Dear Colleagues,
Today is my last day as Dean of the School of Deaf Education and Applied
Studies. It has been 9 years since I first assumed office.
I hope I have helped in many ways to improve Deaf life in CSB and in the Philippines. Deaf or Hearing, I hope I was able to help in many ways to help you be clear with your goals, find inspiration to believe in yourselves, and find the inner strength to achieve them.
To my colleagues, most especially the many individuals
who have shared themselves out of love and compassion, asking not for anything in return but only to see that what they have helped contribute has helped in thegrowth of SDEAS - the department, our colleagues, our students, their families, our partners, people in our partner communities, people who observe and learn from us, and our country.
And in the process, see and know that they, too, have grown.
And that we too, have grown with them.
I walk to the side and take a bow, so that another can take on the task to continue the journey to make a difference.
I step aside now with great confidence that SDEAS is in good hands...that the youthfulness, love and dreams that flow from Dean Nicky will nurture and guide us all and the life that breathes in our hearts and in this School.
I step aside now, so I can continue my walk, not to move away but only towards another path in a nearby road, as I will always walk in this journey with you beside me, and if not possible, then in my thoughts and my heart, you remain.
We still got lots of work to do... and it will never end.
The Deaf young children of the past are here now, ready to learn and experience what we have helped build...so they may live meaningful lives, and that they may find their own inspiration to help in the path of helping others improve their lives.
With you, the others who came before us, and those who will come after us, we continue to do our best. And with hope, we inspire them to do better and help others. And this makes the work more meaningful and significant... doing what we can and in the process, helping reach out to more - in the Lasallian way of improving minds, touching hearts, and transforming lives.
Children continue to be born, with their families searching for the right path for their children... and so our work continues..
I hope that, in those 9 years, there is a piece worthy to 
remember and be thankful for...as I have so many pieces to treasure especially when I see you happy and confident, ready to take action, and do take action to make a difference.
With us or without us, the dream continues to live on and be alive in the hearts of the Deaf Community. And in our own beautiful way, with them and for them we can continue to do more.
May you opt to continue to walk with us... as we honor our past,
for we are here today for the love that has been sown in this soil. Honor who we are and our history as a school, as a people, and as children of God.
May you opt to continue to walk with us... as we give hope to the future of what we can become, and what we can do for the good of Deaf children and youth, the hearing friends and family of Deaf people, our own friends and family, for the good of CSB and for the good of our country, the Philippines.
May you opt to continue to walk with us... as We celebrate being here now, this moment....for being Who We Are now, this moment... A wonderful, loving, child of God.
And so my dear friends - my heartfelt thanks!! As I Am, Always,
Techie Benitez-dela Torre
