From August 18 to 20, 2023, the 1st Philippine Game Development Expo (PGDX) took place at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City, marking a major milestone for the local game industry. Organized by the Game Developers Association of the Philippines (GDAP) in partnership with De La Salle University, the event served as the country’s first large-scale convention dedicated entirely to game development—bringing together students, educators, professionals, studios, and enthusiasts from across the Philippines.
The De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde participated in multiple capacities throughout the three-day event, showcasing its breadth of expertise across development, education, and research. As an exhibitor, Benilde featured student works and projects from the Interactive Entertainment and Multimedia Computing (IEMC) program under the Indie Game Stars showcase. The booth provided a platform for Benildean students to present their independently developed games and demonstrate the program’s strong integration of creativity, design, and technology.
In addition to the exhibit, Benilde faculty members also took part as speakers and thought leaders. Mr. Lamberto Ongkingco Jr., Mr. Craig Lines, and Mr. Bryan Galecio shared their professional insights during various PGDX sessions, offering perspectives on game production, design education, and emerging trends in the interactive entertainment industry. Their talks highlighted Benilde’s commitment to shaping the conversation on innovation and industry relevance in game development.
Further strengthening the academic dimension of the expo, Dr. Beatrice Lapa represented Benilde as a speaker in the Ludology Academic Research Output (LARO) Conference, a specialized track under PGDX co-hosted by GDAP and DLSU. Her presentation contributed to the growing body of scholarly research in Philippine game studies, demonstrating the synergy between academic inquiry and industry practice.
The collective participation of Benilde’s faculty and students in PGDX 2023 underscored the institution’s role as a hub of creativity, innovation, and collaboration in the country’s game development ecosystem. Through its involvement in exhibitions, speaking engagements, and academic conferences, Benilde continues to build bridges between education, research, and the professional community—empowering the next generation of Filipino game creators.
