De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Manila and Benilde Antipolo celebrated the First Term commencement exercises of Academic Year 2025-2026 with a total of 962 graduates on Feb. 14, at the newly renovated Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City.
The ceremony began with the entrance of graduates, followed by the Benilde faculty and administrators. Rev. Fr. Tedley Villanueva, SSS led a solemn opening prayer, which was then followed by the singing of the national anthem and the Benildean Hymn.
Ms. Precious “Prep” Palacios, the Country Manager of Google Philippines, an alumna of the Computer Applications program of Benilde Manila, delivered an inspirational message to the graduates.
She reminisced about her own time as a Benildean graduate. “If you had told that young graduate in 1993 that she would one day return to this podium the PICC, as the country head of Google. She might have called it a moonshot. But that is the spirit of this institution: we are taught not just to watch the future, but to build it.”
She further emphasized that “You are not just graduates. You are the architects of the future, not just of this country, but of this world. And today, you step out as global citizens.”
“As you start your own journeys tomorrow, don't rush to the top so fast that you forget to build your foundation first. Firm up your identity, choose a role that will give you the right experience and learning.” She gave her own piece of advice to the graduates.
The Vice Chancellor for Academics, Mr. Angelo Marco Lacson, presented the academic awards to Benildeans who received High Distinction, With Distinction, Summa Cum Laude, Magna Cum Laude, and Cum Laude.
He also presented the graduates of the Expanded Tertiary Education, Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP) featuring two senior citizens in the batch.
This was followed by the conferment of degrees by Benilde Brother President, Br. Edmundo L. Fernandez FSC, and the eventual presentation of all graduates by their respective deans. Furthermore, this batch marked the first batch of graduating students from the Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity Program (BSCSec).
The hooding ceremony of the graduate program students was conducted afterward by Br. Fernandez, Benilde Chancellor Mr. Benhur Ong, Mr. Lacson, Maria Paz A. Castro, DBA, Dean of the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management (SHRIM) and Ms. Joana M. Diñoso, DBA, Dean of the School of Management and Information Technology (SMIT). This was followed by the alumni oath taking, led by Ms. Palacios.
Klark Lynus G. Marquez, Summa Cum Laude of the Bachelor of Arts in Animation (AB-ANI) delivered remarks for his fellow graduates. He began his speech of his time as a student under Karilyo in the Benilde Cultural Arts Unit (BCAU), originally joining only for the subsidy. “I eventually fell in love with the craft and the community I was immersing myself in learning the art of play, exploration and creative collaboration helped me find my voice.”
He reassured his fellow graduates, “I know that most, if not all, of us, are nervous of what the future holds. But do not lose hope. Express yourselves and stand firm in the call for better pay, better hours and better benefits, and regulation of generative AI, in the creative field, push or produce original IP and works that tell stories that are uniquely ours.”
Marquez further rallied the audience by saying “Never forget the impact your works can have on society… The stories you tell through your art have the potential to become catalysts of change that will benefit not just our country, but the entire world.”
Afterwards, Robin Nathan O. Ng, Summa Cum Laude of the Bachelor of Science in Information Systems (BS-IS), led the Benildean prayer, concluding this once-in-a-lifetime event.
