2009 academia december issue

The Academia • December 20092

THE ACADEMIAOFFICIAL INTERNATIONAL BULLETIN OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMASVOL. XXXVI NO. 4 OCTOBER - DECEMBER 2009

COORDINATOR CORRESPONDENTS

Assoc. Prof. Ma. Fylene P. Uy/ Academic AffairsDr. Josephine G. Relis/ AccountancyMs. Melanie M. Maddatu/ Office of AdministrationMr. Steve Michael M. Moore, Jr./ Admissions OfficeMr. Erickson D. Pabalan/ Alumni RelationsAssoc. Prof. Alice T. Maghuyop/ ArchitectureAssoc. Prof. Lino N. Baron/ Arts and LettersAssoc. Prof. Richard C. Pazcoguin/ Center for Campus MinistryAsst. Prof. Eros Atalia/ Office of the Writer in ResidenceAssoc. Prof. Eric B. Zerrudo/ Center for the Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the TropicsAtty. Joven D. Dellosa/ Civil LawAtty. Adrian R. Montemayor/ CommerceMs. Lauren Regina S. Villarama/ Community DevelopmentMr. Joel C. Sagut/ Ecclesiastical FacultiesAsst. Prof. Joel L. Adamos/ EducationDr. Andres Julio V. Santiago/ Education High SchoolMr. Leandre Andres S. Dacanay/ Educational Technology CenterAsst. Prof. Virginia A. Sembrano/ EngineeringAsst. Prof. Jean I. Reintegrado/ Fine Arts and DesignDr. Mary Caroline N. Castaño / Graduate SchoolMr. Vincent Glenn P. Lape/ GrantsMs. Imelda Celestina L. Monsale/ Guidance and Counseling OfficeMr. Emmanuel M. Batulan/ High SchoolMr. Jefferson S. Aquino/ Human Resource DepartmentMs. Diana V. Padilla/ UST Miguel de Benavides LibraryDr. Maria Lourdes B. Coloma/ Medicine and SurgeryMs. Ma. Zita Maita B. Oebanda/ Museum of Arts and SciencesMs. Elvira Sibayan/ MusicDr. Elmer C. Hibek/ NursingAssoc. Prof. Ma. Rosario R. Aranda/ PharmacyAsst. Prof. Jerome A. Porto/ Physical EducationEngr. Joehanna K. Ngo/ Office of Planning and Quality ManagementMr. Michael Angelo E. Malicsi/ Office of the RectorMs. Ma. Lanie V. Vergara/ Rehabilitation SciencesMr. Allan A. Basas/ Institute of ReligionMs. Ma. Aida A. Cañalete/ Research CenterMs. Ligaya G. Pineda / Research Cluster on Culture, Education and Social IssuesAsst. Prof. Medina F. Florida/ ScienceMr. Rosauro L. Gervacio/ Santo Tomas eService Providers (STePs)Ms. Rowena R. Castro/ Student AffairsMs. Carin P. Alejandia / Tourism and Hospitality ManagementMs. Danielle Clara P. Dandan/ The Varsitarian

REV. FR. FLORENTINO A. BOLO, JR., O.P.EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

ASSOC. PROF. GIOVANNA V. FONTANILLAEDITOR

ASST. PROF. VIRGINIA A. SEMBRANOMR. GILBERTH D. BALDERAMA

MR. ANTHONY ANDREW G. DIVINAGRACIAASSOCIATE EDITORS

MR. JONATHAN T. GAMALINDAART DIRECTOR

MS. MARIA REINA M. SERADORMS. JENNIFER ANN G. AMBANTA

STAFF WRITERS

MS. JHONA L. FREOCIRCULATION MANAGER

MS. BASILIA A. LANUZACIRCULATION ASSISTANT

RED IMAGESPHOTO CREDITS

COVER IMAGE:

ADDRESS ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO THEOFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS

UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMASESPAÑA BLVD., 1015 MANILA, PHILIPPINES

Visit our website: www.ust.edu.ph

FOR COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS,CONTACT US AT TEL NOS.: (+632) 406-1611

LOCAL 8315 OR (+632) 731-3544;FAX: NO.: (+632) 740-9727;

EMAIL: [email protected]

“NATIVITY”, Galo Ocampo, Oil on Canvas,Undated, UST Museum Visual Arts Collection.

This iconic Yuletide painting is currently on exhibit at the Singapore Art Museum, on loan from the UST Museum.

Celebrated as one of the highlights of the National Heritage Board of Singapore-organized “Thrice Upon A Time: A Century

of Story in the Art of the Philippines” exhibit, the painting indigenizes the concept of the Holy Family. Galo Ocampo’s

depiction of Mary and Joseph as brown-skinned, accompanied by typically Filipino symbols such as the carabao and rooster,

was a departure from the prevailing, Western-influenced style of portraying Christ’s birth.

The Academia • December 2009 3

contents

Q UPDATES

UST starts Countdown to 400 years 4UST Rector speaks of the ‘ greatest miracle on earth’ 6Quadricentennial library exhibit makes strides 8UST picks official Quadricentennial hymn 9

NEWS

US Secretary of State visits UST 10News Anchor says media, people alliance vital in 2010 polls 11Grand Alumni Homecoming 11Seven presidential bets face off in UST forum 12UST runs for Ilog Pasig 13Commerce faculty members visit China, Belgium 14Languages department celebrates Buwan ng Wika 15UST Education High School honors top alumni 15Graduate School students visit Yokohama National University 16UST hosts 16th ASEAN Research Conference on Chem Eng’g 17Vatican approves of Ecclesiastical Faculties’ revised General Statutes 18Graduate School students win best poster plum 18Carillo receives 2009 Dangal ng Lipi Award 19BPI recognizes honest UST student 19

ARTS AND CULTURE

Ibang Klase: A Likhang Bayan Exhibit at UST 20Thomasians perform in All-Wagner Concert at CCP 21An Afternoon of Classical Music’ for Humanities Classes 21The Christmas Gala Story, the 7th concert 22MOA Christmas event features UST Symphony Orchestra 24UST, Philamlife present ‘Celebrating Beethoven’ 24

SPECIAL FEATURE

Fr. Bolo named new Secretary General 25

SLCCCBA holds General Convocation 26Martin presents paper on public administration 26 Gascon of Nursing presents poster in Japan 27Mojica of CRS delivers lecture on Aphasia 27Baron, Park of AB present paper at University of Incheon, South Korea 28

Graduate School holds symposium on ‘Effective Promotion in the Context of a Global Recession’ 29

Pusta of AB presents paper at 6th Asia Pacific Regional Conference 29CRS faculty members present paper in Australia 30Balance of USTH presents paper at 15th IAWE Conference 31CTHM faculty joins 7th APacCHRIE conference in Singapore 31Bance presents paper on wellness indices of adolescents 32Timbang of CTHM attends KASTM conference in South Korea 32

FACULTY UPDATE

Suarez obtains PhD in Health Science from University of South Australia 33

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

CTHM continues community advocacy 34Guidance department spearheads emotional rehabilitation of ‘Ondoy,’ ‘Pepeng’ victims 35

BOARD TOPNOTCHERSMedical Technology 36Accountancy 37Civil Engineering 38Electronics and Communications Engineering 38

UNIVERSITY VISITORS

H.E. Amb. Kristie Kenney 39Dr. Maria Isabel Monroy Castillo 39Thomasian media practitioners and friends 39

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Q Updates

Paskuhan 2009 will be remembered as one of the most festive, if not the most, in its history. Known for its unique way of celebrating Christmas as a community, UST once

again gathered its students, faculty, employees, administrators, together with the Dominican priests, alumni and University friends at the Football Field and together witnessed and celebrated UST’s countdown to 400 days to 400 years last December 18. The cold December evening notwithstanding, students in particular stayed on until midnight, the hour of the momentous event when the Father Rector, Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P., officially declared the 400th day before January 28, 2011. The Swatch Beatman, the Quadricentennial (Q) clock signaled the countdown.

UST starts Countdown to 400 years

The UST Quadricentennial Beatman will stand at the Plaza Mayor until the Grand Celebration in 2011


Q Updates

Five hours before the historic countdown, festivities began at 7:00 pm with a parade of students in colorful costumes, converging at the Grandstand. The audience was treated to a lively program of music and fun, interspersed with the draw of tickets in the raffle draws that were appropriately spaced, testing the patience of the ticket holders who were eyeing on the computer notebooks that were given away as raffle prizes.

Capitalizing on the number four, the ‘countdown’ started at 8 o’clock in the evening to mark the “ four hours to four days to 400 days to 400 years”. Together with the launch of the Quadricentennial clock were the Q prayer and the hoisting of the Q flag.

The Q hymn, “Ako’y Isang Tomasino”, the banner song of the Quadricentennial was sang for the first time before a huge crowd after it was declared winner in the Q song writing contest last December 10 at the Education Auditorium. Gerardo M. de Leon, the song’s lyricist and composer who graduated cum Laude in Industrial Engineering from UST in 1980, enjoys a lifetime of bragging rights for having contributed what Thomasians of this generation will be singing at least until UST’s next 400 years.

It must be that this celebrated countdown will not only mean counting the days to 2011 but particularly for Thomasians, it would mean the witnessing of this generation to the truth that UST has provided quality Catholic education and its continued service to the Filipino nation and the Church, is indeed, God’s unending grace.

The UST Quadricentennial Beatman’s artist rendition by Jonathan Gamalinda, UST-CFAD Alumnus and UST Office of Public Affairs Layout Designer


UST Rector Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P. reminded Thomasians of the “greatest miracle on earth” and the “heroism” that made it possible as he led the Eucharistic celebration of

the Pagsalubong sa Pasko: Unang Simbang Gabi sa UST festivities last Dec.15 at the University’s Plaza Mayor.

“Christmas is the greatest miracle on earth because Jesus showed us that heroism should not be the exception but the rule in our daily life,” de la Rosa said in his homily before UST officials, faculty, students and employees.

“Jesus has shown us that it does not require spectacular effort and sacrifice to be a hero. We just need to be true to ourselves, to practice the basic virtues of honesty, simplicity and integrity.”

In doing so, de la Rosa urged Thomasians to find heroism in the “grandeur and majesty of human nature” which science and advanced knowledge has severely manipulated, revised, or replaced “at will” through the years.

“Perhaps this is because we have become so accustomed to sin, betrayal, weakness, criminality, graft and corruption, that we now find it difficult to believe that we are basically good. That we are made after God’s image,” he said. “Instead of heroism, we prefer heroics.”

Ye the spirit of heroism, according to him, was never lost among Thomasians.

UST Rector speaks of the ‘greatest miracle on earth’

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Q Updates

He cited the “admirable honesty” of Julieta Verzo, a third year BS Information Systems student from the Faculty of Engineering, who returned the amount of P 10,000 which a previous client failed to claim after withdrawing from the ATM machine.

De la Rosa also lauded the efforts of UST seminarians, who “waded through waist-deep flood the whole evening” at the height of Typhoon Ondoy “in order to bring food to students and faculty stranded in many building in the campus.”

“They did not get any reward but they know that doing good is a reward in itself,” he said.

The Rector revealed how he was “touched” by the surge of students who “volunteered their time and effort” to help distribute relief goods to flood-ravaged communities and the many UST doctors and nurses who conducted medical missions to remote areas “without fanfare and publicity.”

He then extolled the ‘heroic’ services of long-time Spanish Dominicans Fr. Lucio Gutierrez and Fr. Fausto Gomez, who will be leaving for a new assignment abroad.

“They spent their youth serving this university through teaching, preaching, pastoral work and administration,” he said. “They came here not knowing our culture, our language, our idiosyncrasies as a people, but they stayed with us because they knew that that is what God wants them to do.”

Students portray the Nativity Scene at the start of the Pagsalubong sa Pasko: Unang Simbang Gabi sa UST celebration.



Gutierrez and Gomez worked in the University as priests and educators for 44 and 41 years, respectively.

Exemplary lifestyle, professionalism

De la Rosa commended teachers, administrators, and students “whose lifestyle and professionalism are exemplary.”

“(They are the educators) who do not measure their service in terms of the salary they receive but in terms of their desire to help mold young people in God’s image,” he said. “I also see students who…do not waste their time in useless activities, but instead focus on getting their degrees.”

Refusing to describe the country as “hopeless” and “on the edge of a precipice”, De la Rosa advised Thomasians to see the miracle of Christmas “by being the heroes God wants us to be.”

“Let us be the miracle that people want to see this Christmas. Let us be the miracle that will bring hope to those who languish in hopelessness and despair. Tuloy na tuloy na ang Pasko,” he said. AAGD

Q Updates

Fr. de la Rosa, O.P. and Fr. Rodel Aligan, O.P., Prior, St. Thomas Priory, receive the Mass offerings from children of one of UST’s partner communities.

Fr. de la Rosa, O.P. delivers his homily during the anticipated Mass for the first Simbang Gabi.


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The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Miguel de Benavides Library remains on track for its upcoming Quadricentennial library exhibit next year, making significant strides in the

production and logistical aspects of the project over the past few months.

The exhibit, which will be mounted at the ground floor of the Miguel de Benavides Library and opened for public viewing from June 17, 2010 to January 2011, seeks to highlight the vital role played by UST and the Dominican fathers as pioneers of printing technology in the Philippines. To realize this objective, the Library has requested Architect Benjamin Santos to build an exact replica of the printing press which is found in Madrid, Spain.

Last October 14, the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) through its chairman, Sergio Osmeña Valencia, donated more than Php 100,000 for the restoration of two of the most important medical books to be exhibited namely: Pedacii Dioscoridae Anazarbei De Medica Materia Libri V. De letalibus venenis eorumque precaution…Lib. Umus. Interprete Marcello Vergilio, 1529 and Practice in profectione chirurgica…Ionnes de Vigo, 1534-1537. The cheque donation was personally received by Fr. Angel Aparicio, Prefect of Libraries, at the PCSO Building in Quezon City.

Carrying the title “Lumina Pandit: An Exhibition of Historical Treasures.” (Lumina Pandit = Spreading the Light), the upcoming exhibit reflects the continued mission of the University and the Library in spreading the light of education in building the Filipino nation. Conceived by Fr. Aparico, the phrase “Lumina Pandit”, was part of the inscribed testimonial on the cornice at the back of the Library Building which runs “Has tenebrae cingunt mentis caligine terras. Hoc Sancti Thomae Universitates Opus: Lumina Pandit,” 1611-2011 (“Darkness covers this land in a mental mist. This is the task of the University of Santo Tomas: to spread the light.”)

One of the sections of the exhibit will focus on the first books printed in the Philippines (1593) through xylographic method. The only existing original copies are: 1) Doctrina Christiana, en Lengua Española y Tagala, in the Lessing Collection, Library of Congress in Washington, DC; 2) Doctrina Christiana en Letra y Lengua China, in the Vatican Library; and 3) Shih-lu in Chinese in the Biblioteca Nacional de España, Madrid. The library has been coordinating with various embassies and institutions to help finance the loaning of the said books for the exhibit. Also, several artifacts and documents from the UST Museum and Archives will be borrowed to enhance the books. The exhibition will be in three languages: in English, Wikang Pambansa, and Spanish.

Several institutions, library benefactors and UST alumni were already tapped to bankroll the project.

Quadricentennial library exhibit makes strides

With University officials led by UST Rector Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P., members of the Curatorial Advisory Board and the Patrons Committee composed of dignitaries and ambassadors of various embassies in the Philippines at hand, the Library exhibit, themed “A Treasure of our Nation”, was formally launched last April 29 at the UST Museum of Arts and Sciences. DVP

Archt. Santos (left) shows replica of the printing press to Fr. Aparicio.

Fr. Aparicio (center) receives donation from PCSO Chair Valencia.


Q UpdatesQ Song writing Contest winners, interpreters and judges with Rev. Fr. Pablo Tiong, O.P., Vice-Rector and Rev. Fr. Isidro Abaño, O.P., Executive Director for Quadricentennial Activities and Highlights

The University of Santo Tomas has now an official theme song for its Quadricentennal celebration.

A song extolling Thomasian resiliency through hard times bested four other finalists to win the Q Songwriting Contest Grand Finals last Dec. 10 at the Albertus Magnus Auditorium.

“Ako ay Isang Tomasino” composed by UST alumnus Gerry de Leon earned the top prize and the rare privilege of being the banner hymn of UST’s upcoming 400th anniversary in 2011.

“I imagined the Main Building and how it stood the test of time. That thought alone inspired me to string up the right words and melody to come up with a composition that would best portray the joy of being a Thomasian and part of 400 years of history,” said de Leon, a pioneer cum Laude graduate of the University’s Industrial Engineering department in 1980.

His masterpiece was performed by long-time friend Sam Velarde, whom, despite not being a Thomasian, convincingly interpreted the song to the approval of the UST audience which

UST picks official Quadricentennial hymnincluded Vice Rector Fr. Pablo Tiong, O.P, Vice Rector for Religious Affairs Fr. Filemon dela Cruz, O.P, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Dr. Clarita Carillo, Executive Director for Quadricentennial Activities and Highlights Fr. Isidro Abaño, O.P., Office of Public Affairs Director Assoc. Prof. Giovanna V. Fonatanilla and students, among others.

“Cheers to 400 Years” by Arts and Letters alumnae Alma Escasa and husband Ben bagged the first runner-up award and P 100,000 while Institute of Religion assistant director Richard Pazcougin’s “Children of Unending Grace” took second-runner-up honors and P 75,000.

“Beyond This Arch” by Conservatory of Music faculty secretary Antonio Africa and “UST, The Past, Present and Tomorrow” by Pipo Cifra, a Music alumnus and current musical director of “Maalaala Mo Kaya” landed fourth and fifth places, respectively, and received P 20,000.00each.

The five finalists were judged according to musicality (70 percent) and lyrics (30 percent) by renowned musicians and songwriters Agnes Manalo, Fr. Guiseppe Pietro Arsciwals, O.P., Eugene Villaluz, Elmer Blancaflor, Vehnee Saturno and Rey Valera as chairman of the board.

The competition attracted a total of 78 entries where the 10 semifinalists were chosen by the members of the Screening committee composed of Fr. Abaño, Dean Raul Sunico of the Conservatory of Music and composer Jed Balsamo before selecting the five finalists. De Leon’s composition was launched formally during the “400 days to 400 years Countdown” on Dec. 18 at the UST Grandstand. AAGD

Q Song Writing Contest Panel of Judges


In her visit to the Philippines, US Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton saw to it that meeting the Filipino youth was part of her itinerary. That meeting happened on November 13, 2009

at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) where Clinton’s Manila forum was held.

With UST at the threshold of its 400th year in 2011, it was heartwarming to welcome Secretary Clinton to UST, an academic institution whose Arch of the Centuries has witnessed the arrival of heads of states, and members of Church hierarchies, that included Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II.

UST Rector, Rev. Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P. greeted Secretary Clinton upon her arrival at the San Martin de Porres Building (Medicine Building) that houses the auditorium where the forum was held. Students waved the US, Philippine and UST flags while the UST Symphonic Band played a lively Filipino music.

The most awaited moment finally arrived. Secretary Clinton appeared on stage where 50 students representing different universities joined her while the approximately 900 members of the audience afforded her a warm applause. Participating universities included Adamson University, Ateneo de Manila University, University of the Philippines, University of the East, Far Eastern University, National University, De la Salle University, University of Santo Tomas, Congressional Interns from Muslim Mindanao and through remote broadcast, Silliman University and Ateneo de Davao University. US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney also graced the occasion.

US Secretary of State visits UST

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Questions ranging from strengthening the relationship between the United States and the Philippines, to initiatives at promoting world peace were asked by the students. Other issues raised were on a more personal note such as her ability to find time for her family.

The visit of Secretary Clinton to UST affirms its vital role in providing an opportunity for a dialogue aimed at responding to the needs and issues of the times and events occurring in the Philippines, or elsewhere in the world. GVF

This article was first published in Manila Bulletin on November 15, 2009.

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton with Rev. Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa greets students upon her arrival at UST


news

GMA 7 news anchor Arnold Clavio urged fellow media practitioners to join hands with the people in ensuring a clean and honest election next year during the 6th Padre Burgos Lecture Series at the CME Auditorium of the

UST Medicine Building last Nov. 23.

Speaking on the topic “Media: Lente sa Halalan, Mata ng Bayan,” Clavio told UST students, seminarians and administrators that the media, backstopped by the public, is an important vehicle in shaping the country’s future for the next six years.

“Ang eleksiyon ay hindi lamang isang proseso o ritwal na ating pinagdadaanan bilang isang bansa tuwing tatlo o anim na taon. Mahalaga it dahil dito natin pinipili ang mga pinuno na maaring magdadala sa atin sa pusalian o sa inaasam na kaunlaran,” Clavio said.

People in the media should help the public make intelligent choices by practicing discernment, impartiality and accuracy in making their stories, he added.

“Walang dapat dagdag-bawas kung ikaw ay isang journalist sa panahon ng eleksyon. Kung ano ang sinabi o ginawa ng isang kandidato, iyon na iyon at hindi na dapat pang dagdagan o bawasan ng isang journalist dahil matatalino na ang mga botante ngayon,” the AB Journalism alumnus said. “Kaya na nilang mabatid ang katotohanan sa kasinungalingan.”

Organized by the UST Central Seminary, the annual lecture series previously hosted prominent personalities in the media and in government such as former economic planning secretary Prof. Solitada Monsod, columnist Prof. Randy David, noted constitutionalist Fr. Joaquin Bernas, S.J., Pampanga Gov. Ed Panlilio and Isabela Gov. Grace Padaca. AAGD

News anchor says media, people alliance vital in 2010 polls

Clavio

In anticipation of the quadricentennial celebration of the University of Santo Tomas in 2011, the 2009 UST Grand Alumni

Homecoming (GAH) was held on Saturday, December 19, 2009 at the Plaza Mayor, UST Campus, España, Manila at 4:00 P.M. This year’s Grand Alumini Homecoming gave reason for the alumni to be in UST again. Its theme, Dreaming Beyond our Seeing, best encapsulated the advent of the quadricenntenial celebration. One special feature of this occasion was the launching of the Thomasian Alumni Center and the Cyber Complex building project.

Grand Alumni HomecomingThomasian Alumni Center and the Cyber Complex building project


Seven presidential bets face off in UST forum

Seven presidential hopefuls trooped to the UST Medicine Auditorium Wednesday to face each other in a forum for the first time since filing their candidacies.

“Presidentiables” former defense secretary Gilbert Teodoro, senators Benigno Aquino III and Richard Gordon, former president Joseph Estrada, Olongapo councilor John Carlos de los Reyes, environmentalist Nicanor Perlas, and evangelical preacher Eddie Villanueva answered questions from students and personalities in “Harapan,” the presidential forum organized by ANC, the ABS-CBN News Channel, UST, Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting, and the Commission on Elections.

Nacionalista Party standard-bearer Manuel Villar backed out at the last minute, according to news anchor Ted Failon.

Questions ranged from light ones such as “What vice or luxury can you not live without?” to those asking their opinions on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s bid for Congress, political dynasties, the Maguindanao massacre, and the reproductive health bill.

Two bets — cousins Teodoro and Aquino — appeared to have softened on their support for the population bill. Aquino

did not say whether he would vote for it but pointed out that the government should help parents decide on the number of children, and that the Church has a role in educating couples. He noted that the population had doubled in the last 20 years. “We cannot deny the problem.”

Teodoro said the state should not have an active role in controlling the population, and that there was no need for a reproductive health bill. “It is the moral responsibility of those who don’t want legislation to control population, to do it themselves in the way they think is moral.”

Many of the candidates hit Arroyo for seeking a congressional seat in Pampanga to stay in power. Teodoro, the candidate of Arroyo’s party Lakas Kampi CMD, said he would “do the right thing” as president in response to a question on whether Arroyo as House speaker would have a negative effect on his administration.

Partido ng Masang Pilipino candidate Estrada, who played the crowd, said: “I will not tolerate warlords in the area. If I were president, they would all be arrested in 12 hours.”

On politicial dynasties, Liberal Party bet Aquino said the term “political dynasty” should be defined first, and that acts rather than personalities should be the basis so as not to restrict people from being in government for having the same surnames.Villanueva of Bangon Pilipinas Party said he would exercise “moral and righteous” governance and won’t allow relatives to abuse power. DCPD

Varsitarian News Editor Danielle Clara Dandan asks questions to a presidential candidate during the UST Presidential Forum

Presidential bets held hands up during ‘Harapan’ at the UST Medicine Auditorium

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After the success of the signature campaign for La Mesa Dam, where UST as one of the partner schools posted the highest number of signatures, the University of

Santo Tomas once again joined the ABS-CBN Foundation last November 8, at the Quirino Grandstand for its fun run “Kapit Bisig Para sa Ilog Pasig”.

The partnership between the two institutions aims to rehabilitate the Pasig River, the longest river in Metro Manila that connects Laguna de Bay and Manila Bay.

The river was a former route of transportation during the Spanish time which also helped in shaping the history of the Philippines. However, due to the growing problems of pollution for the last 80 years, the river was declared “dead’ by ecologists from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

An estimate of 21,000 runners heeded the call of the ABS-CBN Foundation, more than 1,500 of which were members of the Thomasian community which composed of students, faculty members, and non-teaching staff.

The students which composed the Thomasian community were enrolled in the National Service Training Program and Reserve Officers Training Corps.

UST Runs for Ilog Pasig

The 42 kilometer “fun run” marathon began at four in the morning and crossed nine of the 13 bridges that connect places where the river cuts through.

The proceeds of the fund raising reached up to P5 million and it will be used for the treatment of the river. JAGA


Former President Fidel V. Ramos poses with UST administrative officials and students

Rev. Fr. Florentino Bolo, Jr., O.P., Secretary General and Rev. Fr. Manuel F. Roux, O.P., Vice-Rector for Finance (second and third from left, second row) lead UST students at the start of the race.


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Faculty members of the UST College of Commerce and Business Administration visited Belgium and China last October as part of the college’s aim to globalize its business programs through overseas

research collaboration and faculty exposure.

Led by Dean Helena F. Cabrera, faculty members went on a business and cultural exposure trip to Beijing and Hongkong from October 26 to 31.

Aside from learning the marketing techniques being employed by business establishments in the two cities, faculty members Janet C. Atutubo, Agnes Jocelyn P. Bandojo, Nancy C. Bartolome, Riaz Benjamin, Myrna M. De Vera, Augusto V. De Viana, Gil Y. Garcia, Jeanette P. Grajo, Carlos David L. Luz, Ronaldo R. Manalo, Ma. Belinda S. Mandigma, Carmen E. Mazo, Erika V. Puno, and Chin Uy also toured the world-famous Great Wall of China, the historical Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, the Great Ming Dynasty tombs, Hongkong’s Victoria Peak, and the Aberdeen Fishermen’s Village among others.

Responding to an invitation by Sophie Peters, Head of the International Office of the Institut Catholique des Hautes Etudes Commerciales (ICHEC), Cabrera and Asst. Prof. Gil Y. Garcia presented a paper in Brussels, Belgium last October 2 on “The Characteristics of Filipino Consumers as Compared to Belgian Consumers” to a group of international graduate students of ICHEC. The also discussed a possible research collaboration between faculty members of ICHEC and the UST College of Commerce. ARM

Commerce faculty membersvisit China, Belgium

Dean Helena F. Cabrera with other participants in Belgium.

Faculty members from the UST College of Commerce and Business Administration led by Dean Helena F. Cabrera in Beijing.


news

The UST Department of Languages held a faculty research colloquium and an academic lecture to cap this year’s Buwan ng Wika celebration on “Iba’t ibang Wika, Pansulong

sa Pambansang Adhika: Pagpapatuloy sa Sinimulan ng Isang Tomasino” last August.

To stir the research interest of its faculty members, the Languages Department conducted the colloquium last August 25 where five Filipino professors presented their recent studies to their colleagues and updated them with the developments in the field.

The faculty members selected to present their papers were Asst. Prof. Ligaya Bron of the College of Accountancy, Asst. Prof. Eros Atalia, Asst. Prof. Aissa Abigail Jimenez Asst. Prof. Robert Ampil, all from the Faculty of Arts and Letters, and Ms. Lani Vergara from the College of Rehabilitation Sciences.

Last August 27, the Languages Department organized an academic lecture at the UST Graduate School with Dr. Lakandupil Garcia of De La Salle University – Dasmariñas as guest lecturer, who discussed issues about multilingualism.

The committee assigned for the celebration was chaired by Dr. Jose Dakila Espiritu, together with Asst. Prof. Zendel Taruc of the College of Nursing, Asst. Prof. Beatrice Ribleza of the College of Education, and Mr. Leonardo Sanchez of the College of Fine Arts and Design as members.

Meanwhile, the Circulo Hispano Tomasino General Assembly was held last August 28 at the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex Auditorium. Don Javier Menendez, the new Education Adviser of the Embassy of Spain graced the occasion and talked about the importance of Spanish to Thomasians.

Languages Department celebrates Buwan ng Wika

Garcia delivers lecture on Multilingualism.

Menendez talks to Thomasians on the importance of the Spanish language to Filipino learners.

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) Education High School (UST EHS) capped its Diamond Jubilee celebration (1950-2010) by honoring its Outstanding Alumni last October 25 at the AMV Multi-Purpose Hall.

Prof. Pilar Isidoro Romero, Ph.D., Assistant to the Rector for Administration, Assoc. Prof. Emmanuel J. Lopez, Ph.D., the current chair of the Faculty of Arts and Letters’ (Artlets) Social Sciences department and fellow Artlets Assoc Prof. Maria Vida G. Caparas, Ph.D., were the notable UST EHS alumni feted by the UST EHS Alumni Association.

Romero, Lopez and Caparas graduated from the UST EHS in 1977, 1973 and 1982, respectively. AJVS

UST Education High School honors top alumni


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For the fifth straight year, the UST Graduate School sent a select contingent of masters and doctoral students on a six-day academic visit to Yokohama National University,

Japan, to further strengthen the internationalization of its degree programs.

The delegation was headed by UST Graduate Research Director Carlos P. Garcia, Ph.D., and Prof. Tomas S. Tiu. Twenty two Graduate School students joined the academic trip namely Imelda Tolejano Angeles, Martin Copon III, Lenie Sabalza de Asis, Lalaine Patiu de los Reyes, Gari de Guzman, Monique D. de Guzman, Sheryll Tandoc de Guzman, Gladys Sy Domingo, Schwendi S. Fajardo, Marinor Aguilos Gallarda-Quintilla, Alain Marc Pelaez Golez, Shigeaki Ichimura, Anna Frieda Lopez, Hazel Ann Apitana Luzentales, Gerald Cagampang Munar, Dr. Bernardita Cruz Navarro, Angelita T. Ponio-Badayos, Joseph Benedict Naval Prim, Alvin Joseph Cando Rivera, Jean Paul Froyalde Simando, Sharon Rose Galope Sotto, Cristina S. Vasquez.

On the first day of the academic trip, the UST delegation visited the YNU campus in Yokohama City and paid a courtesy call to Prof. Hyuck-Soo Yoo, Ph.D, dean of the Department of International Business Law before hearing a seminar where professors from both universities presented papers.

Dr. Compel Radomir of the YNU Center for Oceanic Studies and Integral Education lectured on the “Okinawan Political Economy” which tackled the distinct history and cultural heritage of Okinawans and the economic challenges they face, while Prof. Masao Tsujioka of the YNU International Graduate School of Social Sciences discussed “Yokohama and the Opening of Japan to Foreign Trade and Diplomatic Relations”, assessing the effects of the opening of the Tokugawa-era Japan to foreigners after the arrival of Commodore Matthew Perry in Yokohama, to modern day Yokohama.

Tiu for his part talked about “The 2010 Philippine Elections: Prospective Effects on the Philippine Economy” which centers on the different major economic variables and their effects in past elections and forecasting their future effects.

The seminar was followed by a joint research discussion between the graduate students of UST and the YNU Graduate School of Social Sciences and the Department of International Business Law.

The following day, the UST contingent visited the Nissan Oppama Plant in Kanagawa-ku prefecture where automated robots, the moving line assembly and other highly sophisticated 21st century car manufacturing techniques were housed. In the afternoon the group attended a lecture by Dr. Yoko Mochizuki at the United Nations University, Institute of Advanced Studies on the impacts of environment-friendly consumer behavior.

On September 30, the group toured the National Diet of Japan in Tokyo and had a luncheon meeting with Hiroe Makiyama, a lady member of the House of Councilors of the National Diet, who belongs to the Democratic Party of Japan. The UST contingent then visited the Tokyo Stock Exchange and later attended a seminar at the ADB Institute in Tokyo. Dr. Mario B. Lamberto, ADB Institute Director of Research, lectured on “Crisis and Opportunities for Asia”, which highlighted the impact of the global financial crisis on the Asian and world banking systems.

Accompanied by their YNU counterparts, the UST graduate school students, cruised along Yokohama Bay and stopped by cultural and educational sites such the Sankeien Garden and Minaro Mirai in Yokohama City, and Ueno Park in Tokyo where the Tokyo National Museum and National Museum of Western Art are located. MCNC

Graduate School students visit Yokohama National University

UST Graduate School group at Oppama Plant of Nissan Automobile Factory in Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama, Japan with Dr. Carlos P. Garcia of Graduate School, standing fourth from right. Prof. Tomas Tiu of Graduate School, standing fifth from left

UST Graduate School and YNU delegation listen to Ms. Hiroe Makiyama, member of the House of Councilors, National Diet of Japan.


news

The 16th ASEAN Regional Symposium on Chemical Engineering (RSCE) was held at the Manila Hotel and the University of Santo Tomas from December 1-2 with UST as

host institution. The conference theme was “Chemical Engineering at the Forefront of Global Challenges”, and it was intended for academicians, researchers and industry practitioners.

Lawyer engineer Josefin de Alban, Jr., the dean of the UST Faculty of Engineering, welcomed the participants to the country and to the University. Fr. Pablo Tiong, Vice Rector was at hand to welcome the participants during the Fellowship night which was held at the Quadricentennial Square in the evening of December 1. During the Fellowship Night, the turn over ceremony was held where the hosting of the 17th ASEAN Regional Symposium on Chemical Engineering was relinquished by the UST Rector and Dr. Maria Natalia Dimaano, chair of the 2009 RSCE, to the representative of Thailand, the 2010 conference host.

Aside from the plenary and technical speeches, a parallel technical session was also held. A poster exhibit of research papers and a company technical exhibit were held at the lobby of the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel.

Established names in research in the academe, government service, industry, were the plenary speakers which include Dr. Mohamed Eisa, of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (Environment Geotechnics), Dr. Mohammed M. Farid, Engineering University of Aukland (Energy, Environment, and Food Process), Dr. Filemon Uriarte (President, ASEAN Foundation, Indonesia), Dr. Hiroo Niiyama, Tokyo Institute of Technology (Heterogeneous Catalysis), Dr. (Neal) Tai- Shung

Chung, National University of Singapore (Nanotechnology and Nanocomposites), Dr. Anil Kumar Pabby of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, India (Membrane Science & Technology and Nuclear Energy), Engr. Ferdinand A. Tumpalan of the San Miguel Packaging Specialists, Inc. (Product Innovations in Packaging Technology), and Dr. Rigoberto Advincula of the University of Houston, Texas, USA (Polymer and Organic Ultra Thin Films).

The technical keynote speakers were: Dr. Wilfredo Jose (UP), Dr. Raymond Tan (DLSU), Dr. Matthew M. F. Yuen (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology), Dr. Takayuki Watanabe (Tokyo Institute of Technology), Prof. Alberto Laurito (UST), Engr. Ma. Lourdes Orijola (Department of Science and Technology), Mr. Terry Huang (Swancor Industry Co., LTD), and Dr. Alma Bella Madrazo (AECON).

Dimaano said that the conference topics in the simultaneous sessions were: Emerging Technologies, Materials Innovation, Process: State of the Art, Product Innovation and Entrepreneurship, and Chemical Engineering Education Update.

The RSCE has an international scientific committee composed of Dr. Suryo Purwono and Dr. Sanggono Adisasmito (Indonesia), Dr. Maasaki Suzuki and Dr. Hiroo Niiyama (Japan), Dr. Wan Ramliwan Daud and Dr. Mohamad Azlan Hussain (Malaysia), Dr. Dimaano and Dr. Susan Roces (Philippines), Dr. Ching Chi Bun and Dr. Xu Rong (Singapore), Dr. Piyasan Praserthdam and Chutimon Satirapipathkul (Thailand), and Dr. Tran Vinh Dieu and Dr. Le Cong Hoa (Vietnam). The conference was able to bring together more than 200 participants from 16 countries, with 138 papers presented and 32 posters exhibited. VAS

UST hosts 16th ASEAN Research Conference on Chem Eng’g

16th ASEAN Regional Symposium on Chemical Engineering (RSCE) International Scientific Committee members.

Dimaano delivers the opening remarks.


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The Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education has recently issued the decree of approval for the revised General Statutes of the University’s Ecclesiastical Faculties. The revised Statutes

feature the innovations done for the Licentiate in Canon Law curriculum of the Faculty of Canon Law. It also incorporates the Congregation’s suggestions for the inclusion of some courses for the Ph.B. and Ph.L. curriculum of the Faculty of Philosophy.

The revised General Statutes of the Ecclesiastical Faculties manifest the University’s commitment to update itself in order to better prepare the workers of the Church, particularly the Local Church and the Church of Asia, for the task of preaching and witnessing the Gospel. JCS

UST Graduate school students bagged the Best Scientific Poster Award during the 57th Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science (PhilAAs) Annual Convention last September 10-11 at SMX-Mall of Asia, Pasay City.

Bernard John Tongol, Harris Fulo, Jonyl Garcia, and Lorico Lapitan Jr. , who are all taking their Master of Science in Chemistry degree at the UST Graduate School, authored the prize-winning poster titled “Development of Electrocatalyst based on Pt/Ru Nanoparticles for Fuel Cell Application.” MFF

Graduate School students win best poster plum

Vatican approves of Ecclesiastical Faculties’revised General Statutes


news

“In these days when money is hard to come by, it would have been so easy for you to just take the P10,000 and spend it on your needs or even wants. But we are very happy that you have chosen to do what is right and return what is not yours.”

This was part of Mr. Harold Taguba’s letter of commendation to Julieta Verzo, a third year Information System student of the Faculty of Engineering, who returned the money which

she found at the ATM dispenser of the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) España branch last September 14. The money was returned to Mr. Rodolfo Zamora, service manager of the UST España branch.

BPI recognizes honest UST

studentJulieta Verzo accepts a token from BPI officials. Among those present are Rev. Fr. Pablo Tiong, O.P., Vice Rector, Former Dean Peter Lim and Asst. Dean Ricardo Balog

Out of gratitude for Verzo’s honesty, BPI recognized her through a simple recognition program held at the Office of the Rector attended by Fr. Pablo Tiong, OP, Vice Rector, Dean Peter Lim and Asst. Dean Ricardo Balog of Engineering, Taguba and Zamora of BPI, Prof. Giovanna Fontanilla of the Office of Public Affairs, and Verzo’s immediate family members.

Aside from the letter of commendation, BPI also had a huge tarpaulin commending Verzo for her act of honesty posted at the Faculty of Engineering.

Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Dr. Clarita Carillo was honored by the provincial government of Bulacan as one of its 2009 “Dangal ng Lipi” awardees during its Singkaban Festival last Sept. 14 at the Bulacan Capitol Gymnasium in Malolos

City.

Carillo, a native of Sta. Maria town, received the Dangal citation for Education along with nine other Bulakeños who were also feted for their notable achievements in the fields of professional, community and public service, trade and industry, arts and culture, entrepreneurship, cooperatives, agriculture, and science and technology.

“Our success was made possible by honesty, hardwork, sincerity of service, simple living, love for family, and fear of God,” Carillo said in her acceptance speech in behalf of her fellow awardees. AAGD

Carillo receives 2009 Dangal ng Lipi Award

Dr. Clarita Carillo


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arts & culture

The UST Museum and the College of Fine Arts and Design, in cooperation with the UST College of Education, mounted Ang Likhang Bayan sa Santo Tomas… Ibang Klase, a three-

week exhibit featuring a select number of the Traditional Filipino Art (TFA) works done by Education students. This yearly activity of the museum, which started in 2007, is part of the university’s commitment to promote a deep sense of awareness and appreciation of traditional arts among its students. This seminal project was the brainchild of Asst. Prof. Cynthia B. Loza, Dean of the UST College of Fine Arts and Design.

On its third year of implementation, the College of Education, a CHED-identified Center of Excellence in Teacher Education, has enthusiastically responded to the propagation of the said art through its Special Topics class under Prof. Allan B. de Guzman. The exhibit highlighted the outputs of students’ meaningful art-making encounters with traditional artists of Bulacan and Paete. Works consisted of, or were inspired by, the pabalat ng pastillas (milk candy wrapper), puni (palm leaf art), and the taka (local papier mache).

Craft demonstration, hands-on learning and encounter with traditional Filipino Artists were held on September 22, 24 and 30, 2009 for invited students, faculty members, and professional groups, respectively.

Ibang Klase: A Likhang Bayan Exhibit at UST

CFAD students at work for the exhibit “Pabalat”, finished products by CFAD students


arts & culture

As a tribute to the Thomasian, an all-Wagner concert was held on Sunday, September 20, at 7:00 p.m. at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Main Theater on Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.

Performing groups featured were the Coro Tomasino, Liturgikon Vocal Ensemble, UST Conservatory of Music Chorus Classes and the UST Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Prof. Herminigildo Ranera. Soloist was Jun Francis Jaranilla, bass.

The concert was presented by the University of Santo Tomas Symphony Orchestra in cooperation with the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Thomasians perform in All-Wagner concert at CCP

For five afternoons during the month of November, the RH 2 room at the fifth floor of the Education Building was transformed into a concert hall for the benefit of students

taking classes in the Humanities.

The concert was a presentation of the Alumni Association of the UST Conservatory of Music under the presidency of Pipo Cifra, the musical director of Maalaala Mo Kaya, a weekly show on ABS-CBN’s Channel 2. The concert was endorsed by Dr. Joyce Arriola, chair of the UST Humanities Department, with the assistance of Dr. Evelyn Songco, director of the Office for Alumni Affairs.

‘An Afternoon of Classical Music’ for Humanities Classes

The Humanities Concert featured the following: Woodwind ensemble, Piano ensemble, Percussion ensemble, Guitar ensemble, and the Vocal ensemble of the UST Conservatory of Music. The performance dates, which coincided with the National Music Week, were: November 16, 17, 23, 24 and 27, at 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

The concert was conducted to teach and inform students about classical music and its relationship with the genre of music existing today, to enable the attendees to get first hand information and knowledge of the various musical instruments that are being played in a symphony orchestra and to enhance the over-all music appreciation of the students. EIS


The UST Christmas Concert Gala, now on its seventh year, has become a most-awaited event in the University. The attraction is not merely on the songs, the Christmas carols

that are classical and modern, but the anticipation has also been brought about by the performers, especially those, who after years of singing for foreign audiences, have come home to regale their fellow Thomasians with the music that comes from a proud Thomasian.

The 7th Christmas Gala was held at 7 in the evening on December 2 and 3 at the UST Chapel. The first night was for the Thomasian community, while the second was for University friends and benefactors. What seemed to be a wishful thought of Fr. Jose Maria Tinoko, OP, then Regent of the Conservatory of Music, to put together on one stage the students (and faculty members) of the Conservatory and listen to them perform Christmas carols, became a reality.

Like the Story of Christmas, the journey taken by Fr. Isidro C. Abaño, OP, in 2003 while serving as the Secretary General of the University to be able to put up a musical experience that will showcase world-class Thomasian talents for the Thomasian community, UST friends, benefactors and friends, was not a short nor an easy one.

The Christmas Gala Story, the 7th concert

Since its inception up to this year’s Christmas concert, Fr. Abaño‘s project which was initially “a musical concert project that should be a happy but serious one”, has produced so many

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From left: Andrew Gan, UST Christmas Concert Gala ‘09 Executive Committee member, Rev. Fr. Isidro C. Abaño, O.P., Co-Chair, UST Christmas Concert Gala and Manila City Mayor Alfredo Lim


talents and from the funds raised, it has allowed the awarding of scholarship grants for students from the Conservatory of Music. Ms. Maricris Zobel, an art patroness, has been the co-chair of Fr. Abaño in the Concert Gala in 2008.

Every year since 2003, funds raised from the concert would go to various projects, which include the scholarship grants for the students of the Conservatory of Music. However, since last year, the conservation of the priceless art pieces found at the UST Museum has also become the focus of the fund raising efforts of the Concert Gala. Jonathan Matti, a Thomasian, and University friends Andrew Gan and Greg Jarencio, have been instrumental in the realization of the concert.

Last December 3, the Christmas Concert Gala featured the solo performances of US-based Andrew Fernando, baritone; Austria-based Abdul Candao, tenor; Vincent Evangelista, tenor; Christian Paul Anthony Nagano, tenor; and the three tenors Lemuel dela Cruz, Eugene delos Santos, and Ronan Ferrer. World-renowned singer, Rachelle Gerodias, Ferleoni Medina

and Marie Ann Dominese, sopranos, are also performing. Group performances included the UST Singers conducted by Prof. Fidel Calalang, Jr., the Liturgikon Vocal Ensemble, Coro Tomasino, The UST Symphony Orchestra conducted by Prof. Hermonigildo Ranera; UST Singers, UST Jazz Ensemble and the Tiples de Sto. Domingo, the oldest boys’ choir in the Philippines.

The Apostolic Nuncio, Arch. Edward Joseph Adams, graced the occasion. Also present were members of Philippine society who were primarily present to help Zobel in the worthy cause she was advocating, who at the end of the concert were totally wowed by the Thomasian artists.

The concert gala will be aired on December 20 (TV 5, 10:00 - 11:00 p.m.), December 25 (NBN 4, 9:00 - 11:00 p.m.), and December 26 (IBC 13, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.). The Belo Medical Group, the Enrique Zobel group of companies and Singapore Airlines were the major sponsors. VAS

arts & culture

Rev. Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P.gives the Welcome Remarks.

Rachelle Gerodias, Soprano

Maricris Zobel, Co-Chair, UST Christmas Concert Gala ‘09

Prof. Herminigildo Ranera conducts the finale of the 7th UST Christmas Concert


The UST Conservatory of Music, in cooperation with Philamlife presented “Celebrating Beethoven,” a concert featuring the UST Symphony Orchestra with Jeffrey Solares, conductor, and Peter John Porticos, pianist. The concert was held at the Philamlife

Auditorium on November 11, 2009.

The Symphony Orchestra performed the following compositions by Beethoven: Creatures of Prometheus, Op. 43, Piano Concert No. 3 in C Minor, Op. 37, Peter John Porticos, Soloist, Symphony No. 3 “Eroica” in E Flat Major, Op. 55.

UST, Philamlife present ‘Celebrating Beethoven’

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arts & culture

Spectators and mall goers were treated to an evening of Christmas carols by the UST Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Prof. Herminigildo Ranera. Coro Tomasino, UST

Wind Orchestra under the baton of Prof. Michael Jacinto, and Liturgikon Vocal Ensemble also performed with the Symphony Orchestra on December 12 at 6:30 in the evening at the San Miguel by the Bay at the Mall of Asia Complex in Pasay City. The repertoire included popular and crowd favorite songs such as

MOA Christmas event features UST Symphony Orchestra

“It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” and “Ang Pasko ay Sumapit Medley”.

Also part of the almost two-hour show were the solo performances of: tenors Eugene delos Santos, Vince Evangelista, Erwin Laxa, Ronan Ferrer and Christian Paul Anthony Nagaño, together with sopranos Marie Ann Dominese and Ferleoni Medina. The evening’s show was a product of a partnership between the University and SM Malls. VAS

From left to right: (first row) Ronan Ferrer, Marie Ann Dominese, and Eugene delos Santos (second row) Erwin Laxa and Christian Paul Anthony Nagaño


special feature

Fr. Bolo named new Secretary General

Fr. Florentino A. Bolo, Jr., O.P. has been named Secretary General of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) effective the second semester of AY 2009-2010. Concurrently, he remains

to be the Vice Rector and Bursar of the UST Central Seminary.

Fr. Bolo, the fifth among the six children of Thelma Africa and Florentino Bolo, Sr., is better known as Fr. Jun in the Thomasian community. He was ordained into the priesthood in April of 2005 and immediately, he was assigned to work at the Secretariat of Bahay Dominiko. The following year, he served as Assistant Novice Master of the Dominican Novitiate of the Annunciation at the Convent of Our Lady of the Rosary in Manaoag, Pangasinan, a post that he occupied until May of 2008.

From June 2008, he has been assigned to UST, and now, as Secretary General, one of the top administrative posts in the University. The grand stairway of the Main Building was the same stairway that he took while he was studying Medical Technology at the College of Science, until he graduated in 1995. His inclination towards the sciences manifested early on. In fact, he went to Lipa City Science High School in Batangas for his secondary education. But since fate had better plans for him, the young Lipeño went back to school, but this time, at the Philippine Dominican Center of Institutional Studies in Santo Domingo in Quezon City. In 2000,

Fr. Jun graduated with a degree in AB Philosophy.

He obtained his degree in Bachelor in Sacred Theology in 2003, his Bachelor in Canon Law degree in 2006, and his Licentiate in Canon Law degree in 2007. He took these degrees at the University of Santo Tomas.

In his capacity as Secretary General , he assumes the role of the Executive Editor of the Academia, the international bulletin of the University. Its December 2009 release is the maiden issue under his editorship. He has also been assigned as editor-in-chief of the Boletin Ecclesiastico de Filipinas, the inter-diocesan journal of the University that has a national readership.

As Secretary General, he looks at his new responsibility as “another opportunity to exercise his ministry in the Thomasian Community”. It is a way of giving back to the University what he has received in his formation years.

With merely three years away from the UST Quadricentennial, the new Secretary General is optimistic that the University shall continue in its committment to be a beacon of truth, and a channel of God’s unending grace to the Church and to the world.

Fr. Florentino Bolo, Jr., O.P.


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The College of Commerce and Business Administration celebrated its 76th Foundation Anniversary last September 22-26. Its Theme for this year’s celebration was SHINE:

Strengthening Hope, Inspiring Economy of Communion/Sharing. This was a continuation of last year’s Diamond Anniversary theme SPARKLE: Sparking Love and Excellence in Business Education.

Guest Speaker for the College General Convocation was Prof. Sonny Coloma, Ph.D., of the new Humanity Movement of the Focolare Movement founded by Dr. Chiara Lubich.

CCBA holds General Convocation

Martin presents paper on public administration

The University of Santo Tomas was represented by Dr. Edwin S. Martin of the Faculty of Arts and Letters at the Eastern Regional Organization for Public Administration (EROPA)

General Assembly and Annual Conference held from October 19 to 23 in Seoul and Gwacheon Cities, South Korea. The theme of this year’s conference was “Public Governance in Challenging Economic Times: Human Resource Development at the Battlefront.” The five-day conference was hosted by the Central Officials Training Institute (COTI) of the Korean government.

EROPA is an organization of states, groups, and individuals in the general area of Asia and the Pacific established in 1960 with the primary goal of responding to a common desire among developing countries to promote regional cooperation while sharing knowledge, and improving the system and practices of government administration to help accelerate economic and social development.

Meanwhile, on November 1 to 4, Martin once again presented the paper “Corporate Citizenship: Participative Governance Experience in Philippine Public Administration” in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Institute of Public Administration (IPA) of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Martin was the only Filipino among the more than 300 conference participants.

His paper was one of the 120 papers chosen from among 310 research papers from more than 50 countries that were submitted to the organizing committee. The IPA Conference was strongly supported by the King of Saudi Arabia, King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz who was one of its keynote speakers. Other key speakers were world renowned public administration gurus Tom Peters and David Osborne.

Martin is a Lecturer at the Faculty of Arts and Letters, teaching Public Administration subjects to Political Science and Legal Management students. Concurrently, he is Chief of Public Affairs at the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, a government think-tank attached to the National Economic and Development Authority.

Martin

Dr. Coloma (center) with Regent Rev. Fr. Joseto N. Bernadas, O.P. (left) and Dean Cabrera


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As part of the College of Rehabilitation Sciences’ contribution to community development, Georgina Mojica, practicing speech pathologist and consultant for the BS Speech-Language Pathology Program, of the College of Rehabilitation Sciences (CRS) delivered a lecture on “Communicating with the Elderly Aphasic Patient” during the

National Conference on Aging held at the Balyuan Convention Center in Tacloban City from October 27 to 28.

The lecture focused on Aphasia and its impact on the communication skills of the person. Aphasia is a neurologically-based language disorder that is usually caused by stroke. It is a multi-modality disorder that usually affects the person’s auditory comprehension, verbal expression, reading and writing skills. Techniques and management strategies were extensively discussed by Mojica to help the elderly aphasic patients communicate with others.

The conference was organized by the University of the Philippines Manila-National Institutes of Health (NIH). It was attended by medical doctors, nurses and others working in community-based settings. The conference’ speakers were practitioners from the medical and allied medical field advocating wellness and quality of life of the elderly population.

April Joy Gascon and Sundee Arroco, clinical instructors of the UST College of Nursing, together with three former students, attended the 1st International Nursing Research

Conference of World Academy of Nursing Science in Kobe, Japan from September 19 to 20, where they also presented a study in the poster exhibit category.

Gascon presented the study titled “Pupil Nurse Club: The Impact of Elementary Students’ Involvement in the Health Information Transfer Program on the Contravention of School Nurses’ Stereotypes.” The same poster will also be exhibited in a conference to be held at Monmouth University, West Long Branch, New Jersey, USA.

Gascon of Nursing presents poster in Japan

Mojica of CRS delivers lecture on Aphasia

Representatives from the College of Nursing in Kobe, Japan


Assoc. Prof. Lino N. Baron, AB Faculty Secretary and Prof. Park Jung Hyun, faculty member of Arts and Letters, presented their papers

during the 2009 KAPA/APAF Annual Meeting. This year’s theme was “Developmental Strategies and Key Policy Agendas in Asia.” The conference was held at the Convention Center, University of Incheon, Songdo Campus, Incheon, Korea from October 22 to 24. It was hosted and organized by the Korean Association for Public Administration and the Asian Public Administration Forum.

Baron’s paper was in response to the Fifth Plenary Session’s theme “Political and Administration in the Philippines.” In his paper “2001-2010: An Assessment of the Nine-year Accomplishment of the Arroyo Administration,” Baron concluded that GMA has done well compared to her predecessors as far as the economy is concerned. “Her allies have come to her defense by pointing out that governance is not based on popularity but on a strong political will, and that GMA is doing what she thinks is best for the country regardless of public opinion.” He also noted that over-all, the Arroyo Administration

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slcBaron, Park of AB present paper

at University of Incheon, South Korea

Prof. Baron (seated second from the right) and Prof. Park (standing third from the left) pose with speakers and officials of the KAPA/APAF Forum.

Prof. Park (extreme left) and Prof. Baron (third from the right) answer questions from the audience.

Mindanao conflict extends from Philippine domestic to regional community in ASEAN. He suggested several solutions such as Multilateral talking with the ASEAN and Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC), prohibit military actions of US Army, build Davao Free Area for industrial development, and solidarity with ASEAN People Network for immediate support on health and education to solve the conflict. Based on his interview with an MILF militant, Prof. Park suggested that the Philippine government should recognize the Mindanao conflict as an initial step for an integrated Asian community and suspend joint military action of government and the U.S. military immediately.

The conference provided a timely opportunity for participants to explore a new research paradigm for public administration in Asia based on the region’s unique history and culture and to shape a new governance initiative in response to contemporary policy changes.

The KAPA is the largest professional association of public policy experts in South Korea while the APAF which is based in Seoul, serves as a gathering place for scholars, administrators, NGO activists, policy-maker in Asian countries, and acts as umbrella association for seventeen public administration forums for individual Asian members including the Philippines. LNB

has tried its best to bring the country afloat. “At present, we have a strong Peso, an indication that the economy, in spite of the politicians and destabilizers is finally taking off. We may yet to see the light at the end of the tunnel as far as the economic woes of the people are concerned,” Baron added.

On the other hand, Park’s paper “Mindanao Conflict: Gateway Toward Asian Community” discussed that the level of the


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Assoc. Prof. Gwenetha Ybanez Pusta, a faculty member of the Department of Communication and Media Studies, recently presented her dissertation at the 6th Asia Pacific

Regional Conference of the International Society for Third Sector Research held from November 1 to 4, at the Convention Hall of the Howard International House in Taipei, Taiwan.

The conference theme was “Changes, Challenges and New Opportunities for the Third Sector.” Pusta’s dissertation titled, “A Critical Exploration of Social Change Dynamics in Democratic Perspective: The Philippine Local Development Response to Globalization [1997-2006]” earned a reputable standing and acceptance among scholars as it aptly addressed the changes, challenges and new opportunities of globalization in Philippine experience.

The international conference brought together participants from the United States, Australia, China, Iran, Japan, Korea, Taiwan

Pusta of AB presents paperat 6th Asia Pacific Regional Conference

and the Philippines. Organized by The Center for the Third Sector (CTS) of National Cheng-Chi University as Taiwan’s first university-level research center responsible for and committed to research on the third sector. LNB

Attendees of the 6th ISTR Asia-Pacific Regional Conference

The students of Dr. Eduardo Ong’s Marketing Management class sponsored a symposium on “Effective Promotion in the Context of a Global

Recession” last September 5 at the Graduate School’s Tanghalang Teresita Quirino Hall (TTQ).

Mr. Ellizer Adrian P. Eleazar, a marketing consultant of Mang Inasal, discussed the driving force behind the success of Mang Inasal and the challenges that the company is facing at this time of financial turmoil.

Gail Patricia Gochangco, an alumna of the College of the Fine Arts and Design, surprised the audience when she was introduced working, not as an artist or designer, but as senior account manager of one of the biggest TV networks in the country- the GMA 7. Gochangco discussed that despite the financial crisis, the media remains a thriving industry.

Another speaker, Mr. Paul Lim So, a professor and businessman, discussed the success of advertisements and promotions in the midst of economic crisis.

Graduate School holds symposium on ‘Effective Promotion in the Context of a Global Recession’

Gochangco answers questions during symposium .


Janine Margarita Dizon and Reil Vinard Espino, faculty members from the College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Sports Science

Department, presented their research papers in “Be Active 09”, a conference held from October 14 to 17 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Center in Australia. Dizon and Espino’s research papers were titled “Making Filipino Taekwondo Athletes Internationally Competitive: An International Comparison of Anthropometric and Physiologic Characteristics” and “Developing World-Class Filipino Karate Do Athletes: An International Comparison of Anthropometric and Physiologic Qualities” respectively.

The conference was a fusion of three events: the 2009 Australian Conference of Science and Medicine in Sport, the Seventh National Physical Activity Conference, and the Sixth National Sports Injury Prevention

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CRS faculty members present papers in Australia

Conference. A comprehensive scientific forum, the participants tackled various facets of the field, specifically the elite sports performance, the community participation in physical activity and its impact on individual and public health. It also showcased latest developments in sports through keynote and invited presentations, symposia, free papers, posters, practical workshops and trade exhibition.

The event was attended by more than 1,000 sports science practitioners, exercise scientists, sports nutritionists, and advocates of physical activity across the world.

It brought together some of the finest speakers, such as Asst. Prof. Carolyn Emery of Kinesiology and Community Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary; Mark Fenton of the National Center for Bicycling and Walking, who is also teaching at the University of North Carolina’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center; Prof. Emeritus Thomas McKenzie of Exercise and Nutritional Sciences, San Diego State University, USA; Dr. Lyle Micheli, Director of the Division of Sports Medicine at the Children’s Hospital in Boston, who is at the same time a Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; Dr. Lorimer Moseley, a Senior Research

Fellow at the Prince of Wales Medical Research Institute, Sydney, Australia; and Prof. Willem van Mechelen, Head Department of Public and Occupational Health, Co-director EMGO Institute, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam.

The conference also provided an opportunity for other participants to present their work in areas of research, practice or policy in the fields of sports medicine, sports science, physical activity promotion and injury prevention. MLV

Faculty members of the College of Rehabilitation Sciences at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Center in Australia

Espino


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Danny Balance, faculty member of the UST High School (USTHS), presented “Organizational Patterns among Introductions of Student Essays Written in Philippine

English, Indian English, and New Zealand English”, at the 15th Conference of the International Association for World Englishes (IAWE) from October 22 to 24.

The theme of the conference, “Connecting Cultures through World Englishes: Convergence and Diversity in Language, Literature and Pedagogy”, captured the notion of pluralism, as embodied in the three areas of World Englishes, language, literature, and pedagogy. The conference was held in Cebu Parklane International Hotel, Cebu City. Speakers and participants came from different parts of the world representing diverse cultural backgrounds.

Balance of USTHS presents paper at 15th IAWE Conference

Balance

The 7th Council of Hotel, Restaurant and Institutions in Education Asia Pacific Federation (APacCHRIE) conference was held from May 28 to 31 at the University of Nevada

Las Vegas, Singapore Campus, with the theme “Reflecting the Present, Embracing the Future.”

The event was led by Dean Andy Nazarechuk. He was assisted by a group of UNLV hospitality and tourism student leaders. The event featured academic and industry panel discussions, more than a hundred paper reviewed presentations, socials, and tours.

Among the participants were the faculty members of the

CTHM faculty joins 7th APacCHRIE conference in Singapore

UST College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, namely, Atty. Giezzez Granado, CTHM Secretary; Dr. Melinda Torres, HRM Chair and Assoc. Prof. Evangeline Timbang, President of the CTHM Faculty Club. Moreover, Timbang presented a working paper titled “The Gastronomic Wellness of the 7,107 Islands: From Jumping River Shrimps to Whistling Purple Rice.” She was elected as the new Director for Public Relations of APacCHRIE.

The conference concluded with the presentation of the new APacCHRIE officers for 2009-2010 headed by Dr. J.S. Perry Hobson, Director of the International Center of Excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Education (THE-ICE), Australia, as the new president. The APacCHRIE board announced that the University of Santo Tomas will host the 2012 conference.


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As part of the professional development and external affairs programs for counselors, the guidance counselors of UST attended various seminars in the field of counseling and

psychology, while its director, Dr. Lucila O. Bance, presented a paper on wellness indices of adolescents.

Bance, together with Sheila Marie G. Jocson and Regina D. Atinaja presented their respective papers during the 9th Annual Convention of the Guidance Counselors’ Circle (GCC), held in cooperation with the Asian Psychological Services & Assessment Corporation (APSA) and the Association of Psychological & Educational Counselors of Asia-Pacific (APECA) from October 12 to 14 at the De La Salle- College of St. Benilde, Taft Ave., Manila.

She presented her paper “Multidimensional Wellness Indices of Adolescents: The UST Experience”. Meanwhile, Atinaja discussed her paper titled “A Cognitive-Behavior Modification Program for Pupils with Disruptive Behavior Problems: An Experimental Study”.

Leny Gadiana, Neriza A. Valdellon, Hocson, and Catherine S. Pascasio, represented the Guidance & Counseling Center for Career Association of the Philippines’ (CDAP) 21st Career Counseling & Guidance Fair, on September 17 and 18, at the SMX SM Mall of Asia. The seminar was designed to give parents and guidance counselors, direction on how to approach their children and students respectively, concerning the course, college and career which the latter may choose.

In a related seminar, Stephanie C. Cruz attended CDAP-sponsored “Career Counselor at the Center Stage of the Global Market” talk. The event tackled ways to motivate clients on assuming accountability for making career choices and seeking vocational assistance whenever necessary.

On September 19, Atinaja, Irish Michelle R. Movido, Catherine S. Pascasio and Imelda Celestina L. Monsale attended the seminar “A Family’s Journey: From Embarrassment to Acceptance,” sponsored by the Psychiatry Department of Neurosciences of the Makati Medical Center.

Monica Sophia L. De Leon attended a forum on “AP-NGO Beijing +15 Weaving Wisdom, Confronting Crises” from October 22 to 24. Meanwhile, Lynmarie Therese Cabaron participated in the International Dance Therapy Conference using dance as a mode of therapy. Hocson, on her part shared her opus “The Effects of E-Counseling & Group Counseling as Tools on the Stress Reduction of Sophomore Liberal Arts Students: A Comparative Study.” The conference which had the theme “On Becoming a 21st Century School Counselor” focused on the current trends & practices in the field of Guidance & Counseling, which culminated in adapting the American School Counselor Association’s National Model for Comprehensive School Counseling in the Philippines.

Bance presents paper on wellness indices of adolescents

Assistant Prof. Evangeline E. Timbang of the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management attended the 34th Semi-Annual Conference of the Korean Academic Society of Tourism

Management (KASTM) at the Dongguk University, Seoul, South Korea on October 31. The conference theme was “Green Tourism and its Development in Asia”. The event was spearheaded by KASTM president Dr. Dong-Hyun Ha of Dongguk University and KASTM Secretary General Dr. Young Kim of Keimyung University.

Timbang is currently Public Relations Officer of the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Educators of the Philippines (COHREP) and the Director for Public Relations of the Council of Hotel, Restaurant & Institution in Education, Asia Pacific Federation (APacCHRIE).

Timbang of CTHM attends KASTM conference in South Korea

Timbang (extreme right) with Korean participants.


faculty update

Faculty member and former dean of the College of Rehabilitation Sciences (CRS) Consuelo G. Suarez, MD, graduated from the University of South Australia with a

doctoral degree in Health Science on August 5 at Adelaide, South Australia, after defending her dissertation titled “Childhood Obesity in San Juan Metro Manila: Its Prevalence, Causes and Treatment.”

Funded by the National Institute of Health - Pfizer Health Research Fellowship Program, Dr. Suarez’ paper consisted of four main studies: the first part focused on systematic reviews of the “Prevalence of Overweight & Obesity in Southeast Asia”

Suarez obtains PhD in Health Science from University of South Australia

and the “Effectiveness of School-based Intervention programs to reduce overweight & obesity for children.” The second part focused on “Pilot studies to modify and translate the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children” and “Food Frequency Questionnaire.” The third part tackled “Epidemiological Study on the putative factors associated with childhood overweight and obesity,” while the last part on “Experimental study on the effectiveness of school based intervention program in the management and treatment of childhood obesity.”

As part of her continuing advocacy to promote health and wellness, Dr. Suarez also launched the HOPE (Hit Obesity through Preventive Education) program in the Grade School Department of the College of Education of the UST.

To date, three of her papers have been accepted and published in peer reviewed journals namely: “Testing psychometric properties of a Filipino modified Physical activity Questionnaire for older children in the Philippines” (Santo Tomas Journal of Medicine, April 2008); “Physical Activity Pattern of Prepubescent Filipino School Children During School Days” (Journal of School Health, July 2009); “School-Based Interventions on Childhood Obesity: A Meta-Analysis” (accepted for publication in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, November 2009).

The strong link between UST and the University of South Australia has been in existence since 2001 when the first masters’ program for physical therapy was launched through the efforts of Suarez who was then dean of CRS.

Many academic and research activities have stemmed from this linkage, namely: offering of yearly post graduate courses in Evidence Base Practice in the Paramedical Profession and Clinical Guideline making; providing educational visits of the faculty of the College of Rehabilitation Science in UniSA to observe classroom teaching; providing research fellowship to faculty members of the College of Rehabilitation Science to improve research capacity; supporting the Center for Research on Movement Science in order to become an Evidence Translation Group of the Joanna Briggs Institute of the University of Adelaide and Royal Adelaide Hospital; offering of the President’s scholarship to faculty members of the College of Rehabilitation Sciences, whose beneficiaries were Assoc. Prof. Janine Margarita Dizon and Assoc. Prof. Valentin Dones III.Suarez at the the University of of South Australia


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com dev

The College of Tourism and Hospitality Management Community Development headed by Mr. Arnold Distor, OCD Coordinator, has continuously extended support to

its partner communities, namely, Sitio Buok, Bamban, Tarlac and Sitio Camarin, Novaliches, Quezon City.

Sitio Buok Programs

On October 4, a one-day seminar, a Guitar Making Project was presented through Mr. Jonathan Cosme, a pure Aeta, also known as Kuya Jonathan. He presented a variation of a native guitar much like a kudyapi. This native musical instrument is different from other guitars because it is made up of a solid sun-dried wood. Unlike typical guitars sold in the market, this variation has only four strings and has no soundhole. The guitar-making project was sponsored by the senior class of tourism students, section 4T2 and their adviser Mr. Jojo Villanueva. This coincided with the plan to construct the Aeta mini-museum in the place.

For Sitio Buok, the community and CTHM signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to foster and strengthen the relationship between the two parties as partners in developing the lives of people in the community. The signing of MOA was held at Sitio Buok on October 11 which was witnessed by UST’s Fr. Ed Karaan, Faculty Association of Tourism and Hospitality Management (FATHOM) president, CTHM faculty members, NSTP facilitators, and CTHM students. The community of Sitio Buok was represented by its chieftain, Mrs. Laila Sanchez. Also present were Barangay Captain Vilma Victoria and other community leaders.

On the same day, another livelihood program was conducted for the residents of Sitio Buok sponsored by the Hotel and Restaurant Management Society students with their advisers Asst. Prof. Remedios Abuton and Chef Guia Angkaw in coordination with the OCD. The program centered on food

preservation, particularly focusing on Banana Chips Making. The one-day seminar included topics on sanitation, discussions on food preservation and food packaging. Since Sitio Buok has a surplus of banana, the program committee deemed it profitable to turn the crops unsold in the market into cash by preserving them into banana chips.

Also, the newly constructed water system was blessed and inaugurated during the said occasion. The water system project was initiated by Mr. Timothy Sanchez, the former CTHM-CD Coordinator. It would provide the residents in Sitio Buok with potable water. The people were very thankful because it would solve their problems in health where most of the children have suffered from diarrhea and other digestive diseases. The community leaders proposed for a small amount of money that would be collected from the people in the community and a different amount of money will be collected from the nearby communities who want to be supplied with the potable water. The collected amount will be used for the maintenance of the water system. Fr. Ed Karaan presided the blessing of the water system.

On October 25, a project which aimed at enlightening the Aetas of Sitio Buok about their rights as members of the indigenous group was conducted through the sponsorship of the CTHM-CD and FATHOM. Atty. Angelo de Alban gave a short talk on Indigenous Peoples Republic Act or IPRA of 1997. He made mention about the rights of being indigenous or belonging to the minority group of society. People were so interested to know their rights as members of the society as evident from the questions they raised after the talk. A follow-up session was requested by the attendees with whom the CD has agreed to and would also invite the whole Bamban cluster. After the talk, Atty. De Alban accommodated those who asked for legal advice.

Sitio Camarin

On August 20, as part the celebration of the CTHM Week, the blessing of the newly constructed street pathwalk in Sitio Camarin which was spearheaded by CTHM-CD was conducted. The ceremony was presided over by Fr. Romulo V. Rodriguez, OP, JCD, CTHM Regent, and was attended by CTHM faculty members, HRMS students, and the people of Smokey Mountain. The atmosphere was festive as manifested by the joyous residents after their long wait for a concrete street pathwalk for many children and senior citizens was eventually actualized.

As an added feature the FATHOM, headed by Asst. Prof. Evangeline Timbang, had its feeding program, a first of a series, for the children who were initially diagnosed as malnourished during the preliminary health status screening held on June 2009.

CTHM continues community advocacy

Atty. de Alban explains to locals about their rights as indigenous people.


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CTHM Partner Communities

A total of 120 participants attended in the Non-formal Education (NFE) seminar for the marginalized members of the College’s partner communities. The five-day seminar which began on October 26 and ended on October 30, consisted of 13 seminars. The NFE seminar was organized was organized and funded by the CTHM-CD.

The NFE’s objective was to provide the participants with the knowledge of the concepts, and to also develop their skills in relation to hotel and restaurant industry. In addition to this, there were livelihood programs that were included which were appropriate to the skills and needs of the people in the communities. Among the topics discussed were Cooking which was facilitated by Chef Angkaw, Baking by Chef Sangalang, Computer Literacy by Engineer Eric Navarro, Housekeeping by

Asst. Prof. Abuton, Bartending and Skirting by Asst. Prof. Elizabeth Guevarra, Soap Making by Ms. Raquel Layco, and Customer Service by Mr. Timothy Sanchez.

Other than the services of the CTHM chefs and professors who taught during the outreach activity, the CD also tapped the skills of a non-teaching personnel and four resource persons from the community.

From The Non-Teaching personnel and from Sitio Camarin, Mr. Randy Carrido facilitated the topic Customer Service, while Mr. Joey Lecaros talked on Upholstery. The other topics discussed where Reflexology, Jersey Making and Sewing, Candle Making, and Doormat Making. Some students also served as lecturers, facilitators and assistants during the duration of the program. The topics discussed were waitstaff training, and the second part of computer literacy.

Prof. Remedios Abuton teaches food preservation to local community members.

Chef Angkaw teaches participants on the rudiments of cooking.

The UST Guidance and Counseling Department organized debriefing and resiliency training sessions last October for Thomasian victims of killer floods spawned by Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.

Students who experienced severe economic loss and damage of properties due to Ondoy and Pepeng underwent debriefing in their respective faculties and colleges while the resiliency training session for faculty and support staff affected by the said typhoons was held last October 27 at the guidance center.

The first part of the training tackled the importance of resiliency in dealing with life-changing events while the second part focused debriefing and consoling survivors. The training was facilitated by guidance counselors Christine Quita, Leny Gadiana, Analene Atillo, Theresa Jane Bruno, Jocelyn Atanacio, Carmen Quesada and Ma. Regina Atinaja.

Last October 9, the UST Graduate School-Psychotrauma Clinic in collaboration with the UST Guidance and Counseling Center, conducted a whole-day CISD training session for para-professionals involved in relief operations at the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex. Guidance counselors from other schools, parish volunteers, police volunteers, and students participated in the said activity.

Atillo, Atinaja and Quesada represented the UST Guidance Team while the UST Graduate School-Psychotrauma contingent was composed of Lulu Medina, M.A. Fr. Gus Balanguit, M.A.,B.C.E.T.S., Edgie Gonzaga, M.D., and Leo Dela Cruz, Ph.D.

Guidance department spearheadsemotional rehabilitation of ‘Ondoy’, ‘Pepeng’ victims


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board topnotchers

Five of the top slots in the September 2009 Medical Technology Licensure Examination were garnered by Thomasians. According to the Board of Medical Technology of the Professional

Regulation Commission (PRC), UST registered a passing rate of 89 percent, way above the national passing rate of 56 percent. The Faculty of Pharmacy, led by its dean, Dr. Priscilla M. Torres, administrators, and faculty members tendered a testimonial dinner in honor of its board topnotchers at the UST AMV Building. The oath-taking ceremonies took place on October 18 at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel, Rizal Park, Manila.

Thomasian graduates dominate Medical Technology Board Examination

Alvin Rey F. Flores1st Place, 87.50 %

Patricia Bettina F. Villanueva

4th Place, 86.80 %

Florence Amor G. Lorenzo

7th Place, 85.50 %

Glenn Wilson Y. Ng8th Place, 85.40 %

Eldy Kristine D. Mationg

9th Place, 85.30 %


Two hundred seventy-three out of 311 Thomasian hopefuls passed the October 2009 CPA Licensure Examinations, posting an 88 percent combined achievement of first-time

and second-time takers. Meanwhile, an impressive 93 percent was attained by the first-timers, with six names representing the UST AMV College of Accountancy (UST-AMVCOA) in the top ten list.

The list of UST-AMVCOA was led by Francis Angel L. Reyes who placed 4th in the over-all ranking with 91 percent. Cris Leo M. Villanueva, on the other hand, placed 7th with 90.57 percent. Alissa Star R. Reyes, Gibson T. Tan, and Miken F. Padilla all followed with an 8th place finish with a 90.43 percent, while Jerlynne C. De la Cruz landed on the 9th spot with 90.29 percent.

UST AMV-COA shows excellence: 88%, six topnotchers

Asst. Prof. Minerva O. Cruz, Dean of the College, said that “the success of the October 2009 CPA Board examination is a collaboration of hardworking and well-focused students, the competent and dedicated faculty, administrators and academic officials, as well as the teachers’ effective implementation of Integrated Accounting Courses (IAC) plus UST-AMVCOA’s generous benefactors especially Mr. Alfredo M. Velayo.”

The UST-AMV College of Accountancy holds a Star Award from the Philippine Regulatory Commission, an award that is given every five years to a school which, for the last five years has demonstrated consistent outstanding performance in the board examinations. The College continues to live up to this recognition, together with the challenge of producing more topnotchers in the future.

board topnotchers

Alissa Star E. Reyes8th Place, 90.43 %

Miken F. Padilla8th Place, 90.43 %

Cris Leo M. Villanueva7th Place, 90.57 %

Francis Angel L. Reyes4th Place, 91.00 %

Gibson T. Tan8th Place, 90.43 %

Jerlynne C. Dela Cruz9th Place, 90.29 %


Jan Carlo M. Javier copped the 8th place in the Electronics and Communication Licensure Examination held last October. His rating was 87.7%. The UST passing rate was

73% against the national passing rate of 26%. In the 100 and above examinees category, UST is number 1.

Two Thomasians top Civil Engineering Licensure Examination

In the November 2009 Civil Engineer Licensure Examination, Mark Jayson L. Mambil placed second with a passing rate of 96.85%. UST obtained a passing rate of

83% while the national passing rate was 46%.

Meanwhile in the same licensure exam given in May 2009, another Thomasian, Edward Gapatan placed 6th. Gapatan is currently on a scholarship grant at the Kongju National University as a scholar taking Master in Civil Engineering specializing in Structural Engineering.

UST cops 8th place in ECE Licensure Examination

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board topnotchers

Jan Carlo M. Javier8th Place, 87.70 %

Mark Jayson L. Mambil2nd Place

(November 2009 Licensure Examination)

Edward Gapatan6th Place

(May 2009 Licensure Examination)


university visitors

Her Excellency, Amb. Kristie Kenny receives a token from UST Rector Rev. Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P. during her visit last September 25.

Rev. Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P. presents the La Naval coffee table book to Dr. Maria Isabel Monroy Castillo, President of El Colegio de San Luis in Mexico.

Rev. Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P. (center) and Fr. Angel Aparicio, O.P. (extreme right, standing), Prof. Giovanna V. Fontanilla and Dr. Pilar Romero (first and second from the left, standing) and Dr. Evelyn Songco (fourth from left, seated) with Thomasian media practitioners and friends during the press conference for the Quadricentennial Celebration of UST held at the Rector’s Hall last December 11.

Thomasian student leaders engage in a forum with Ambassodor Kristie Kenny.

2009 academia december issue

Documents