Student Involvement (SI) Week 2 was made more exciting with the theme, “Benildean Teleparty: Welcome to the Virtual World of Benilde.” The virtual event, which was held last Feb. 15 to 19, gave a glimpse of what the accredited student organizations have in store for their new and current members, while also showcasing the College’s spirit for the ID 120 to start fresh with their Benildean journey.
In the spirit of binge-watching diverse genres of entertainment, trailers were shown on screen to raise awareness for the existing student organizations as they recruit new members and renew the membership of their current members for the term.
Hosts BCSI Chairperson Katrina Lacson and BCSI School of Design and Arts (SDA) Representative Matteo Leoncio made sure to pique the interest of the Benildean students as they try to spice up their college experience in joining the diverse plethora of student organizations.
Now streaming
For Monday’s opening ceremony last Feb. 15, the Teleparty kicked off with an opening message from Department of Student Life (DSL) Dean Ms. Norie Ador Dionisio.
“ [...] It is our hope that the students are critically aware and are responsive to the needs of others, especially the poor. The greater part in accomplishing the mentioned objective is the role that the student organizations play in all this. The opportunities for leadership allow greater discovery of the self, and the capacity to serve other people, including the communities in need. These accredited and recognized organizations and groups not only serve as platforms for student activities, but as a way to develop and nurture relationships and connections among students,” Ms. Ador Dionisio expressed.
Amidst the struggling times, BCSI found a way in pushing through with the event, this time virtually. “[The] COVID-19 pandemic might have challenged us in many ways. Perhaps, it restricted us in our delivery of our activities. But we are hopeful that together we can continue to discover new ways of creating, new ways of delivering, and new ways of connecting,” Ms. Ador Dionisio added.
Moreover, Netflix-themed games were organized to excite and entertain the viewers of the livestream.
In “Netflix Emoji Edition,” participants had to guess groups of emojis hinting at Netflix Originals being flashed on screen. In “Guess the Missing Word,” participants have to fill in the blanks to guess the Netflix original series or film, with a specific genre as a clue to what the answer may be.
Meanwhile, vocal/easy listening artist Kayl Garcia serenaded the viewers with her renditions of Sixpence None The Richer’s “Kiss Me” and Rico Blanco’s “Your Universe.” While ID 119 Digital Filmmaking student Colline Valenzuela performed her original song “an introduction.”
From Feb. 16 to 19, #BenildeOriginals premiered one-night screenings of Benildean short film entries to the 2020 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), namely: “AaBaKaDa” (Tyrone James Luanzon), “Paano Maging Babae” (Gian Arre), “Sala, Salin-Laway” (Daniella Versoza), and “Sina Alexa, Xander At Ang Universe” (Vahn Leinard Pascual).
For the event’s closing ceremony on Feb. 19, the much-anticipated Kahoot! “Guess the Netflix show” game added excitement and tested the participant’s knowledge. The game also gave hints towards the forthcoming academic midterms season for the Benildean students.
Furthermore, Interior Design student and Benildean Scholars Association (BSA) Secretary Tala Gil (TALA) performed her original track “i think i'm dreaming,” while her fellow Interior Design student and pop artist Shanne Dandan performed her latest single, “Sandali Lang.”
On top of the watchlist
Screened by the panel of judges Ms. Karen Barby Asuncion, Ms. April Alianza, and Mr. Ron Malaluan, the closing ceremony awarded the student organizations to end the week-long event.
The ADLAW Benilde Political Party won the first place position for the “Best Poster” category—while the Benilde Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and Benilde Nature Development and Outdoor Club (BUNDOC) finished second and third places, respectively.
For the “Best Video” category, Media Max of the Multimedia Arts program stood out with their teaser video and finished first place, Benilde Industrial Designers (BIND) of the Industrial Design program in second place, and Export Management Society (EMS) of the Export Management program in third place.
Focusing on the appreciation of the arts and promoting the use of traditional media, the student organization Artelier garnered the “Most Innovative” award to cap off the list of winners of the evening.
The Teleparty formally ended with inspirational closing remarks.
VP for Lasallian Mission and Student Life Mr. Neil Pariñas talked about the importance of student organizations in attaining a better version of yourself, “[They] also give you opportunities to hone competencies such as teamwork, organizing, as well as leadership.”
As young Benildean leaders, Mr. Pariñas also mentioned how skills will be honed in the real world, which is one big marketplace of ideas, beliefs, and causes.
Br. Edmundo “Dodo” Fernandez FSC believes that joining student groups is vital in building the foundation of one’s character and gaining lifelong lessons and lasting friendships. “May you use the opportunity to further develop your passion and build relationships that will not just serve your purpose, but will serve your communities as well.”
“I also hope that your experiences in these groups will help you understand the value of each person’s gift and contribution and at the same time may you realize the impact that you, young people can make when you innovate and collaborate. In this time of transition and adaptation, let us continue to work together to build an extraordinary virtual Benilde and a stronger Benildean community,” Bro. Dodo added.
BCSI serves as the main coordinating body of the College’s accredited and recognized student organizations. SI Week is held every term to provide an opportunity for the promotion, awareness, interaction, and membership recruitment of the student organizations.
