01 September 2025
Benilde honored its newest batch of board passers and topnotchers in Architecture and Interior Design during the annual recognition event held last August 18, 2025 at the Design+Arts Theater. Titled At the Lines and Layers: Recognition of Benilde 2025 Architecture and Interior Designer Board Passers, the program celebrated the achievements of alumni who excelled in their respective licensure examinations.
Six Benildeans were named topnotchers in the January 2025 Architecture Licensure Examination and the July 2025 Interior Design Licensure Examination. Each received a plaque of appreciation and cash incentives: ₱100,000 for Top 3 placers and ₱50,000 for those ranked Top 4 to Top 9.
In the Architecture Licensure Examination, three Benildeans secured top spots:
Benilde recorded an 80.56% overall passing rate in the January 2025 Architecture board exam, with an 84.00% passing rate for first-time takers. The national average was 58.71%.
During the program, Sam Tyra Co shared his reflections on the journey and the role of Benildean values in shaping their path. “Today, we celebrate not just our success in the licensure exam, but also our growth that got us here,” he said. “As Benildeans, we are called to use our knowledge and creativity not only to build structures but to build communities, inspire others, and create spaces that uplift lives. May we continue to carry the Animo spirit proudly wherever the future takes us.”
Sam’s message echoed what the Architecture program at Benilde has long embraced: purposeful design that responds to the needs of people and communities. The program guides students through construction management, environmental impact assessment, and heritage conservation, while encouraging them to explore emerging technologies and process-driven design. It also prepares graduates to take on roles as urban planners, technical managers, educators, and conservationists, always with a focus on ethical practice, cultural sensitivity, and sustainable solutions.
In the Interior Design Licensure Examination, two Benildeans earned top ranks:
Twenty-five Benildean alumni became licensed interior designers in the July 2025 board exam. Benilde ranked second nationwide, alongside University of San Carlos and behind University of Santo Tomas, for producing the most number of licensed interior designers.
Maria Monica Lorenzo offered words of encouragement to her fellow designers as they step into the next chapter of their careers. “As we enter this new chapter, my wish for all of us is to continue learning, growing, and nurturing our talents, and to use these God-given gifts to make a positive impact on people’s lives,” she said. “My hope is that we approach everything we do even beyond our careers with empathy, heart, and soul, and to accomplish them, extraordinarily well.”
Monica’s words also captured the heart of the Interior Design program at Benilde. The program encourages students to think beyond aesthetics and focus on how spaces can truly serve people. It’s about designing with care, using research and creativity to make environments that are safe, meaningful, and deeply human. Students explore everything from furniture design and color theory to interior construction and professional ethics, and they choose a specialization that fits their interests, whether it’s lighting, restoration, landscape, display, or project management. It’s a hands-on, values-driven approach that prepares graduates to design with empathy and precision.
The title “Lines and Layers” is more than just a nod to Architecture and Interior Design. It captured the journey each board passer took, the lines that shaped their thinking and planning, and the layers that added depth, emotion, and meaning to their work. Creativity, discipline, and heart were at the center of the celebration, as mentors, peers, and families gathered to honor the journey it takes to turn ideas into spaces that truly matter.
Since 2024, Benilde has honored board passers through its annual recognition night. This is now a tradition that began with the inaugural Topnotchers’ Night held last year and continues to celebrate excellence across disciplines. This year’s event upheld that momentum, spotlighting not just rankings, but the values, growth, and purpose behind each success.
For more information on Benilde’s undergraduate programs, contact us at (63) 2 8230 5100 local 1801 or admissions@benilde.edu.ph. You may also visit our website at www.benilde.edu.ph.
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