WITH A GENERAL weighted average of 1.14, the prestige that comes from being the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Class of 2025 valedictorian was received by Lianedrei G. Alabata from the BS Entrepreneurship program.
In an interview with The Bedan, she revealed that her journey began not with certainty, but with redirection.
“Enrolling at San Beda wasn’t something I originally planned; it was a last-minute decision recommended by a family member who is a Bedan alumnus,” she said.
While her path inside the Lion’s Den may be unplanned, her passion for entrepreneurship had long been established, as she dreamed of building a brand not just for personal success, but to uplift others and create a meaningful impact.
However, campus life for Lianedrei was not all just about chasing high grades or an uno; it was about “living fully and finding the right balance.”
“After classes, you’d most likely find me out with friends, chasing sunsets, going on late-night food trips, or hopping on spontaneous adventures somewhere relaxing, maybe a hidden nature spot, a quiet café, or wherever the road took us. We weren’t just hanging out; we were resetting, laughing our hearts out, and finding peace before diving into responsibilities again,” she quipped.
While many expect valedictorians to be buried in books, her approach was different—a stark contrast from conventional ideas of relentless studying and familiarization.
“I don’t believe in overloading my brain—I believe in preparing my mind. Before studying, I always made sure I was in the right headspace, which usually meant stepping away first, being in nature, or just soaking in good energy with friends.”
Throughout her college years, Alabata was active in student organizations during her freshmen to junior years, taking on leadership roles, and eventually leading her focus on social micro-enterprise, especially in her senior years.
She expressed how her active involvement in various student organizations equipped her with skills that enabled her “to work with diverse teams and manage responsibilities.”
“By senior year, I focused on my social micro-enterprise, ‘Retrofit’, leading initiatives such as donation drives, cause marketing, and partnerships with school organizations to promote social impact,” she furthered.
Outside of academics, she also found a balance between staying active and embracing the outdoors.
“I stayed active through dance classes, boxing, swimming, badminton, and biking. I also went on spontaneous trips, hikes, and camping adventures—activities that reminded me how good life can be outside the four corners of our classrooms,” she added.
Still, senior year was not without its struggles. Describing it as “the most critical” year she had in the University, Alabata faced a personal challenge that nearly made her step away from school.
“It was something beyond my control, and for a while, I wasn’t sure if I could keep going,” she expressed.
Looking back, Lianedrei acknowledges that the road was long and grueling—marked by both triumphs and setbacks. Yet she carries no regret—only quiet pride.
As she puts it, front and center of both her graduation speech and principles, “Hindi pangalan ko ang nais kong iwan sa institusyong ito, kundi ang istoryang binuo ko at mga prinsipyong isinulong ko. Sapagkat sa kabila ng lahat ng ito, isa lang akong ordinaryong estudyante na patuloy nangangarap at kumikilos para sa isang makatarungan at tunay na sistema, kung saan walang Pilipino ang maiiwan sa dulo.”
(with Paris Isaac Falcone and Nityananda Dasi Santos)