Four thousand Lasallians and Benildeans came as one last June 6 at the World Trade Center Manila for UNITE 2014, a closing celebration for the College’s silver anniversary and a welcoming party to this year’s ID 114 students.
When Department of Student Life Dean, Ms. Norie Ador-Dionisio, was asked about how she felt about this year’s UNITE, she replied, “I just hope that we will enjoy the activity, and we will be inspired by the history of Benilde for the [past] 25 years, and [that] God will give us the strength to move on for the rest.”
Registration started at 4 p.m. in time for most of the students’ arrival. Student DJs, Martin Ocampo, Raphael Carbonel, and Similar Objects, opened the pre-show and kept the crowd entertained. Saint Benilde Romancon Dance Company followed their performance with one accompanied by laser lights and a reflective production set, encouraging the audience to start the party.
Brother President and Chancellor, Bro. Dennis Magbanua FSC, also gave a short welcoming speech before leaving the crowd to the night’s hosts, Lauren Young, Bianca Casado, and Enzo Flores.
Outstanding performances enveloped the night as Technical Theatre alumnus and current Music Production professor, Nyoy Volante, sang Ipagpatawad Mo and Someday, Benildeans Pocholo Mariano sang Maroon 5’s Payphone, and Rita De Guzman sang We Found Love by Rihanna.
The crowd also recognized the presence of Consular and Diplomatic Affairs alumnus, Lord Leomer Pomperada, current director of World Youth Alliance Asia Pacific, as he shared his humble beginnings as a student in the College and the success he is achieving with the knowledge and skills he had acquired in Benilde.
Just when the crowd thought the night couldn’t get any better, famous OPM artist, Bamboo and his band, took the stage and fired it up with their hit songs Hallelujah, Truth, Hinahanap-hanap Kita, and Tatsulok.
The night reached its peak as international model and DJ, Callum David, rose from below the stage and filled the venue with his up and mad beats, topping the party that lasted till late that night.
“I would like to thank everybody who [participated in] UNITE 2014 and I hope that they [were] able to appreciate it and enjoy this year’s event,” concluded by Student Involvement Office Head Mr. Leandro Loyola.
