To strengthen ties and learn best practices from one another, the Office of the Vice President for Lasallian Mission and Student Life (OVPLMSL), along with the Center for Student Life (CSL), organized a benchmarking activity with the University of Makati (UMak) at the Vatel Restaurant on Nov. 22.

Prior to the activity, the UMak representatives were taken on a tour around Benilde’s campuses, including the 62 Icons exhibit at the Design and Arts Campus (DAC). With the exhibit as the original purpose for the visit, both schools took this opportunity to meet and build connections by getting to know more about each other’s programs, operations, and services.

Following the tour in DAC, both schools’ representatives headed to Vatel Restaurant to introduce their respective student organizations and practices.

Ms. Nicky Templo-Perez, Vice President of the OVPLMSL, opened the event with an introduction of the centers under the OVPLMSL. This was followed by unit presentations by Mr. Kenneth Mangurit, Benilde Culture and Arts Unit (BCAU) Student Development Coordinator, and Ms. Dayanara Cudal, Student Publications Unit (SPU) Head. Mr. Mangurit introduced the six organizations under BCAU, alongside the change in their operations relative to the pandemic. Afterwards, Ms. Cudal, alongside Ad Astra Editor in Chief Rizia Guico and Benildean Press Corps Managing Editor Mikaela Poyaoan, discussed an overview of their respective organizations, operations, and publications.

Following Benilde’s presentation, UMak’s Center for Culture and the Arts (CCA) Director Mr. Wovi Villanueva introduced UMak’s CCA programs, including the various artist groups of the school, and reminisced on his time as a Lasallian instructor. Next, UMak’s University Student Multimedia Organization (USMO) General Manager Mary Jen Baer talked about USMO’s coverages, operations, and achievements. UMak Student Council President and Student Regent Alexandria Rosaria, also elaborated on their objectives, mission, and vision.

To close the event, Mr. Villanueva and CSL Dean Mr. Levi Albania shared hopeful messages for the future of both institutions. 

"We hope that [you] put this in your heart, that there is a friend in us [UMak],” Mr. Villanueva concluded.

Mr. Albania expressed his gratitude towards Vatel Restaurant for accommodating the event, the OVPLMSL, including BCAU and SPU, and, most especially, to UMak guests. He commended the diversity and vibrance everyone presented during the benchmarking activity and hopes this exposure can help the youth shine greater.

Mr. Virgilio Tabbu, UMak Vice President for Student Services and Community Development, also conveyed his appreciation and gratitude towards Benilde for their generous hospitality and inclusivity. 

The event closed with impromptu collaborative performances from UMak’s University Chorale, UMak Dance Extreme (UDX), and Benilde’s Coro San Benildo.

Departing sentiments

In an interview with The Benildean, Rosaria commented, “It was really fun to see how other universities work kasi parang naka-shelter lang din kami inside UMak dahil sa pandemic.” She also added, “I really admire the arts of Benilde [and hope to replicate it in UMak]. Hindi lang siya dapat educational or academic building, dapat meron din siyang aspects na maeenganyo ang mga students tumingin at pumasok na mag-aral.”

To strengthen ties and learn best practices from one another, the Office of the Vice President for Lasallian Mission and Student Life (OVPLMSL), along with the Center for Student Life (CSL), organized a benchmarking activity with the University of Makati (UMak) at the Vatel Restaurant on Nov. 22.

Prior to the activity, the UMak representatives were taken on a tour around Benilde’s campuses, including the 62 Icons exhibit at the Design and Arts Campus (DAC). With the exhibit as the original purpose for the visit, both schools took this opportunity to meet and build connections by getting to know more about each other’s programs, operations, and services.

Following the tour in DAC, both schools’ representatives headed to Vatel Restaurant to introduce their respective student organizations and practices.

Ms. Nicky Templo-Perez, Vice President of the OVPLMSL, opened the event with an introduction of the centers under the OVPLMSL. This was followed by unit presentations by Mr. Kenneth Mangurit, Benilde Culture and Arts Unit (BCAU) Student Development Coordinator, and Ms. Dayanara Cudal, Student Publications Unit (SPU) Head. Mr. Mangurit introduced the six organizations under BCAU, alongside the change in their operations relative to the pandemic. Afterwards, Ms. Cudal, alongside Ad Astra Editor in Chief Rizia Guico and Benildean Press Corps Managing Editor Mikaela Poyaoan, discussed an overview of their respective organizations, operations, and publications.

Following Benilde’s presentation, UMak’s Center for Culture and the Arts (CCA) Director Mr. Wovi Villanueva introduced UMak’s CCA programs, including the various artist groups of the school, and reminisced on his time as a Lasallian instructor. Next, UMak’s University Student Multimedia Organization (USMO) General Manager Mary Jen Baer talked about USMO’s coverages, operations, and achievements. UMak Student Council President and Student Regent Alexandria Rosaria, also elaborated on their objectives, mission, and vision.

To close the event, Mr. Villanueva and CSL Dean Mr. Levi Albania shared hopeful messages for the future of both institutions. 

"We hope that [you] put this in your heart, that there is a friend in us [UMak],” Mr. Villanueva concluded.

Mr. Albania expressed his gratitude towards Vatel Restaurant for accommodating the event, the OVPLMSL, including BCAU and SPU, and, most especially, to UMak guests. He commended the diversity and vibrance everyone presented during the benchmarking activity and hopes this exposure can help the youth shine greater.

Mr. Virgilio Tabbu, UMak Vice President for Student Services and Community Development, also conveyed his appreciation and gratitude towards Benilde for their generous hospitality and inclusivity. 

The event closed with impromptu collaborative performances from UMak’s University Chorale, UMak Dance Extreme (UDX), and Benilde’s Coro San Benildo.

Departing sentiments

In an interview with The Benildean, Rosaria commented, “It was really fun to see how other universities work kasi parang naka-shelter lang din kami inside UMak dahil sa pandemic.” She also added, “I really admire the arts of Benilde [and hope to replicate it in UMak]. Hindi lang siya dapat educational or academic building, dapat meron din siyang aspects na maeenganyo ang mga students tumingin at pumasok na mag-aral.”

On the other hand, BCAU’s Stage Production Operations Team (SPOT) Company Manager Rienzo Galang remarked in another interview with The Benildean, “Na-amaze ako na may katulad ng CCA ang ibang schools like UMak and I got to see the carbon copies of ‘yung mga artist groups namin.” Galang continued, “Sana din we did learn a thing or two na baka ma-transfer namin over for Benilde purposes.”

“This was a good opportunity to reach out to other talented young people and cater to our own Benildeans whom we are very proud of and have a lot to give, simply because this is the Benildean way,” Mr. Albania shared in an interview with The Benildean when asked about how the institution and the Benildean community will benefit from this event.

On the other hand, BCAU’s Stage Production Operations Team (SPOT) Company Manager Rienzo Galang remarked in another interview with The Benildean, “Na-amaze ako na may katulad ng CCA ang ibang schools like UMak and I got to see the carbon copies of ‘yung mga artist groups namin.” Galang continued, “Sana din we did learn a thing or two na baka ma-transfer namin over for Benilde purposes.”

“This was a good opportunity to reach out to other talented young people and cater to our own Benildeans whom we are very proud of and have a lot to give, simply because this is the Benildean way,” Mr. Albania shared in an interview with The Benildean when asked about how the institution and the Benildean community will benefit from this event.