Gaming, and UNICEF. Lastly, the recognized organizations of the Student Involvement Unit (SIU), are Benilde Commission on Election (COMELEC), BCSI, BISE, Student Trainers (STRAINS), Central Student Government (CSG), and Benilde Debate Varsity (BDV).

Furthermore, during the oath-taking ceremony prompted by SIU Head Ms. Karen Barby Asuncion, outgoing and incoming officers were able to pledge for guidance, commitment, and perseverance, that they will continue to instill the qualities and values of a true Benildean. 

For the closing remarks, Benilde Center for Student Life Dean Ms. Norie Ador Dionisio expressed her gratitude to all student leaders and organizations for being able to exceed expectations despite the COVID-19 pandemic. As the Benildean community continues to cope and adapt to the new normal, she shared her aspirations for Benildean students to remain resilient, optimistic, and to exhibit leadership and excellence in their duties, all with integrity.

Students are invited to develop invaluable leadership talents and broaden their skills as BCSI currently opens its doors for recruitment from July 27 to August 5. Those interested can #LevelUpWithBCSI by signing up in the form provided.

BCSI is the main coordinating body of the ARSOs in the College that assists and cultivates excellence and integrity of the student leaders for their respective student organizations.