15 December 2025
The Benildean Community gathered on December 12, 2025, at the Miguel Febres Cordero Grounds, Taft Campus, for the launch of the Giselle Montero (G.M.) Legacy Fund. The fund was created to provide calamity, emergency, and well-being assistance for Deaf students, faculty, alumni, allies, and partner communities in times of crisis.
The launch honored Ms. Giselle Montero, fondly known as Ms. G, whose compassion and leadership shaped the School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies for more than two decades. She championed inclusive education and strengthened Deaf representation, playing a vital role in the passage of the Filipino Sign Language Law in 2018. This landmark legislation recognized FSL as the national sign language and secured its use in schools, government, and media, ensuring equal access and dignity for the Deaf community.
Education was at the heart of Ms. G’s vision. She believed it should empower Deaf students to lead, mentor, and take their place in society with confidence. That belief lives on in the programs she helped build. The Bachelor in Applied Deaf Studies (BAPDST) gives Deaf learners the chance to study their identity, language, and culture while preparing for careers in advocacy, education, and creative industries. The Bachelor in Sign Language Interpretation (BSLI) professionalizes interpreting in the Philippines, training graduates to serve as cultural bridges between Deaf and hearing communities. Together, these programs carry forward her commitment to inclusion and open doors for Deaf students to thrive.
Her care for the community showed in every aspect of her work. In times of calamity she organized relief efforts and soup kitchens, always ready to respond with compassion. She mentored students and colleagues with patience and generosity, believing in their potential and encouraging them to grow. She established the SDEAS Emergency Fund to provide support during national disasters, ensuring that help was available when it mattered most. She also created opportunities for Deaf youth to engage in arts and leadership, from theater and film to Ballet Philippines workshops and the Duke of Edinburgh International Award. These efforts gave students the chance to build resilience, discover their talents, and take pride in their culture.
The program carried the theme “Leaf a Legacy–One Leaf. One Gift. One Future Reimagined.” Contributions were described as leaves on the Tree of Legacy, growing into a future rooted in care and resilience. Supporters were thanked with a Harvest Token, a simple reminder of unity and shared purpose.
The Legacy Fund continues Ms. G’s lifelong commitment to empowerment and inclusion. It ensures that the Deaf community has timely and compassionate support in moments of need, while carrying forward her vision for education, culture, and advocacy. Her work continues to inspire generations, and the fund now stands as a living memorial to her belief in dignity, hope, and shared responsibility.
