IGNITING nationalistic pride, and Philippine heritage, the Student Executive Council (SEC) officially opens the 2024 Tertiary Schools Integration with the theme, "Pagyamanin ang Pamana: Ang Pinaglaban mo, Itutuloy ko!" The Integration opening was held at Rosendo Herrera Hall with the administrators and the members of the Council of Student Leaders (CSL).

     In his opening remarks, Dr. Andres Ignacio C. San Mateo, Jr., Vice President for Academic Affairs, highlighted the importance of integration to welcome the freshmen as part of the San Beda College-Alabang (SBCA) community. "Dito natin sinisimulan ang pagbati sa mga bagong kasapi ng ating kommunidad," he said. 

     Then, Prof. Roma Wynn C. Sedo, Dean for Student Affairs, shared the significance of the event and how SEC has been planning this since last summer. "We intend that the freshmen should feel the love and belongingness of the Bedan community as early as the first semester and have a complete awareness of the SBCA vision, mission, goals, objectives, values, and Benedictine hallmarks," she said. 

     Prof. Sedo also expressed her gratitude to each member of the SEC and CSL for their hard work, creativity, innovations, and sacrifices. She also addressed her worry about the number of audiences on Aug. 30 since online classes were moved three days earlier. Still, she continues to encourage and invite the community to the event. 

     A symbolic signing of the Integration tarpaulin by the administrators, deans, department chairpersons, project heads, and CSL presidents signifies the oath to exercise teamwork and sportsmanship. With the blow of the gavel by Dr. San Mateo, the official declaration of the 2024 Integration festivities commenced.

     "This integration ceremony is more than just a tradition; it is our way of showing how much we value and appreciate each one of you," Rev. Fr. Gerardo Ma. De Villa, OSB, SBCA Rector President, affirms this in his video message. He believes that in SBCA, friendships are forged, dreams are nurtured, and everyone is encouraged to reach their fullest potential. 

     The event is concluded with a short message from Atassia Soliveres (IV-BAIS), project head, "Ang inyong presenya at pakikiisa ay tunay na nagpapalakas ng ating layunin na ipagpatuloy ang mga adhikain ng ating mga ninuno at patuloy na pagyamanin ang pamana ng kanilang ipinaglaban." 

     The festivities for this year’s Integration included a showcase of the co-curricular and extracurricular organizations' integration booths on Aug. 20. The Integration proper, with sing and dance, and battlecry performances, will be held on Aug. 30. 

     Despite the shift to online classes starting on Aug. 27, to give way for the preparations for the upcoming 2024 Bar Examinations, co-curricular organizations may still hold practices on campus according to the SEC.