Far from a mere penchant for it, inclusion has always been at the forefront of the College’s mission. Scholarships endowed through the ‘Benilde Hope Grant’ have allowed young members of the Indigenous Peoples (IP) community to actualize their dreams of pursuing their degrees at Benilde—such as our featured beneficiaries.

Hailing from Basco, Batanes—where ladies and gentlemen might donn a renowned Vakul or a Kanayi—The Benildean interviewed a pair of Ivatans studying in DLS-CSB, in light of their identities.

One of them is Maria Angelica Baldovino or “Mhay.” As a 118 Consular Diplomatic Affairs student, Baldovino had set her eyes on the world and our national interests. Aside from her inclinations toward politics, she had always dreamt of traveling to learn about various cultures; and she knew that the program could place opportunities such as immersions and Model United Nations (MUNs) abroad well within her grasp.

In a similar vein, 119 Consular Diplomatic Affairs student Shella Mae Ugali chose the program for its professional flexibility and endeavors to be a researcher in the environmental field.

Inclusivity in Benilde

It was then only natural for the duo to set their hearts on the College. The idea became more tangible for both of them through a teacher’s Benildean daughter who presented the College’s student handbook that allowed them to learn of the scholarships they could pursue as well as a mutual friend Baldovino had who graduated from the College on a full-ride scholarship.

Ugali is an open book to her family as they have left the choice for her education to pursue. Silver linings came despite the bumpy application process for Benilde admissions as “it also took time for us to receive their feedback,” while Ugali added that “our senior Ivatan Benildeans helped us with submitting and managing our papers.”

However, this was still met with skepticism from Baldovino’s parents. “When I told my parents that I wanted to study in Benilde, they weren’t all happy about it at first because we don’t really have the means to study in a private institution,” she reminisced. Unwittingly stoking the embers, she had told her parents whilst competing away at the Regional Schools’ Press Conference.

“My mother told me that if I don’t get a scholarship, I’ll have no choice but to study in the province.” The spirited young student had taken the risk as she only tried the Benilde Entrance Exam (BEE) in Manila for her college education.

With the guidance of Ms. Sofia Caccam—an Ivatan working in Benilde who Ugali describes as “a parent to all Ivatan Benildeans”—as a navigator through enrollment procedures and as a shoulder to lean on to this day, the rest was history.

Yet, juxtaposing the slice of paradise that is Batanes versus the hustle and bustle of Taft was difficult at first especially as freshly minted college students living far away from family, Ugali cited. Baldovino added that “whenever we felt home-sick, we would message other Ivatans in the city who are close to us and hang out with them. That way, we feel that we’re home away from home.”

Overcoming initial fears of becoming a lone wolf, Ugali had this to say about her most unforgettable moment, “INTERAKTIV signalled a new journey and it was a grand welcome for me as a Benildean-Lasallian.” Likewise, Baldovino now enjoys being part of her program’s Leaders in Diplomacy (LEAD) organization and having “top-tier professors” like previous ambassadors whilst Ugali’s green streak propelled her to become part of Greenergy.

Moreover, the College’s consequential culture fostered has become conducive to holistically host its vibrant population. Baldovino pointed out that “To be honest, during my stay there [in Benilde], I never felt like there’s a gap or barrier between us IP students and non-IP students.”

While these good-natured scholars might receive an odd question once in a blue moon, in the case of Baldovino she simply laughs it off. “It’s funny how people usually ask us, if it’s true that we live in caves or that we don’t have televisions. Also, there seem to be a lot of non-Ivatan Filipinos who think that we ride a bus whenever we go home,” she mused.

Much joy was also found in associations made between the Ivatan community and the virtue of honesty, due to the rather infamous “Honesty Coffee Shop” that barely skims the surface on what it means to be an Ivatan for them.

“[It] is more than being a member of an indigenous group. It is giving back to the community by being well-versed in the things we want to do. Being an Ivatan also means being resilient. Resilience is being stoic no matter what comes in our way. May it be a storm, an earthquake or the one we are currently facing, a pandemic. Batanes is the only province in the country that has no recorded COVID-19 cases since the beginning, and our resiliency is one of the main reasons it has remained that way,” Baldovino said as she currently pursues her academic journey with Benilde Online Learning Term (BOLT).

According to Ugali, “The institution instills inclusivity with its community and I as a part of the IP, totally observe and experience their vision,” as Benilde gives a friendly and open atmosphere to “various aspects of society.”

To better accommodate the College’s IP students, Ugali believes that availability of entrance exam testing centers could be worth looking into for some “cannot afford to fly [and travel back and forth] to Manila.”

Although the Student Grants Office estimates nine IP students as of A.Y. 2019-2020, camaraderie is quite established amongst Ivatan Benildeans as they have annual gatherings, casual kamustahan dinners and check upon each other at the school dormitory’s study area—which echoes the spirit of Kamanidungan itself; which is a labour practice for building and repairing houses founded by the elders to enhance community life and cooperation.

Back to the roots

On a deeper level, this young Ivatan lady is planted firmly on the ground with her roots. “Being part of an IP community gives me so much pride. It’s like I’m given this huge responsibility to represent our heritage (…); it equates to giving gratitude and respect to where we came from,” Baldovino said.

Meanwhile, compared to the vast majority of Filipinos, Ivatans are more careful when speaking their minds.

“Ivatans are keen in sharing what they know or [on sharing] their opinions about something, primarily because of the fear of being criticized. I think this is a problem because we are depriving ourselves from knowing things just because we are not confident enough,” Baldovino elaborated. Although she perceives that “it’s not degrading to be a part of an ethnic group, tribe or an Indigenous People community.”

With golden nuggets of wisdom from these empowered Ivatans, Baldovino shares, “Whatever you pursue in life, I hope in the end, you give back to the community where you belong [to].” She plans to give back her service to the province after she graduates through her own means.

Similarly, Ugali would like to become a part of the Ivatan Association Inc (IAI). “Someday I would like to go back and be part of this to help Ivatan College students in the future.”

Truly, Benilde caters to inclusivity, diversity, and extraordinarily well to support a myriad culture of Benildean students.