De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB), both Manila and Antipolo campuses, held its first in-person graduation ceremony for A.Y. 2022-2023, bidding farewell to the graduating batch of Benildeans at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).
The event was opened by Ms. Ma. Veronica Templo-Perez, the Vice President for Lasallian Mission and Student Life, who served as the Master of Ceremonies.
Atty. Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo, the former Vice President of the Philippines and founder of Angat Buhay Foundation, graced the event to deliver an inspirational speech. In her speech, she acknowledged that the graduates have been part of a generation of uncertainties and anxieties and that they have been witnesses of widening gaps of inequality, discrimination, and the persistence of injustices.
However difficult, she commended the graduates for their determination and capacity for compassion amidst some of the most demanding years of their lives.
As she sent them off, she further encouraged them to participate in nationbuilding. There may be many things to fix, and the work may be tedious, but she is confident they are ready to take on the mantle of service.
“We have future leaders who will remain grounded in a kind of leadership that embodies your core values of faith, service, and communion and mission. Know that you are capable of much greater heights than you can imagine, as long as you work together in pursuit of the shared horizon,” Atty. Robredo emphasized.
After the inspiring speech, the Deans from Benilde Manila and Benilde Antipolo took the stage to present the accomplishments of the graduates.
After the ceremony, Michael Johnzen Tan, a Summa Cum Laude graduate in Business Administration and Management Major in Export Management, highlighted how Benilde had transformed all their students to think outside the box through the College's Core Values. These values, which center around being God-centered, socially responsible, creative, and innovative, have helped shape the graduates into well-rounded individuals ready to face the world's challenges.
“If God is for us, who can be against us? Evidently, things don't always go as planned, and sometimes God puts us to the test. Then I realized in that critical moment, I needed to be resilient, persistent, and have faith. God is with us every step of the way despite the many problems going on,” Tan said.
He expressed his gratitude to the faculty and support system accompanying the graduates throughout college. He also called on his fellow graduates and the Benildean community to be resilient. Despite the difficulties, he urged everyone to move forward and forge their paths. He reminded them that God is with them and that they should keep moving forward, no matter what. Together, they can overcome any obstacle.
