De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) and Benilde Antipolo celebrated the second term Commencement Exercises on July 4 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) Plenary Hall, conferring degrees to 650 graduates and commemorating the achievements of the Class of 2026.
The commencement exercises officially began with the entrance of graduates, followed by the procession of Benilde faculty, administrators, and distinguished guests. After the opening prayer and the singing of the Philippine National Anthem, Guest of Honor Mr. Joaquin “Jajo” Quintos IV, a business leader and technology entrepreneur who serves as chairman of the DLS-CSB Board of Trustees, delivered an inspirational message.
Speaking to the graduating class, Quintos reflected on the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing that the greatest challenge facing their generation was not competing against AI, but ensuring that humanity continues to prevail.
“Humanity will always be greater than anything humans make,” he said, reminding graduates that while AI is a powerful tool, it can never replace human empathy, compassion, critical thinking, and integrity. Quintos concluded his address with a simple message, quoting former U.S. President Barack Obama: “Be kind, be useful.”
This year’s graduating class consisted of 650 graduates: 589 from Benilde Manila and 61 from Benilde Antipolo. Graduates who demonstrated academic excellence were recognized during the ceremony. The College honored three Summa Cum Laude graduates, 38 Magna Cum Laude graduates, 56 Cum Laude graduates, and five graduates with High Honors.
The Br. Rolando Dizon FSC Athletic Award was likewise presented to Mr. Heaven John Acta of the Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management (BS-TM) program in recognition of his outstanding achievement in athletics.
Following the presentation of academic distinctions, Benilde Brother President, Br. Edmundo Fernandez FSC formally conferred the degrees upon the graduating class. Graduates from Benilde Antipolo, the schools of Benilde Manila, the Expanded Tertiary Education, Equivalency and Accreditation Program (ETEEAP), and the graduate programs were then called onto the stage to receive their diplomas.
The ceremony continued with the Benildean Alumni Oath led by Ms. Kathrina A. Candelaraia-Lapus, Vice President of the Benilde Alumni Association.
Representing the graduating class, Corin P. Alaan, a Summa Cum Laude graduate from the International Hospitality Management (BS-IHM) program, delivered the words of appreciation, reflecting on the significance of an ordinary pen she had carried throughout college.
She likened the pen to a symbol of every Benildean’s journey—that while the pen witnessed moments of triumph and struggle, it represented the people they met along the way, writing each chapter of their story. She concluded by encouraging the Class of 2026 to embrace the blank pages ahead and remain as authors of their own stories.
“May we never let anyone hold the pen that was always meant for us to hold,” she declared. “May your pen never run out of stories to tell, [and] may you always remember that the rest is still unwritten!”
The ceremony concluded with the Benildean Graduates’ Prayer, led by Neil U. Costales, a Summa Cum Laude graduate from the Business Administration Major in Business Management (BSBA-BM) program. This was followed by a tribute video honoring the unwavering support of parents and families, the singing of the Hymn to Saint Benilde, and the Benilde Alma Mater, before ending with the recessional.
In an exclusive interview with The Benildean, Joshua Claude Claro, an Honorable Mention graduate from the Film (ABFILM) program, said perseverance was the greatest lesson he would carry beyond college. “I think it’s determination—staying close to your goal, staying focused, doing what you can to make it happen, [and] making compromises. What matters most is that you still get your voice out there and find ways to make it work,” Claro shared.
Fellow ABFILM graduate Alistair Bersaluna echoed a similar sense of hope, saying, “I have hope moving forward because I know I'm not alone. As I look back and see everyone who's helped me—my colleagues, friends, [and] professors who have guided me in this journey to [express] my voice as an artist—I carry them with me everywhere I go.”
As the ceremony came to a close, the Class of 2026 left PICC with their degrees in hand and the stories, lessons, and values forged throughout their Benilde journey, ready to begin the next chapter beyond the College.
