De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) hosted its first Benilde Topnotchers’ Night on Aug. 6 at Hotel Benilde to recognize and celebrate the achievements of the College’s board examination topnotchers.
The event marked the first of its kind. Mr. Angelo Lacson, Vice Chancellor for Academics, shared that, “When this task [the planning for the Benilde Topnotchers’ Night] was assigned to [the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academics], we were very happy to do it and start a new tradition for the College.”
A total of 16 topnotchers from the Architecture (BS-ARCH), Interior Design (BS-InD), and Real Estate Management (BS-REM) programs were welcomed, along with their families, Benilde administrators, and faculty members. Here is the list of honorees:
Architecture Licensure Examination (ALE)
Louie Nathaniel P. Kiu - Top 1 (June 2024)
Francisco Eslira - Top 7 (June 2024)
Alexandra R. Alcorcon - Top 7 (January 2023)
Angelo Ezekiel P. Nuestro - Top 3 (January 2019)
Ria Angelica C. Zamudio - Top 8 (June 2017)
Nielsen Bryan C. Uy - Top 10 (June 2015)
Interior Design Licensure Examination (IDLE)
Iris Adreana C. Bernabe - Top 2 (July 2023)
Rosa Isabelle M. Bracamonte - Top 6 (July 2023)
Noelle Samantha C. Bernardo - Top 2 (June 2019)
Kaitlin Almira U. Sy - Top 3 (June 2019)
Jerlyn B. Antinor - Top 7 (November 2018)
Kirk Cedrick Moaje - Top 1 (November 2018)
Candice M. Arboleda - Top 1 (September 2010)
Real Estate Brokers Licensure Examination (REBLE)
Julienne Carly R. Saputil - Top 6 (April 2024)
Genalyn Christine T. Cruz - Top 8 (April 2024)
Real Estate Appraisers Licensure Examination (REALE)
Bill Clinton P. Esteban - Top 10 (September 2022)
DLS-CSB President, Br. Edmundo “Dodo” Fernandez FSC, began the program with an inspiring speech, likening the topnotchers to two-time Olympic champion, Carlos Yulo. He ended with a humorous yet proud closing statement, “We cannot afford to give you 35 million pesos and condominium units, but you are our heroes and we bask in the reflected glory of your achievements.”
Br. Dodo was later joined on stage by Mr. Benhur Ong, the College’s Chancellor, and Mr. Lacson, along with the program chairpersons to present the awards for the top-notchers. The cash rewards were as follows:
Top 1: ₱200,000.00
Top 2 and 3: ₱100,000.00
Top 4-10: ₱50,000.00
Ar. Louie Nathaniel Kiu, Top 1 of the June 2024 ALE, also delivered a speech. He thanked the people that supported him throughout his collegiate journey, stating “My time in Benilde was an absolute dream [...] Our rank and [the] school’s rank could not possibly begin to tell the value of our school, what we bring to the table, and how we do things differently.”
Chancellor Ong closed the program by urging the topnotchers to share their blessings and knowledge to others by supporting fellow Benildeans and scholars in their own ways.
Moreover, he encouraged the alumni to live out the Benildean and Lasallian values, stating, “Continue to innovate, express creativity, and stand out by doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.”
