Truly Benildean, Truly World Class

“Graduation is not the end. It’s only the beginning of another journey towards a higher level of learning. For those of you who still have doubts about your potentials, let me and my Deaf batchmates be the living testament of what we can all become despite our limitations,” Ana Kristina Macasaet Arce expressed towards the end of her graduation speech last October 17, 2009.


True to her word, two years and a half later, the CIC-Creative Services Artist and Silver Award Holder of the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award for Young People, received a congratulatory letter from Gallaudet University’s Office of the President confirming her slot as a World Deaf Leadership (WDL) scholar for 2012. Ana’s scholarship is welcome news after her acceptance to the Deaf Studies graduate program of Gallaudet University.

Prior to her application, Ana was one of the Teacher Education Institute (TEI) Course participants of the Pre-College Education Network (PCEN) along with selected SDEAS faculty and staff. The participants of this program will also serve as team of consultants that will create the Deaf Model High School curriculum and serve as first teachers.

Ms. Arce is being awarded this scholarship because the WDL Scholarship Selection Committee was especially impressed with her project to develop and establish an English literacy and Filipino Sign Language (FSL) center in the Philippines along with her stellar academic credentials, admirable work ethic, and dedication to her cause in improving the lives not only of Deaf Filipinos but across the globe as well. Gallaudet University, located in Washington, DC, is the world leader in liberal education and career development for deaf and hard of hearing students.

The Benildean-Lasallian community is proud of her and the accomplishments she achieved through her own merit and hard work reflected in the solid recommendations of her colleagues, former professors and the College management.

The School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS), Center for Education Access and Development (CEAD) joins Gallaudet University and the Nippon Foundation of Japan in congratulating Ms. Arce for being one of the two individuals, in the whole of Asia, selected to receive the World Deaf Leadership Scholarship and her inevitable academic success.

She is truly an inspiration to the next generation of Deaf leader-advocates who dream of making a difference by “doing ordinary things, extraordinarily well” day in and day out.

We are proud of you Ana!

Animo Benilde!