About Candent
Candent is creating a world where learners with diverse needs and their families flourish.
Our mission is to contribute to nation-building by empowering persons with diverse needs and their families through relevant and effective support programs and effective life skills and employment training programs in keeping with their identified needs.
Our vision is to provide each person with diverse learning needs with relevant and effective support programs through strong partnership with different stakeholders, ensuring successful participation in school and the community, and providing entry opportunities for sustainable employment and productive adulthood.
We are driven by our core values of integrity, compassion, and commitment.
Our Story
Candent started in 2007, a brainchild of husband-and-wife team Joji Reynes and Benjie Santos, who dedicated their lives to working with and for learners with diverse learning needs.
Teacher Joji earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education, majoring in special education with a minor in language teaching, a master’s degree in reading education, and is working on her dissertation to complete her doctor in philosophy degree all at the University of the Philippines. She also completed the coursework for a master’s degree in clinical psychology.
Teacher Benjie on the other hand, is an athlete and musician and started a career in engineering. An experience as a camp facilitator for diverse learners changed his life. He left the field of engineering and started working alongside Teacher Joji. Together they advocated for inclusion and worked towards helping diverse learners participate, engage, and achieve their learning needs alongside their peers in inclusive settings. They also tried to fill the entire gap by providing relevant learning experiences that will help diverse learners be ready for employment and adult life.
With Teacher Joji’s wealth of experience working with diverse learners and Teacher Benjie’s background in sports, music, math, and science, they envisioned a learning center committed to empowering children and adults with diverse learning needs through programs that enhance their communication, self-management, and home management skills. These programs aim to boost learners’ independence, setting them toward productive adulthood.
True to its mission, Candent added work skills training to its line up of programs in 2008 and launched its first Camp LIFE (Learning Independence through Fun-filled Experiences) in 2009. The first Camp LIFE happened at Villa Julia in Silang, Cavite, with more than 20 campers and 10 facilitators. The summer event engaged both diverse learning needs and neurotypically-developing children and adolescents in a five-day, out-of-town camp for outdoor living and hands-on learning.
Today, Candent continues to grow due to the collaborative efforts of parents, children, and a team of educators and other professionals in a tight-knit community. Over the years, Candent has served over 300 students and their families, helping them to find joy despite many challenges.
One of these challenges is the recent COVID-19 pandemic, which forced all schools and learning centers to embrace distance learning. While almost all special education learning centers in the Philippines have struggled in the “now normal,” Candent has flourished.
We have refined existing Candent programs to creatively adapt to the evolving needs of our community of learners. In addition, we have steadily expanded since the pandemic, and our team is well-equipped to handle remote learners. We even have students located in London, Geneva, and Saudi Arabia.
We would love you and your child to join us in our exciting learning adventure. Whatever your child’s age and needs, we have a comprehensive range of programs and a vast network of partners to help you and your child achieve your learning goals.
The Candent Philosophy
Candent believes that every individual has the right to education. This includes those who have different learning styles, pace, and needs. They, too, have a right to education that will lead them to becoming active members of the community.
Candent believes that an education program should provide relevant and challenging experiences for physical, social, emotional, spiritual, mental, and vocational growth.
Candent believes that each learner is unique. Thus, educational goals should be designed individually.
Candent believes in the developmental principles. Thus, learning should be concrete, hands-on, and at the same time made fun and interesting.
Candent believes that learning is a collaborative endeavor among the learner, the school, the family, and other professionals working with the learner.
Meet the Team
Benjamin Santos
Executive Director
After working for a decade in corporate and industrial professions, Benjamin Santos, or Teacher Benjie, made the transition to teaching. With a background in engineering, he decided to change careers and dedicate his life to working with diverse learners.
He is passionate about playing music, exploring creative and visual arts, and participating in various sports. In his free time, he enjoys collecting rhythm and percussion instruments, as well as die-cast models of Mini Coopers and VWs.
An interesting tidbit about Teacher Benjie is that he has a particular fondness for melted ice cream.
Jonellie R. Santos
Program Director
Jonellie Reynes-Santos, or Teacher Joji, is a special education and literacy specialist. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with a major in Special Education and a minor in Language Teaching, and a Master’s in Reading Education from the University of the Philippines. She also completed the coursework for a master’s degree in clinical psychology. Currently, she is completing her Ph.D. in History and Philosophy of Education at the same university.
She is a published author of textbooks and children’s literature. She has contributed to the BASA Pilipinas leveled readers for grade 3 and picture books for kindergarten. Her book about a boy with autism, Inside Daniel’s Head, is available in Adarna Publishing House and was a finalist at the 2022 Filipino Readers’ Choice Awards.
Daryl May D. Goboy
Program Supervisor
Elisa J. de Castro
Day Class Program Coordinator
With a passion for nurturing young minds, Ms. Elisa embarked on her journey with Candent back in 2008. From teaching the LIFE Skills group to coaching social skills for children and teens, she has dedicated herself to creating impactful experiences. In 2014, she embraced the role of a Camp LIFE facilitator, fostering growth and camaraderie among participants. Today, as the Day Class Program Coordinator, she hopes to continue to empower individuals to unlock their fullest potential.
Beyond her passion for teaching, she is also a collector of pillow cases and cannot live without her back scratcher.
Genecarl Vienne I. Tanglao
Support Program Coordinator
Ms. Vienne has been with Candent since 2017.
Her passion for teaching students with diverse needs bloomed as she was trained and coached in the various programs offered by the center. Since then, she has dedicated herself to providing quality education to students. Seizing learning opportunities allows her to enhance her skills and become a competent teacher. She openly shares her love and enthusiasm for music and poetry with her students and fellow teachers, utilizing it as a teaching strategy.
Apart from her love for teaching, she is fond of adding ketchup to almost everything including sinigang and instant noodles.
Wendylyn B. Bautista
Teacher
Ms. Wendy started as a teacher assistant at Candent in 2014. She has a natural affinity with diverse learners. Years of training and learning the ropes through seminars, mentoring, working and learning alongside colleagues and learners have made her the no nonsense teacher that she is today. She shares her love for baking with her students and together they create yummy goodies. When not teaching, you will see her trying out different clothes and makeup kits as she loves being stylish.
Emmanuel Renee P. Libiternos
Teacher
Jennifer C. Parungao
General Supervisor
Jon Aldrin M. Moico
HR & Admin Officer
Mr. Jon has been working at Candent full-time since 2022.
Back in college, he was a member of a student-led organization advocating for the rights and welfare of individuals with diverse needs. He was a part of the Members Development Committee and eventually served as the organization’s Secretary General. His experience in teaching diverse needs learners plus his people management skills led him to join the Candent team as a human resource/administrative officer.
As a certified “plant parent,” he mostly tends to his cacti and succulents on his off days.
Arlyn B. Mutia
General Assistant
Ms. Arlyn started her Candent journey in 2016 where she served as a teacher aid. She assumed an administrative role back in 2017 and eventually became the general assistant in 2020. Ms. Arlyn is known for her multi-tasking skills, her reliability, and her dependability aside from being an incredibly pleasant person.
Talk to Us
With over 17 years of experience helping parents like you bring out the best in their child, we believe we can help you find peace of mind.
Call us today at (02) 8825 8757
Alternatively, reach us via mobile:
Globe/TM – 0917 538 7030
Smart/TNT – 0908 882 4741
Viber — 0917 538 7033
Or fill out the contact form below.