The top eighty (80) performing students of the Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Dasmariñas (KLD) received the Student Monetary Assistance for Recovery and Transition (SMART) grant of twenty-five thousand pesos (Php25,000.00) each on May 8, 2024.

Through the efforts of the late Congressman Elpidio F. Barzaga, Jr. in partnership with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Region IV-A, this one-time fixed grant of Php 25, 000 for qualified KLD students was made possible. The SMART beneficiaries of KLD were selected based on their academic performance during the first term of Academic year 2023-2024.

Present during the distribution of cheques were BM Kiko Barzaga, representatives from the Commission on Higher Education Region IV-A, Engr. Cirilo M. Bathan Jr., Mr. Berth Anthony T. Baruelo, Mr. Andrie O. Nada, and Mr. Jhon Sylvan J. Magbanua, together with Dr. Johnny O. Cabanias, LPT – KLD President/College Administrator, Mr. Jed Dicen, RSW – CSWDO Head, Ms. Bernadette Laurel – Chief of Staff of Mayor Jenny Barzaga, and staff from the Office of Congressman Barzaga.

By providing this financial assistance and ensuring access to quality higher education, the City of Dasmariñas, through the efforts initiated by Cong Pidi and the leadership of Mayor Jenny, is investing in the future of the city, empowering the next generation of leaders and innovators. As the recipients continue their studies, they can look forward to not only the financial support provided by the grant but also the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the future.

On May 21, 2021, the Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Dasmariñas (KLD) and Dasmariñas Social Hygiene Clinic (DSHC) joined forces to organize an event in commemoration of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, a global observance that pays tribute to those who have succumbed to HIV/AIDS while also raising social consciousness and fostering solidarity.

The event’s centerpiece was a poignant candlelight vigil, where 500 participants (faculty/non- teaching staff and students of KLD) gathered to remember those who had lost their lives to HIV/AIDS. Through the symbolic act of lighting candles, the attendees honored the memory of the departed and expressed their solidarity with those still grappling with the physical and emotional challenges posed by the HIV/AIDS.

Included also in the program were discussions on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sex Characteristics (SOGIESC), updates on the HIV/AIDS status in the City of Dasmariñas, and HIV screening test.

Present during the event were representatives from the Dasmariñas Social Hygiene Clinic, headed by Dr. Maria Soledad Mendiola, Officer-In-Charge, along with Ms. Nina France Calinawan, Mr. Cymond Mamarlao, Mr. Herald James Torre and other staff of the hygiene clinic, and Mr. Symson Maquera, Regional Program Officer of the Department of Health (DOH).

Representatives from the KLD who attended the event were Dr. Juanito O. Cabanias, President/College Administrator, Dr. Regielene S. Gonzales, OIC- Vice President for Administrative Affairs, Dr. Fe M. Compas, OIC-Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Ernesto Bastida, Jr., VP for Research, Mission and External Affairs, Directors and Deans, faculty members, non-teaching staff and students.

The event served as a powerful platform to challenge the persistent stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS, providing a space for the expression of grief, the celebration of resilience, and the promotion of social action in the face of this enduring public health crisis. Recognizing the importance of creating a supportive and empowering environment for those affected by virus, the KLD partnered with DSHC to amplify the voices and experiences of the HIV-positive community.

The research team of the Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Dasmariñas (KLD) bagged all Best Paper Awards during the 6th International Teacher Education Research Conference (TERC) held on May 16-18, 2024 at the Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan.

In the graduate/professional category, the team copped both the first and second places for their research papers entitled “Strengthening the Roles of the Locally-Funded Higher Educational Institution in Securing a Sustainable Future through the Development of Sustainability-Informed Research and Extension Governance Framework” (1st place) and “The Construction of Gender- Responsive Classrooms in a Higher Educational Institution: An Exploration of Teachers’ Situated Knowledge, Pedagogical Practices, and Common Challenges in Promoting Gender Equality” (2nd place).

KLD, through the Office of the Vice President for Research, Mission, and External Affairs (OVPRMEA), has been intensifying its commitment to helping the City of Dasmariñas in the achievement of its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through cutting-edge research.

The Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Dasmariñas-College Learning Commons (KLD-CLC)) received a donation of 376 books from Ar. Arnel R. Manayo, Ms. Elena E. Ditan, and from the ARM Architects Company.

KLD-LRC welcomed this addition to its collection of books and expressed its gratitude for their generosity as it would not only supplement the center’s resources but also opens up new avenues for academic exploration and knowledge-sharing aligned with the institution’s unwavering commitment to providing a quality educational experience for its students.

The donation was received by Dr. Juanito O. Cabanias, KLD President/College Administrator, Mr. Geordan Carungcong, Institute of Student Affairs, Character Education and Citizenship (ISASEC) Dean, Ms. Pearlyn Joy Alexia, Institute of Liberal Arts (ILA)Faculty, and Ms. Jennie Mendez Villapando, Library Staff.

With the theme “Isang Mas Matatag na KLD, Para Kay Cong. Pidi”, the Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Dasmariñas (KLD) conducted its 4 th Bayanihan Day on May 21, 2024, as part of the institution’s commitment to empowering and engaging employees and students in social-oriented event, enabling them to develop culture of care, leadership, and unity not only for KLD but also for the entire city.

All employees and students united in the Bayanihan Day 4, showing convergence of efforts and care for KLD in honor of Cong. Pidi who has become a symbol of the institution’s commitment to fostering a culture of unity, compassion, and service.

The participation of administrators, faculty members, staff and students in the said activity speaks volumes about the institution’s dedication to creating an inclusive and collaborative environment, where everyone can contribute to the achievement of institutional goals.

A paper entitled “Geostatistical Exploration of Some Water Quality Clusters in Laguna Lake, Philippines” by Assoc. Prof. Hernan Pantolla, Assoc. Prof. Christopher Malay, Assoc. Prof. Mary Jane Legaspi, Inst. Ma. Edralin Leonisa, and Inst. Reynaldo Reyes, Jr. has been published in the International Journal of Geoinformatics (IJG), a Scopus indexed journal.

The article was released on April 30, 2024 under Vol.20 No.4 with ISSN 2673-0014 at
https://journals.sfu.ca/ijg, the official website of IJG. In the article, the authors highlighted the benefits of using data visualization and geostatistical analyses in monitoring the water quality parameters of Laguna Lake in the Philippines.

The publication of their research paper in the said Scopus indexed journal is a testament to the faculty’s commitment to advancing the frontiers of knowledge. Their accomplishment not only enhances the reputation of KLD but also contributes to the global dissemination of knowledge and the progression of scientific understanding.

Mr. Jericko Delos Santos is KLD’s Employee of the Month.

He is the current head of Monitoring and Evaluation Unit (MEU) of the institution tasked at ensuring the institution’s effective and efficient operations, promoting accountability, and driving continuous improvement. His responsibilities have a significant impact on the quality of education delivery, as effective monitoring and evaluation can help identify gaps in teacher performance, curriculum delivery, and other aspects of the educational process.

KLD is grateful to the unwavering efforts of Sir Jericko, whose dedication and expertise have
been instrumental in the institution’s overall effectiveness and efficiency, ultimately benefiting
students, faculty, and the broader community.

The Office of the Month was awarded to the Students’ Character Formation and Welfare Development Unit.

The implementation of character education in schools is a crucial aspect of student development, as it aims to instill core values that can guide students throughout their lives. The Students’ Character Formation and Welfare Development Unit has embraced this philosophy, designing and executing plans and activities that address the multifaceted needs of its student body.

The unit is under the Institute of Student Affairs, Character Education and Citizenship (ISASEC) headed by Mr. Lou Sandino Castro. Through their efforts to nurturing student character and well- being, the unit has consistently demonstrated its vital role in empowering the next generation of leaders and engaged citizens.