De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde commenced its second face-to-face graduation ceremony for 2022, sending off 1,195 Benildeans at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) on Oct. 29. The Commencement Exercises gave way for students of the past terms who graduated virtually to finally experience an onsite graduation ceremony. 

To begin the program, Ms. Ma. Veronica Templo-Perez, Vice President for Lasallian Mission and Student Life, graced Benilde’s second face-to-face graduation ceremony as the Master of Ceremonies. 

Captain Stanly Ng, Benilde alumnus and incumbent President and Chief Operating Officer of Philippine Airlines, delivered his inspirational speech to the graduating batch. In his inspirational speech, he urged graduates to be ethical and accountable in their decision-making, not because something is expected in return but because it is the right thing to do. 

As he sent them out, he furthered in his speech that complacency should never be tolerated. Rather, everyone should always strive to learn and be humble, always curious to excel and develop themselves, regardless of their success and status quo. Moreover, he encouraged graduates to continue cultivating the values of humility, integrity, and respect inculcated in them in their College years in Benilde. 

“But if you love what you do, you will always be curious and find ways on how to do things better. And persistent to overcome challenges and excel in what you do,” Capt. Ng expressed. 

As he highlighted the importance of values and principles established on morality and accountability, he sent off the graduates with a hopeful message that even though challenges are inevitable, success will certainly follow if they persevere.

Following the inspirational speech, the school deans from Benilde Manila and Benilde Antipolo presented the graduates of the third term of A.Y. 2021-22 and their accomplishments.

As the ceremony ended, Summa Cum Laude Marguerite Marie Ferrer from Bachelor of Arts Major in Consular and Diplomatic Affairs, pointed out how Benilde has honed each of us to be a person of integrity, excellence, and resilience. She shared that even though faculties and students alike have experienced the challenges of the pandemic, they should all be proud that they persisted. And that breakthrough awaits them. 

“Benilde embraced what we all thought to be the ordinary in each of us and nurtured us until we grew in personality, character, and talent-each one special in our own unique ways. What is most striking about the Benildean community is that we are composed of different people, from different walks of life, coming from these different experiences, and bearing all these different mindsets. And yet, we are all accepted, welcomed, and celebrated in Benilde. Now I understand, this is what makes Benilde extraordinary.,” Ferrer acknowledged in great appreciation.

As she extended her gratitude to the faculty and to the support system of graduates who have walked with them in their College life, she further encouraged that despite the change of season and the remaining what-ifs, there will always be room for improvement because that’s what life is all about. 

“We are capable of limitless things in life; so, never dim your light for somebody else’s convenience, preference, or command. In everything that we do as we hit the ground running, the bottomline should always be service and servanthood,” she concluded.

In the afternoon graduation session, Angelo Fabian, Multimedia Arts graduate and the valedictorian of the batch, delivered in his words of appreciation that regardless of the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, it  brought the best out of everyone. He mentioned that despite the lack of clarity, life can still go on. 

“I hope we can look back on the everyday college norms and core memories for comfort. And may these memories not remain a memory, but a reminder of who we can lean on and we could live our lives out,” he indicated. 

From the start of the third term of A.Y. 2021-2022, the College started conducting limited face-to-face classes in the AKIC, DAC, and Taft campuses. Following this phase was the resumption of the face-to-face graduation rites.