Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle presided the Solemn Eucharistic Celebration to inaugurate the 25th Deaf Festival and Lasallian Jubilee Year at Augusto-Rosario Gonzales (ARG) Theater, Taft Campus, earlier today, Nov. 12, focusing on helping the poor and the marginalized as Saint John Baptist de La Salle did.


Photo by Kyle Bustos

Parents, associates, and students, especially the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS) community, attended the mass alongside. Manila Archbishop H.E. Tagle was joined by Santisima Trinidad Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Jojo Buenafe, Manila Cathedral Rector Rev. Fr. Kali Llamado, and Benilde’s Chaplain Rev. Fr. Marco Divine Pangilinan.


Photo by Kyle Bustos

During the gospel, Manila Archbishop H.E. Tagle highlighted two essential principles that he would like to impart to people: “malasakit sa mga nasa mabababang [katayuan] ng lipunan” and “pagtutulungan bilang iisang katawan ni Kristo.”

He first pointed out that just like Saint John Baptiste De La Salle and Saint Benilde Romancon, every individual should love and help the oppressed and the marginalized, prevent the widening of the gap between society, and be a humble human being who works for the glory of God. Furthermore, he hopes that the community will help each other in recognizing one’s talents and flourish it for the benefit of many.

“Natutuwa po tayo na dito sa kolehiyo ni San Benilde, ang mga kapatid nating Deaf ay natutuklasan bilang mga tao [na may] napakaraming biyaya at galing para sa ikayayaman ng buong sambayan,”  Manila Archbishop H.E. Tagle stated, highlighting the inclusion of the Deaf community and recognition of human value beyond disability.


Photo by Kyle Bustos

“[Ang] aral na natanggap mo, ‘yung paghuhubog na natanggap mo—may responsibilidad ka ngayon na ipasa at akayin ang iba,” he concluded, pointing out that the 300 years of La Salle’s legacy is not only possible through the Brothers or LaSalle employees but also by the students who apply their skills for the betterment of many.

Chairperson of the 25th Deaf Festival and SDEAS student Aira Castro relayed her message of gratitude towards the presiders and the Benildean community of the annual event’s silver anniversary they consistently work hard for.





Photos by Kyle Bustos

“Ngayon taon po hinahangad po namin na ipagpatuloy ang aming misyon na i-empower at palakasin ang loob ng mga Deaf community sa pamamagitan ng inclusion. Ngayon pong Deaf festival, ito po ay nagaganap dahil po sa tulong ng bawat isa at siyempre dahil din sa Poong Maykapal,” Castro signed. She also hopes for the people to enjoy and celebrate the week with them with the activities they have prepared for the week.

Alongside the mass, the list of events throughout the week, with their corresponding venues and time slots, is as follows:

November 12, Tuesday

• FSL Storytelling (2:00 to 5:00 p.m.; ARG Theatre)
• FSL Sing it with signs (6:00 to 9:00 p.m.; ARG Theatre)

November 13, Wednesday

• Deaf Arts Competition (9:30 to 12:00 p.m.; M302 (Case room))
• SDEAS Next Top Model (5:00 to 8:00 p.m.; ARG Theatre)

November 14, Thursday

• Pera O Bayong (Health and Well-Being Challenge) (1:00 to 5:00 p.m.; ARG Theatre)
• Deaf Festival Anniversary Games (1:00 to 5:00 p.m.; ARG Theatre)

November 15, Friday

• #SanaAll / Learning Sessions on Inclusion, Deaf Education, & Youth Leadership (1:00 to 5:00 p.m.; ARG Theatre)
• Deaf Festival Homecoming (6:00 to 9:00 p.m.; ARG Theatre)

November 16, Saturday 

• Photobooth (1:00 to 7:00 p.m.; SDA Theatre)
• Cultural Show Matinee (2:00 to 3:30 p.m.; SDA Theatre)
• Gala (6:00 to 7:30 p.m.; SDA Theater)

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde is one of the pioneering institutions that supports and advocates for Deaf inclusivity with its School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies, established in 1991, and Benilde Deaf School, established in 2018.