Despite the troubling weather, UNITE 2025, organized by the Student Trainers (STRAINS), pushed through with volumes up on July 18 at the Miguel Febres Cordero (MFC) Parking Grounds & Greenway Square, Taft Campus.
“[...] UNITE is a night for everyone.” Kyle Margarette Reyes, Assistant Project Head of STRAINS, expressed her views in an interview with The Benildean. “[...] who would have thought… it takes one night, one area actually, one parking lot to unite so much Benildeans.”
UNITE is a concert held at the end of each academic year that brings together students and faculty from diverse backgrounds in one space to celebrate the talents and accomplishments of Benildeans, whilst providing a platform for up-and-coming artists.
Inspired by the song God of Music by K-pop boy group, Seventeen, and musical The Sound of Music, UNITE 2025 was organized by STRAINS with the help of the Stage Production Operations Team (SPOT). The line-up of performers was as colorful as this year's theme, with the presence of Saint Benilde Romançon Dance Company (SBRDC), Karilyo, DJ Joch, LUMI, and headliner SHANNi.
The rain stopped for a magical show
“[...] We wanted UNITE to be… a place where other Benildeans can feel… like they can release all the stress, worry-free, just a random Friday night… instead of going home… they can just enjoy here. It's a day [where] we want to remind the students to always take a break,” Reyes shared.
Regardless of the unpredictable weather, UNITE 2025 came through due to the efforts of the students under STRAINS and SPOT—providing us with a memorable event that showcases their genuine efforts and hard work. With this, Reyes ended her interview with, “[...] I hope they remember that UNITE was an event that took care of everyone well. [...] that's our main goal, to make Benildeans feel loved because we were loved that way.”
For the arts
UNITE 2025 also served as a launching pad for student artists to showcase their craft to the Benildean community. Among the performers was Karilyo, a music production trio composed of Joshua Paraguya, Micky Montenegro, and Aldrin Igarta, who are all ID120 Benildean alumni from the Music Production program (AB-MP).
For the band, performing at UNITE held special significance. "Dito kami nabubuo eh, sa Benilde," Montenegro shared in an interview with The Benildean. "We would like to take this opportunity... na ma-share ‘yung nabubuo namin and experiences namin sa mga tao dito."
What set the student performances apart was their commitment to meaningful content. Karilyo, in particular, used their platform to address social issues through their music, moving beyond typical performance fare. This platform allowed them to share their advocacy while building new relationships within the Benildean community.
The impact of having student performers resonated strongly with the audience. Geraldine Guillermo, an ID124 Diplomacy and International Affairs (AB-DIA) student, praised the event's focus on local talent, particularly highlighting performances by LUMI and SHANNi.
"Support our own, siyempre, Romançon," she noted, appreciating how the organizers strategically placed SBRDC at the beginning to build excitement and establish the atmosphere.
Fellow audience member Aicee Joie Ayong, an ID124 AB-DIA student, expressed pride in witnessing student collaboration with external artists, describing how it elevated the production to professional standards comparable to major media networks.
The significance of UNITE as a platform extends beyond individual performances to fostering a creative ecosystem within Benilde. Students recognized the event's role in demonstrating the school's artistic capabilities, with AB-DIA stduent Ella Gepillano noting how such events can showcase what Benildeans can truly accomplish.
Rainy with a 100% chance of UNITY
UNITE 2025 also exemplified its core mission of bringing together the diverse Benildean community under one shared experience. As Reyes shared, "who would have thought... it takes one night, one area actually, one parking lot to unite so much Benildeans." The annual event serves as a crucial gathering point where students from different programs, campuses, and backgrounds converge to celebrate their shared identity as Benildeans.
UNITE serves as a vital annual reminder that university life extends far beyond academics, it’s what Ayong described as "pampalubag-loob ng Benilde na hindi lang siya puro schoolworks, puro puksaan na nakaka-depress,” thus offering a joyful break that lifts spirits during stressful times.
Each year, the event strengthens the bonds by celebrating creativity and community. Gepillano emphasized how such events help establish "identity na meron pala talagang ganap sa Benilde.” This enduring tradition ensures a deep sense of unity and belonging at the heart of what it means to be a Benildean.
UNITE 2025 proved that even the most unpredictable circumstances cannot dampen the spirit of the Benildean community. As the colorful lights dimmed and the last notes faded in the MFC Parking Grounds, UNITE 2025 left behind more than memories—it strengthened the bonds that define Benildean identity and reminded everyone present that they belong to something larger than themselves, proving once again why this annual tradition remains an indispensable cornerstone of campus life.
