The Benilde Multimedia Arts (MMA) program’s 25th anniversary celebration brought together the Benildean community on Sept. 20, at the Design + Arts (D+A) Campus’ 10th floor. Food carts, interactive game rooms, a photobooth, and unique artworks—both in digital and traditional—made by MMA students and alumni decorated the white halls of the 10th floor, immersing the attendees into a well-curated realm of all things Multimedia Arts.

In the past 25 years, the MMA program has continued to pioneer in creativity and innovation, addressing the growing market for creatives well-versed in various disciplines, while also staying up to date with industry trends. “Ever-evolving” was the word used by Mr. Gosh Mangampat, an ID113 alumnus and current full-time faculty member of Benilde’s MMA program, when asked to describe the program in his interview with The Benildean.

The past, present, and future of MMA

Kickstarting the celebration of MMA’s 25th year, Mr. Mangampat opened with welcoming remarks, greeting the attendees which consisted of students, alumni, and faculty. Following Mr. Mangampat's welcome remarks, MMA chairperson Ms. Katrina Juane, went on the stage to give her appreciation to the people who made the event happen. Shortly after, the founding dean of the School of Design and Arts, Ar. Rose Marie Bautista, was welcomed.

Chancellor Benhur Ong also graced the event, highlighting the importance of looking at the current or ”present” state of the program and acknowledging how far the program has come from its humble beginnings.

A teaser for the documentary featuring the creation of the program up until the present state of the program was showcased during the event’s opening. Later, a screening of the documentary would take place in the D+A Campus’ 12F cinema.

A reunion of creatives

In his interview, Mr. Mangampat highlighted how the event was ultimately a celebration of the program’s highs and lows. The theme of the event, “Celebrating 25 years of making waves, a homecoming of creative minds,” centered on the celebration of joint experiences, he explained.

“More than the reunion type, it's really celebrating each other's experiences [...] It talks about the way the program has innovated [...] to what it is now. And it continues to evolve to offer the best and quality education for future MMA students,” he shared.

Ms. Juane shared something similar when asked about how the program has exemplified innovation and creativity within the past 25 years, “The MMA program is the pioneering (program in the Philippines), we have to keep on innovating, [...] so that we know what we need to do to adjust, to adapt, to improve our curriculum, and of course, to continue serving our students as well.”

Reflecting on how the program has evolved since he was a student in Benilde, Mr. Mangampat shared how “As an alumnus, the MMA program during my time has helped and equipped me with the knowledge and skills that I need for the future.” He continued by saying how important it is to adapt to the current situation.

“You can either go with the flow or you make your own flow. [...] I feel like as an MMA alumnus, I created my own wave. I didn't just go with the flow,” he shared.

For ID107 MMA alumna, Patricia Lorenzo, she reminisced on her experience as a student in Benilde. “It was really fun, hard, but you know, when you have other people who are also into the same things you are, it's very easy,” she said.

Similarly, ID122 MMA student Blase Dytioco remarked on the culture within the Benilde MMA program, “It's really collaborative. Everyone is there for each other. There is no one who has incompetent skills because there is always someone to teach you these things. [...] It's always collaborative, making you into the artist that you would want to be.”

Beyond the collaborative spirit, Dytioco also remarked on how the time spent in college is truly a journey, “In Benilde, you always find yourself really looking for something. All it takes is to surround yourself with people who really are there to uplift you and push you to the top,” he ends.

The exhibit is open for viewing until the end of the first term of A.Y. 2024-2025.

Articles by Jasmin Arsenio

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