This milestone three-day event, held at Balay Indang, served as a foundational initiative to formally integrate GAD principles into the college’s operations and culture. The program was spearheaded by Ms. Nicky Templo Perez, Vice President for Lasallian Mission and Student Life and designated GAD Focal Person of the College.

According to Ms. Nicky, the learning session is part of a broader institutional endeavor to strengthen DLS-CSB’s advocacy for inclusivity and its compliance with national mandates such as RA 11313 or the Safe Spaces Act. This law aims to combat gender-based sexual harassment in schools, workplaces, and public spaces—an area the College is proactively addressing through education, policy development, and stakeholder engagement.

At the heart of the learning session was newly appointed GAD Specialist Nicole Trisha F. Panganiban, a proud Benildean alumna now serving at the Office of the Vice President for Lasallian Mission. A graduate of the Bachelor of Arts in Consular and Diplomatic Affairs, Panganiban completed her degree with Honorable Mention and was awarded the Brother Andrew Gonzalez FSC Award, the highest distinction for leadership at the College in 2017. During her student years, she served as President of the Benilde Central Student Government (2016–2017)—a formative experience that laid the foundation for her passion in public service and advocacy. Before returning to Benilde, Panganiban was a Senior GAD Specialist at the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), the national authority on gender equality and women’s empowerment. There, she became a subject matter expert in a wide array of GAD areas, including the Safe Spaces Act, the Magna Carta of Women, SOGIESC (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression, and Sex Characteristics), Gender-Fair Communication, and GAD Planning and Budgeting (GPB). Her expertise has made her a sought-after speaker and technical resource across government, educational, and private organizations.