Benilde wrapped up Academic Year 2024-2025 with a strong finish, as revealed during the Year-End Performance Review held on September 25 at the Design+Arts Campus Theater. The College achieved an overall accomplishment rate of 82.87%, not only recovering from last year’s dip to 70.32% but also surpassing the 79.07% score of AY 2022-2023. The steady progress speaks to how Benildeans have embraced change, prioritized inclusion, and worked toward excellence as a community.

The Benilde Year-End Performance Review, organized by the Center for Institutional Planning (CIP), facilitated the presentation of the five Strategic Initiative Teams of their key accomplishments and milestones, challenges, and insights. Ms. Mary Diane Ilagan and Ms. Angeli Villamor, CIP Planning Officers, hosted the program. Brother President Br. Edmundo Fernandez FSC opened the program with a grounding reminder: “Accountability is not only about being answerable. It is also about being faithful.” His message set the tone for a review that celebrated not just numbers, but the heart behind the work.

SI Digital Transformation emerged as the top-performing team this year, earning a performance rating of 92.31%. Led by Mr. Randy Tandoc, Director of Digital Transformation Office, the team leaned into innovation and clarity, completing 12 out of 13 milestones. The “Ignite” awareness campaign launched with a workshop that introduced the Strategic Directions framework and explored digital transformation. Keynotes by Mr. Ray Lugtu and Mr. Emil Capino unpacked how digital and AI technologies are reshaping culture, teaching, and administration. The session drew 68 participants from across the institution, with 100 percent of feedback respondents reporting improved understanding. Attendees expressed interest in future training, roadmap clarity, and culture-building around change adoption. Ignite will continue as part of regular programming to sustain awareness and drive transformation. 

According to Mr. Tandoc, research on Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) could position Benilde as a pioneer in the country, and the team also facilitated nine focus group discussions to help shape the Benilde Innovation Framework. They worked on technical fixes and design audits as well, improving web infrastructure, accessibility, and user experience. “Scheduling in advance and listening to feedback are vital to the success of digital transformation initiatives,” he emphasized.

SI Lasallian Formation followed closely with an 85.42% accomplishment rate, completing 41 out of 48 milestones. Mr. Levi Albania, Dean of the Center for Student Life, and the team focused on holistic development and mission integration. CSB WELL, CSB LEAD, and CSB SERV modules were completed and piloted, alongside 12 associate formation programs including adult formation passports. The Benilde Mission Council was established, along with a shared calendar of mission activities. BeSpark was launched to monitor student development across well-being, leadership, and service. “Formation is not about what we want to do,” Mr. Albania shared, “it’s about who we are in the Community.”

SI Academics delivered an 81.25% performance rating, with 91 out of 112 milestones completed. Vice Chancellor for Academics, Mr. Angelo Marco Lacson, Dean Dr. Gary Ador Dionisio of the School of Diplomacy and Governance (SDG), and Dean Dr. Marie Castro of the School of Hotel, Restaurant and Institution Management (SHRIM) presented key accomplishments in curriculum, accreditation, and student success. Curriculum redesigns were completed for BSHS, SDG, SMA, and SAP. AI policy was also integrated into senior high school lesson plans and syllabi. Accreditation wins included 11 programs passing PAASCU and 2 passing AUN-QA. Board exam results featured 79 new architects, 25 interior designers, and top-notchers in multiple fields.

Faculty engagement rose by 24.42%, with research outputs increasing by 22.61%. Internationalization efforts brought in 27 new partners and facilitated 165 outbound student exchanges, 55 inbound educational tours, and 132 student participants in collaborative online international learning (COIL) programs. The team also hosted inbound guest lecturers and completed over 30 outbound faculty activities. Benilde became the first Adobe Creative Campus in the Philippines, marking a milestone in creative learning and global recognition.

SI Marketing posted a 79.17% performance rating, with Mr. Marco Santiago, Director of the Benilde Marketing Center, presenting a report that emphasized storytelling, outreach, and shared responsibility. Benilde Antipolo exceeded its enrollment target at 109%, while SPACE achieved 123.7% of its revenue goal. The team conducted 159 regional school visits and renewed partnerships with Philippine schools overseas. A total of 407 social media posts were published, and a redesigned website was launched. In terms of media reach, coverage totaled ₱708M across 311 published stories. 

While some enrollment targets were not fully met, the groundwork laid through regional outreach, digital engagement, and renewed partnerships set the stage for stronger cycles ahead. Mr. Santiago acknowledged that the reimplementation and timing of the Benilde Entrance Exam (BEE) posed challenges in conversion, noting, “We’re adjusting to the new admissions landscape, and that takes time but the foundation is strong.”

SI Resource Management posted a 76% performance rating, a notable jump from last year’s 53%. Mr. Diogenes Ungab, Senior Head of the Center for Planning and Resource Management, and the team focused on financial stewardship, infrastructure upgrades, and scholarship groundwork. Advancement programs and interest income contributed to overall gains, alongside cost-saving initiatives such as reduced disbursement fees and procurement efficiencies. Solar panel installation at the Sports Dormitory Complex was completed and awaits activation. The HRIS rollout and organizational structure reviews were implemented across divisions, and 70 partner schools were engaged for future scholarship expansion. “Even small efforts, like availing of dorm services or supporting non-traditional revenue streams, contribute to the success of our objectives,” Mr. Ungab shared.

The review wrapped up with a performance dashboard summary from CIP, which confirmed an overall institutional accomplishment rate of 82.87%. SI Digital Transformation, SI Lasallian Formation, and SI Academics were recognized for exceeding the 80% benchmark. Chancellor Benhur Ong closed the event with a message of gratitude and encouragement: “The true measure of our success goes beyond milestones. It lies in the impact we have on our students, associates, and the society we serve.”

As Benilde begins its 2025-2028 strategic plan, the Year-End Review helped set the tone for what’s ahead. The five Strategic Initiative teams will shift into Strategic Direction teams, each aligned with broader institutional goals and led by designated owners:

• Enrollment Growth and Inclusion – Chancellor Benhur Ong
• Enhance Reputation and Branding – Vice Chancellor for Academics Angelo Marco Lacson
• Future-Ready and Transformative Innovation – Vice President for Administration and Innovation Michael Luis Fernando Tecson III
• Global Engagements and Partnerships – Vice President for Lasallian Mission and Student Life Maria Veronica Perez
• Financial Growth and Sustainability – Vice President for Finance Tirso Raymond Gutierrez

Each Strategic Direction team will be composed of four key roles: the Strategic Direction Owner, who is a senior leader responsible for institutional coordination; a Deputy Owner from another division, supporting continuity and multi-perspective governance; an Strategic Direction Implementation Team made up of cross-divisional representatives aligned with the direction’s thematic scope; and Division Tactical Leads who serve as point persons for cascading and tracking tactical plans. This structure reflects Benilde’s commitment to collaboration, shared ownership, and strategic clarity.

This shift points to a stronger, more connected approach to strategy across divisions, where every Benildean has a role to play. As the Benildean Community moves forward, the past year’s wins and challenges will help shape the next steps. Benilde continues to build a culture that is innovative, inclusive, and true to its Mission.