De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde Manila and Antipolo, organized by the Center for Inclusive Education (CIE), celebrated Inclusion Week 2026 from March 16 to 22 under the theme “BeForAll: Strengthening Belongingness Together.” This year marked the first time the Antipolo campus joined, uniting all Benildeans and partner communities alike in advancing true inclusion.

The week-long celebration kicked off on March 16 with a livestreamed ceremony on the CIE Facebook page. The program opened with a prayer followed by acknowledgments of the many partners who helped bring the celebration to life; most notably, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academics (OVA), Office of the Vice President for Lasallian Mission and Student Life (OVP-LMSL), DLS-CSB Antipolo Lasallian Mission and Student Life, DLS-CSB Antipolo Psychology Department, School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS), the Center for Health and Medical Services (CHMS), the Center for Sports Development (CSD), and Best Buddies PH. 

Vice Chancellor for Academics Mr. Angelo Marco Lacson underscored the College’s mission of inclusion, “At Benilde, inclusion is not simply a program or an event that we observe once a year. It is a commitment that shapes how we teach, how we learn, and how we care for one another as a community.” Ms. Maria Veronica “Nicky” Templo Perez, VP of Lasallian Mission and Student Life, echoed this message with a call to collective responsibility, “To be for all means every voice deserves to be heard, honored, and celebrated.”

In the opening message, CIE Director Mr. Martin Czyrus Romero, stressed that inclusion is both a commitment and a duty, “When we create spaces where everyone is respected and supported, we strengthen the foundation of our Benildean community,” he emphasized. 

The ceremony was followed by a community mass held at the Atrium Chapel. Throughout the day, Benildeans visited the “End the R Word Booth” at the 12/F of the Design and Arts (D+A) Campus, an initiative with Best Buddies Benilde to champion inclusion and emphasize the harm caused by derogatory language. Sports activities also began across campuses, with futsal kicking off the Sportsfest at the Taft Open Court. 

On March 17, Benilde Antipolo held a series of activities, including “Kapwa Care: Kasali, Kasalo, at Katuwang sa Ugnayang Pangkomunidad” led by the Psychology Society (PsychSoc) and featured guest speaker Dr. Christian Gopez, faculty member and Chair of the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at De La Salle University Manila. 

Additionally, the “Benilde Inclusion and Sensitivity Workshop” brought together student leaders, including Mr. Jeremiah Adriano and Ms. Sofia Marcia Serrano from the CIE, and Karl Efraem Dela Cruz, President of Best Buddies Benilde, to discuss inclusive participation and promote a more accessible and welcoming environment. Meanwhile, the Sportsfest carried on at the Sports and Dorm Complex with a 3x3 basketball tournament. 

On March 18, the Visual Gestural Communication Workshop was held in collaboration with SDEAS. The workshop’s resource speaker, Ms. Myra V. Medrana—a Deaf artist, director, and choreographer with Dulaang Tahimik ng Pilipinas—demonstrated how gestures serve as essential communication tools for Deaf individuals. Participants learned basic signs and practiced visual communication through story-based exercises.

The First Aid Training Workshop led by CHMS, and offered practical skills in emergency care. Ms. Mia Christine F. Allado RN-EMT, Mr. Armani Seize RN-EMT, and Ms. Nursiva P. Cailo EMT led the workshop and provided hands-on demonstrations on basic first aid, proper bandaging, and CPR. Meanwhile, the Sportsfest continued with a volleyball tournament at the Taft Open Court. 

On March 19, the Benildean Inclusion Stories session took place, centered on women’s narratives of resilience and leadership. The guest speakers, Ms. Sofia Guidote and Ms. Isabela Madero recounted their experiences as Benildean alumni, emphasizing the importance of strength and inclusion. 

The week-long celebration culminated with the Friendship Walk on March 22 in partnership with Best Buddies Philippines, bringing together 2,000 advocates for inclusion. Best Buddies Philippines President and Executive Director Ms. Michelle Aventajado expressed her gratitude for all the advocates who helped organize the first Friendship Walk in Manila.

The program highlighted a panel discussion on Fostering Friendship: Multidisciplinary Approach to Inclusion with Best Buddies. The panel included important figures in the community such as developmental and behavioral Pediatrician Dr. Francis Dimalanta; Best Buddies Director of Operations and Development, Ms. Romiane Grace Gonzales; CIE Director, Mr. Romero, and other leaders and advocates for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). 

In the panel discussion, Dr. Dimalanta underscored the importance of friendship coinciding with the concept of inclusivity. “It reminds us that real inclusion is about friendship. It’s about belonging and being valued in every part of life, not just being physically present in a room. So, programs like Best Buddies highlight exactly that genuine one-to-one friendships, leadership  opportunities, and inclusive communities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”

Moreover, the event featured performances by the Manila Film Festival “I’m Perfect” cast, Assumption Antipolo Dance Crew, Plastic Ivies, Michaela Torres, and Hannah Adriano. 

In an interview with The Benildean, Mr. Romero stated that “This is the first time we’re including the Friendship Walk as part of our Inclusion Week activities, especially since it coincides with World Down Syndrome Day last March 21.”

As Benilde continues to expand its range of activities and widens its partnerships with other stakeholders for collaborative measures in inclusive education, the call to action becomes more than an advocacy and is translated into real-life experiences.