De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde Manila and Antipolo held its Commencement Exercises for the Third Term of A.Y. 2023-2024 on Oct. 26 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC)—sending off 803 Benildean graduates in total.
Former Senator and Secretary of Justice, Atty. Leila de Lima, delivered an inspirational message to the graduates to formally commence the program.
She urged them to persevere through life’s challenges and emphasized the importance of resilience, stating, "We cannot always choose our battles. Sometimes we have to go through the crucible; a crucible of trials we have not prepared for."
"There will be rough roads. For some, they will be only short distances; for others, they will seem endless. It’s how you deal with rough roads that carry you to redemption and success. Do not be afraid of the future," the former senator added.
Following the message of Atty. de Lima, Vice Chancellor for Academics (VCA) Mr. Angelo Lacson led the presentation of Latin honors and awarding of recipients with academic distinctions.
Meanwhile, Mr. Levi Albania, Dean of the Center for Student Life, presented the Br. Andrew Gonzales Leadership Award to Alyssa Marie Gonzaga, a Magna Cum Laude graduate of the AB Diplomacy and International Affairs (AB-DIA) program and the Benildean Press Corps Managing Editor for A.Y. 2023-2024.
In an interview with The Benildean, Gonzaga shared that “It feels bittersweet that my batch mates and I are not saying goodbye, but rather 'see you again' as we embark on a new chapter of our lives."
Ms. Niña C. Endozo, the Master of Ceremonies, presented 803 candidates for graduation to Benilde Brother President Br. Edmundo "Dodo" Fernandez FSC. Graduates from each school were called individually to the stage by the deans of their respective degree programs.
Baccalaureate diplomas were presented by the Brother President, who also administered the hooding ceremony for graduate program students along with Chancellor Benhur Ong and VCA Lacson.
The conferment of degrees was followed by the Alumni Oath-Taking by Benilde Alumni Association Vice President, Ms. Kathrina Candelaria-Lapus.
Summa “Comm” Laude
Summa Cum Laude Charles Benedict Manalastas from Benilde Antipolo’s AB Communication (ABCO) program delivered a heartfelt message on behalf of the graduating batch.
Manalastas, the first Benilde Antipolo graduate to deliver the Words of Appreciation, challenged his fellow Benildeans to bridge the gap between the ideal and the real by using their privilege as Benildean graduates to become part of the solution to societal problems, and to continue taking an active role even after graduation.
He encouraged everyone to “Make your life story worthy of telling with a purpose—catalyzing change, inspiration, and transformation in society and making ordinary stories relevant. […] May our generation be a beacon of hope and empathy. May we fight for equity, stand for the truth, and amplify the voices of the silenced."
Afterwards, Daniel Carlito Abalos, a Summa Cum Laude graduate from the AB Multimedia Arts (AB-MMA) program, led the Benildean Graduates' Prayer to officially conclude the ceremony.
