Drawing strength from our faith to inspire positive change

Point of view

- By ROMULO PORRAL III

Today is a day of celebration, gratitude and hope. As we stand on the threshold of new opportunities, we reflect on the struggles and triumphs that have brought us here. Each of us has a unique story, but we share a common bond—the unwavering spirit of a Benildean.

Our graduation coincides with the 2025 Catholic Church Jubilee, and I find my journey aligning with its theme, "Pilgrims of Hope."

As a deaf person, I once struggled to see how my dreams could become a reality. I knew education was key, so I held on to hope that one day, my dreams would come true. That hope guided me when I left my housekeeping job in Cebu in 2018 to move to Manila, where I worked at an orphanage, including caring for deaf children. My supervisors encouraged me to continue my studies. With hope and determination, I applied to Benilde in 2021.

When face-to-face classes began, I left the orphanage to fully commit to being a student. It was tough and at times, I questioned my decision, but I was never alone. My family, relatives and the SDEAS team supported me every step of the way—academically, with transportation, and even with food (especially during term breaks when we'd bring enough to feed a small army, including a sack of bananas!). Their belief in me gave me hope.