Embodying the theme “Leadership through service,” the Department of Student Life (DSL) awarded Benildeans for their exemplary contributions at School of Design and Arts (SDA) Theatre, SDA Campus, last Jan. 31.
Photo by Enrique Bejar
Previously named as Gawad Sinagtala, Gawad Benildyano is the College’s yearly activity to award and acknowledge Benildeans who selflessly gave their skills, time, and talents for the Benildean community within an academic year.
“Gawad Benildyano is our annual recognition that we give to our exemplary students and student groups to recognize best performances in terms of their projects that they did for the academic year. […] Gawad Benildyano really highlights the gifts of the Benildeans,” DSL Dean and Gawad Benildyano Project Head Ms. Norie Ador Dionisio said in an interview with The Benildean.
Photo by Enrique Bejar
To formally open the event and introduce the nominees, Voca Decathlon Champion and resident chorale group Coro San Benildo’s Arianna Ocampo, together with Saint Benilde Romançon Dance Company (SBDRC), performed “Awit Para Sa Benildyano,” an original piece composed by Benilde alumna and former Student Publications Office Head Ms. Dianne Torres.
Opening remarks of Mr. Neil O. Pariñas, Vice President of Lasallian Mission and Student Life, followed, emphasizing the core of true leadership from founders Saint John Baptiste De La Salle and Saint Benilde Romançon.
“In this age where many leaders have come to the lure of power and dictatorship, we, in Benilde, want to prove and show to everyone that leadership is not about gaining power but about giving up. We need to give up in order to gain something,” Mr. Pariñas stated.
He further added that Gawad Benildyano “salutes the students who have responded to the call to serve and did not back down from the challenge of changing their world in their own, unique, Benildean way,” as he thanked the organizers in creating this platform to celebrate true Benildean servant leadership.
Meanwhile, SBDRC, Coro San Benildo, Ocampo, and Voca Decathlon 3rd Placer Arianne Samonte showcased their talent through an intermission number before starting each category, respectively.
The winners with their corresponding awards are as follows:
Student Involvement Office Meritorious Awards:
- Benilde Debate Varsity
- Seoul Open 2018
- Quarterfinalist Judge: Katrina Solomon
- Diliman Debate Open 2018
- Pre-Quarter Finalist Team: Rev Ramos
- Quarterfinalist Judge and 4th Best Judge: Kenneth Eugenio
- Luzon Intervarsity 2018
- Pre-Quarter Finalist Team: Rev Ramos and Kenneth Eugenio
- National Debating Championship
- Breaking Team Union Cup Semi Finalist Team: Rev Ramos and Katrina Solomon
- Diliman Debate Open 2019
- Grandfinalist Judge and 6th Best Judge: Katrina Solomon
- Grandfinalist Judge: Rev Ramos
- Semifinalist Judge: Kenneth Eugenio
- Luzon Intervarsity 2019
- Octofinalist Team: Rod Villafuerte and Rae Reposar (Coach)
- Octofinalist Judge: Abbiegail Abinal
- Reserve Break Team: Katrina Solomon and Krishna Adriano
- Grandfinalist Judge: Kenneth Eugenio
- Quarterfinalist Team and Overall Best Speaker: Rene Gandeza (Coach)
- Ateneo Intervarsity 2019
- Grandfinalist Judge: Kenneth Eugenio
- Pre-Quarters Judge: Isabel Licup
- Pre-Quarterfinalist Team: Katrina Solomon and Mariane Ylagan
- 10th Breaking Team: Krishna Adriano and Rene Gandeza (Coach)
- Seoul Open 2018
Student Publications Office Meritorious Awards:
- Benildean Press Corps
- Catholic Mass Media Awards (finalists)
- “A Vote in the Ballot is a decision for the nation,” Best Public Service Print Ad
- The Benildean: Emergence, Best Student Organ (College)
- Shades of Gray: Interference, Best Literary Publication
- 7th Philippine Student Quill Awards
- Pride March 2018 (Video) by Patricia Beatrice J. Tan, Merit Award
- The Benildean: Exploitation by Brian Paolo Castillo, Merit Award
- Pride March 2018 (Photo Album) by Samantha Grace Regino, Merit Award
- The Benildean: Aftermath by Brian Paolo Castillo, Merit Award
- The Benildean: Preservation by Brian Paolo Castillo, Merit Award
- Dekunstrukt Stills by Samantha Grace Regino, Merit Award
- “Peace and order under Duterte: A promise or simply rhetoric?” by Jose Taylo, Merit Award
- “Dungis ng Perlas” by Brian Paolo Castillo, Merit Award
- Horizons: Orbis by Alexei Lucas Trajano, Merit Award
- “En route to Human Extinction” by Marlon Ecalnea, Excellence Award
- “Modern-day slaves” by Marlon Ecalnea, Excellence Award
- Horizons: Coexistence by Jan Kirsten Jardenil, Excellence Award
- “Sulyap na Salita” by Margarita Azalea de Lemos, Excellence Award
- On the Fifth by Therese Marie Torres, Excellence Award
- UST National Campus Journalism Awards
- “Kapatiran o kamatayan?,” Best Editorial winner
- “What Will Be Left When There Are No Rights?,” Best Editorial finalist
- “Marawi: A Case of Unity, Identity, and Sacrifice,” Best In-depth News winner
- Spectrum 2019
- The Benildean, First Runner-up (Best Magazine)The Benildean, Second Runner-up (Best Editorial)
- Catholic Mass Media Awards (finalists)
Office of Culture and Arts Meritorious Awards:
- Dulaang Filipino
- SETKANI Encounter, Brno, Czech Republic
- The SWAG of SETKANI
- SETKANI Encounter, Brno, Czech Republic
- Cultural Promotions Team
- 7th Philippine Student Quill Awards 2019
- Award of Excellence and Merit Award
- 7th Philippine Student Quill Awards 2019
- Saint Benilde Romançon Dance Company (SBDRC)
- Dance Supremacy 2019
- Campus Division, 2nd Place
- Dance Supremacy 2019
Individual Awards:
- Outstanding Student Athlete: Loralee Natividad
- Outstanding Student Leader: Ma. Patricia Gel Kapunan
- Outstanding Student Volunteer: Cherry Yating Cai Chua
- Outstanding International Student: Marcial Antonio Lopez
Special Citation:
- Most Creative Presentation (Group): Cultural Promotions Team
- Most Creative Presentation (Individual): Ma. Patricia Gel Kapunan
Group Awards:
- Outstanding Athletic Award: Taekwondo Women’s Team
- Outstanding Student Volunteers Group: Kaagapay Volunteers Group
- Outstanding Artist Group: Karilyo
- Outstanding Community Outreach Project: Paint Your Dreams Outreach 2019 (Student Trainers)
- Outstanding Student Development Project: E.C.O. (Explore. Create. Optimize) (Benildean Industrial Designers)
- Outstanding Student Involvement Group: Benildean Industrial Designers (BIND)
The College’s president, Br. Edmundo “Dodo” Fernandez FSC, highlighted Benildean leadership following Jesus’ example in his inspirational message, congratulating the awardees as they make all “proud of being called Benildean.”
“Lasallian leadership then is not a myth unto itself, but a vehicle to serve and empower other people. […] Gawad Benildyano celebrates this kind of leadership: humble, in mark by genuine love for others,” Br. Fernandez FSC mentioned.
Photo by Enrique Bejar
Moreover, in their thanksgiving speech, Student Trainers’ Eliza Olimpo expressed her gratitude for each department that aided them throughout the journey and raised the award not for themselves but for the children that they have helped.
“Thank you for making the Dumagat kids’ dreams win kasi this event is not for us, it’s for them. And this award is not for us also, but we are sharing it to them because they welcomed us wholeheartedly,” Olimpo stated.
“For a small group, it’s very humbling honestly. This is the first institution who believed that Benilde could have a Mental Health policy. These small steps and humble beginnings really do matter,” Central Student Government President and Kaagapay Volunteer Group’s Jason Anchores mentioned, highlighting their gratitude towards the support of the Benildean community in their advocacy despite having a few members in their organization.
Furthermore, Student Involvement Office and Gawad Benildyano’s Logistics Head Ms. Karen Barby Asuncion was filled with gratitude for this year’s batch of awardees as these students are deserving to be recognized for making an impact to the community. She also mentioned the production performances are one of Gawad Benildyano’s highlights for student artists worked hard to prepare for it in showcasing the Benildean creative identity.
“I am very happy and blessed to see them with the idea of them receiving the awards kasi from the entire school year, makikita mo ‘yung trinabaho nila eh. It’s a [once-every-school-year activity], pag nakikita mo na they are part of the nominees and if their group or an individual won the award, masaya talaga siya makita,” Ms. Asuncion stated in an interview with The Benildean.
