The Center for Student Life (CSL) hosted the 33rd Gawad Benildyano with the theme “Radiance in Service, Inspiring a Legacy of Leadership.” Various awards for different categories recognized Benildean excellence, identity, and caliber at the 2/F Manila Ballroom, Hotel Benilde Maison De La Salle on Jan. 29.
The program hosts, Ms. Carey Nicole Ganotice, from the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Research, and Mr. Johann Kristian Mangusad, OIC Chairperson of the Industrial Design Program, opened the program with a performance by Curp Adriano and Saint Benilde Romancon Dance Company.
Benilde President Br. Edmundo “Dodo” Fernandez FSC delivered his opening remarks. “Saint Benilde, our patron, also believed that education should touch not just the mind but also the heart. What we honor tonight are students [that] have embraced both heart and mind. Your achievements are meaningful because it reflects all your efforts, your passion, and a deep sense of responsibility to others,” he said.
The awarding of the Gawad Benildyano commenced, starting with the Project Awards Category, swept by the Student Publications Unit (SPU) as Outstanding Community Project for the Outreach Project in Kalinga and Outstanding Student Development Project for the SPU Joint Recruitment.
Subsequently, for the Group Awards Category, the Men’s Swimming Team was awarded Outstanding Athletic Team. Meanwhile, the Stage Production and Operations Team (SPOT) bagged the Outstanding Artist Group Award. Lastly, the Outstanding Student Involvement Group Award was awarded to DrawINK.
A solemn performance by Coro San Benildo followed, with their very own rendition of the song Tagumpay Nating Lahat and Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika.
Special Citation awards were given to Mariah Grezelle Corpuz for Best in Presentation-Individual Category and DrawINK for the Best Presentation-Group Category. Then, Meritorious awards were given to Benilde Culture and Arts Unit (BCAU) and SPU.
Before the final category, School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management (SHRIM) alumna and Taekwondo champion, Clarissa Thea Virtudazo, shared in her speech the transcending meaning of these awards, “Greatness isn’t measured by the recognition you receive, but by the standard you choose to uphold every day.”
For the Individual Awards category, the Outstanding Campus Journalist was awarded to Corpuz, former BPC Filipino editor, while the Outstanding Student Artist was bestowed to Jeanne Natanawan. As for the Outstanding Student Athlete, it went to Kiana Louise De Asis. Furthermore, Ejay Boy Tena was deemed Outstanding Student Volunteer. Lastly, Christian Kiel Mananquil took home the Outstanding Student Leader award.
To end the ceremony, Vice President for Lasallian Mission and Student Life, Ms. Nicky Templo Perez, closed the program with an inspiring speech to encourage the legacy of Benildean excellence.
“The legacy of leadership you are building extends far beyond awards and achievements. It lives in other students you mentored, the community you served, the performance that moved us, the story you told with courage, and the game—when you demonstrate not just the skill, [but] the character.”
“These are the ripples that will extend long after your time at Benilde, shaping our institution and the wider world you will soon need,” she added.
In an interview with The Benildean, CSL Dean, Mr. Levi Albania, shared a message to all the nominees and winners, “I remember another [quote] that says ‘Big shots are small shots that kept shooting,’ so you are recognized not because you have done so many things, but we [are] assured that you will do more things as you continue to do you.”
