In celebration of the College’s 25 years since its establishment, the School of Management and Information Technology (SMIT) launched the SMIT book entitled “Leaders are brilliant”, containing 25 Benildean alumni profiles last October 30 at Hotel Benilde.

According to SMIT Dean Edward Moises, they wanted to create a material that would provide guests一people from the outside or diplomat conferences一to attest of how proud they are of the school.

Written by the head of the Student Publication Office (SPO), Dianne Torres together with Project Manager Jude Jose Latorre, both spared time to gather information and conduct interviews on these inspirational alumni.

De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) President Br. Dennis “Broden” Magbanua FSC, along with Chancellor Robert Tang attended the book launch event wherein Broden shared before officially launching the book, “In SMIT, we believe that we are leaders. It is easy to say that being a leader is a role given through your positions, but it’s actually not that. John Maxwell, an author on leadership, had a simple definition of a leader. A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way.”

The highlights of the program included Broden’s short talk about leadership and the short interview of the present alumni.

The Early Success

Out of the 25 Benildean alumni featured in the book, four were present including Valenice Balace, founder and CEO of her own technology company Peekawoo (2013) known as a dating app which was featured in BBC World Business Report. Balace obtained her Computer Applications (BSBA-CA) degree from Benilde in 2008. Since then, she has been featured in BBC World Business Report, TechInAsia, Rappler, GMA News, The Wall Street Journal, CNN and CNET Japan.

“After I graduated, which was a Saturday, I immediately worked for Smart Telecom that Monday. Also, I became part of the apps company they started which is Voyager. At the time I was in Voyager, I had my own business so I was starting to do apps, that was the time when apps were getting a lot of attention”, Valenice stated.

During her student days in Benilde, not only did she become President of the Computer Business Association (CBA), but was also a part of the Ayala Youth Leaders and Microsoft Student Partners.

Balace added, “I loved working, and until now I love it. Look for something you love, give it all your effort and just love what you’re doing.”

‘Home is where the heart is’

Ryan Ebardo, previously a Dean of Treston International College, graduated with a BSBA-CA degree from Benilde in 2002 and finished his Master in Information Systems degree from the Central Queensland University in Australia.

“I have regained my direction in life, of course armed with the character that CSB molded me into. I went to take-up the master’s degree in Central Queensland University Australia. I was one of the few Filipino students to deliver a Valedictorian address in that institution. After finishing my masters, I decided to go back to the Philippines, to be part of the academe. Right now I’m involved in teaching in several universities, and at the same time, founded a security agency,” Ebardo explained.

Journey to Self-Actualization

After graduating Summa Cum Laude with a BSBA-CA degree in 2004, Byron John Siy went on to obtain his Masters in Business Administration from Oxford University in the United Kingdom. After which, he decided to join his family’s group of companies, TSB Realty and Development Corporation as General Manager and JENRA Foundation, as Executive Director.

“I ask myself, is this really what I want, to work for money and that’s it? Why not, do something more. So, I decided to teach at the University of Pampanga. I then started to win the foundation for the family. Currently I am heading the art foundation in doing scholarships, helping educate the needy in our province. I think that’s the lesson I want for everyone, especially the students to remember,” Siy delivered. He added that after college, it’s not just about earning money, it’s about giving back to the people that helped you to be where you are right now.

Sense of urgency

Last but not the least, Shirley Jane Manubay, who is presently a Director of Information Technology Department, also a BSBA-CA graduate in 1997. As a Director of the ITD, she is in charge of the IT infrastructure, company’s PBX management and IT operations (service desk, technical support, and IT source management).

“My challenges when I was in school, is more like financial. Well, not everyone in Benilde are rich. I was lucky enough to be part of the Student Assistance of the ITD. So I worked while I study. A month after graduation, I joined IT, part of giving back what I learned”, Manubay said. She then mentioned that after nine (9) years of working in Benilde, she joined an American company and showed them what a Benildean graduate is capable of.

After distributing the SMIT book to guests, the selected students from different courses of the SMIT were recognized through a video presentation and were called upfront.