Benildean Deaf Association

The Benildean Deaf Association (BDA) was accredited by the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) Office for Student Affairs-Student Involvement Unit (OSA-SIU) last October 30, 2008. BDA aims to promote the rights of Deaf people to be mainstreamed in the hearing society, to seek for opportunities for full access to information, and to become self-reliant as student leaders.

Any BAPDST student who is interested in the promotion of the purposes of the Benildean Deaf Association may become a member by presenting himself or herself to any of the Executive Board. S/he should maintain his/her cumulative grade average of 2.0

Activities of the Benildean Deaf Association include the Deaf Literacy Program, the Filipino Deaf Studies Program, and full support to the multi-sectoral committees in charge of the annual Deaf Festival. BDA Vice President Raphael Domingo chaired both the first Deaf Festival in 1995 and the 15^th year celebration of the festival last November 16-21, 2009 at DLS-CSB campus.

BDA started its operation in the School Year 2008-2009 under the guidance of Student Organization Faculty Adviser Ms. Teresa Buenaventura. The first batch of Deaf officers included Ana Kristina Arce (President), Raphael Domingo (Vice President), Anna Salvador (Secretary), Carmilyn Octavo (Treasurer). Board members were John Alexis Abad, Nadine Calagos and Ma. Anaditha Angcay.

For School Year 2009-2010, the current officers are: Ma. Anaditha Angcay (President), Raphael Domingo (Vice President), Anna Salvador (Secretary), Nadine Calagos (Treasurer). Board members are Mark Kelvin Marical, Beverly Sapno and Basil De Leon.

The Benildean Deaf Association also consistently made a mark in the annual Bahaghari Awards in which recognition is given to deserving student leaders, student organizations, student projects/activities, student volunteers and student organizations faculty advisers under the OSA-SIU who have excelled in the field of extra-curricular activities, rendered service and has exemplified the Benildean Core Values.

In the recently concluded Bahaghari Awards last March 26, 2010 held at Plaza Villarosa, Taft Campus, BDA was at the top of the three best organizations and current Vice President Raphael Domingo was one of the top five student leaders, the same award then President Ana Kristina Arce received in 2009. Ms. Marian Patricia Bea Francisco was also nominated in the Most Outstanding Student Organization Faculty Adviser category.

With reports from Ana Kristina Arce, Ma. Anaditha Angcay, Marian Patricia Bea Francisco, and the Office for Student Affairs-Student Involvement Unit