As an institution and one Benildean Community, we continue to blaze the trail in pursuit of our commitment to build a just and humane society through inclusion and innovation. While we have set inclusion and innovation targets through our strategic plan, I hope to highlight the invaluable connection between the two goals that is captured through this phrase “Innovation for inclusion”. Simply put, an innovation is irrelevant for Benildeans if its purpose is not for inclusion; at the same time, with the changing times, it is very difficult for us to drive inclusion without innovation. Thus, this year’s annual report shares stories of innovation for inclusion for AY 2017-2018.

This year, the College officially opened Benilde Antipolo Campus and the Benilde Deaf School. Benilde Antipolo aims to offer innovative programs for students in the province of Rizal; while the Benilde Deaf School (BDS) is the first bilingual and bicultural Deaf High School in the Philippines. Benilde was also recognized as the 2017 Employer of the Year by the Apolinario Mabini Award giving body. This distinction is given to recognize institutions that have contributed to persons with disabilities by giving them work opportunities. We completed our Social Development Framework with nine equally important elements, namely: Human Dignity, Common Good, DLS-CSB Vision-Mission, Inclusion, Innovation, Transformative Learning, Social Involvement, Partnership and Research. This framework will be the basis of the Service Learning Curriculum that will teach students about conceptualizing innovative projects that help improve the quality of life of people especially the poor. Student projects  that embody innovation for inclusion were also developed through the College’s HomeBrewed Program. Within the Benildean Community, the experience of innovation for inclusion is evident in its various exhibitions, milestones and achievements. As the theme connects our goals, it is also essential that we recognise the collaboration of the extraordinary Benildeans, partner groups and communities that continue to propel innovation for inclusion in the College and our Country.  Thank you for another extraordinary year!