De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) marked the beginning of the celebration of the Season of Creation with the Mass of the Faculty, alongside the Rite of Induction of newly elected officers of the Benilde Student Government (BeSG) and Benilde Commission on Elections (COMELEC) on Sept. 28 at the Augusto Rosario-Gonzalez (ARG) Theater, Taft Campus.
The event commenced with the Eucharistic celebration presided by Rev. Fr. Lino Gregorio Redoblado, OFM. Following the mass, Student Involvement Unit (SIU) Student Engagement Coordinator Ms. Maria Persepone Ricafort led the incoming officers in officially taking their oath of office.
The BeSG officers are comprised of President Angel Paulin Soriano, VP for External Affairs Martina Anastasha Banaag, VP for Internal Affairs Bea Annika Fegarido, VP for Academics Jonathan Ty, and School of Diplomacy and Governance (SDG) Congress Representatives Andrea Kate Abellar and Nalen Ian Caberte.
Meanwhile, the COMELEC officers consist of Chairperson Sophia Louise Gela, Vice-Chairperson Jeanesmie Ela Sarigumba, Secretary-General Dhana Nicole “Alexis” Chi-Young, Legal Commissioner Mary Triskaye Requiero, Public Relations Commissioner Lheanzah Leigh Dizon, Finance Commissioner Reigna Ysabelle Pascua, and Logistics Commissioner Jillian Billones.
Sworn to service
In an interview with The Benildean, BeSG officers Fegarido and Banaag, as well as COMELEC officers Gela and Requiero, shared similar sentiments on how they will carry out their leadership duties after their induction ceremony.
Banaag recalled the sermon of Rev. Fr. Redoblado about protecting the gift of creation, interpreting it as the preservation of the environment and caring for mankind—similar to her obligations as a student leader to serve the Benildean community.
Additionally, Banaag aims to refine the image of the student government from “intimidating to inviting,” creating more opportunities for Benildean students to engage with BeSG.
“I know some Benildeans are hoping na [...] mas maging vibrant ‘yung student government. […] I want to make our Benildeans [think that the] Benilde Student Government is not intimidating at all. We're just simple student[s] like you.”
Aside from community service, Banaag aims to prioritize organic rapport and trust over strictly professional interactions as she believes that maintaining a positive attitude helps in leading more effectively.
Meanwhile, Fegarido emphasizes pursuing excellence with integrity, pledging that BeSG will be transparent in its work operations to ensure effectiveness in serving the student body.
Expressing similar views, Requiero showed a desire to boost the visibility and engagement of COMELEC through active collaboration with BeSG. “I promise that transparency between these two offices are going to be upheld and especially in accordance with the omnibus of elections,” she added.
Furthermore, Gela anticipates that a strong presence from COMELEC will lead to increased voter turnout—aligned with the commission’s continued commitment to driving student participation every election season.
“I think that [we] would be ensuring that there is still quality of work despite busy schedules,” Gela stated. “[...] Regardless of whether or not it is time for elections, [...] I can promise today that the work that we do goes beyond that as well.”
