De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) President and Chancellor Bro. Dennis “Broden” Magbanua FSC, along with Br. Mike Valenzuela FSC and Br. Alex Diaz FSC conversed with Benildeans in a talk show called “Coffee with the Brothers” held in Hotel Benilde last June 6.
The two other De La Salle brothers, joined Broden in answering the questions of the audience composed of Benildean student leaders from various organizations.
Broden 101
Broden recalled his sophomore days studying BS Applied Math in De La Salle University (DLSU); he was seventeen when he decided to join the brotherhood.
“Yeah, I was just a normal college student, probably—but actually abnormal because I was already joining the brothers so I did not party too often like you do on Thursdays,” he joked.
When asked about his reasons for joining the Brotherhood, he said that “as a high school student, I saw that the brothers, [and] anything they say seems to be right. [They were] people who were loved by students.”
Forty-five year old Broden also recounted his days in De La Salle Zobel, where he was previously assigned as Brother President and Chancellor before Benilde and OIC for DLSU.
“I had very, very good experience in De La Salle Zobel, [especially] with the students there. [It was] exciting because somehow it prepared me to students that I will meet here.”
Broden and the College
Broden talked about his notable contributions to Benilde, which includes replacing the Mac computers used by AB Music Production students with the latest model, increasing the internet speed from 40 megabytes per second (mbps) per campus to 120 mbps.
“By second term, all the classrooms will have to have big TVs and the Apple TVs so that teachers can use [them]. It should happen this year because I’m following that up myself,” added Magbanua.
He also envisions that one day Benildeans will no longer have to go to school to manually adjust their schedules. “I really hate it when you’re lining up for adjustment,” said Broden.
Moreover, he talked about not imposing his own plans early on his transition towards Benilde.
“Whatever the vision of the school is [is] the vision that I’m supposed to work on.”
“Benildean Press Corps were the first ones to visit De La Salle Zobel. They went there to interview me and asked, ‘Brother, what is your vision for Benilde?’
“My first reaction was, ‘[Do] you mean [that] you don’t have a vision for Benilde? You’re asking me? You should have your own so that when I go there I will just have to reach your vision.’
“Whatever the vision of the school is [is] the vision that I’m supposed to work on.”
Discussing reputation
Meanwhile, Br. Mike Valenzuela, who became a De La Salle brother at the age of 20, spent his early years studying AB Literature at University of the Philippines-Diliman.
“One memorable thing for me was in 2004 or 2005 there was this big discussion of whether Benilde should just be a clone of DLSU,” said Br. Valenzuela.
According to him, he was one of those who resisted the idea.
To justify his decision, he said: “[Benilde’s goal] is not just about making smart people and making them smarter. We’re about taking people from where they are and helping them become the best they can be.”
The vocation promoter
On the other hand, Br. Alex Diaz, Management Accounting graduate, told that joining the brotherhood was his way of “trying the life” as a brother until it worked out to be God’s plan for him.
“My job is to visit all De La Salle Schools because I’m the vocation promoter so I look around, check on people, and see who can be the next De La Salle brother,” he added.
