AN 8-foot statue of Saint Benilde Romançon, the patron saint of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, was unveiled recently and blessed during the commemoration of the canonization anniversary of the Christian Brother.
The sculpture, which rests on a 4-feet-and-a-half pedestal, is a remembrance of the extraordinary life, principles and works of the French educator.
The project was launched by the institution’s Office of the President through the Center for Campus Art (CCA) and its director Architect Gerry Torres.
Saint Benilde Romançon’s newly erected effigy, presently installed at the lobby of the college’s newest 10-story campus, The Atrium at Benilde, serves as a reminder and motivation to the community to continue to “do ordinary things, extraordinarily well” especially amid these trying times.
The program was spearheaded by Benilde and La Salle Green Hills President Br. Edmundo “Dodo” Fernandez FSC together with Br. Emmanuel Gerardo Sia FSC. The floral offering was led by Benilde Board of Trustees Member Br. Michael Valenzuela FSC and former Benilde Vice Chancellor for Academics Geronio Ulayao.
Born in the village of Thuret in south-central France in 1805, the frail-looking Pierre Romançon dedicated his life as a teacher and principal in the isolated village of Saugues, where he taught farm boys, conducted evening classes for adults, and tutored less gifted students.
He taught catechism, prepared boys for first communion, visited and prayed with the sick, and inspired religious vocations of over 200 Brother-Priests.
Created by Filipino contemporary artist and sculptor John Paul Duray, the Saint Benilde Romançon statue is made of fiberglass resin and finished with automotive enamel paint. He took inspiration from the existing statue of the patron saint located at the heart of the Taft Campus.