October 2014 •
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Editor in Chief FR. WINSTON F. CABADING, O.P.
Editor ASSOC. PROF. GIOVANNA V. FONTANILLA
Associate Editors ASSOC. PROF. IMELDA A. DAKIS, M.D.
ASST. PROF. VIRGINIA A. SEMBRANO
SENIOR WRITER MR. ALEXIS AILEX C. VILLAMOR, JR.
Staff Writer MR. JAMES CHRISTIAN S. BALLECER
LAYOUT ARTIST MR. KENNETT ROGER T. GARCIA
Circulation Managers MS. JHONA L. FREO
MS. BASILIA A. LANUZA
Photographers RED IMAGES
FOTOMASINO
COORDINATOR CORRESPONDENTS
Assoc. Prof. Ma. Fylene Uy-Gardiner Academic Affairs
Asst. Prof. Emelita Samala Accountancy
Mr. Steve Michael M. Moore, Jr. Admissions Office
Archt. Marlon Cariño Architecture
Asst. Prof. Ma. Zenia M. Rodriguez Arts and Letters
Assoc. Prof. Richard C. Pazcoguin Center for Campus Ministry
Assoc. Prof. Eric B. Zerrudo Center for the Conservation of Cultural Property and
Environment in the Tropics
Assoc. Prof. Ralph S. Galan Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies
Ms. Irene Tolentino-Nicolas Chief Justice Roberto Concepcion Legal Aid Clinic
Atty. Anicia Marquez Civil Law
Ms. Sharel S. Legaspi Commerce and Business Administration
C/CPT Alecxander S. Ibrado Department of Military Science and Tactics
Mr. Joel C. Sagut Ecclesiastical Faculties
Assoc. Prof. Joel L. Adamos Education
Ms. Mena Angela M. Oliveros Education High School
Ms. Mariflor Irish C. Ibay Educational Technology Center
Asst. Prof. Virginia A. Sembrano Engineering
Ms. Jaezamie V. Ong Fine Arts and Design
Dr. Alejandro S. Bernardo Graduate School
Ms. Carol Angeline P. Macawile Guidance and Counseling Office
Mr. Emmanuel M. Batulan High School
Ms. Rowena R. Castro Human Resource Department
Address all communications
to the Office of Public Affairs,
University of Santo Tomas
España Boulevard, Manila,
1015 Philippines
Asst. Prof. Allan A. Basas Institute of Religion
Assoc. Prof. Karen S. Santiago, Ph.D. Office of International Relations and Programs
Prof. Ma. Lourdes B. Coloma, M.D. Medicine and Surgery
Ms. Diana V. Padilla Miguel de Benavides Library
Asst. Prof. Eugene A. de los Santos Music
Prof. Elmer C. Hibek, Ph.D. Nursing
Ms. Melanie M. Maddatu Office of the Vice Rector
Ms. Michelle A. Desierto Pharmacy
Asst. Prof. Heddy M. Ragunton Physical Education and Athletics
Ms. Ma. Ailil Alvarez Publishing House
Engr. Nestor R. Ong Quality Management Office
Asst. Prof. Selenne Anne S. Leynes Rehabilitation Sciences
Assoc. Prof. Michael Jorge N. Peralta Research and Innovation
Prof. Edna C. Quinto, Ed.D. Research Cluster for the Natural and Applied Sciences
Ms. Arabella S. Mejorada Research Cluster on Culture, Education, and Social Issues
Mr. Rosauro L. Gervacio Santo Tomas e-Service Providers
Asst. Prof. Maria Juana P. Lacuata, Ph.D. Science
Ms. Rose Santos Student Affairs
Mr. Alvin Ringgo Reyes Tourism and Hospitality Management
Ms. Gena Myrtle Terre The Varsitarian
Ms. Ma. Zita Maita B. Oebanda UST Museum
Ms. Jasmin A. Victoria UST Simbahayan Community Development Office
For comments and suggestions, contact
us at (+632) 406.1611 local 8315
or (+632) 731.3544.
You may also send them via fax
at (+632) 740.9727`
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ABOUT THE COVER
The new image of Our Lady, which stands at the Faculty of Civil Law
lobby, is patterned after the grandiose historical image of the Our
Lady of the Rosary of La Naval. The statue is made of hardwood with
ivory covering the faces and hands of both the Mother and the Child.
While the Child Jesus is supported by her left hand, Our Lady holds a
scepter with the other hand. With a rosary held in her and the Child’s
hands, both figures don exquisite gold garments adorned with gold
embroideries. A magnificent crown, circumscribed by a bejeweled
golden aura and a larger halo of gold with sparkling jewels at the tips
of the 24 rays, rests on the Virgin’s head.
The University of Santo Tomas has been placed under the patronage
of the Blessed Virgin Mary from its very beginnings.
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• October 2014
contents
NEWS
UST observes Feast of St. Dominic
5
UST confers honorary degree
upon Metrobank founder
6
UST Hospital Eye Institute inaugurated 8
GMA News TV brings ‘Learniversity’
to UST
9
Academia braces for 45th year;
assembles writers in a meeting
10
ABS-CBN brings Citizen
Journalism Forum to UST
11
‘Umagang Kay Ganda’ airs live
from UST
12
UST hosts bar exam anew
13
Academia goes online at 45
13
UST takes part in city-wide
multi-disaster drill
14
RCNAS hosts Philippine Science HS
summer internship program
14
Salinggawi back in familiar
cheerdance territory
15
Graduate research head
feted for pioneering study
16
Thomasian researcher receives
TWAS Prize for Young Scientist
17
UST hosts first pain management
workshop in PH
17
‘V’ sports editor clinches top spot
in writing contest
18
Graduate students attend training
in China, Thailand
18
Thomasian doctors honored
for contributions in medical education 19
UST introduces first master’s
in OT program in the Philippines
19
AB students join Jenesys 2.0
20
CRS interns, faculty engage in 15-day
inter-professional education in Japan 20
Ranera selected as
music expert-participant in ASEAN forum 21
Architecture faculty, students immerse
in art, cultural course in Italy
21
Students take off to Spain for language,
culture courses
22
Architecture dean,
faculty elected to UAP
22
Financial Management program,
alumni receive global recognitions
23
UST Publishing House titles,
authors honored in literary tilts
24
Alquisola of CTHM takes home
two Palancas
24
EdTech Center wins 2014 Blackboard
Catalyst Award
25
Architecture dean aims to
validate degree program in UNESCO 25
Quintilla of Commerce bags
best paper award at
Singapore conference
26
Eng’g mentors enjoy off-shore
scholarship grants
26
Korean theological college president eyes
link with US Seminary, Sacred Theology 27
HRM students reap awards
in MAFBEX 2014
28
Science lays out plans with Japanese,
Taiwanese schools
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October 2014 •
Japanese, American educators share
expertise with CRS students
CRS-Seton Hall University
student exchange underway
UST CRS officials meet with AUT reps;
discuss potential Ph.D. offering
Science language department
trains postulates of congregation
Arki faculty pass
2014 Environmental Planners boards
Rehab Sciences drumbeats
40th anniversary
New faculty members undergo
‘Thomasian briefing’
UST Sports Science gives tests to
Gatorade-PBA Draft Combine 2014
4th Stock Exchange-Grad School
Certified Securities Specialist
course completed
UST bids farewell
to its first Filipino Rector
UST joins country in
National Disaster Consciousness Week
EdTech Caravan tours campus
Tangco receives service award
EHS ranks first in National
Achievement Test
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RESEARCH
Papa receives P5.2M-worth of research grant
to study Taal Lake
Arts and Letters leaves mark
in global arena
Diamante explores IT via hermeneutics
Maminta tops oral presentation
in int’l congress
CTHM faculty, students present papers
in international, local conferences
on tourism, hospitality, business
UST recognizes 38 faculty researchers
in Gold, Silver Series Awards
Cayubit discusses student perception
on psych testing in France
Thomasian educators discuss
language phenomena in the Philippines
at confab in Indonesia
Balid, Uy of CRS present papers
in OT world congress
Alfonso wins two awards in Indonesia;
Manalad presents paper in Poland
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contents
ALUMNI
LECTURES&CONFERENCES ARTS&CULTURE
Grad student participates in
Swiss ‘BioCamp’
History profs discuss paper
at historians meet;
De Viana links with Malaysian university
Arts and Letters students take part
in Harvard Asian conference
Center for Religious Studies holds lecture
on ‘end-of-life care’
Mara, Bolaños of Philo department speak
in Samar conference
Library heads attend eBook forum
in Malaysia
Bernardo of Grad School
delivers keynote lecture
on globalization and language
UST takes part in NCCA
Re-Tooling Seminars on
New CHEd Gen Ed Core Curriculum
Lopez of AB attends Taiwan summit,
Asian lit scholars’ conference
Education eyes more action research;
forms research committee
EHS celebrates 64th year;
holds memorial lecture
Literature prof presents poster in twin
conference in Malaysia
UST Simbahayan aims to help eradicate
persisting problems
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UST’s Baybayin documents
declared National Cultural Treasures
Off the Press
Epochal murals unveiled, blessed
UST Singers captures America
in ‘UST to USA’
Five Fil-Am writers share poetry
with Thomasians
Pusta’s book explores ‘mutations’
in communication
Calalang holds choral workshop
in US, China
Literary scholar examines use,
abuse of Filipino language
UST Library keeps updated at 409
Fine Arts faculty,
alumni hold Benavides II
New Spanish Amb graces
PH-Spain Week in UST
UNESCO, UST hold workshop on World
Heritage nomination
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COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
Architecture rebuilds chapel
in Nagcarlan, Laguna
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Graduate researchers hold hands-on lab
workshop for high school teachers
61
UST alumna bags top prize
for climate-adaptive, floating house
62
Food tech alumni win in national research
competition; Castro is PAN
Outstanding Student
63
UNIVERSITY VISITORS
Spanish Ambassador to the Philippines
Italian consul
USAID-STRIDE consultants
Former Chilean Ambassador to
the Philippines
Foreign physicians
Western Mindanao State
University administrators
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BOARD TOPNOTCHERS
Physical Therapist
Licensure Examination
Occupational Therapist
Licensure Examination
Physician Licensure Examination
Medical Technologist
Licensure Examination
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• October 2014
NEWS
UST observes Feast of St. Dominic
Rev. Fr. Timoner, O.P. (center) leads the Eucharistic Celebration for the feast of St. Dominic de Guzman together
with UST Rector Rev. Fr. Dagohoy, O.P. (extreme left) and UST Vice Rector Fr. Ang, O.P. (extreme right).
A
s the University of Santo Tomas
(UST) commemorated the feast
day of St. Dominic de Guzman
last August 8, a Eucharistic Celebration
was held in his honor on August 7, 9 a.m.,
at the UST Chapel.
Dominican Province of the
Philippines Prior Provincial and
University Vice Chancellor Very Rev.
Fr. Gerard Francisco P. Timoner III, O.P.
served as main celebrant and homilist
in the Mass concelebrated by the UST
Dominican Fathers.
In preparation for the Feast of St.
Dominic, the UST Campus Ministry held
a Triduum celebration from August 4 to 6
with the theme ‘St. Dominic and the Joy
of the Gospel.’
The three-day religious affair
opened with a Holy Mass led by
UST High School Regent Fr. Jannel
N. Abogado, O.P. as main celebrant.
Homilist was College of Tourism and
Hospitality Management Regent Fr.
Romulo V. Rodriguez, O.P., who focused
on the theme ‘A joy ever new, a joy that is
shared’ in his homily.
October 2014 •
On the second day, the theme
‘The delightful and comforting joy
of evangelizing’ was propagated by
UST Central Seminary Rector Rev. Fr.
Quirico T. Pedregosa, Jr., O.P. as main
celebrant and UST Graduate School
Regent Fr. José Antonio E. Aureada, O.P.
as homilist.
Prefect of Libraries Fr. Angel A.
Aparicio, O.P. served as main celebrant
on the third day with Faculty of Civil
Law Regent Fr. Isidro C. Abaño, O.P.,
as homilist. His homily centered on
the theme ‘The entire people of God
proclaims the Gospel.’
Rev. Fr. Timoner, O.P. and Rev. Fr. Dagohoy, O.P.
during the Communion
The Triduum Masses were
concelebrated by the Dominican Fathers
and attended by students, faculty
members, employees. and administrative
and academic officials. The Triduum
(Latin for “three days”) is a period of
prayer that typically precedes a feast day.
St. Dominic is the founder of the
Order of Preachers.
UST administrators, faculty members, students, support staff, and
the rest of the Thomasian community join the Holy Mass for the
Feast of St. Dominic de Guzman.
5
NEWS
UST confers honorary degree
upon Metrobank founder
T
he University of Santo Tomas (UST)
conferred a doctorate degree in
Humanities, honoris causa, to Dr.
George S. K. Ty, founder and group chairman
of the Metrobank Group of Companies at the
UST Medicine Auditorium last August 7.
UST Secretary General Fr. Cabading, O.P. acts as the
Master of Ceremonies.
Faculty of Arts and Letters Regent Fr. Bernadas, O.P. leads
the audience in prayer.
“You honor not only me but my parents,
my family, my associates, and everyone who
have contributed to my life and work,” Ty said
in his acceptance speech.
The honorary degree is given to
personalities who have made remarkable
achievements in their respective fields. He
joins the likes of former presidents Sergio
Osmena, Manuel Quezon, and Corazon
Aquino, as well as Jaime Cardinal Sin, Carlos
P. Romulo, and international icons like Gen.
Douglas McArthur, H.R.H Prince Juan Carlos
de Borbon, Duke of Gloucester Richard
Alexander Walter George, Senator Hsui Sheng
Fa, as honoris causa recipients. The last to have
been conferred the honorary degree was H.E.
Paul Josef Cardinal Cordes in 2009 (Doctor of
Sacred Theology).
“I stand before you humbled and grateful
for the honor you have bestowed upon me
today,” Ty said.
Ty, who studied at UST, was 30 years
old when he established Metrobank in 1962,
fulfilling his dream of putting up a bank that
would not only generate money but also give
money away in the spirit of philanthropy.
With devoted operation and focus
on recruiting talented persons, Ty led
Metrobank and made it the strongest
financial conglomerate in less than 30 years,
allowing him to become true to his vision by
establishing the Metrobank Foundation in
1979. It became the primary vehicle for the
corporate social responsibility initiatives of
the Metrobank Group.
“When you have enough especially what
you need and things like that, there is a lot of
good opportunity in the Philippines for you
to do charitable work. You can help a lot of
people,” Ty shared.
Ty’s commitment to recognize and
nurture outstanding public servants gave rise
to the Foundation’s recognition programs:
The Search for Outstanding Teachers, the
Metrobank Art & Design Excellence for
talented Filipino artists, The Outstanding
Philippine Soldiers, the Country’s Outstanding
Police Officers in Service, The Metrobank
Foundation Professional Chairs Program, and
the search for Journalists of the Year. All of
these have been hailed as hallmarks of Filipino
excellence.
“Beyond the thank you, which has
always been with me every time I see him,
I hope this can go on forever; he has put
the teacher in a higher pedestal because of
the recognition,” Dr. Milagros Ibe, 1987
Metrobank Outstanding Teacher, said.
Ty, through the Metrobank Foundation,
also acquired a controlling interest in the
Manila Doctor’s Hospital as a response
Faculty of Arts and Letters Dean Vasco, Ph.D. delivers the
Address of Petition.
UST administrative and academic officials together with Dr. George
S.K. Ty (4th from left, seated) during the conferment rites of his honorary
degree, Doctor of Humanities, at the UST Medicine Auditorium.
6
• October 2014
NEWS
to the need to secure the well being of the citizenry.He also made
significant contributions to nation-building, particularly to the economy,
by diversifying his business interests and entering the industries of
automobile manufacturing, real estate development, insurance, health
care, education, and power generation among others, employing over
19,000 Filipinos.
The ceremony was attended by Dominican Province of the
Philippine Prior Provincial Rev. Fr. Gerard Francisco P. Timoner III,
O.P., Vice Rector Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., Vice Rector for Academic
Affairs Prof. Clarita D. L. Carillo, Ph.D., and other administrative and
academic officials, faculty members, and students.
“I believe that as a successful financial institution, Metrobank has
the responsibility to contribute to build our country,” Ty said.
His passion for multi-sectoral service gave him the platform
for giving back to society through the programs of the Metrobank
Foundation, the GT-Metro Foundation, and the Toyota Motors Philippines
Foundation.
“By helping develop the key pillars and institutions of society, he
has shown to our fellow Filipinos that there is hope for a brighter future,”
Metrobank Foundation President Aniceto M. Sobrepeña said.
“We confer the honorary degree [on him] not only for his
achievements in the banking industry but for his works that embody
Thomasian values of commitment, competence and compassion,” UST
Rector Rev. Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, O.P.
UST Secretary General Fr. Winston F. Cabading, Faculty of Arts
and Letters Regent Fr. Joseto N. Bernadas, O.P., and Arts and Letters
Dean Prof. Michael Anthony C. Vasco, Ph.D. led the reading of the
diploma, invocation, and address of petition, respectively.
Rev. Fr. Timoner O.P. puts the UST medallion on Dr. Ty, assisted by Mrs. Ty.
October 2014 •
Dr. Ty delivers his Address of Acceptance.
UST Rector Rev. Fr. Dagohoy, O.P. beams as he presents to the Thomasian
community its new member Dr. Ty.
Rev. Fr . Dagohoy, O.P. puts on the cap on Dr. Ty, assisted by Mrs. Ty and Dr. Carillo.
7
After the Conferment Rites, Dr. Ty, now a Thomasian, shares his UST Diploma with the audience.
NEWS
Rev. Fr. Dagohoy, O.P. (extreme left) leads the blessing of the facilities of the newly established
Eye Institute at the UST Hospital together with Fr. Aparicio, O.P. (4th from left), Dr. Javate (extreme
right), hospital administrators and support staff.
Rev. Fr. Dagohoy, O.P. officially announces the establishment
of the USTH Eye Institute.
UST Hospital Eye Institute inaugurated
U
ST Rector Rev. Fr. Herminio V.
Dagohoy, O.P. led the blessing
rites and inauguration of the newly
established UST Hospital (USTH) Eye
Institute in a celebration coinciding with
the opening of the Sight Saving Month last
August 15 at the USTH Benavides Cancer
Institute Auditorium.
The elevation of the USTH Eye Center
to the USTH Eye Institute—a collaborative
effort of Department of Ophthalmology
Chair Dr. Reynaldo M. Javate, Eye Center
Unit Head Dr. Jesus Eusebio, Jr., faculty,
and staff—places the University hospital
at the forefront of patient care, training,
and research through its state-of-the-art
facilities.
Through the Eye Institute, the USTH
will be able to provide better patient care
programs and develop an expertise marked
by advancement and innovation.
By definition, an eye institute is a
well-established organization bound by
shared vision, objectives, and commitment
to patient care, research, education—
which includes residency training and
fellowship—and community outreach. An
eye center, meanwhile, is a place where
diagnostic eye examinations and surgeries
are performed.
8
Among the attendees of the
opening were Director for Finance and
Administration Ms. Isidora Lee; Faculty
of Medicine and Surgery Regent Fr. Angel
Aparicio, O.P.; Grants and Endowments
Director Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P.;
Pastoral Care Services Director Fr. Arturo
Pestin, O.P. Medicine Assistant Dean
Dr. Ma. Lourdes Domingo-Maglinao;
Office of Public Affairs Director Assoc.
Prof. Giovanna Fontanilla; Department of
Medical Education and Research Chair Dr.
Marcellus Francis Ramirez.
Also present in the event were the
former chairs of the USTH Department of
Ophthalmology, namely: Dr. Cosme Naval,
Dr. Jose Oconer, Dr. Jacinto Bautista, and
Dr. Jose Duran.
Dr. Javate delivers his welcome remarks during the inauguration of
the USTH Eye Institute.
The USTH Eye Institute has for
its roots the USTH Department of
Ophthalmology incepted in 1905 under the
leadership of Dr. Severino Alberto. In 1949,
the small unit launched and implemented
its own residency program through Dr.
Constantino Manahan.
In 1997, the USTH Eye Center, the
immediate predecessor of the Eye Institute,
was created under the auspices of Oconer.
(From left, 2nd row) Rev. Fr. Dagohoy, O.P., Dr. Javate, Fr. De la Rosa,
O.P., and Ms. Lee joyfully join the USTH administrators during the
program for the inauguration of the USTH Eye Institute.
• October 2014
GMA News TV brings ‘Learniversity’ to UST
O
n August 14, 2014 local news
channel, GMA News TV, hosted
“Learniversity” at the Medicine
Auditorium of the University of Santo
Tomas. The event was composed of
various activities designed to help college
students prepare for the ‘real world’ after
they graduate from the university through
career talks and learning exhibits.
Celebrity hosts of the GMA Learniversity acknowledge the UST officials,
participants, and event sponsors for their admirable support to GMA
News TV.
Industry experts were invited to
impart their seasoned knowledge relative to
their experiences in their field of expertise.
The speakers were: Cakes and Pastry Chef
Jackie Ang-Po of Fleur de Lys, Food-stylist
Sharlene Tan, PLDT Senior Manager for
Product Development Jet Herna; CelebrityEntrepreneur Bettina Carlos of Baked
Bites, Businessman Adrian Dimacali of
Mary Grace Café, and GMA News Anchor
Pia Arcangel.
The highlight of the event was the
seminar-workshop dubbed as ‘Career Day
Talks’ hosted by GMA Celebrities Valerie
Tan, Mikael Daez, and Tonipet Gaba.
Bettina Carlos listens with amusement to the question raised by a
Thomasian student.
The seminar-workshop was divided
into four sessions dealing with four different
topics namely, Hotel and Restaurant
Management, Information Technology,
Business, and Broadcasting. Thomasian
students from different faculties and
colleges such as, the College of Tourism
NEWS
and Hospitality Management, Faculty of
Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Letters,
and College of Commerce and Business
Administration, were invited to participate in
the session aligned to their field.
At the latter part of the program, Job
Interview 101 was conducted by GNTV
Life Coach Ali Gui, who shared how to ace
a job interview and the proper etiquette to be
observed during job interviews.
The GMA News team also set-up Industry
Info Booths at the lobby of the Tan Yan Kee
Student Center, where fun and interesting
exhibits about specific fields or industries
were showcased, offering games and prizes to
Thomasian students.
The one-day big event served as an
avenue for GMA network’s advocacy, in
keeping with its corporate brand, “Serbisyong
Totoo,” by rendering service and committing to
the country and to the community.
‘Learniversity’ visits other universities
all-over Metro Manila, and this was the
first time that the Thomasian community
experienced this one of a kind event. The Office
of Public Affairs together with the Office for
Student Affairs coordinated the holding of the
event in UST with Mr. Francis H. Tagubuan,
GMA Events Management project manager.
Pia Arcangel
delightfully answers
the query post to her.
October 2014 •
9
NEWS
Academia braces for 45th year;
assembles writers in a meeting
The UST Academia coordinator-correspondents from the different faculties, colleges, and departments with
Assoc. Prof. Fontanilla (center) convene at the Civil Law Auditorium.
W
ith the aim to further enhance
the Academia on its 45th
founding anniversary in
December, the University of Santo Tomas
(UST) Office of Public Affairs convened
its 45 coordinator-correspondents last
June 26 at the Civil Law Auditorium.
Reminding the attendees of the
roots and nature of the Academia,
UST’s official international bulletin, as
published in its maiden issue in 1969,
Public Affairs Director Assoc. Prof.
Giovanna V. Fontanilla encouraged
them to come up with stories that have
an impact on the academe.
Fontanilla said that writers have
to contribute news and articles related
to University events, activities, and
achievements that are of national or
international importance and those that
highlight UST’s mission in instruction,
research, and community service.
The Public Affairs Director also
mentioned plans and positive changes
for the quarterly publication.
Meanwhile, Assistant to the
Director for Publication Asst. Prof.
Virginia A. Sembrano presented
general guidelines in writing news and
10
feature stories and how they will fit the
requirements of the Academia.
To foster consistency of written
stories published in the Academia, Mr.
Alexis Ailex C. Villamor, Jr., Public
Affairs senior writer, presented a Style
Guide for Academic Year 2014-2015.
The Academia Style Guide will
help provide a pattern in writing articles
by giving basic instructions, examples,
and information on formatting specially
fashioned for UST. Correspondents were
sent a digital copy of the Style Guide.
Mr. James Christian S. Ballecer,
staff writer, discussed the required
standard and quality of images to be
accepted for publication and explained
the procedure in submitting contributions
via the official Academia e-mail.
Assoc. Prof. Fontanilla with Asst. Prof. Sembrano acknowledges the
unwavering support of the coordinator-correspondents in sending
publishable materials for the Academia.
Following the presentations was an
open forum that saw exchanges of ideas
through suggestions, clarifications, and
queries from the correspondents.
The coordinator-correspondents
are appointed by their respective
academic and administrative heads to
serve as newshounds of the various
campus activities.
Ballecer presents the guidelines for
the online submission of articles.
Villamor gives a glimpse of the
Academia Style Guide, which
serves as a reference material for
the coordinator-correspondents.
• October 2014
NEWS
ABS-CBN brings Citizen Journalism Forum to UST
Castañeda acts as the Master of Ceremonies during
the event.
B
Castro shares his personal experiences as news reporter to
the audience.
Paraan encourages the audience to take part in the ‘Bayan
Mo I-Patrol Mo’ advocacy of ABS-CBN.
ringing the news to the people has
evolved, indeed. There was a time
when the news was brought to the
public through the newspaper, television
and radio – these are now called ‘traditional
media’. With technology giving birth to high
tech gadgets such as hybrid phones which can
take pictures, and record data and information,
the masses have now participated in the news
generation function of the media. Called ‘selfie
balita’ and ‘Bida patrollers’, ABS-CBN news
programs have changed the perspective of
news reporting. Ordinary citizens now send
photos or videos of occurrences or community
problems that they themselves report through
citizen journalism.
Through ABS-CBN’s advocacy project
‘Bayan Mo I-Patrol Mo’ (BMPM), UST
students were given an orientation seminar
titled ‘Citizen Journalism Forum: Bagong
Pagpapatrol’. Held on July 23, 2014 at
the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex
Auditorium, around 200 students from the
Faculty of Arts and Letters, College of Tourism
October 2014 •
Varona discusses the role of technology in media.
Castro interviews a Thomasian student about the video clip.
and Hospitality Management, and College
of Education together with student leaders,
listened to personalities from ABS-CBN which
included broadcast journalists Jing Castañeda
and Doland Castro, BMPM head Ms. Rowena
Paraan, and Change.org Philippines Director
Inday Varona. Assoc. Prof. Giovanna V.
Fontanilla, director of the Office of Public
Affairs of UST, in her Welcome Remarks,
thanked ABS-CBN for bringing the forum
to UST, and acknowledged that media is an
instrument for social transformation.
Castañeda, who also acted as Master of
Ceremonies, shared how citizen journalism
became part of news programming. Tracing
its beginnings from the TV program ‘Hoy
Gising!’ anchored by broadcast journalists
Korina Sanchez and Ted Failon, aired from
1992 to 2001, the program showed community
problems that needed action from government
and other sectors, and also the solution to them.
Castro, a senior reporter of ABS-CBN
and a graduate of the Faculty of Arts and
Letters, talked about his experiences as
reporter including a brush with death while
covering a beat of bank robbers who tried to
escape police officers by entering a house in a
crowded residential area. Unknowingly, in the
house where Castro was, the robbers were in
hiding and hurled a grenade to scare the police
away. Unfortunately, Castro was hit by the
shrapnel in the leg and belt.
ABS-CBN also awarded ten Bida
Patrollers who have sent the news station with
videos that have moved the public most.
In between lectures, Video Tape
Recordings (VTR) on Yolanda, and other
BMPM activities were shown. The VTRs
strengthened the UST students’ understanding
of the BMPM as an advocacy. To heighten the
students’ sense of involvement and flavor the
afternoon’s event with fun, the audience was
taught the BMPM chant. The forum was aired
on TV Patrol and Bandila on the same day.
11
NEWS
‘Umagang Kay Ganda’ airs live from UST
Facilities Management Office Director Fr. Roberto N. Pinto, O.P. (in white habit) and Office of Public Affairs (OPA) Director Assoc. Prof. Giovanna V. Fontanilla
(center) with the OPA team meet the cast and crew of the ‘Umagang Kay Ganda’ with Mr. Jaime Bolok (8th from right) and Ms. Carmina Reyes (4th from right).
Meanwhile, Thomasians Winnie
Cordero who graduated from the Faculty
of Arts and Letters and College of Science
graduate Alex Calleja, took a trip down
memory lane by donning their student
uniforms as they reminisced their AB
and Science student days. Ariel Ureta also
shared how the campus looked like when he
was yet an Architecture student. Cordero
also featured new facilities in campus.
Homegrown talents of the University
such as the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe,
Yellow Jackets, Pharmacy Glee Club, and
UST Band from the Conservatory of Music,
showcased their talents and performed
he morning show, Umagang Kay Ganda (UKG), during the pre-commercial gaps.
aired by local television channel ABS-CBN
featured the opening of classes at the University
Selected students from the College
of Santo Tomas, one of the few universities that opted of Tourism and Hospitality Management
to start the academic year 2014-2015 later than the June
opening of most schools. The UST episode was aired
on live telecast on July 7, 2014.
‘Umagang Kay Ganda’ hosts (from left) Winnie
Cordero, Ariel Ureta and Bernadette Sembrano play
with enthusiasm in the interactive fountain at the
Quadricentenial Park after their segment.
T
ABS-CBN aired the entire show from 5:30
until 8:00 in the morning featuring various locations
in campus such as the Plaza Mayor, CTHM Food
Laboratory, the AB premises, the Quadricentennial
Square, and the garden at the back of the Benavides
building; and Thomasian activities such as the
Welcome Walk for freshmen, a cooking class in
CTHM, and cheerdance routine by the Salinggawi
dance troupe. Metro Manila Development Authority
chair Atty. Francis Tolentino was interviewed in
campus by Jorge Cariño. Also, Executive Assistant
to the UST Secretary General Assoc. Prof. Imelda
A. Dakis, M.D. was interviewed by Winnie Cordero
regarding the change in the academic calendar.
12
served a sumptuous meal enjoyed by program
hosts Bernadette Sembrano, Anthony
Taberna, Ariel Ureta, Winnie Cordero, and
Jorge Cariño.
The program hosts also acknowledged
the significant role that the University
continuous to play in Philippine history, and
commended it for continuously maintaining
the title of being the oldest and largest
Catholic university in Asia.
This was the second time that UKG
made a full-blown set up and held live telecast
at the campus of the University – the first was
a segment for the UST Quadricentennial
featuring Thomasian talents such as the
Yellow Jackets, Salinggawi Dance Troupe,
and the winners in the UST cheerdance
competition.
The UST team, headed by Fr. Pinto, O.P. (11th from left) and Assoc. Prof. Fontanilla (10th from left), celebrates
with the student leaders from Central Student Council, Student Organizations Coordinating Council, Central
COMELEC, and Becarios de Santo Tomas after the successful on-site airing of the ‘Umagang Kay Ganda’ during
the first day of classes for the A.Y. 2014-2015.
• October 2014
NEWS
T
UST hosts bar exam anew
he University of Santo Tomas (UST)
will remain the venue for the 2014 bar
examinations following the signing of a
memorandum of agreement between UST and
the Supreme Court last August 14.
The agreement, principally signed by
UST Rector Rev. Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy,
O.P. and the High Tribunal’s Clerk of Court
Enriqueta E. Vidal, was executed for the use
of campus facilities on all Sundays of October.
It was also signed by Acting Vice Rector
for Finance Fr. Roland M. Castro, O.P. and
Supreme Court Bar Confidant Ma. Cristina B.
Layusa.
Associate Justice Diosdado M. Peralta,
who graduated from the UST Faculty of Civil
Law in 1979, chairs this year’s examinations.
It will be the fourth consecutive year that
the University will serve as venue for the bar
examinations the first being in 2011.
Last year, more than 5,200 examinees
trooped to the UST campus for the exams.
UST Rector Rev. Fr. Dagohoy, O.P. (2nd from left)
signs the Memorandum of Agreement for the 2014
bar examination together with this year’s Bar Exam
Chair Assoc. Justice Peralta (3rd from left) at the
Rector’s Board Room. Present are (from left) Atty.
Layusa, Atty. Vidal, and Fr. Castro, O.P.
Academia goes online at
A
iming to reach out to more readers on its 45th year,
the Academia, the official international bulletin of the
University of Santo Tomas (UST), will soon have its online
version uploaded on UST’s official website.
Aside from the articles published in the Academia itself, other
related articles will also be uploaded online.
The Office of Public Affairs will collaborate with the Social
Media Bureau Director Fr. Louie R. Coronel, O.P. in the presentation
of the Academia online.
The Academia is a quarterly bulletin, published by Public
Affairs, with coordinator-correspondents from the different
departments and faculties and colleges serving as its newshounds.
Founded in 1969, the Academia will be celebrating its 45th
founding anniversary in December this year.
October 2014 •
13
NEWS
UST takes part in city-wide multi-disaster drill
A
s part of the continuing effort of
the University of Santo Tomas in
improving its disaster-preparedness
program, two sets of evacuation drills were
conducted on separate dates before the start
of the Academic Year 2014-2015.
On June 27, 2014, the University DisasterPreparedness Team, headed by Fr. Manuel F.
Roux, O.P., led a dry run participated in by
the members of the Thomasian community. It
also served as preparation for the 1st Manila
City-wide Multi-disaster Drill. The Office
of the Manila Mayor through the Manila
Disaster Risk Reduction and Management
Office (MDRRMO) initiated the Manilawide drill held on July 2, 2014.
The whole-day evacuation drill on July
2 was participated in by various schools and
establishments from all over the districts
of Manila. It was divided into two parts,
one in the morning, directed as a response
to earthquake and fire, and another in the
afternoon, in response to an earthquake and
tsunami scenario.
The 1st Manila City-wide Multidisaster Drill is part of the activity under
the government’s national disaster program,
which aimed to increase the awareness of
schools and communities in the City of Manila
about the impending disasters threatened to
occur unexpectedly.
14
Thomasian students move towards the Open Field during the fire and
earthquake drill conducted by the UST Crisis Management Commitee.
RCNAS hosts
Philippine Science HS
summer internship program
T
he UST Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences
accepted students and teachers from Philippine Science High
School to conduct research work from April 21 to May 16, 2014 at
the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex.
The high school students were provided opportunities to develop
science and technology research and laboratory skills and to interact
with experts in their fields.
As a result of the students’ “internship” in UST, the work of Marjorie
Gold D. Maningas, Je-anne Alodia Presado and Janella B. Umbina on
Polyaniline-based Fish Freshness Sensor using Smartphones using
Digital Imaging Colorimetry was accepted to the International Youth
Invention Contest held from August 7 to 9 in Seoul, South Korea. The
group carried out their work at the Chemical Sensors and Biosensor
Laboratory under the supervision of Dr. Fortunato Sevilla III .
The students were assisted by College of Science faculty members
and UST Graduate School researchers: Sevilla (sensors), Dr. Allan
Patrick Macabeo (natural products), Dr. Thomas Edison de la Cruz
(microbiology), Dr. Mary Beth Maningas (marine biology), and Dr.
Grecebio Alejandro and Dr. Rey Donne Papa (biology).
• October 2014
NEWS
Salinggawi
back in familiar cheerdance territory
Salinggawi executes a clean act that won
for them the first-runner up trophy in the
group stunts category.
Salinggawi wows the audience with its unique opening dance and formation sequence.
T
he UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe (SDT)
finally regained its position in the UAAP
Cheerdance Competition after landing
on third place last September 14 at the SmartAraneta Coliseum.
Its fast-paced, confidently executed, orientalthemed routine put SDT back on the podium.
With a score of 625 points, Salinggawi
placed behind perennial rival University of
the Philippines (UP) Pep Squad (second place,
658 points) and the rejuvenated back-to-back
champion National University Pep Squad (677
points).
The members of the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe rejoice over their return in the UAAP Cheerdance
Top 3.
October 2014 •
Salinggawi and UP, which both have eight
titles under their belts, are the winningest teams
in UAAP cheerdance history. SDT was the sole
group to have brought home the crown in five
straight years from 2002 to 2006.
15
NEWS
Graduate research head
feted for pioneering study
F
or his pioneering research work on
Plant Molecular Phylogenetics in the
Philippines and discovery of new
endemic species of Rubiaceae, Office for
Graduate Research Director Prof. Grecebio
Jonathan D. Alejandro, Ph.D. was named
2014 Outstanding Research and Development
Award for Basic Research by the Department
of Science and Technology (DOST) and the
National Academy of Science and Technology
during the opening of the National Science
and Technology Week last July 24 at the SMX
Convention Center in Pasay City.
Alejandro, who teaches at the UST
Graduate School and the College of Science,
discovered novel genera and several new
endemic species in Rubiaceae (coffee family)
like the Mussaenda ustii Alejandro in honor of
the University.
The multi-awarded scientist established
the Thomasian Angiosperm Phylogeny
and Barcoding Group (TAPBG) in the
UST Research Center for the Natural and
Applied Sciences, which puts special focus
on systematics and taxonomy, molecular
phylogenetics, biodiversity, DNA barcoding
of medicinal plants and studies on the
phytochemistry and biological potentials of
endemic and indigenous Philippine plants.
The TAPBG has been a major research
force in documenting the rich biodiversity of
Philippine Rubiaceae and medicinal plants
as well as the preservation and conservation
of endemic plants. It was cited in numerous
national and international forums.
Recently, Alejandro received a research
grant from the DOST–Philippine Council for
16
Health Research and Development and served as
project leader in DNA barcoding of Philippine
medicinal plants.
The project constitutes a pioneering
genome-based authentication of Philippine
medicinal plants with promising chemical and
pharmacological properties. It aims to generate
the ideal gene sequences for identification and
authentication of Philippine medicinal plants
and develop a Philippine Medicinal Plants DNA
Barcode Database (PMPDBD). The PMPDBD
will be useful for molecular identification
of Philippine medicinal plants including
information retrieval resources, adulterant,
medical parts, photographs, primers used in the
barcodes, and key references.
Alejandro also leads two other projects
funded by the National Research Council of
the Philippines and Commission on Higher
Education research network dealing with
molecular phylogeny and taxonomic revisions
of endemic Philippine Rubiaceae. He is the
UST representative to the Philippine Plant
Conservation Committee headed by the
Department of Environment and Natural
Resources Biodiversity Management Bureau.
To date, Alejandro has published more
than 40 articles in national and international
ISI journals and has received numerous awards
including the 2006 NAST Outstanding Young
Scientist in Biology (botany); 2008 NAST Talent
Search for Young Scientist (special citation);
2011 NAST Best Scientific Poster Award, 2004
Marie Stopes Award (XXIII Willi Hennig
Society, Paris, France); and 2005, 2008, 2012,
2014 International Publication Awards.
Alejandro
A recipient of
the
Deutscher
Akademischer Austauschdienst Doctoral
fellowship (2001-2005), Alejandro obtained his
Dr.rer.nat. major in plant molecular systematics
and evolution degree from the Universität
Bayreuth, Germany (Magna cum Laude)
in 2005. He also received the prestigious
Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral
fellowship for two years (2009-2010) in
collaboration with the Natural Museum of
Stuttgart in Germany, the Universität Bayreuth
and Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon,
France.
Alejandro is currently the president of
the Association of Systematic Biologists of the
Philippines and the treasurer of the Philippine
Society for Biochemistry and Molecular
Biology.
• October 2014
NEWS
Thomasian researcher receives
TWAS Prize for Young Scientist
World Academy of Sciences
(TWAS) Prize for Young Scientist
in the Philippines during the 36th
Annual Scientific Meeting of the
National Academy of Sciences and
Technology held from July 9 to
10 at the Philippine International
Convention Center in Pasay City.
Dr. De la Cruz receives the TWAS Prize for Young Scientist in the Philippines
during the Annual Meeting of the National Academy for Science and
Technology.
P
rof. Dr. rer. nat. Thomas Edison E. de la Cruz, a professor
of Microbiology and chair of the UST College of Science
Department of Biological Sciences was awarded the Third
The award was given
in recognition of de la Cruz’s
important researches on the
biodiversity
and
ecological
patterns of marine and mangrove
fungi,
fungal
endophytes,
macrofungi and fruticose lichens,
including slime molds and
dictyostelids.
The award was given jointly
by TWAS and the National
Academy of Science and
Technology to outstanding young
Filipino scientists in recognition
of their significant contribution to
the development of science and
technology in the country. It is
given to the selected discipline for
the year: Biology (2014), Chemistry
(2015), Mathematics (2016), and
Physics (2017).
Earlier this year, De la Cruz
was named Honorary Fellow by the
Indian Mycological Society (IMS)
during the International Symposium
on the Role of Fungi and Microbes
in the 20th Century–A Global
Scenario at the Science City Hall,
Kolkata, India.
De la Cruz is also a faculty
member at the UST Graduate School
and group leader of the Fungal
Biodiversity and Systematics group
of the UST Research Center for the
Natural and Applied Sciences.
UST hosts first pain management workshop in PH
T
he Center for Pain Medicine of the
University of Santo Tomas (UST)
Faculty of Medicine and Surgery,
in collaboration with the Faculty of Pain
Medicine of the Australian-New Zealand
College of Anaesthetists and the Pain Society
of the Philippines, held the first workshop on
Essential Pain Management (EPM) in the
Philippines from August 1 to 3.
The pioneering workshop was organized
by Prof. Jocelyn Que, M.D., chief program
officer of the UST Faculty of Medicine Center
for Pain Medicine.
The three-day seminar, held at the
UST Hospital Benavides Cancer Institute,
was led by Assoc. Prof. Roger Goucke of the
Department of Medicine and Pharmacology,
University of West Australia and Dr. Mary
Cardosa, director of the Institute of Health and
Community Medicine, Universiti Malaysia as
resource speakers.
October 2014 •
Developed by Goucke and Dr. Wayne
Morriss of the Australian-New Zealand
College of Anaesthetists, the EPM program
aims to improve pain management worldwide
by working with healthcare professionals at the
local level.
The workshop, which included a halfday instructor course and attended by more
than 30 health practitioners, provided a simple
framework for understanding, managing, and
teaching pain to medical students and rural
health practitioners.
The EPM program teaches practitioners
how to recognize, assess, measure and treat
pain and work on changing patients’ beliefs,
attitudes and behavior toward their pain.
Pain management is presently a part
of the outcome-based curriculum of the
Commission on Higher Educaton and will be
added to medical schools’ curriculum next
academic year.
17
NEWS
‘V’ sports editor clinches top spot
in writing contest
T
he sports editor of the Varsitarian, the official student publication of the
University of Santo Tomas (UST), reigned supreme in the annual Willie
Caballes Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Sports Writing Contest held
last August.
Paul Kennedy Lintag, a senior Journalism student of the Faculty of Arts and
Letters, bested some 40 other college student writers from different schools in the onthe-spot writing tilt on the Rain or Shine-San Mig Coffee match July 16.
“I joined to gain experience especially that I am already a graduating student,”
he said.
Lintag served as a sports writer for publication year 2013-2014 before being
promoted to sports editor this year. He received a trophy and cash prize worth P7,000
during the awarding ceremonies held last August 21 at the Richmonde Hotel in Quezon
City.
Campus journalists from the Ateneo de Manila University and Polytechnic
University of the Philippines placed second and third, respectively.
Graduate students attend training in China, Thailand
T
wo students taking up M.Sc.
Microbiology at the UST Graduate
School underwent training in separate
confabs in China and Thailand.
Carlo Chris S. Apurillo, a Department
of Science and Technology (DOST)-Human
Resources Development Program scholar,
attended a two-month training at the State Key
Laboratory of Mycology of the Institute of
Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences in
Beijing, China.
From June 1 to July 25, Apurillo
worked on the polyphasic identification of
fungal endophytes isolated from mangroves
collected in Leyte and Samar and performed
DNA extraction, PCR amplification of target
genes and gene sequence analysis leading to
identification of 17 fungal isolates with one
potentially novel species under the supervision
of Prof. Lei Cai. He conducted mass production
of fungal metabolites for cytotoxic activities
under Prof. Hongwei Liu.
Meanwhile, Melissa H. Pecundo, a
DOST National Science Consortium graduate
scholarship recipient, participated in an
international workshop on the collection,
isolation, and taxonomy of ascomycetous
invertebrate-pathogenic fungi in Nakhon
Ratchasima, Thailand from July 29 to August 1.
18
Apurillo (2nd
row, 5th from left)
interacts with Prof.
Cai (Seated 3rd
from left, 1st row)
and foreign students
at the State Key
of Laboratory of
Mycology, IMCAS,
Beijing, China.
Organized by the National Center for
Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
(BIOTEC) in collaboration with the National
Park, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation
Department of the Ministry of Natural
Resources and Environment, the workshop
featured lectures focusing on the biodiversity
and evolutionary biology of insect pathogenic
fungi, a two-day field work collection in Khao
Yai National Park, and a hands-on training on
the isolation and identification of these fungi
found on insects.
The international-workshop was facilitated
by the BIOTEC Insect Fungi team headed by
Dr. Janet Jennifer Luangsa-ard, Dr. Joseph
Spatafora of Oregon State University in USA
and Dr. Nigel Hywel-Jones of Milton Biotech
Co., Ltd, in Thailand.
Apurillo belongs to the Fungal Biodiversity
and Systematics group of the UST Research
Center for Natural and Applied Sciences.
• October 2014
NEWS
Thomasian doctors honored for
contributions to medical education
T
hree Thomasian physicians were
recently honored by different
prestigious professional groups
for their outstanding contribution to
education.
Prof. Estrella B. Paje-Villar, M.D.
was named Outstanding Professional in
Medicine by the Professional Regulation
Commission and Jose Rizal Awardee for
the Academe for 2014 by the Philippine
Medical Association.
For the ten years that she has been
chair of the Faculty of Medicine and
Surgery Department of Pharmacology,
Villar served as Medical Director of the
UST Hospital; president of the Philippine
Pediatric Society, the Philippine Society of
Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology
and the Pediatric Infectious Disease
Society of the Philippines; chair of the
Philippine National Drug Formulary; and
a technical consultant of the World Health
Organization.
Prof. Evelina Naval-Lagamayo, M.D.,
incumbent chair of the Medicine Department
of Laboratory Medicine, was accorded
the Dr. Liborio Gomez Memorial
Lecture Award by the Philippine
Society of Pathologists (PSP) for
sharing her knowledge and expertise
in clinical microbiology through
nationwide lectures and symposia.
Lagamayo served as President of the
PSP in 2009-2010.
Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Edwin
V. Rodriguez, M.D., MHPEd became
the first pediatric hematologist to be
recognized by the Philippine Blood
Coordinating Council (PBCC) with
the Dr. Jorge C. Peralta Memorial
Lecture Award for 2014. This award
is given to a healthcare professional
who has contributed to national efforts in professionalizing blood
transfusion education through innovative teaching-learning strategies.
Dr. Lagamayo
Dr. Rodriguez
Currently the Medicine’s faculty
secretary, Rodriguez was appointed
assistant secretary of the Philippine
Pediatric Society for 2014-2016. He
served as president of the PBCC
from 2011-2013.
Dr. Villar
UST introduces first master’s
in OT program in the Philippines
A
s a response to the demands of the field of occupational
therapy (OT), the University of Santo Tomas opened the
first degree program in Master of Science in Occupational
Therapy in the Philippines this Academic Year 2014-2015,
following the approval of the Commission on Higher Education.
A total of 14 students enlisted in the program established under
the leadership of College of Rehabilitation Sciences Dean Assoc.
Prof. Cheryl Peralta, with the assistance of the OT Department
Chair Karen Ongtangco and primary course developers Abelardo
Apollo David, Jr. and Christianne Marie Andigan.
David finished his master’s degree in OT at the University
of Queensland, while Andigan obtained her master’s degree in
health science occupational therapy at the University of Sydney
in Australia.
October 2014 •
19
NEWS
AB students join Jenesys 2.0
F
aculty of Arts and Letters students
Pauline Alarcio, Daniel Lluvioso,
Ria Genteroy (AB English Language
Studies) and Jane Maika Calsis (AB Asian
Studies) attended this year’s Japan-East Asia
Network of Exchange for Students and Youths
(Jenesys 2.0) Program.
Students from the Faculty of Arts and Letters join other youth delegates during the Jenesys 2.0 program.
The Jenesys 2.0 is a continuous project
by the Japanese government in partnership
with Japan Overseas Cooperative Association
and Japan International Cooperation Center
that serves as an avenue to cultivate strong
linkages between Japan and other Asian
countries. It also aims to regenerate the
Japanese economy through the promotion of
Japan’s famous tourist attractions, commercial
goods, its value system, grandeur and the
nation’s potency, under the branding of the
“Cool Japan” concept.
The project has established its reputable
status as it offers boundless opportunities
for the students and youths of the ASEAN
member countries, including some nonmember countries such as Australia, New
Zealand, India, and Timor-Leste, to witness
and understand Japan in action by taking part
in its social and cultural affairs.
CRS interns, faculty engage in 15-day
inter-professional education in Japan
A
s part of its continuing collaboration
with Niigata University for Health
and Welfare (NUHW), the College of
Rehabilitation Sciences sent five students and a
faculty member to Japan for a 15-day exchange
program held from September 2 to 16.
Physical Therapy interns Angela
Camille Amurao and Rufino Francisco III,
Occupational Therapy (OT) intern Edmund
David Shih, Sports Science intern Eugenie
Louise Cuerdo, and Speech Language
Pathology intern Erika Claire Gomez, together
with OT faculty member Mr. Charles Bermejo,
OTR, OTRP engaged in inter-professional
education activities and observed the NUHW
facilities and training programs.
UST CRS interns (in civilian clothes, standing) listen to a Japanese lecturer.
20
• October 2014
NEWS
Ranera selected as music expert-participant in
ASEAN forum
Dr. Ranera (6th from left) is re-elected board member of APBDA.
A
ssoc. Prof. Herminigildo G. Ranera, Ph.D., music education
coordinator of the UST Conservatory of Music, was chosen
as the music expert-participant of the Philippines to the
international symposium on ‘Classical Music in the Context of ASEAN’
held from September 8 to 13 at the Princess Galyani Vadhana Institute
of Music (PGVIM) in Bangkok, Thailand.
The symposium, which was organized by the Ministry of Culture
of Thailand in collaboration with PGVIM aimed to advocate research
works that combine traditional music and western music in the context
of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
As a component of the gathering, Ranera submitted and presented
a score of Philippine traditional music.
To promote ASEAN mutual collaboration through joint
performance of young musicians, the ASEAN Youth Ensemble (AYE)
was initiated. UST Music student Michael Luke Rendal was picked to
represent the country in the AYE.
T
Ranera, meanwhile, was re-elected board member of the AsiaPacific Band Directors Association (APBDA) in a conference held at
the Jeju Arts Center in Jeju Island, South Korea from August 13 to 16.
Ranera is the founding president and music director of the
Philippine Band Association and associate conductor of the Philippine
Philharmonic Orchestra, the nation’s leading orchestra. He is also the
conductor of the UST Symphony Orchestra and Wind Orchestra.
APBDA, an international organization established by band
directors, managers, and performing artists, aims to promote the
existence and welfare of the bands in the Asia-Pacific region and
foster friendship and understanding towards continued dialogue and
communication among members.
Ranera will serve as board member until July 2016.
Architecture faculty, students immerse in art,
cultural courses in Italy
he College of Architecture, in cooperation with the Tolomei
Cultural Institute of Florence, Italy, conducted a three- week art
and cultural course of Florence and Rome from May 19 to June
8, 2014. Four faculty members from the History of Architecture Cluster
of the college namely, Prof. Arch. Norma I. Alarcon, Ph.D., Asst. Prof.
Arch. Ma. Vicenta D. Sanchez, Asso. Prof. Arch. Willa R. Solomon,
and Rev. Fr. Alex O. Bautista, accompanied 51 students.
The course covered two weeks of intensive classes of learning
the Italian language in Florence and exploration of its rich cultural and
artistic heritage as well as those of other cities like Venice, Siena, Milan,
Assisi, and Pisa. Lectures about Florentine architecture were conducted
by Prof. Carla Giuseppina Romby and Prof. Maria Antonietta Rovida,
both from the University of Florence, Department of Architecture.
October 2014 •
Likewise, the participants spent a week in Rome where they were
immersed in the rich historical, cultural as well as religious and artistic
experience. They visited monuments, museums and edifices of Rome.
The educational trip gave the students the opportunity to actually
experience what they have learned in school under their study of History
and Theory of Architecture and Architectural Design. It enriched their
understanding and appreciation of a rich culture that has contributed,
and continue to play, an important role in the world of art and design.
Furthermore, the students were able to experience the various periods
of art and architecture development of Italy: the Classical, Romanesque,
Gothic and Renaissance.
21
NEWS
Students take off to Spain for language,
culture courses
T
homasian students flew to Spain to take part in a two-month intensive
Spanish language course under a scholarship grant from the International
Council of Universities of Saint Thomas Aquinas (ICUSTA) last summer.
From June to July, College of Science student Angelika Mandenilla and
College of Nursing student Wendell Oliver took special classes at the Catholic
University of Ávila under internationally recognized educators.
The course utilized a communicative approach of teaching the Spanish
language accompanied by historical excursions to Alba de Torres, Fontiveros,
Salamanca, Segovia, and Toledo.
Mandenilla and Oliver served as volunteers in special education program
for handicapped students in Spain, which as they both claimed was a unique and
life-changing experience.
Mendenilla (extreme left) and Oliver (extreme right) participate in a
cultural activity with the students from California, Canada and Mexico.
Education junior Maria Celina Castro and Asian Studies graduate Philip
Israel Gaddi also underwent a month-long Spanish language course at the
University of La Rioja in Logroño, Spain.
Together with delegates from Canada, United States, and South Korea,
Castro and Gaddi experienced a guided tour of La Rioja’s old quarter Logroño,
Monasterio de San Millan de La Cogolla, Bodegas Vivanco, and Bodegas
Faustino Wineries, and a trip to Bilbao as part of the cultural and leisure activities.
Architecture dean,
faculty elected to UAP
A
rchitecture Dean John Joseph
Fernandez was elected national
treasurer of the United Architects
of the Philippines (UAP) with the following
faculty members from the College of
Architecture also assuming national positions:
UAP Secretary General Arch. Alfred Geoffrey
C. Carandang, Vice Chancellor and Chair of
the Jury of Fellows Prof. Norma I. Alarcon,
Ph.D., and Scribe of the UAP College of
Fellows Assoc. Prof. Tobias A. Bonaobra,
Ph.D.
Also elected were: Executive Director,
Sentro ng Arkitekturang Filipino and
elected Vice-Head, National Committee on
Architecture & Allied Arts of the National
Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA)
22
Asst. Prof. Rogelio D. Caringal; Executive
Director, Commission on Professional
Development Assoc. Prof. Leah P. Dela
Rosa, Ph.D.; Project Head, Lecture Series
on Filipino Architecture Asst. Prof. Daniel
Vicente A. Lichauco; Project Head, Campus
Seminar Arch. Rino Domingo A. Fernandez;
Chair, Committee on Membership Arch.
Mariechu N. Yap; Chair, UAP PostAsst. Prof.
Leah Y. Martin; Chair, UAP Journal Arch.
Clarissa M. Lorenzo; Chair, Scholarship and
Training Arch. John Carlo L. Sayco; Chair,
Committee on Construction Disputes Arch.
Marlon M. Cariño; Member, Committee on
R.A. 9266 Asst. Prof. Jonathan V. Manalad;
Executive Council Members, NCCA Arch.
Raymond P. Clarin and Arch. Johnny M.
Malaga.
Fernandez
Bonaobra
Alarcon
Carandang
• October 2014
NEWS
Financial Management program,
alumni receive global recognitions
T
he College of Commerce and Business
Administration has reaped various
global recognitions and awards as it
heads toward the ASEAN Integration in 2015.
The Department of Financial Management
of the the College of Commerce was accepted
into the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
Institute University Recognition Program last
August 22, a “status granted to institutions
whose degree program(s) incorporate at least
70% of the CFA Program Candidate Body of
Knowledge (CBOK), which provide students
with a solid grounding in the CBOK and
positions them well to sit for the CFA exams.”
Ms. Melissa Hensley, CFA-USA university
recognition program administrator, reported
that the University of Santo Tomas is the
first Philippine university to have received
the prestigious recognition, joining other top
educational institutions like the Frankfurt School
of Finance and Management, Queen Mary
University of London, University of Nottingham,
Chulalongkorn University, and City University
of Hongkong, among others.
Meanwhile, Mr. Alvin T. Tan, a 2012
BSBA Financial Management graduate
(Magna cum Laude), passed the Level III
CFA examination last August 24 at the CFA
Institute in West Virginia, USA.
Tan is now a candidate for the
CFA charter, a “professional credential
comparable to a Master’s [Degree] Level 7
qualification within the English Qualification
and Credit Framework (QCF) by the National
Recognition Information Centre (UK
NARIC).”
This brings him an inch closer to
earning the CFA charter designation, a mark
of distinction that is globally recognized
October 2014 •
within the sphere of global investment
as the “definitive standard” by which
to measure competence and integrity of
bona fide investment professionals. To
attain this, Tan has to satisfy four other
requirements—pledge to adhere to the CFA
Code of Ethics and Standards of Professional
Conduct, membership to CFA Institute and
Local Society, four years of relevant work
experience, and at least two professional
sponsors.
Seven
alumni—Carla
Guevarra,
Gilgerard Arines, Lloysd Spencer Xu,
Charmaine Michelle Rivera, Jeremy Vincent
Chan, Katherine Lopez, and Danielle Alexis
Matela—passed the CFA Level 1 examination
together with Ms. Jinseo Lee who also passed
while on her senior year in college.
The CFA designation has become the
touchstone of professional qualifications
within the sphere of global investment.
Investors acknowledge the title as the precise
measurement of competence and integrity
in the fields of portfolio management and
investment analysis.
The CFA Institute is a globallyrecognized non-profit association of
investment professionals that upholds highest
ethical standards in the profession and offers
varied educational opportunities around the
globe.
According to the UST Financial
Management program chair Dr. Anthony
DC. Altarejos, C.B., CSS, the department
will continue to promote certifications and
licensure examinations in the field of finance
among the students and faculty and upgrade
the quality of the program following such
recognitions.
Tan
Commerce has embraced the OutcomesBased Education (OBE) to fortify its pursuit
of a more competent and globally acclaimed
reputation.
In line with this, a week-long seminar
and workshop on OBE was held from
June 23 to 25 and July 8 to 9 with Miriam
College Prof. Antonio M. Lopez, DBA, dean,
College of Business, Entrepreneurship, and
Accountancy, Graduate School Prof. Marcela
Leus, Ph.D., and Colegio de San Juan de
Letran Assoc. Prof. Cristina C. Cabral,
Ph. D., former dean, College of Business
Administration and Accountancy as speakers.
The process of modifying the existing
curriculum to adopt the outcomes-based
system across programs require the
examination of teaching and learning
methodologies, tasks, and assessments
to identify whether they can be kept or
discarded.
23
NEWS
UST Publishing House titles, authors honored in literary tilts
T
itles and authors released by the UST Publishing House have
received accolades from two prestigious award-giving literary
bodies. Some of them were written by alumni.
Four authors from the Publishing House bagged top prizes in the
64th Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature last September
1.
Cheek Sangalang Fadriquela’s Master’s degree thesis, which
became the basis for Kahoy: Wood and Its Uses from Pre-Hispanic
to Spanish Colonial Philippines, Volumes 1 & 2, was nominated for
the Elfren S. Cruz Prize for Best Book in the Social Sciences, while
former Varsitarian editor Louie Jon A. Sanchez’ newest collection
Kung Saan sa Katawan was nominated for the Best Book of Poetry
in Filipino category.
Mookie Katigbak-Lacuesta, author of the poetry collection
Burning Houses (2013), placed first in the Poetry category for her
entry, “We Won’t Be Tending Gardens.”
The UST Publishing House tied with Anvil Publishing for the
most number of nominations for the said tilt, handed out annually by
the Manila Critics Circle and the National Book Development Board.
Also placing first were Eugene Y. Evasco for his entry “Ang
Nag-iisa at Natatanging si Onyok” (Maikling Kuwentong Pambata)
and Rody C. Vera’s “Lakambini” (Dulang Pampelikula).
Nominated titles from the UST Publishing House include:
Now, Then, and Elsewhen by Nikki Alfar (Cirilo F. Bautista Prize
for Best Book of Short Fiction in English); Autumn in Madrid and
Other Travel Tales by Alice M. Sun-Cua (Best Book of Non-Fiction
in English); Driftwood on Dry Land by T. S. Sungkit Jr. (Juan C.
Laya Prize for Best Novel in a Foreign Language); Ang Lihim ng
Ultramar by Rhod V. Nuncio (Juan C. Laya Prize for Best Novel
in a Philippine Language); m’mry wire by Ricardo M. de Ungria,
The Saints of Streets by Luisa A. Igloria, and To the Evening Star by
Simeon Dumdum Jr. (Philippine Literary Arts Council Prize for Best
Book of Poetry in English); Peace Mindanao, co-published with the
Philippine Center of International PEN and edited by Jaime An Lim
(Best Anthology in English); Canticos: Apat na Boses by Kristian S.
Cordero (Best Book of Poetry in Bikol); and A Cultural History of
Santo Domingo by Romeo B. Galang, Jr. (Best Book in History and
Journalism).
Evasco’s Mga Pilat sa Pilak (2011) and Vera’s 10X10X10:
Sampung Tigsasampung Minutong Dula (2004) were released by the
University.
Meanwhile, poet José Marte A. Abueg, author of the collection
HIDDEN CODEX: Fictive Scriptures (2014), won third prize under
the category Tula with his “Musikerong Bulag.”
The Palanca Awards have been given out annually since 1950 to
recognize the best works in Philippine Literature.
National Book Awards
Twelve titles were named finalists in the 33rd National Book
Awards with Thomasians gunning for top awards.
Alquisola of CTHM takes home two Palancas
C
THM Literature and Humanities instructor
Vijae Orquia Alquisola bagged two Palanca
Awards. He won First Place in the Tula –
Filipino Division of the competition for his poetry
collection ‘Paglasa sa Pansamantala’. The collection,
composed of 12 poems, meditates on the plight of
the family members left behind by overseas contract
workers. Meanwhile, his poetry written for children
titled ‘Sa Tuwing Ikaw ay Tahimik at mga Tinig ng
Batang Tinutukso’ was adjudged Second Place in the
Tulang Pambata category of the same division. The
entry, a collection of 11 poems, gives voice to the
bullied children. He received his award at the Manila
Peninsula Hotel on September 1, 2014.
Alquisola (3rd from left) receives his Palanca Award at the Manila Peninsula
Hotel.
24
• October 2014
NEWS
EdTech Center wins 2014 Blackboard Catalyst Award
T
he Educational Technology Center (EdTech) of the University
of Santo Tomas (UST) received the 2014 Blackboard Catalyst
Award for Staff Development during the BB World Conference
held from July 15 to 17 at Las Vegas, Nevada.
EdTech implemented the “Rapid eLearning Faculty Development
Program” to empower the entire faculty staff of the University of Santo
Tomas to integrate and explore the potential instructional and learning
affordances of e-learning technologies in their subject areas through the
development of pedagogically driven and appropriately designed web
courses. Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Prof. Clarita D.L. Carillo,
Ph.D. and EdTech Director Asst. Prof. Anna Cherylle Ramos received
the award for UST.
Winners were acknowledged for implementing effective and
creative ways that went beyond a help desk. Several of the highlighted
programs created course content for entire program usage, leveraged
tools for effective internal support, innovative training methods for
faculty and staff, and achieved a better organization-wide learning
experience.
The Blackboard Catalyst Award program recognizes and honors
innovation and excellence in the Blackboard global community of
practice, where teachers and learners work every day to redefine what is
possible when leveraging technology.
“It’s an honor each year to recognize forward-thinking educators
who are helping create a world inspired to learn through the work they
do every day,” said Jay Bhatt, Blackboard chief executive officer. “We
congratulate Catalyst Award winners on their vision and innovative
Blackboard CEO Jay Bhatt confers the Blackboard Catalyst Award for Staff
Development to Dr. Carillo (right) and Asst. Prof. Ramos (left) during the BB
World Conference at Las Vegas, Nevada.
approaches to education, and celebrate their accomplishments with
them.”
Blackboard is a global leader in enterprise technology and
innovative solutions that improve the experience of millions of
students and learners around the world every day. Blackboard’s
solutions allow thousands of higher education, K-12, professional,
corporate and government organizations to extend teaching and
learning online.
Architecture dean aims to validate degree program
in UNESCO
C
ollege of Architecture Dean
Assoc. Prof. John Joseph T.
Fernandez formalized UST’s
application to the United Nations
Educational, Scientific, and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) Union
Internationale des Architectes (UIA)
during its 26th assembly held from
August 7 to 10 in Durban, South
Africa.
A successful application with
the international union will validate
the UST Architecture program.
Also, Fernandez formulated and
presented the Declaration of the UIA
Area 4 (Asia, Middle East, and Africa)
in the conference, which drew some
3,000 delegates from 124 countries.
October 2014 •
The UIA is a global federation of
national associations of architects that
aims to unite the architects of the world
without any form of discrimination.
From the 27 delegations present at
the founding assembly in Lausanne,
Switzerland in 1948, the UIA
has grown to encompass the key
professional organizations of architects
in 124 countries and territories, and
now represents more than one million
architects worldwide.
Fernandez
is
among
the
contingent of the United Architects
of the Philippines (UAP), to which he
presently serves as national treasurer.
Dean Fernandez speaks before
the international delegates
during the 26th assembly of
UNESCO UIA.
25
NEWS
Quintilla of Commerce bags best paper award at
Singapore conference
M
arinor A. Gallardo - Quintilla, Ph.D., a faculty member of the College of
Commerce and Business Administration, won the Best Student Paper Award
during the 2nd Global Conference on Business Management (GCBM) held in
Singapore on June 12 and 13, 2014. The GCBM intends to serve as an ideal platform
for a global audience of academics, researchers, and scholars to present their thoughts
in the latest research.
Quintilla
Quintilla’s winning paper, The Impact of Selected Insolvency Indicators on the
Recoveries of Creditors’ Claims against Closed Banks in the Philippine Context, will
also be published in the China-USA Business Review and Chinese Business Review.
Quintilla was also awarded a certificate by the Aventis School of Management in
recognition of her successful completion of the seminar and for chairing a session on
the first day.
Eng’g mentors enjoy off-shore scholarship grants
T
wo young faculty members from the Faculty
of Engineering are currently pursuing
graduate studies abroad, one in the field of
Electronics Engineering and the other in the field of
Civil Engineering. This is in line with the Faculty of
Engineering’s more aggressive pursuit of its aim to
contribute to the University’s goal of involving more
faculty members in research and establishing more
institutional partnerships with international universities
leading to academic exchanges for faculty members.
Engr. Angelito A. Silverio, a member of the
Electronics Engineering Department is currently
studying at the Chung Yuan Christian University
(CYCU) in Taiwan, ROC for his doctorate degree in
Microelectonic Engineering and Application under the
Distinguished International Graduate Student (DIGS)
scholarship grant.
Engr. Silverio (right) with his adviser, Prof. Danny Wen-Yaw Chung, attend
the 2013 ISBB.
In an exchange of email messages with Silverio,
he described his experience as a graduate student in
Taiwan as: “great and a lot of fun especially when
working with international students.” He added, “I
am very excited to share the things I’ve learned to my
colleagues and students (in UST) alike.”
“I have learned and have been exposed to
Taiwan’s semiconductor and Integrated Circuit (IC)
Design Technology through my courses and research
projects. I have learned Complementary Metal-Oxide
Semiconductor (CMOS) Analog IC Design, Very Large
Scale Integration (VLSI), VLSI Devices and Physics,
Thin Film Technology just to name a few,” he said.
Silverio mentioned that he was able to attend and
participate in an international conference from April
11 to 14, 2014 held at CYCU titled: “International
26
Engr. Ramirez (2nd from left) bonds with his professor and co-students at
the Pusan National University in Busan, South Korea.
• October 2014
NEWS
Symposium
on
Bioelectronics
and
Bioinformatics”. He shared that in July of last
year, he was able to mentor an international
group that was under his adviser for the
summer camp held in campus. The summer
camp was called ‘International Industrial/
Academic Leadership Experience’ (II/ALE).
“I was also able to attend the 2013
Taipei International Invention Show and
Technomart held in the World Trade Center,
Taipei City, Taiwan, ROC. This coming July
2014, I will again mentor an II/ALE group.”
Silverio is hopeful that will be part of an
international symposium on IC. “I have also
submitted three conference papers for the
2014 International Symposium on Integrated
Circuits (ISIC) to be held sometime in
December 2014 in Nanyang Technological
University, Singapore,” he ended.
Meanwhile, at the Pusan National
University in Busan, South Korea, Civil
Engineer Ryan A. Ramirez is working on his
academic course leading to a degree in Master
in Civil Engineering (MSCE- Geotechnical
Engineering). His research area is Suction
caissons.
In an interview with Ramirez through
email, he explained that, “ Suction caissons
are one of the most widely used options for
the anchoring system of floating platforms
used in oil exploration and production, and,
recently offshore wind power generation. It
is required to understand the interaction of
the caisson and soil to reasonably evaluate
the holding capacity of the anchors as well
as material properties of soils, and failure
mechanism; however, not much has been
done in investigation of the interaction of
the caisson and soil based on numerical
modeling.”
Ramirez is a recipient of a scholarship
grant of the New Renewable Energy Program
of the Korea Institute of Energy Technology
Evaluation and Planning and the Mid-Career
Research Program of the National Research
Foundation. He has enlisted himself as a
cultural exchange volunteer (CEV) for the
Cross-Cultural Awareness Program in Busan,
and joined a cultural show competition for
international students.
Korean theological college
president eyes link with UST
Seminary, Sacred Theology
R
ev. Fr. Stephane Baik, rector of the Major Seminary of the Archdiocese
of Seoul, Korea and president for Theological College of the Catholic
University of Korea (CUK), met with officials of the UST Faculty of
Sacred Theology and Central Seminary last September 5.
Fr. Baik discussed possibilities of establishing linkages between CUK
and UST with Sacred Theology Dean Fr. Rodel E. Aligan, O.P. and UST
Central Seminary Rector Rev. Fr. Quirico T. Pedregosa, Jr., O.P.
Also explored was future immersion of seminarians from the Major
Seminary of Seoul in the formation program offered by the UST Central
Seminary and cooperation of Dominican educators from UST in theological
conferences in Korea and contribution to their theology journal.
Fr. Baik presented his plan of inviting Dominican professors from Sacred
Theology to teach for a fixed term at their theological college.
October 2014 •
27
NEWS
HRM students reap awards in MAFBEX 2014
The UST-CTHM contingent with HRM Chair Assoc. Prof. Timbang (extreme left) and her co-faculty members proudly
display the UST flag after winning in the MAFBEX 2014.
H
otel and Restaurant Management (HRM) students reaped awards in the
Manila Foods and Beverages Expo 2014 held from June 11 to 13 at the
Philippine Trade Training Center in Pasay City.
Senior student Elena Faith B. Cariño took home a gold medal in the Cooking
Demonstration category for her excellent 15-minute presentation of the dish “Grilled
Eel with Tamarind-Brandy Glaze and Summer Mango Salad,” while Jerome Paul F.
Misa, a senior student, and Ma. Patricia Faye P. Caña, a junior student, won silver
in the Coffee Concoction category.
In the Mocktail Concoction category, Gabrielle B. Peterson, a senior student,
juniors Jaemi Therese G. Elleazar and Marga Nicka M. Yabao won bronze for their
“Autumn Mocktail Punch.”
The team of Miel Adrian Campomanes, John Paul A. Caparas, Jhon Lareve
Parraba, Angelica C. Tongol and Larry C. Ventura, meanwhile, was adjudged Best in
Napkin Folding in the Table Setting Category for their winter-inspired presentation.
Cariño proudly demonstrates her
award-winning dish.
MAFBEX is the biggest gathering of the pillars and amateurs of the food
and beverage industry, which highlights the current demands of food service and
hospitality. This year, it was participated in by over 500 booths and 300 companies
with international pavilions from Europe, United States of America, Taiwan,
Malaysia, Japan, and Korea with over 50, 000 visitors.
Chef Nathaniel A. Siao and Mr. Santos S. De Lara trained the Thomasian
delegates under the leadership of HRM chair Assoc. Prof. Evangeline E. Timbang.
28
• October 2014
NEWS
Science lays out plans with Japanese,
Taiwanese schools
The officials of the UST College of Science conduct
an academic visit at the University of Shiga Prefecture
(USP), Japan (seated from left) SES-USP Dept. of
Biological Resources Management Chair Dr. Misako
Urabe, USP School of Environmental Science Dean
Dr. Yoshiaki Masuda, UST Asst. to the Rector for
Research and Innovation Dr. Maribel G. Nonato,
UST College of Science Dean Ramos, UST-RCNAS
Director Dr. Mafel C. Ysrael, UST-CS Dept. of
Psychology Chair Dr. Claudette Agnes; (Standing
from left) SES-USP Dept. of Environmental Policy and
Planning Chair Dr. Ryujiro Kondo, SES-USP Dept. of
Environmental Design and Architecture Chair Dr. Juan
Ramos Jimenez Verdejo, a professor from SES-USP,
UST-CS Dept. of Chemistry Chair Dr. Mario Tan, USTCS Dept. of Biological Sciences Chair Dr. Thomas
Edison de la Cruz, UST-CS Faculty Council member
Dr. Lucila O. Bance, and UST-CS Physics Coordinator
Engr. Silverio.
faculty members, shared research
outputs, and benchmarked for
best practices and policies related
to science education and research
and for state-of-the-art science
education and research facilities.
research visits between UST and
NCU faculty researchers throughout
the year; and to conduct an academic
visit to UST by the officials from
the NCU School of Pharmaceutical
Sciences in December.
Out of the academic endeavor
sprang the following plans: The
holding of the 2nd UST-NCU
Joint Symposium on Molecular
Sciences to be hosted by Nagoya
City University next academic
year, where faculty researchers
and graduate students will present
studies; the holding of a joint
symposium on Environmental
Sciences with the School of
Assoc. Prof. Silverio (right) meets with Dr. Hsu-Hsin Chu of National Central
University in Taiwan.
Environmental Sciences of USP
sponsored by Science; the hosting of NCU of the
research visit of Asst. Prof. Maria Sheila M. de Jesus
dministrators from the College of for her doctoral dissertation to be co-supervised by
Science conducted a dialogue with Science Dean Prof. John Donnie A. Ramos, Ph.D. and
officials of Nagoya City University NCU’s Prof. Takashi Okamoto; and USP hosting a
and University of Shiga Prefecture (USP) in graduate student Mr. Dino Tordesillas for his doctoral
dissertation to be co-supervised by UST’s Dr. Rey
Japan from June 23 to 24.
Donne Papa and USP’s Dr. Dr. Syuhei Ban.
The officials of the universities
The universities also agreed to prepare a research
discussed curricula for premedical students
and
environmental science
degrees, proposal to be submitted to either JSPS or Mombusho
explored potential research collaborations for a research grant; NCU and USP to evaluate the
and academic exchanges for students and English short course program of UST; to hold regular
Meanwhile, with the aim to
develop academic and educational
cooperation, College of Science
Assoc. Prof. Angelina A. Silverio
met with officials of the National
Central University (NCU) in Taiwan
last May 22.
A
October 2014 •
The meeting with NCU physics
professorial chair Dr. Pik Yin Lai,
Deptartment of Physics chair Dr.
Meng–Fan Luo, and Office of
International Affairs dean Dr. PingYu Hsu laid out plans for the visit
of the NCU Department of Physics
to UST, research collaborations, and
student interships in 2015.
By virtue of the agreement,
B.S. Applied Physics graduate
(Batch 2014) Mhar Ian Estayan
started his master’s degree studies
under a scholarship grant in NCU.
29
NEWS
Japanese, American educators share
expertise with CRS students
A
sst. Prof. Tsuyoshi Asai, RPT, Ph.D.
of the Faculty of RehabilitationDepartment of Physical Therapy of
Kobegakuin University, Japan visited the
College of Rehabilitation Sciences (CRS)
from July 9 to 21.
His itinerary included immersion in
one of the partner communities of CRS
in Abucay, Bataan, where he shared his
expertise in “falls among the elderly” and
gave lectures to faculty and students.
Mr. Masashi Kanai and Mr. Hiroki
Kubo, two of Asai’s students who are both
physical therapists, joined in observing
some classes and interacted with CRS
students. Impressed with the standards of
CRS, Asai expressed his intent to invite
more students from Kobegakuin University
for interaction and observation next year.
Department Chair Dr. Michael Iwama
visited CRS and conducted the seminar ‘An
Introduction to the Kawa (River) Model’ on
June 30, 2014.
The Kawa Model authored by Iwama
is one of the most renowned culturally
relevant models of OT made available
as a downloadable application to aid
practitioners in clinical practice. He also
assisted in the development of UST’s newly
created Master of Science in Occupational
Therapy (MSOT) degree program.
On June 23, Assoc. Professor Pamalyn
Kearney, EdD, OTR/L, program director of
the master’s program in Georgia Regents
University and one of the members of the
Accreditation Council of Occupational
Therapy Education visited the University to
help in the development of the MSOT.
Meanwhile,
Georgia
Regents
University Occupational Therapy (OT)
CRS-Seton Hall University
student exchange
underway
Dean Peralta (3rd from left) and the representatives of Seton Hall University:
Dr. Esteban (4th from left), Dr. Shulman (5th from left), and Dr. Sedrak (extreme
right), sign the general memorandum of agreement for the student-faculty
exchange program of the UST-CRS with SHU.
30
Dr. Iwama (2nd row, 5th from left) interacts with the students of
the UST-CRS.
Faculty members and students of UST-CRS give their warm
welcome to Assoc. Prof. Kearney (3rd from left, seated) during
her visit to the university.
T
rue to its vision of
being an internationally
acknowledged educational
institution of experts in the
field of rehabilitation sciences
and
committed
to
quality
healthcare services, the College
of Rehabilitation Sciences (CRS)
embarked on a student-faculty
exchange program with the Seton
Hall University (SHU), New
Jersey, USA last July 1.
Dayalu (chair, Department of
Speech Pathology), and the
University of Santo Tomas CRS
representatives Assoc. Prof.
Cheryl Peralta (dean), witnessed
by Assoc. Prof. Anne Marie
Aseron (chair, Physical Therapy
Department), Karen Ongtangco
(chair, Occupational Therapy
Department),
Reil
Vinard
Espino (chair, Sports Science
Department) and Ma. Georgina
Mojica (chair, Speech Language
The link was formalized Pathology Department).
through a signing of a memorandum
of agreement at the Medicine
Both institutions have academic
Conference Hall, following the programs in the fields of physical
signing of a general memorandum therapy, occupational therapy, sports
of agreement between the two science and speech language pathology.
universities last January 10.
Under the exchange program,
The agreement was entered students and faculty have the
into between SHU representatives opportunity to observe and
Dr. Gabriel Esteban (president), participate in university teachingDr. Brian Shulman (dean, School learning activities of both
of Health and Medical Sciences), institutions and to study how the
and Dr. Mona Sedrak (associate Filipino and American culture can
dean, School of Health and influence rehabilitation practices.
Medical Sciences), as witnessed by
Dr. Joyce Strawser (dean, Stillman
School of Business) and Dr. Vikram
• October 2014
NEWS
UST CRS officials meet with AUT reps;
discuss potential Ph.D. offering
T
hree senior lecturers from the Sports Performance Institute of
Aukland University of Technology (AUT), New Zealand came to
the University last July 15 for a discussion of possible collaborative
projects with the College of Rehabilitation Sciences (CRS) that includes
the potential offering of a doctorate degree course work on performance
analysis in UST.
Present in the meeting were: Mr. Adrian Franham, former head of
Health and Physical Education Department in Aukland and a senior lecturer
in health and physical education; Dr. Simon Walters, director of Sports
Performance Research Institute (NZ Scholarship) and a senior lecturer
in Sociology of Sport; and Dr. Kirsten Spencer, leader of Performance
Analysis Clinic (AUT Millennium), associate leader of Bachelor of Sport
and Recreation (AUT South Campus), and a senior lecturer in Sports
Coaching and Performance Analysis; UST CRS Dean Assoc. Prof. Cheryl
R. Peralta, College Secretary Mr. Donald Manlapaz, Asst. Prof. Josephine
Joy B. Reyes, of the Sports Science Department, and Sports and Wellness
Management Chair Assoc. Prof. Jerome Porto.
Science language
department
trains postulates of
congregation
Dean Peralta (3rd from left) together with Asst. Prof. Reyes (extreme left),
Mr. Manlapaz (2nd from left), and Assoc. Prof. Porto (extreme right) meet
with foreign lecturers from AUT New Zealand.
Arki faculty pass
2014 Environmental
Planners boards
I
n accordance with an extension service program of the
College of Science Languages Department, a memorandum
of understanding with the Missionaries of Charity was signed
last August 6.
The agreement involves a one-semester English program
designed to train the postulates of the congregation in their oral
communicative skills, which started last August 14.
Lessons for an 11-day session included expressions used
for greetings, meeting people, giving and sharing information,
giving directions, talking about themselves and their work,
enumerating, describing, evaluating, reporting information,
making plans, and writing short messages.
Signing for the College of Science were Dean Prof. John
Donnie A. Ramos, Ph.D., English Enhancement Program chair
Asst. Prof. Amanda Lachica, while Sr. Mary Patrick, formation
coordinator, signed on behalf of the Missionaries of Charity.
October 2014 •
Manalad
T
Yap
wo faculty members from the
College of Architecture Asst.
Prof. Jonathan Manalad and Ms.
Mariechu Yap, join the roster of the
country’s environmental planners after
successfully hurdling the Environmental
Planner Licensure Examination 2014 by
the Professional Regulation Commission.
31
NEWS
Rehab Sciences drumbeats
40th anniversary
I
n anticipation of its 40th anniversary in December 2014, the College of Rehabilitation
Sciences (CRS) conducted a series of lectures to reinforce the knowledge and skills of its
alumni, faculty, and students last September.
Notable alumni and field experts Ma. Corinne A. Derilo, PT, DPT and Joven Christopher
Cerdenia, MHlthSc spoke on ‘Rehabilitation of the Critically Ill’ and ‘Advancing Clinical
Competency in Neurological Rehabilitation: Lab-based Courses on Pain Mechanisms and
Vestibular Rehabilitation,’ respectively. Cerdenia’s lecture was repeated in Cebu through the
Cebu Doctors University.
In October, there will be workshops on ‘Lumbar Manual Therapy and Treatment
Philosophy’ by Jeffrey Santos, PT and ‘Manual Therapy on Myofascial Release Techniques’ by Valentin Dones III,
PhD and Mark Angel Serra, PTRP.
The college also launched its “Search for the 40 Rubies of CRS,” where alumni may be nominated for their
outstanding, renowned, and peer-respected professional practice while fulfilling the vision and mission of CRS.
Awarding ceremonies will be held in December.
To further promote the active participation of the alumni, the college created the program “Broadening Alumni
Involvement in the College of Rehabilitation Sciences (BALICRS)” to complement the college’s efforts towards the
University’s three-pronged mission of academic excellence, community development, and research.
T
New faculty members undergo
‘Thomasian briefing’
he Office of the Vice-Rector for
Academic Affairs and the Office for
Faculty Evaluation and Development
(OFED) organized an orientation seminar for
the 146 new faculty members, who joined
the esteemed roster of teaching staff of the
University for Academic Year 2014-2015,
last June 26 and 27 at the AMV-College of
Accountancy Multi-Purpose Hall.
UST Graduate School Regent Fr.
José Antonio E. Aureada, O.P. opened the
seminar with a discussion of the legacies
of the University’s patron saint, St. Thomas
Aquinas and founder of the Dominican Order
St. Dominic de Guzman, while Vice-Rector
for Academic Affairs Prof. Clarita D. Carillo,
Ph.D., articulated the synergy of teaching,
research, and community service which form
the three-fold thrusts of the University.
Director of the Office for International
Relations and Programs Prof. Lilian J. Sison,
32
Ph.D., gave emphasis on the hallmarks of a
Thomasian educator, while UST Simbahayan
and Community Development Office
program coordinator Asst. Prof. Froilan
Alipao shared how the University helps
empower communities through effective
social involvement.
The 2011 Metrobank Foundation
Outstanding Teacher Awardee Prof. Allan
B. De Guzman, Ph.D., gave invaluable
insights on understanding teaching and
learning in the university setting. Research
Cluster on Culture, Education, and Social
Issues Director Prof. Arlen Ancheta, Ph.D.,
meanwhile, invited the participants to take
an active role in the research agenda of the
University.
Basic concepts on intellectual property
were underscored by the Intellectual Property
and Research Executive Assistant Assoc. Prof.
Michael Jorge N. Peralta. The integration of
educational technology in instruction was the
focus of the discussion and demonstration of
the Educational Technology Center Director
Asst. Prof. Anna Cherylle E. Ramos.
Ms. Arlene P. Matias of the Miguel
de Benavides Library familiarized the
participants with the various resources and
services available to enrich the learning
experiences of the students. Representing
the Guidance and Counseling Department
was Ms. Stephanie Lu, who emphasized
the dynamic partnership between guidance
counselors and faculty members in the
holistic development of the students.
Faculty Union President Prof. George
G. Lim, M.D., presented the highlights of
the UST Faculty CBA 2011-2016, while
OFED Director Prof. Editha A. Fernandez,
Ph.D. expounded on faculty-related policies,
development, and evaluation.
• October 2014
NEWS
UST Sports Science gives tests
to Gatorade-PBA Draft Combine 2014
T
he Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and
Gatorade Philippines invited the UST Sports Science
(SPS) Department to administer the physiological and
anthropometric battery of tests to the 95 aspiring draftees of the
2014 Gatorade-PBA rookie draft from August 18 to 19 at the
Gatorade Hoops Center in Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City.
Spearheaded by SPS Chair Mr. Reil Vinard S. Espino and
facilitated by Mr. Kris Anthony Agarao, the group included SPS
faculty and interns, and coaches of Focus Athletics. The tests
included: height, weight, arm span, and standing reach height;
lane agility test, which measures the explosiveness in changing
directions of the players and agility on the court; three-fourths
sprint test, which measures players’ running speed; modified
lane agility test, which measures players’ anaerobic capacity;
standing and maximum vertical leap, which measures lower
extremity strength.
Aspiring draftees for the Gatorade-PBA rookie draft participate in the warm-up
session conducted by the representatives from the UST Sports Science Department.
The Gatorade-PBA rookie draft combine was attended by
coaches from different PBA teams.
4th Stock Exchange-Grad School
Certified Securities Specialist course completed
T
he Philippine Stock Exchange
(PSE) and the UST Center for
Continuing Professional Education
and Development (CCPED) marked another
successful run of the Certified Securities
Specialist Course (CSSC).
After close to six months of weekly
lectures and battery of tests, including the
CSSC comprehensive final examination, the
successful course participants are now called
“Certified Securities Specialist”. Those who
completed the course were: Altair Grace A.
Aguillon, Ralph Zain C. Alfonso (Gold Bull
Awardee Top 1), Josephine Rose K. Chua,
Willington G. Chua (Bronze Bull Awardee
Top 3), Maria Corazon B. Cua, Rachel Joy C.
De Roxas, Mayla S. Domingo (Silver Bull
Awardee Top 2), Regina Reynon, Joyce Ann
L. Timbang.
No less than the President and CEO of
October 2014 •
PSE Hans B. Sicat attended the event. Also
present were Atty. Roel A. Refran, chief
operating officer of PSE, Jose Antonio S.
Vilar, officer-in-charge of the PSE Market
Education Department, Prof. Marilu R.
Madrunio, dean of the UST Graduate School,
and Engr. Delfin R. Jacob, director of CCPED
presented the major awards and certificates.
The CSSC, a key initiative of the CCPED
in partnership with PSE, is envisioned to
provide continuing education for stock
market/capital market analysts, brokers,
investors, and other market participants.
The course was a 124-hour program that
put emphasis on financial market theories,
valuation techniques and analysis, investment
portfolio management, ethics, regulations,
and market dynamics. The PSE Securities
Course was charted and developed by the
PSE Capital Markets Development Division,
led by its Market Education Department, and
a composite team of noted academics and
market practitioners.
The participants were investors who
desire to manage their own portfolios; trading
participants or market/industry practitioners
who want to enhance investment, trading,
and analytical skills; executive officers, or
employees of private corporations or listed
companies; Philippine Stock Exchange,
Securities and Exchange Commission,
and government financial institutions,
entrepreneurs; professors; and graduate
students in business; and individuals
interested to learn and wish to jumpstart a
career in finance or capital market industry.
33
UST bids farewell
to its first Filipino Rector
Whenever the good Archbishop would
speak to the Thomasian community during
the Masses that he concelebrated, his warmth
as a Dominican prelate who was once at UST’s
helm was palpable – like a father who had been
gone for a while and who had finally come back
home – there was immediate connectivity.
Legaspi
O
n August 8, 2014, the Thomasian
community celebrated the feast day of
St. Dominic de Guzman, founder of the
Order of Preachers. On that same day, too, a wellloved and well-respected Dominican priest, the
first Filipino rector of UST Archbishop Leonardo
Z. Legaspi,O.P. breathed his last at the UST
Hospital.
Born on November 25, 1935 in Meycauayan,
Bulacan, Archbishop Legaspi was ordained
priest of the Order of Preachers in 1960 and in
1968, he was named Rector of the UST Seminary.
In 1970, he wrote history when he was appointed
as the first Filipino Rector of the University after
centuries of Spanish leadership. He occupied the
position until 1977. In that same year, he was
appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Manila and was
ordained Bishop of Elephantaris in Mauretania.
At age 49 in 1983, he was appointed Archbishop
of Caceres. He retired after 29 years due to
failing health.
Legaspi was the Archbishop Emeritus of
Caceres when he passed away.
After retirement, Archbishop Legaspi
made himself available during important UST
events. He was the Mass presider during the Neocentennial Mass for the departed Thomasians in
2012 and attended the opening of the exhibition
on Saint John Paul II at the UST Main Building
lobby.
34
Thus, when Archbishop Legaspi passed
away, the grief of the Thomasian community
was understandable. After his remains were
brought to Naga and returned to Manila, a
three-day wake ensued at the UST Chapel
from August 13 to 15. Arriving in UST on
August 13, two Masses were celebrated
presided by no less than Dagupan Archbishop
Socrates Villegas, president of the Catholic
Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, at 5:15
in the afternoon and another by Luis Antonio
Cardinal Tagle of the Archdiocese of Manila
at 8:30 in the evening. Parishioners, members
of the Thomasian community and people from
Naga–that included priests, nuns, and the
laity–filled the UST Chapel with people who
wanted to spend the final days in prayer for
the tall Dominican priest whose baritone voice
they have loved to hear.
On August 14, necrological services were
held. Four people whose lives were connected
with the Archbishop at one time or another
shared with the community anecdotes that
were actually affirmations of relationships
built in various degrees and magnitude. The
first to speak was Fr. Efren Rivera, O.P., the
late Archbishop’s classmate and buddy since
their college days in Hong Kong where they
both studied and graduated in 1955 with a
degree in AB Philosophy, up to the days that
they have been ordained Dominican priests.
Their friendship remained until the death of the
Archbishop. The second one to pay respect to
Archbishop Legaspi was former ambassador to
the Vatican Henrietta de Villa, who recalled the
goodness of the heart of the late Archbishop,
especially when they worked together at the
Plenary Council of the Philippines.
Dr. Armando de Jesus who once served
the University as faculty member, dean of the
Faculty of Arts and Letters and Vice Rector for
Academic Affairs, shared that he had a special
affinity to the late Archbishop that started
while he was a seminarian at the UST Central
Seminary and the former was his mentor.
The connection remained even after he took
another course in life, leaving the seminary
to take on a career in teaching and eventually
raising a family. When Fr. Legaspi was
appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Manila, Dr. de
Jesus served as his assistant until the time that
Bishop Legaspi was appointed Archbishop of
Caceres. Dr. De Jesus joined him in Naga. He
also shared that the Archbishop was organized
and hardworking.
Fr. Rex Alarcon, the Archbishop’s
secretary, who in his own words said that he was
the one who was with the Archbishop when he
breathed his last, spoke of the quiet and almost
distant but prayerful nature of his master. He
spoke of Archbishop’s Legaspi’s love for “Ina”,
the patroness of Naga, Our Lady of Peñafrancia.
Fr. Alarcon also shared of the love that the people
of Naga had for the late prelate and how in his
death, the people that he once served mourned
and joined many others in the various religious
services that were held in his honor.
On Friday, August 15, the mortal remains
of Archbishop Legaspi left UST after the sendoff rites that started at the Carillon fronting the
UST Chapel. A procession from the Chapel to
the Arch of the Centuries was witnessed by
students who quietly lined up the streets paying
their final respect to the man who once walked
the campus in his white Dominican habit. His
coffin was borne on the shoulders of priests,
many of whom were from Naga. His coffin
ceremoniously passed through the Arch of the
Centuries to a hearse waiting to bring him to
Santo Domingo Church. As this took place, the
UST Band played the UST Hymn in the most
solemn manner inducing the crowd to tears in
a quiet but dignified way.
Again, the Band played the UST Hymn,
this time pianissimo, as the final prayers were
said and the Vice Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P.,
laid a bouquet of fresh white flowers on the coffin
that was now neatly and carefully laid inside the
hearse. When its door was shut, it was the signal
for the UST security officers to lead the vehicles
out of the campus through the Dominican gate
and out into España Blvd. At 10:30 in the morning,
with the UST Band still playing the UST Hymn
faintly, the funeral motorcade slowly moved out
of the confines of the University. People started
to leave and final words for Archbishop Legaspi,
once a Rector of this University, were uttered:
Requiescat in Pace.
• October 2014
UST Rector Rev. Fr. Dagohoy, O.P. speaks of the high regard he had for
the first Filipino Rector during the Necrological Services for Archbishop
Legaspi.
Boots Anson-Roa interviews Archbishop Legaspi during the PCNE held
at the Quadricentennial Pavilion.
October 2014 •
Caceres Archbishop Leonardo Legaspi, O.P. visits the exhibit of the
memorabilia of `St. John Paul II at the UST Museum.
The Thomasian community bids farewell to Archbishop Legaspi, as his
remains pass through the Arch of the Centuries for the last time.
35
NEWS
UST joins country in National
Disaster Consciousness Week
Sec. Sering extends her
gratefulness for being invited
to the opening of the ‘Climate
Change’ exhibit at the Main
Building lobby.
Lizardo discusses ‘Project Noah‘
during the seminar on ‘Disaster
Resilience in the Midst of
Climate Change.‘
(From left) Assoc. Prof. Fontanilla, Dr. Arlen Ancheta, Sec. Sering, Dr. Songco, Atty. Kaw, and
Dr. Ma. Salve Olalia lead the ribbon-cutting ceremony during the opening of the ‘Climate Change’
exhibit.
Students from the Conservatory of Music play
their drums in an intermission number during the
seminar.
J
Atty. Kaw (extreme left) and Dr. Songco (extreme right) award
the tokens and certificates of appreciation to Lizardo and
Masulit (3rd from left).
uly is the national disaster consciousness
month and in response to the nation-wide
call to help increase the awareness of the
public to the threats of disaster and for a better
appreciation of the efforts of the University
and the government in disaster preparedness,
the UST Disaster Management Committee
organized a week-long set of activities for the
Thomasian community. Held from July 21 to
25, 2014 , the activities included an opening
program lecture, an exhibit on climate change,
a blood- letting activity in coordination with
the UST Central Red Cross Youth Council, and
an evacuation drill.
talked about Project NOAH (Nationwide
Operational Assessment of Hazards). Under
the Department of Science and Technology,
Project NOAH is the brainchild of Dr. Mahar
A. Lagmay, its executive director. It is the
creation of flood hazard maps where high-risk
areas as well as safer grounds are identified.
The said information can easily be accessed
through computers and cellular phones for
fast transmission because time is a critical
factor. Lizardo also invited the students to
visit the website of Project NOAH primarily
to familiarize themselves with the information
available in the website.
Held at the Medicine Auditorium in the
afternoon of July 21, the opening program was
a seminar on ‘Disaster Resilience in the Midst
of Climate Change’. Speakers were Mr. Oscar
Lizardo, the chief information officer of Project
NOAH, and Ms. Haydee Masulit, the chief
of the Training Division, National Disaster
Risk Reduction and Management Council
(NDRMMC).
Masulit shared with the audience in the
jampacked auditorium, primarily composed
of second year students under the National
Service Training Program (NSTP) and student
leaders the disaster management work that their
office does especially in terms of coordination
and communication.
Lizardo, who is also the Chief Science
Specialist of the University of the Philippines
National Institute of Geological Sciences,
36
Dr. Evelyn A. Songco, assistant incident
commander of the UST Disaster Management
Committee, in her closing remarks, explained
the efforts undertaken by the University to
ensure the preparedness of the Thomasian
Thomasian students participate in the blood-letting
program facilitated by the Philippine Red Cross
Valenzuela Chapter.
community in the event of a disaster. She also
presented to the audience the members of the
Committee.
An exhibit on Climate Change was
mounted from July 22 to 25 at the Lobby of
the Main Building with the opening ceremony
held on July 22. It was graced by the presence
of Sec. Lucille Sering of the Climate Change
Commission. Dr. Songco delivered the
opening remarks, while Ms. Katrina Ninfa
Topacio, a faculty member from the Faculty of
Engineering was the master of ceremonies.
On July 25, a day-long blood-letting
activity was held at the Lobby of the Faculty of
Civil Law in cooperation with the UST Central
Red Cross Youth Council, which invited the
Philippine Red Cross Valenzuela Chapter to
facilitate the blood donation.
Evacuation drills were conducted as
an appropriate concluding activity. The
evacuation drill for the occupants of the Main
Building was held in the afternoon of July 30
since it had been raining days before that.
• October 2014
NEWS
EdTech Caravan
tours campus
Tangco receives
service award
I
n its efforts to reach out to the students, the UST Educational
Technology (EdTech) Center spearheaded a roving caravan
that visited different buildings around the campus from July
28 to August 7.
The travelling interactive information booth offered onsite EdTech services for easier access for faculty members and
students and featured an e-Learning Access Program (eLeap)
Help Desk where students and faculty members can direct their
eLeap-related concerns such as password change and course site
requests through the help of Edtech coordinators and technical
support staff.
Joining in the Caravan was the Tomasian Cable Television
(Tomcat), which launched the UST Tiger Radio via Mixlr
website. Through Mixlr, the official e-radio of the University,
it was able to share live audio online through the Internet and
mobile applications.
Truly interactive, a live on-site DJ played music, interviewed
students and accepted song requests from Thomasians.
UST Graduate School Regent Fr. José Antonio E.
Aureada, O.P. awards the Fr. Silvestre Sancho, O.P.
Service Award (FASASEA) to Dr. Belen L. Tangco for
her inestimable contribution for the Church, faithful,
and underprivileged during the 75th Anniversary of
the UST Graduate School held at the Centennial Hall
of the Manila Hotel on February 22, 2014.
EHS ranks first in National Achievement Test
T
he UST Education High School (EHS)
led 19 schools in the City of Manila in
the National Achievement Test (NAT)
for Academic Year 2013-2014 conducted last
March 5.
According to the institutional performance
profile released by the National Education
Testing and Research Center of the Department
of Education last August, EHS topped in the
following test components based on their
mean percentage scores: English (79.40),
Filipino (70.25), Mathematics (59.89), and
Critical Thinking (71.56), Science (47.03,
third place) and Araling Panlipunan (70.09,
second place), thus, an overall score (69.91).
October 2014 •
The institution believes that the proper
orientation provided by the guidance counselor
as well as the collaborative efforts of the diligent
pre-service teachers and their proficient
supervising teachers attributed to the
manifested performance of the students. The
implementation of the inventory tests, mock
tests, and review classes also helped the
students in the NAT.
Belonging to Cluster 3 of the Division
of City Schools in Manila (pertaining to
private schools with 100-199 examinees),
108 seniors successfully took the NAT.
EHS also placed first in 2013 and second
in 2012.
37
RESEARCH
Papa receives P5.2M-worth of research grant
to study Taal Lake
C
ollege of Science Asst. Prof. Rey
Donne S. Papa, Ph.D., was awarded
a research grant amounting to $119,
948.00 (over P5.2M) by the US National
Science Foundation-USAID Partnerships for
Enhanced Engagement in Research (PEER)
Science Program, following his study on
Taal Lake.
The grant will focus on a two-year project
involving a comprehensive biodiversity study
in Lake Taal through documenting its current
state in the face of climate change and the threat
from invasive species and rapid urbanization
of the watershed and eutrophication brought
about by aquaculture.
Papa will work with scientists from the
California Academy of Sciences headed by
Dr. Terrence Gosliner, the Dean of Science
of the said institute and will partner with Dr.
Arvin Diesmos of the National Museum and
NGO Pusod, Inc., which manages the Taal
Lake Conservation Center, together with
Papa
I
Papa is the principal investigator of
the collaborative research titled Lake Taal:
Sustaining native biodiversity in the face of
aquaculture, climate change and non-native
species.
Prior to this research, Papa had two
projects funded by the Commission on
Higher Education (CHEd) Philippine
Higher Education Research Network unit
in UST in 2013. He also became a finalist
(National Capital Region) for the CHEd
Republica in May 2014 and is a member of
a team of Asian and European scientists who
received a grant from the Bio-Asia Program
of France to conduct research on several
lakes, including Lake Taal from 2011 to
2014. He is also a part of the working group
on Inland Waters of Tropical Asia of the
International Society of Limnology.
Arts and Letters leaves mark in global arena
n view of fortifying its pursuit toward
internationalization, faculty members
and students of the Faculty of Arts
and Letters contributed to knowledge
exchanges in separate conferences in
East Asia and Europe.
A seven-team delegation, led by
Faculty of Arts and Letters Assoc. Prof.
Clarence M. Batan, Ph.D., participated in
the XVIII World Congress of Sociology
held from July 13 to 19 in Yokohama,
Japan.
Currently the vice president of the
Philippine Sociological Society and a
board member of the Research Committee
(RC) 34, Batan organized one of the
sessions titled, ‘Youth Education-Work
Nexus: Potentialities, Vulnerabilities and
Resilience,’ and presented his on-going
research on The Filipino Istambays and
Transition Crises: Locating Spaces of
Social Sufferings and Hope. He was
elected as new Vice President for Asia of
RC34 for 2014 to 2018.
38
Science faculty members that specialize in
ecology and biodiversity.
Sociology alumni Keith Joven,
Debbie Manalili, Leanne Lozañes, and
Marian Coleen Cajanding also presented
their respective papers. Joven and
Manalili presented Studying Selected
Youth Transition Studies between the
Global North and South: A Conceptual
& Methodological Analysis; Lozañes
who co-wrote with Dr. Marina Gamo
presented The Role of the Communities
of Care in Promoting the Social
Reintegration of Ex-Offenders: An
Account of Restorative Practices in the
Philippines, and Cajanding shared on Dr. Batan (extreme left) and students from the Faculty of Arts and Letters
Achieving Social Resiliency: A Case participate in the XVIII World Congress of Sociology held in Yokohoma,
Study on the Awardees of Bank of the Japan.
Philippine Island’s Most Outstanding
Global competitiveness
Children of Overseas Filipino Workers.
The world congress ushers in the
University’s new academic engagements
to revitalize and renew interest in studying
sociology in UST, which claim to have been
the first institution to introduce this discipline
as a subject of study in the Philippines.
Arts and Letters Faculty Association president
Gwenetha Y. Pusta, Ph.D. presented her research poster
A Re-Examination of the Philippines’ Strategy for
Global Competitiveness: Evidence from Select Locales
at the 11th International Society for Third Sector
Research held last July 24 at the University of Münster,
Germany.
• October 2014
RESEARCH
Pusta
Martin
Pusta’s emergent theory of social change dynamics addressed
the seeming disjuncture between theories, methodologies, or
applications of nation-statesʼ efforts to attain global competitiveness
against the backdrop of the political and economic configurations
of globalization within the framework of contemporary debate. She
purports that political and economic systems of organizing structures
and processes had given rise to multiple perspectives creating a great
deal of conceptual ambiguity.
The elusive concept of national competitiveness can never be
measured, explained, or predicted, Pusta said, hence the need for
an organizing framework that could be useful to policy analyst,
traditional state-directed policy makers, and researchers of the Third
Sector and Academics.
Anchored upon a historical review of the Philippinesʼ strategy
and drawing from empirical evidence in select locales in the
Philippines using the bottoms-up perspective, Pustaʼs grounded
theory and inductive analysis revealed that domestic outward
looking trade policies do not allow meaningful global strategizing,
therefore challenging financial planners and analysts to integrate the
three global forces of global business, regional/country pressures,
and worldwide functions into a globally-oriented and integrated
framework.
Pusta said that a global market and a holistic strategy should
create the conditions to hold the country level as a worldwide
organization characterized by specialization, interdependency and
coordination.
A
New perspective
Asst. Prof. Edwin S. Martin, Ph.D., presented his paper at the
World Conference for Public Administration held from June 25 to 28 at
the EXCO convention center, Daegu, South Korea.
Titled Private Sector Participation in the Context of Philippine
Public Administration, the study explored the roles that the business
sector play in public service and highlighted why public service and
administration should no longer be considered as a monopoly of the
government.
Departing from the common notion that businesses’ fundamental
reason for existence in profit-making, Martin’s study showed how and
why the private sector could also be agents of public goods and services
through Public-Private Partnerships, Corporate Social Responsibility,
and Corporate Citizenship (CC).
Martin teaches Political Science and Public Administration
at Arts and Letters and the UST Graduate School. He is currently
the representative of UST to the Association of Schools of Public
Administration in the Philippines, where he has been elected board
member and treasurer since 2010. He has recently been appointed as
program lead of the Political Science and Public Administration Cluster
of the UST Graduate School.
Diamante explores IT via hermeneutics
sst. Prof. Oscar R. Diamante explored
information technology through
hermeneutics in his study Gadamer’s
philosophical hermeneutics and information
technology by focusing on hermeneutical
engagement with information technology
on two overriding aspects of information
technology: the concept of information and
the digital experience.
The research, which highlights
information as a hermeneutical phenomenon,
October 2014 •
“In order to attain competitiveness, a global outlook should be
seen as a continuous process of moving an organizationʼs structure,
process, people, and culture from a set of highly autonomous business
units to one that is integrated and an effective global network,” she said.
is grounded on Gadamer’s philosophical
hermeneutics—a theory of understanding that
is not bounded by traditional hermeneutics
(i.e., exegesis, philology and jurisprudence)
and the methodology of the human sciences.
Diamante’s research is an addition to
the studies on the application of Gadamer’s
ideas to information systems and computer
design although its significance is on the
clarification of the concept and the bringing
of reification into relief from the perspective
of understanding that is not epistemological
and analytical but ontological.
Diamante is currently the chair of the
College of Science Website Management
and Social Media Committee.
A member of the Philippine National
Philosophical Research Society, he teaches
Logic, Philosophy of Science, and ETAR.
39
RESEARCH
Maminta tops oral presentation in int’l congress
M
s. Maria Angelica D. Rea-Maminta,
a faculty member at the College of
Science Department of Biological
Sciences, won first place in the student
oral presentation category during the 8th
International Congress on the Systematics
and Ecology of Myxomycetes hosted by
Jilin Agricultural University and Changchun
University of Science and Technology, held
in Changchun, China from August 11 to 15.
Her research paper focused on the
diversity and biosorption potential of
myxomycetes (slime molds) in forest
patches on ultramafic and volcanic soils.
She conducted her research study at the
UST Research Center for the Natural and
Applied Sciences under the supervision of
Science Department of Biological Sciences
chair Prof. Thomas Edison de la Cruz, Ph.D.
and in collaboration with the Department of
Biotechnology and Medical Engineering of
the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia.
Posters in Biology and
Microbiology were also presented.
Nathan
Batungbacal,
Carmela
Bulang, Akira Cayago, and Soohyun
Jung presented posters in Biology,
while Julius Alfaro, Don Alcayde,
and Joel Agbulo presented posters in
Microbiology.
Dela Cruz, a professor of
microbiology at the College of
Science and the UST Graduate
School, also presented two papers
highlighting
the
myxomycete
research spearheaded by UST.
He served as member of ICSEM
International Scientific Committee.
Ms. Maminta (left ) and Dr. De la Cruz participate in the 8th
International Congress on the Systematics and Ecology of
Myxomycetes.
More than 100 participants
from Asian, European, and American
countries took part in the international
congress, which is held only once every three
years. This year’s four-day meet focused on
studies on the ecology, taxonomy, phylogeny,
and in vitro culture of myxomycetes (slime
molds), dictyostelids and protostelids.
CTHM faculty, students present papers in international,
local conferences on tourism, hospitality, business
F
aculty members and students from the
College of Tourism and Hospitality
Management presented papers in
international and local conferences in tourism,
hospitality, and business.
HRM instructor Roshni S. RaichandaniMansukhani presented her paper, A study on
the influence of the Valentine’s Day special
events promotion on guests’ intention to visit,
propensity to spend, expectation of service
quality, and purchase risk in selected deluxe
hotels in relation to love stages at the 12th
Asia Pacific Council on Hotel, Restaurant and
Institutional (APacCHRIE) Conference held in
Selangor, Malaysia. With the theme, ‘Breaking
Barriers, Shifting Gears,’ the conference was
organized by APacCHRIE, a federation of
hotels, restaurants and hospitality schools
committed to the promotion of academic
and research exchanges among hospitality,
food service, and tourism educators and
industry practitioners in Asia and the Pacific.
The conference was sponsored by Taylor’s
University in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Another group of HRM students together
40
with their mentor also presented their papers
in the same conference. Tourism instructor
Jinky Rose P. Gino-gino presented her
study, An Analysis of selected major tourist
attractions of the Philippines as they relate
with selected Southeast Asian countries.
HRM seniors Megan Claire S. Bocao,
Gwyneth Augustine T. Lee, Ariel S. Nuñez,
Jr., Paolo Adrian Ongpauco, Maricar C.
Ramos, Jana Nadine T. Taguiang and Maria
Aira L. Taguilaso presented their study,
Impact of Intercultural Communication
on the Cultural Intelligence of Filipinos
Working in the Cruise Industry.
During the Asia Pacific Forum for
Graduate Students Research in Tourism
held in Taiwan last summer, HRM seniors
Bocao, Lee, Nuñez, Ongpauco, Ramos,
Taguiang and Taguilaso presented their
research study on the impact of intercultural
communication on Filipinos in the cruise
industry. The theme was “Industry and
Academic Links: Relationships of Mutual
Benefits.” The Asia Pacific Forum for
Graduate Students Research in Tourism was
founded in 2002 in an effort to provide a
“research forum” for postgraduate students
and academics in the field of tourism and
hospitality in the Asia Pacific. It primarily
aims to facilitate exchange of information
among postgraduate students and academics
for further research collaboration and
networking. Undergraduate senior students
were also invited to submit papers based
on research project they have undertaken
in collaboration with their professors. The
conference was organized by the National
Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and
Tourism in Taiwan.
Meanwhile, Tourism instructor Mr. Jojo
M. Villamin presented his paper, Market
Environmental Analysis of Overnight Food
Bazaars in Creating a Tourist Attraction
at the 2014 National Marketing Educators
Conference and Business Research Summit
held in Baguio City with the theme,
‘Transformative Era in Marketing and
Management: Issues and Challenges.’ The
paper was also recognized as the Best Paper
of the conference.
• October 2014
RESEARCH
UST recognizes 38 faculty researchers
in Gold, Silver Series Awards
Faculty researchers together with Dr. Juanillo (1st row, 6th from left), Prof. Carillo (1st row, 5th from left), and Prof.
Nonato (1st row, 7th from left) gather after the conferment of the 2014 Gold and Silver Awards in research.
T
he Office of Research and Innovation
under the helm of Assistant to the
Rector for Research and Innovation
Prof. Maribel G. Nonato, Ph.D. organized
the 2014 recognition program for faculty
researchers held in July 1, 2014 at the Thomas
Aquinas Research Complex Auditorium,
UST, where 19 faculty members received the
Gold Series Award, 15 obtained the Silver
Series award and a total of 24 were recipients
of award for international publication (IP).
Of the 24 recipients for the IP award, 20
were awarded either Gold or Silver Series in
addition to their publication award, and four
were recipients of solely the IP award.
The Gold and Silver Series Awards
are granted in recognition of the research
productivity and leadership of faculty
members in their respective fields of
specialization within the period covered by
the award, based on the faculty members’
research publications, ongoing research
involvement, and tenure in the University.
Recognized were faculty members
who contributed to the research efforts of
the University from June 2010 to May 2012
who belonged to the Research Center for the
Natural and Applied Sciences (RCNAS),
Research Cluster for Cultural, Educational
and Social Sciences (RCCESI), Center for
Health Research and Movement Science
CHRMS), and Research Center for the
Health Sciences (RCHS).
The Director of the Office of Planning,
October 2014 •
Research, and Knowledge Management
(OPRKM) of the Commission on Higher
Education (CHED), Dr. Napoleon K. Juanillo,
delivered the keynote address, where he
presented the research landscape of the
country. He emphasized the important role
of research and development in improving
our global competitive index.
During the recognition program the
Gold and Silver Series awardees received
their plaques and cash award from the Rector
Rev. Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, O.P., who
also delivered the welcome remarks, and
from Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Prof.
Clarita D. Carillo, Ph.D.
For the International Publications
awardees, Dr. Carillo, together with Dr.
Nonato, handed the plaques and cash awards.
The International Publication (IP)
Award is given to faculty members for
their research productivity, as indicated by
the publication of their work in refereed
international journals. Qualified are full-time
faculty members teaching only in UST with
research paper/s published in a peer-reviewed
international journal with impact factor, or
those who have completed research project as
a chapter of a book released by a prestigious
publishing company or its equivalent. Author
by-line should indicate the University of
Santo Tomas as address in the publication.
The recipients of the Gold Series
Award were: Prof. Ma. Alicia M. Aguinaldo,
Ph.D. (Science/RCNAS), Prof. Grecebio
Jonathan D. Alejandro, Dr. rer.nat. (Science/
RCNAS), Prof. Alvin P. Ang, Ph.D. (Arts
and Letters/RCCESI), Assoc. Prof. Susana
F. Baldia, Ph.D. (Science/RCNAS), Prof.
Belinda V. de Castro, Ph.D. (Commerce/
RCCESI), Prof. Allan B. de Guzman,
Ph.D. (Education/RCCESI), Prof. Thomas
Edison E. dela Cruz, Dr. rer.nat. (Science/
RCNAS), Prof. Consuelo G. Suarez, M.D.,
Ph.D. (Rehabilitation Sciences/CHRMS),
Asst. Prof. Allan Patrick G. Macabeo, Ph.D.
(Science/RCNAS), Prof. Leilani B.M. Asis,
M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H.(Medicine/RCHS), Prof.
Sandra Teresa V. Navarra, M.D.(Medicine/
RCHS), Prof. Maribel G. Nonato, Ph.D.
(Science/RCNAS), Asst. Prof. Rey Donne
S. Papa, Ph.D. (Science/RCNAS), Prof.
John Donnie A. Ramos, Ph.D. (Science/
RCNAS), Prof. Raymond L. Rosales, M.D,
Ph.D. (Medicine/RCHS), Assoc. Prof. Karen
S. Santiago, Ph.D. (Science/RCNAS), Prof.
José D. Sollano, Jr., M.D. (Medicine/RCHS),
Asst. Prof. Mario A. Tan, Ph. D. (Science/
RCNAS), and Assoc. Prof. Bernard John V.
Tongol, Ph.D. (Science/RCNAS).
The Silver Series awardees were: Prof.
Agnes G. Andaya, M.D.(Medicine/RCHS),
Asst. Prof. Cecilia I. Banag (Science/
RCNAS), Assoc. Prof. Clarence M. Batan,
Ph.D. (Arts and Letters/RCCESI), Asst.
Prof. Paolo Bolaños, Ph.D. (Arts and Letters/
RCCESI), Prof. Ma. Minerva P. Calimag,
UST recognizes page 42
41
RESEARCH
Cayubit discusses
student perception
on psych testing in France
UST recognizes from page 41
M.D., Ph.D. (Medicine/RCCESI), Assoc.
Prof. Gil A. Cauyan (Science/RCNAS),
Asst. Prof. Mae Lowe L. Diesmos (Science/
RCNAS), Prof. Reynaldo M. Javate, M.D.
(Medicine/RCHS), Assoc. Prof. Renato
B. Lucas (Music/RCCESI), Assoc. Prof.
Mary Beth B. Maningas, Ph.D. (Science/
RCNAS), Asst. Prof. Manuel Maximo L.
Noche (Architecture/RCCESI), Asst. Prof.
Jeremaiah M. Opiniano (Arts and Letters/
RCCESI), Asst. Prof. Donna May DLC Papa
(Science/RCNAS), Assoc. Prof. Marciana
Agnes G. Ponsaran, Ph.D. (Science/RCNAS),
and Assoc. Prof. Camilla J. Vizconde, Ph.D.
(Education/RCCESI).
The
faculty members who were
recognized for their international publication
were: Assoc. Prof. Janine Margarita R. Dizon,
Ph.D. (Rehabilitation Science/CHRMS), Asst.
Prof. Valentin C. Dones, III (Rehabilitation
Sciences/CHRMS), Asst. Prof. Ma. Victoria
B. Pangilinan (Science/RCNAS), Mr. Oliver
B. Villaflores, Ph.D. (Nursing/RCNAS), Prof.
Aguinaldo, Prof. Alejandro, Prof. de Castro,
Prof. de Guzman, Prof. dela Cruz, Asst. Prof.
Diesmos, Prof. Suarez, Prof. Javate, Prof.
Macabeo, Assoc. Prof. Maningas, Prof. Asis,
Prof. Navarra, Prof. Nonato, Asst. Prof. Papa,
Prof. Rosales, Assoc. Prof. Santiago, Prof.
Sollano, Asst. Prof. Tan, Assoc. Prof. Tongol
and Assoc. Prof. Vizconde.
A
Cayubit
sst. Prof. Ryan Francis O. Cayubit of the College of Science Psychology Department
presented an e-poster before 4,500 delegates from 100 countries in the 28th International
Congress of Applied Psychology organized by the International Association of Applied
Psychology held from July 8 to 13 at Palais de Congres in Paris, France.
With the theme ‘From crisis to sustainable well-being,’ Cayubit presented his study titled
Factor structure and reliability of the student attitude towards testing scale, which tried to assess
how students perceive the entire psychological testing process.
The congress, held only every four years, is considered the most prestigious gathering of
psychologists in the world. Cayubit was the lone delegate from UST.
Thomasian educators discuss language phenomena
in the Philippines at confab in Indonesia
T
wo faculty members from the UST College of Education
presented their research works during the International
Conference on Linguistics from August 23 to 24, 2014 at the
Faculty of Humanities, Universitas Airlangga in Surabaya, Indonesia.
The conference theme was ‘Language Phenomena in Urban Society.’
College of Education faculty member Ms. Kristine May D.
Martinez presented her paper Code-switching among the City
Councilors of a City in Region IV-A, Philippines. Martinez’ study
explored and described the phenomenon of code switching in local
legislation.
Ms. Katherine Patrice B. Sibug of the UST High School,
meanwhile, presented her research titled, In the depths of the mind:
The relationship of young readers’ reading motivation and reading
strategies to reading comprehension. It delved on the effects of
42
reading motivation and reading strategies on reading comprehension.
The results provided a profile of Thomasian grade seven readers
according to their motivational level and utilized strategies.
The conference provided a venue for linguistic educators and
researchers to collaborate with and learn from each other as they
aimed to consistently address and respond to current issues on
linguistics. The participants were resolute in their engagement in
pursuing research opportunities which advance linguistic concerns
that benefit the academe, their institutions, and their respective
nations in general.
The event was attended by 120 participants from different
countries including Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia,
the Philippines, Poland, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sweden, and
Thailand. Participants in the conference were educators, researchers,
and professionals from and across the linguistics discipline.
• October 2014
RESEARCH
F
Balid, Uy of CRS present papers
in OT world congress
aculty members from the
College of Rehabilitation
Sciences presented their
research studies before some
5,000 occupational therapists
from more than 70 countries
during the 16th World Congress
for Occupational Therapists held
from June 18 to 21, 2014 at the
Pacifico Yokohama in Japan.
Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof.
Sally Jane Uy, MBAH, OTRP,
OTR presented her paper
Filipinos’ Perceived Meaning of
Occupational Transition towards
Retirement and participated in
the poster presentation with her
research on Perceived Role and
Effects of Occupational Therapy
in Dementia Care: the Filipino
Experience. She also served as
Ms. Stepanie Ann Balid, chair and moderator for a special
who is currently taking her session titled ‘Occupation and
doctorate degree in Australia, Participation of the Elderly’.
delivered a lecture about a
community reintegration program
The international congress
for children in conflict with the aimed to encourage professional
law in the Philippines. The fellowship, exchange technical
presentations were on ‘The Role and scientific information and
of Occupational Therapist in the to promote worldwide high
Juvenile Justice System’ and standards of practice.
an awareness campaign called
“Project Move”.
Balid (left) and Uy (right) present their research studies before delegates of the 16th
World Congress for Occupational Therapists.
Alfonso wins two awards in Indonesia;
Manalad presents paper in Poland
Architecture faculty member Asst. Prof.
Maria Mynn P. Alfonso won the Best Paper
and Best Presentation prizes in the 2nd Asia
Future Conference held from held from August 22 to 24 in Bali, Indonesia.
Around 380 participants from 17 countries learned from Alfonso the Agriculture, in
Architecture, in Cities in the event which had
the general theme ‘Diversity and Harmony.’
The conference aimed to provide a
platform for those who have or interested to
study in Japan to meet and discuss the future
of Asia.
Meanwhile, Asst. Prof. Jonathan V.
Manalad, also an Architecture faculty, attended the 3rd International Conference of the
International Network for Traditional Building and Urbanism held from May 5 to 6, in
Kraków, Poland.
October 2014 •
Manalad was invited
to the conference as the
lone delegate of Southeast Asia to present his
research paper titled ‘Realistic Intervention for a
Built H e r i t a g e : E m bracing the Educat i o n a l Tr a n s f o r m a t i o n o f t h e Philippine
Women’s University.’
The
conference,
which focused on the
theme ‘Tradition and Heritage in the Contemporary Image of the City,’
highlighted four main subjects: Local precedent, understanding locality, community wisdom, and local technologies.
Notable speakers include Robert Adam
(UK), Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk (USA), Chris-
Asst. Prof. Alonzo receives her award for best
paper and best presentation during the 2nd Asia
Future Conference in Bali, Indonesia.
topher Alexander (Austria), and Leon Krier
(Germany)—all prominent personalities
advocating traditional and sustainable architecture in their respective countries.
43
LECTURES&CONFERENCES
Grad student participates in Swiss ‘BioCamp’
K
in Israel R. Notarte, a graduate student under the M.S.
Microbiology Program of the UST Graduate School,
learned about new medicine addressing previously
unmet healthcare needs in the Novartis International
Biotechnology Leadership Camp (BioCamp) from August 24
to 27 in Basel, Switzerland.
During the three-day seminar, delegates were also
given the opportunity to interact with key Novartis scientists,
understand trends and challenges in biotechnology, receive
first-hand experience on starting and running a biotech
company, explore career option in the Novartis healthcare
and biotech industries, and network with students from other
countries and associates of Novartis.
The 2014 Novartis BioCamp brought the biotechnology
sector closer to talented students from top universities all over
the world.
Filipino delegates attend the 2014 Novartis International BioCamp (from left) Notarte of
UST Graduate School, Jortan Tun of UP Diliman Marine Science Institute, Arjelle Agupitan,
Alvin Bello and Gerald Aquino of the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology UP Diliman.
The BioCamp Filipino delegates were screened based
on academic excellence, research experience, and leadership
skill by a panel of judges headed by Philippine Council for
Health Research and Development Executive Direcor Dr.
Jaime Montoya.
Notarte, who was sponsored by the Departments of Science and Technology
and Health, is currently a graduate researcher of the Fungal Biodiversity and
Systematics group in the UST Research Center for the Natural and Applied
Sciences. His research studies focus on the chemotherapeutic applications of
marine algae, sea grasses, and their fungal associates.
History profs discuss paper at historians meet;
De Viana links with Malaysian university
U
ST Department of History chair
Assoc. Prof. Augusto V. de Viana,
Ph. D. of the College of Commerce
and Assoc. Prof. Archie Resos of the
Faculty of Arts and Letters, presented
their paper during the 23rd Conference of
the International Association of Historians
of Asia (IAHA) held from August 23 to 27
at the TH Hotel and Convention Centre in
Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia.
De Viana presented two papers:
The Dream of Malayan Unity: President
Macapagal and the MAPHILINDO
and The Philippine View of Malayan
Independence as Reported in Philippine
Newspapers; while Resos presented The
Foreign Policy of President Ferdinand
Marcos:
From
Traditionalism
to
Realism.”Both delegates served as chairs
of their respective panels.
The IAHA conferences are the largest
gathering of historians specializing in Asian
history, culture, and civilization.
Possible cooperation
To initiate cooperation and partnerships,
De Viana visited the University of Malaysia
(UM) on August 28 to meet with UM Deputy
Dean for Research and Development Dr.
Zulkanain Abdul Rahman, Department of
History chair Dr. Azharudin Mohamed Dali,
Ms. Noor Lailatul Marini Binti Kamal Amir.
The possibilities of joint research
endeavors, conferences, and seminars as well
as exchange of students and faculty members
were discussed in the meeting that laid the
ground for an eventual memorandum of
agreement between the two Southeast Asian
universities.
Dr. De Viana (right) and Assoc. Prof. Resos (left) after their
presentation.
44
• October 2014
LECTURES&CONFERENCES
Arts and Letters students take part
in Harvard Asian conference
With the conference theme ‘Reflection and Progression:
Fostering Mutual Growth,’ the 2014 Conference reached out
to various individuals of different countries and embedded
within them the necessary awareness needed to respond
to the several issues haunting the world today through
education and discussion.
The HPAIR is led by students and faculty of Harvard
University, offering a sustained academic program and
a forum of exchange to facilitate discussion of the most
important economic, political, and social issues relevant to
the Asia-Pacific region.
Over the years, HPAIR’s international conferences
have emerged as Harvard University’s largest annual events
in the Asia-Pacific region, welcoming a wide variety of
distinguished speakers and future leaders.
Students from the UST Faculty of Arts and Letters join other Filipino delegates during the
conference of Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations in Tokyo, Japan.
F
ive students from the Faculty of Arts and Letters flew to Tokyo, Japan to
attend this year’s Harvard Project for Asian and International Relations
(HPAIR) held from August 22 to 28.
Emmanuel Philip V. Arre, Chantal Balinbin, Jeanne Pauline E. de la Peña,
Angelica T. Pojol, and Glyzel Anne B. Sapla had the opportunity to listen to
esteemed professors both from Harvard University and Keio University.
I
HPAIR believes that finding common ground in AsianPacific economic, political, and social issues is dynamic and
innovative process. Only through active participation of
highly qualified delegates can this process be realized.
The HPAIR Asia conference is an opportunity for the
delegates to interact and understand Asia’s most pressing
issues by creating solutions.
Center for Religious Studies holds lecture on
‘end-of-life care’
llness, old age, and death are among the
undeniable facts of human life and many
are afraid of dying in great pain.
insisted that dying a happy death must be
aimed amid the physical pains brought by an
illness.
As health care, especially for the
terminally ill, becomes an important pastoral
concern, the UST Center for Religious
Studies and Ethics held a lecture on ‘Endof-life Care in the Catholic Tradition’ with
Rev. Fr. Nicanor Pier Giorgio Austriaco,
O.P., Ph.D., an associate professor of biology
at the Providence College in Rhode Island,
USA, as resource speaker, last August 13 at
the Thomasian Aquinas Research Complex
Auditorium.
In their reactions, Faculty of Sacred
Theology Dean Fr. Rodel E. Aligan, O.P. and
Faculty of Medicine and Surgery Department
of Bioethics Chair Patrick Gerard L. Moral,
M.D. commended the speaker’s emphasis on
pastoral care for the dying, which they find to
be an important complement to the attention
provided by healthcare professionals.
Fr. Austriaco lectured on the ethical
practice for healthcare, spiritual preparations
of a dying patient, while giving practical tips
on pastoral care for the terminally ill. He
October 2014 •
The lecture is the first of the public
talks envisioned by the Center for Religious
Studies and Ethics, which was tasked to
stimulate serious reflections on matters
related to the Sacred Sciences and Ethics.
Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the
Philippines Episcopal Office on Bioethics
chair delivered a message.
The Center for Religious Studies and
Ethics is an offshoot of the earlier effort of
the University of Santo Tomas to dedicate a
venue for serious reflections in Ethics and the
Sacred Sciences.
UST first opened the Center for
Contextualized Theology and Ethics, which
was divided into the Center for Ethics and
the John Paul II Research Center of the
Ecclesiastical Sciences in 2006. Both centers
were, however, dissolved in 2008. In 2013,
the Center for Religious Studies and Ethics
was opened with Fr. Jannel N. Abogado, O.P.
as Director. Currently, the center has seven
faculty researchers.
45
LECTURES&CONFERENCES
Mara, Bolaños of Philo department speak
in Samar conference
and subsequently facilitated a workshop on
formulating thesis problems and prescribing
the appropriate research methodology thereto.
According to him, philosophical research plays
a vital role in the formation of seminarians.
It teaches them how to be creative and
innovative in articulating concepts of famous
thinkers, and even that of the Gospel.
A
Mara
team of faculty members from the
UST Department of Philosophy
presented papers during the 2nd
Philosophical Conference held at the Nativity
of Our Lady College Seminary (NLCS) in
Borongan, Eastern Samar last July 25, 2014.
Asst. Prof. Marella Ada Mancenido-Bolaños
of the College of Tourism and Hospitality
Management and Mr. Peter Emmanuel A.
Mara of the Faculty of Engineering were
among the four speakers who graced the said
conference with the theme ‘Philosophy and
Literature.’
Convened by Rev. Fr. Rommel Arce
of the Diocese of Borongan, this year’s
conference was attended by almost 100
college seminarians from the three seminaries
of Eastern Visayas (Region VIII) namely,
Bolaños
NLCS of Diocese of Borongan, Eastern Samar,
Pope Paul VI Minor Seminary of the Diocese of
Maasin, Leyte and the Sacred Heart Seminary of
the Diocese of Palo, Leyte.
In her lecture titled, Literature, Language
and Hermeneutics in Sartre, Bolaños discussed
Jean Paul Sartre’s take on literature and
language as found in his books Literature and
Existentialism and in Between Existentialism and
Marxism. Bolaños pointed out in her paper that
for Sartre, Hermeneutics, is no longer limited to
textual analysis or interpretation, but has spread
into praxis and history. Sartre was able to live up
to the standard that he raised-to be considered as
a writer one has to save and change man.
Meanwhile, Mara delivered a lecture
on the ‘Methods of Philosophical Research’
Library heads attend
eBook forum
in Malaysia
A
s part of its digitalization thrust, the UST Miguel
de Benavides Library was represented by its Chief
Librarian Ms. Estrella S. Majuelo and Acquisitions
section head Ms. Ma. Cecilia D. Lobo at the 2014 Elsevier
eBook Forum held from September 2 to 3, 2014 at the Gardens
Hotel and Residences, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
46
This conference is held annually to
expose the seminarians to the role and
importance of an intellectual gathering
in promoting new ideas and the value of
research. Apart from the intellectual agenda,
the conference is also a good venue in
boosting camaraderie among seminarians
in the said region. Mara and Bolaños were
among the four speakers composed of Dr.
Maria Eliza Cruz of San Beda College, and
Dr. Moses Aaron Angeles, an adjunct faculty
of the UST Philosophy Department, whose
paper was read in his absence.
Bolaños thinks that conferences of this
nature are useful to seminarians. They are
exposed to more discussions on Philosophy
specifically this batch that experienced
Typhoon Yolanda. A number of their reference
materials in the seminary were ravaged by
the typhoon. Meanwhile, Mara believes that
these seminarians have to be given additional
assistance in the area of philosophical research
because of the promising minds that need to be
honed to become more productive citizens of
the society and future pastors of the Church.
Titled ‘SEA: eBook—paving the way to a better research experience
and output,’ the conference gave emphasis on the science and technology
collection through resource speakers from Asia, United States, and United
Kingdom.
An ‘eBook’ is an electronic version of a printed book that can be read
on a computer or handheld device designed specifically for this purpose.
Current practices on acquiring, organizing and managing eBooks were
presented by librarians from Thailand and Hong Kong and the University
of the Philippines College of Engineering Library.
The library has been into computerization and automation of its
collections and services since 1992.
• October 2014
LECTURES&CONFERENCES
Bernardo of Grad School delivers keynote lecture
on globalization and language
G
raduate School Faculty Secretary Alejandro S. Bernardo,
Ph.D., delivered a keynote lecture at St. Mary’s University
(SMU), Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya on August 13, 2014. His
talk, “The Killing and Diversifying Powers of Globalization” was
in line with SMU’s week-long activity that celebrated ethnicity of
the university and Nueva Vizcaya as a whole. The celebration was
anchored on the theme “Indigenous Peoples: Empowering Lives,
Building Resilience.”
One of the highlights of the celebration was the forum on
language and culture and culture and technology. Bernardo tackled
how globalization and Americanization of cultures results in language
death and language evolution. The lecture was attended by more
than a hundred students and faculty from high schools, colleges, and
universities within the area.
On the same day, Bernardo, who also teaches at the Faculty
of Arts and Letters, graced the opening of the poster exhibits that
featured researches on indigenous peoples of the region.
T
Bernardo
UST takes part in NCCA Re-Tooling Seminars
on New CHEd Gen Ed Core Curriculum
he National Commission for Culture and the Arts – Philippine
Cultural Education program (NCCA – PCEP) and the
Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) jointly sponsored the
National Re-tooling and Writeshop on Culture-based CHED General
Education Core Curriculum for Filipino Subject Instructors, at the
La Consolacion University, Malolos, Bulacan from July 4 to 5, 2014
(Luzon), University of St. La Salle, Bacolod city from August 19 to
20, 2014 (Visayas) and at Xavier University from August 26 to 27,
2014 at Xavier University, Cagayan de Oro (Mindanao).
Assoc. Prof. Ferdinand Lopez of the Faculty of Arts and Letters
and the Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies was invited
to discuss the provenance and the nature of multidisciplinary/
transdisciplinary as perspective and approach to the new General
Education Curriculum in the Tertiary Level.
Lopez was selected by NCCA-PCEP Task Force director. Mr.
Joseph Cristobal was one of the course validators for the first four
courses titled “Pag-unawa sa Sarili” (Understanding the Self),
“Malayuning Komunikasyon” (Purposive Communication), “Ang
Kasalukuyang Daigdig” (Contemporary World) and “Pagpapahalaga
sa Sining: Ang Imahen ng Filipino sa Sining” (Art Appreciation: The
Image of the Filipino in the Arts). They worked closely with the
course developers and facilitators: Assoc. Prof Gina Salazar of U.P.-
October 2014 •
Manila; Asst. Prof. Arvin Villalon of U.P.-Baguio, Prof. Steve Patrick
Fernandez of MSU-IIT, and Asst. Prof Tim Dacanay of De La Salle
College of Saint Benilde. The second phase of the training caravan
will include the other general education core courses and electives
such as “Science, Technology, and Society,” “Jose Rizal: Life and
Works, “Popular Culture,” “Great Books,” and “Gender and Society.”
The PCEP has developed outcomes-based syllabi for the four
general education courses and will come-up with learning resources
such as reading packet for each subject, and instructional materials
which are designed to assist the Filipino teachers in taking on the
challenge of their new assignments.
Lopez is a member of NCCA-PCEP training pool on CultureBased Education. He has facilitated lectures and writeshops on
Pedagogy of Culture-based Education, and Development of Culturebased Lesson Exemplars at the La Consolacion University-Malolos,
Bicol University, Holy Name University-Tagbilaran, and Cebu
Normal University. In addition, he was invited by the Komisyon sa
Wikang Filipino (KWF) and Wika ng Kultura at Agham (WIKA) to
assess the Literature in Filipino component of the K-12 curriculum,
together with Graduate School professor and UST Center for Creative
Writing and Literary Studies Associate Prof. Rebecca Añonuevo,
Ph.D.
47
LECTURES&CONFERENCES
Lopez of AB attends Taiwan summit,
Asian lit scholars’ conference
Assoc. Prof. Lopez (1st row, 5th from left) joins the participants of the ‘Summer Institute in Asian American
Studies’ at the National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan.
A
ssoc. Prof Ferdinand M. Lopez of
the Faculty of Arts and Letters and
the Center for Creative Writing and
Literary Studies attended the prestigious
Summer Institute in Asian American Studies
held from July 28 to 31, 2014 at the National
Tsing Hua University in Taiwan’s technohub, Hsinchu.
“Empire Re-considered,” was the
second leg of the three-year program which
assess the impact of Asian American Studies
on scholars in the Asian continent whose
works on the Empire are still relegated to the
contours and the fringes of Imperial power.
Generously supported by Taiwan’s Ministry
of Science and Technology, in cooperation
with the National Taiwan Normal University,
and the Academia Sinica, the organizers
envisioned to chart new research paths in the
area of Asian American Studies by opening
the contested terrain of this trans-disciplinary
studies to “other” viewpoints from other
zones.
The shift from the U.S-centric discourse
to Asia provides the impetus for re-thinking
how the micro-physics of power underlay
racial confrontations, negotiations, and
accommodations among exilic subjects of
Asian descent. As the immigrant subjects
confront issues of racism in the host territory
spawned by their paradoxical identities as
“outsiders-in,” what ensues from this liminal
fissure is a creative strategy of survival
enabling the migrant to straddle past and
48
present, home and homelessness, alienation
and belonging.
Conference speakers and panel
discussants were the stalwarts of Asian
American Studies in Asia and their
counterparts from the US mainland which
include Leslie Bow (University of Wisconsin
– Madison), Shirley Geok-lin Lim (University
of California – Santa Barbara), Pin Chia Peng
(National Chiao Tung University), Russ
Castronovo (UW – Madison), Shu-ching
Chen (National Chung Hsing University),
Donald Goellnicht (McMaster University,
Canada), Walter Lim (National University of
Singapore), Oscar Campomanes (Ateneo de
Manila University ), Jodi Kim (University of
California – Riverside), Iping Liang (NTNU),
Chang-Hee Kim (Yongsei University),
George Radics (NUS), Ya-Wen Yu (NTHU),
Y-Dang Troeung ( City University of Hong
Kong), Andy Wang(Academia Sinica), Kim
Tong Lee (National Sun Yat-sen University),
Shy-jen Fuh (NTHU), Guy Beauregard
(National Taiwan University), and Chi-she Li
(NTU).
Also, Lopez had the opportunity to be
part of the closed-door conference of Asian
scholars in literature where participants
engaged in an interaction critiquing abstracts
submitted by participants. Lopez’s abstract
titled Pink Fictions: Filipino Homo/
Sexualities and US Homotopics in Three
Filipino Novels was very well received by the
members of the screening committee.
Only 40 participants from more than
400 applicants from all over the world were
chosen to interact and critically engage
the speakers during presentations, panel
discussions and workshops.
Lopez maintained that this year’s
SIAAS was indeed an opportunity to interact
with other fellows from the Asian Region
and from the US mainland discussing new
trajectories and routes of Asian American
Studies, its theoretical and methodological
apparatuses, as well as its modalities of
global circulation and critiques. What to him
was particularly significant is the affirmation
that the borders and peripheries of the empire
continuously speak to the center in a highly
informed critical voices. In the scenic Silicon
Valley of Taiwan, he said, “I bonded with
kindred souls – mind, and heart – nourished
by their generosity of the spirit, I learned not
only the value of independence of thought
and critical standpoint, but of the significance
of the encouraging presence of other scholars,
who confident in their own achievements,
humbly opened the field to accommodate
emerging voices and new vistas.”
Impressed by his performance in the
conference, Lopez was invited again in
Taiwan to grace the 1st International Graduate
Student Seminar on November 8, 2014 as
panel discussant to be held at the National
Taiwan University.
• October 2014
LECTURES&CONFERENCES
Education eyes more action research;
forms research committee
I
n line with the College of Education’s aim
to produce more classroom-based action
research focusing on teaching methods and
student motivation, the Faculty Association of
the College of Education (FACE), conducted
a faculty development seminar last July 3 at
the SPED Room, Albertus Magnus Building.
UST Graduate School and College
of Education faculty member, Prof. Allan
de Guzman, Ph.D., a 2011 Metrobank
Outstanding Teacher awardee, served as
speaker in the seminar that aimed to strengthen
the research capability of faculty members.
De Guzman said that the main purpose
of action research is to inform researchers on
policy and improve research practice. Action
research, he added, has four structural parts,
namely: Classroom Problem Space, Classroom
Creative Space, Gains of Classroom Creative
Space, and Creative Space Commitment.
He also discussed the intellectualization
of research questions and identification
of classroom problems through vigilant
observation and said that an action research is
born out of the intent of teachers to address
classroom problems and improve instructional
practice.
According to De Guzman, a classroom
research problem may center on any of the
“eight Ms” of teaching: Milieu, Matter,
Motivation, Method, Material, Media,
Measurement and Mastery.
Sample action researches were also
analyzed during the seminar led by FACE
head Dr. Lourdes Medina.
Following the lecture was the formation
of a Research Committee, which was tasked
to supervise and monitor action research in the
college and to facilitate a broader involvement
of faculty members in classroom-based and
community-based action research, tracer
studies, and other research-related activities.
The committee is headed by Dr. Marieta C.
Baysa.
EHS celebrates 64th year;
holds memorial lecture
A
s one of the highlights of its 64th founding anniversary, the
Education High School (EHS) held the annual Caridad Sevilla
Memorial Lecture last July 30 at the Alebrtus Magnus Auditorium
with two of its outstanding alumni as speakers.
With the theme ‘EHSians: Faithful and Successful,’ Mrs. Antonina
Sablan-Solomon, a UST Totus Tuus Awardee for Business last 2011 and
a certified financial planner of the International Association of Registered
Financial Consultants (IARFC), shared her experiences focused on how
motivation leads one person to the fulfilment of his dreams.
Another alumnus and 2009 Totus Tuus Awardee for Engineering
Practice, Engr. Benjamin P. Saldua shared his experiences and knowledge
through a pre-recorded video. He is currently working with the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in USA as principal structural engineer of the jet
propulsion laboratory.
The memorial lecture is in commemoration of the first principal of EHS Mrs. Caridad Z.
Sevilla. It was launced 18 years ago.
The EHS was established in 1950.
October 2014 •
49
LECTURES&CONFERENCES
Literature prof presents poster
in twin conference in Malaysia
C
ollege of Commerce and Business
Administration faculty member Ms.
Mary Ann Majul presented her poster,
Conceptualization of Kapwa in selected
Philippine television commercials at the
12th International Asia TEFL Conference
and 23rd Malaysian English Language
Teaching Association (MELTA) International
Conference held from August 28 to 30 at
the Borneo Convention Center in Kuching,
Sarawak, Malaysia.
Majul, who teaches Philippine and
World Literature at Commerce, presented her
paper, Development of Instructional Materials
for Teaching Selected Contemporary British
Short Stories in the Tertiary Level: Using
Reader Response Theories in another meet—
the International Conference on Language,
Literature and Culture organized by De La
Salle University-Dasmariñas and the Alliance
of Language and Literature Teachers—in
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in 2013.
Asia TEFL is one of the biggest
organizations of educators and scholars in
the field of English language teaching in
Asia, while the Malaysian English Language
Teaching Association MELTA is a voluntary
non-profit organization, which enjoys the
royal patronage of Duli Yang Maha Mulia
Raja Zarith Sofiah binti Almarhum Sultan
Idris Shah Tuanku.
Majul
UST Simbahayan challenged to help eradicate
persisting problems in society
A
n eight-day international executive course on
Creative Leadership Community Development
challenged professionals and practitioners to
respond to both novel and perennial problems hounding
the society.
Accepting the challenge were UST Simbahayan
Community Development Office program coordinator
Asst. Prof. Froilan A. Alipao and College of Rehabilitation
Sciences Simbahayan coordinator Mr. Ivan Gomez, who
participated in the event held from August 22 to 28 at the
9 Waves in Montalban, Rizal.
The context of the challenge is persistent problems
of poverty, inequality and humanitarian crises, the
complexity and limitations of institutional contexts
of development initiatives, competing visions and
expectations of development, and the place of personal
values and principles.
Alipao, national chair of the Community Development
Society of the Philippines (CDSP), served as one of the
50
speaker-facilitators in the topic ‘Local Governance and
Active Citizenship.’
More than 25 participants from civil societies in the
Philippines, Myanmar, and Hong Kong attended the event
organized and sponsored by CDSP and Ex:Change.
CDSP is an organization of Filipino professionals
and practitioners of community development in the
Philippines that uphold integrative working relationship
among members, enhance professional development and
facilitate the development and empowerment of Filipino
communities, especially the less privileged, in cooperation
with local organizations and global partners.
Ex:change, meanwhile, is a consultancy and
resource centre on rights-driven and wellbeing-oriented
development in Hong Kong. It provides a range of services
on adaptive and participatory approaches to strategic
planning, monitoring and evaluation, impact assessment,
management development, systems development, and
process facilitation, among others.
• October 2014
ARTS&CULTURE
UST’s Baybayin documents
declared National Cultural Treasures
T
he rich cultural legacy of the University
of Santo Tomas has merited one
more recognition from the Philippine
government. On August 22, 2014, during
the Second Conference on Baybayin held at
the National Museum, the National Archives
of the Philippines (NAP) declared two
documents in the UST Archives as National
Cultural Treasures. The UST Baybayin
Documents, as they are officially known, are
the only known documents on paper to be
wholly written in baybayin, the pre-Spanish
script of the Filipinos. Baybayin is defined in
early 17th century dictionaries as the “A-B-C”
of the Tagalogs. It is incorrect to use the word
alibata, which was only invented in 1914.
The UST Baybayin Documents are two
deeds of sale of land. Document A documents
the sale of tubigan (irrigated land) by Doña
Catalina Baycan, a maginoo or principal
of Tondo, to Don Andres Capiit of Dilao, a
district in the vicinity of today’s Manila City
Hall. Document B documents the sale of
irrigable land in the area of Mayhaligue—
most possibly the area around the Department
of Health in Santa Cruz, Manila—by Doña
Maria Silang, a maginoo of Tondo, to Doña
Francisca Longgad, a maginoo of Dilao.
Document A is dated 15 February 1613.
Document B is dated 4 December 1625. This
second paper was previously dated to 1635,
until further research showed that in Old
Tagalog, according to Fr. Blancas and Tomas
Pinpin, expressing a number from twenty
onward to another number was achieved by
counting the next higher decade and affixing
the lower number. For example, 42 would be
written micalimandalawa (two towards the
fifth decade), and so forth. Thus, micatlong
lima was then correctly read as 25, not 35.
Don Andres Capiit, who bought the
land in Document A, married Doña Francisca
Longgad, who bought the land in Document
B. Capiit must have died between 1613 and
1625, at which time Francisca married Don
Luis Castilla. In 1629 Luis Castilla sold
some land to UST, which occasioned some
contestation. Castilla therefore showed as
proof of ownership Documents A and B.
When UST acquired this land, the proper
October 2014 •
documents passed on to form a hefty volume
of 17th century papers in the UST Archives.
They were both summarized in Spanish in
1629, which provided us with a baybayin
‘Rosetta Stone,’ an invaluable tool to reading
these documents.
A pioneering study on baybayin in UST
was made by Ignacio Villamor and Norberto
Romualdez, both Thomasians, in 1918, which
was revised in 1922. Villamor became first
Filipino president of the University of the
Philippines (1915-1918), while Romualdez was
eventually made chairman of the Philippine
Commonwealth’s Committee on National
Language. The study was deepened by the work
of Fr. Alberto Santamaria, OP, archivist of UST,
who published his work in 1938 in the UST
journal Unitas.
Thus, the UST Baybayin documents
provide us with an insight on how much more
prevalent was the use of baybayin. Previously,
it was generally thought that baybayin was
limited to writing love poems, accounting, and
signing papers. The documents give us a glimpse
of life and commerce in early 17th century
Manila, at a time when UST was still a fledgling
school. Significantly, they also demonstrate the
involvement of women in business, selling and
buying land in this instance. The declaration by the National Archives
of the Philippines (NAP) was timed with the
celebration of Buwan ng Wika. It is the first
ever by this agency, as well the first for a
paper document. Legally, a National Cultural
Treasure (NCT) “is a unique object found
locally, possessing outstanding historical,
cultural, artistic and/or scientific value which
is significant and important to this country and
nation” (R.A. 4846 as amended by P.D. 374). It
is the highest recognition given to a Philippine
object or artefact. Among those declared NCTs
are Juan Luna’s Spoliarium, the Manunggul Jar,
the Ifugao Rice Terraces, the Roman Catholic
Church of Paoay in Ilocos Norte, and of course
our very own University of Santo Tomas Main
Building, Arch of the Centuries, Open Spaces,
and Central Seminary, these four being declared
in 2010. The UST in fact is the only school in the
country to have an NCT, let alone five.
Prof. José presents the replica of the UST Baybayin
documents at the National Museum.
UST Archives staff members introduce to the members of the
Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga the intricacies of
archival conservation.
The privileges for NCTs as outlined
in R.A. 10066, the “National Heritage Act
of 2009,” include: priority government
funding for protection, conservation and
restoration; an official heritage marker; and
priority protection in times of armed conflict,
natural disasters, and other exceptional
events. Because of their fragile state, the
UST Baybayin Documents are carefully
kept in the shelves of the AUST; as such,
they are not available for viewing. Replicas
may be viewed, however, at the AUST office
(5th floor, Central Library, UST). They will
eventually be uploaded on the UST website,
along with pertinent data.
UST’s Baybayin page 56
51
ARTS&CULTURE
Off the Press
S
taying true to its reputation as the National Book
and Development Board and the Manila Critics
Circle’s 2012 Publisher of the Year and being the
academic press of choice of the country’s top scholars
and literary writers, the University of Santo Tomas
Publishing House is proud to release its new offerings
on various genres—poetry, drama, fiction, history, and
literary criticism.
Higaonon novelist Telesforo Sungkit Jr.’s
Driftwood on Dry Land is an English
translation of Mga Gapnod sa Kamadan, an unpublished book written in
Cebuano. The book, which won for him
the National Commission for Culture and
the Arts Writers Prize in 2007 for the novel
category, highlights the point of view of
the indigenous peoples, especially the
Higaonons of Mindanao, and seeks to
articulate how the so-called “lumads” view
their history vis-à-vis others’ perspectives.
Sungkit also tries to show the different ways
of how the lumads engaged the different
races of past and present colonizers.
Andrea Pasion-Flores unpacks the black
boxes of everyday disasters to her readers
with her latest collection of short fiction,
For Love and Kisses. It is made up of seven
stories, all of which take on the various lives
and issues of Filipino women. Her characters
range from little girls to teenagers to young
professionals, and the stories highlight their
life concerns, from the pains of young love
and grade school memories, to getting
tattoos and rebuffing unwanted attention
from strangers.
Authored by Sir Anril P. Tiatco, Cuaresma: Isang
Dulang Ganap ang Haba is a full-length play in
two acts that is based on Rizal’s unfinished novel
Makamisa (using Ambeth Ocampo’s annotations).
The story revolves around the small South Luzon
town of Pili, where memorable characters were
meant to mirror the Filipino traditions of the time.
Despite the unfinished narrative, Tiatco
successfully reinvented the characters from Rizal’s
novel (such as Ysagani and Father Agaton) into
his own vision of the Philippine society then and
now: One that is steeped in political dynasties,
that involves the Church in its interactions with
various areas of human affairs, and that hinges on
personal family dramas where all secrets kept will
eventually be revealed.
Enshrining the Nation takes its readers on
a journey to the historical origin of Filipino
shrines and monuments as author Jaymee T.
Siao, a faculty member at the UST Faculty
of Arts and Letters, unravels the complex
symbolisms of key monuments crafted in
various points of Philippine history. This book
provides a compelling interpretation of the
mythic representation, meaning, and use of
monuments—from the small-scale anitos in
the pre-colonial era to stately heroic statuaries
of the postcolonial period—and investigates
the ways monuments serve to provide an
incisive criticism of social reality, and yet also
produce, rewrite, and politicize historical
practices of remembrance.
Written by esteemed figures in the field of Interior
Design, Edith Oliveros and Raquel Baltazar-Florendo,
Interior Design in the Philippines: A Retrospect of
Spaces and Culture deals with people’s personal
intimate settings, which have a duality that is both
symbolic and material. The book is significant and
valuable, as the first groundbreaking initiative,
which afforded an interior design perspective in
understanding and comprehending Filipino spaces and
locales. The current available studies and literature on
Filipino architecture, design, and the visual arts have
not privileged the distinct character and substance of
Filipino interior spaces. The book primarily attempts
to fill in the gap, which limits the participation of interior perspectives of both interior
design professional practitioners and academics, and fuses together documentaries,
narratives, visual and written discourses to interpret and substantiate a deeper dimension
of understanding of the interior spaces of the Filipino.
52
In HIDDEN CODEX:
Fictive Scriptures, Palanca
winner Jose Marte A.
Abueg reimagines Biblical
characters as literary
characters: Adam inventing
the names of things (in what
may be the biblical origin of
words); Eve contemplating
the Fall; “wise men from
the East” in journey and
dialogue with a young
Balthassar asking questions;
a questioning, tormented
Judas and an innocent,
young John in conversation;
Judas telling Mary, who had left a life of opulence in Magdala,
about his prophetic dream; Thomas in sorrowful contemplation
of wounds; Simon Peter at a moment after his triple denial; and
Pontius Pilate in a lengthy monologue on the singular blame
that would be placed on him. Across the variegated moments,
a series of poems—narrative, lyric, prose, and combinations—
follows a thin, elementary thread from character to character.
In the end, one who was at the beginning has changed his path
and finds simplicity and innocence.
• October 2014
ARTS&CULTURE
KRITIK/CRITIQUE: Essays from the J. Elizalde
Navarro National Workshop in the Criticism of the
Arts and Humanities, 2009-2012 is an anthology
of scholarly articles that showcases some of the
best products of the last five J.E.N. Workshops,
whose participants have included writers,
academics and art practitioners from the country’s
best universities.
Edited by renowned Filipino-American scholar
Oscar V. Campomanes, the featured essays cover
topics and issues that concur with those of current
global praxis in the arts and humanities—from
diaspora to digital poetry, bodies to beauty,
Shakespeare to Gina Apostol, queer politics to
metacriticism, and architectural kitsch to the
young adult fiction.
The J.E.N. National Workshops are annually organized by the Varsitarian, the official
student publication of UST. These are held in honor of former Varsitarian editor and art
critic J. Elizalde Navarro, National Artist for the Visual Arts.
Dr. Luciano PR Santiago’s The Living
River, which serves as a centennial
book of Colegio del Buen Consejo
(CBC), traces CBC’s deep origins and
vigorous flow in time, its ebb and
tide, its twists and turns as well as
the storms and calm, and the certain
triumph of Faith and Hope through
the intercession of its titular patroness,
Our Lady of Good Counsel. The
moving history of CBC parallels not
only the saga of Pasig and its legendary
river, but also the developments and
vicissitudes of Philippine educational
institutions in the twentieth century.
Linking Word & Image by Celine
G. Borromeo bridges visual and
verbal communication through tips
and guidelines for writing essays,
critiques, art and design statements,
and other aspects of art and design
production.
The book contains various
guidelines to help students of art
verbalize properly and effectively
their experiences, comments, and
perceptions in different stages of art
and design production. It provides a
glossary of common terms for objects
in interior design, tips on making art
and design statements, a review of
basic grammar and composition, and
examples of essays by established
writers, artists, and critics.
Loose Tongue gathers poems from the
12 years of multiple Palanca winner
and Thomasian alumnus Carlomar
Arcangel Daoana’s lyric engagements
outside his three previous poetry
books, which included a handful of
works that have not been collected
since their initial release in literary
publications.
Poet and translator Marne L. Kilates
says of the collection: “Of all the
young poets finding their mature
voice in the current decade,
Carlomar Arcangel Daoana is
emerging adept at irony and elegant
insouciance. […] These rhythms of poetic respiration compel
us to partake, poem after poem, in a consciousness constantly
‘soaking the world in [its] permeable human skin.’”
Lucid Lightning: Poems and Prose is
National Book awardee and Palanca
winner Jose Victor Peñaranda’s third
collection, which gathers selected
poems and essays about the life and
philosophies of Bhutan.
Krip Yuson accurately describes these
poems as “luminous (as) silence—from
a poet with the quiet heart of a pilgrim
seeking “fallen petals” in mountain
paths and streams of kindness and
grace. In these songs to sacred space,
we find ourselves transported, hearing
and marveling at that delicate voice of
reverence whose prayers are answered
with stillness, thus happiness.”
Merlie M. Alunan also hails the poet for “distill[ing] the sense of this place
in the lucent lightnings of his poetry,” while Susan Lara assures the readers
that in perusing the collection, they enter a world they would want to stay
in forever, for “there is not a single poem that has a word or line or phrase
or image that it can do without.”
October 2014 •
Person, Action and Love: The
Philosophical Thoughts of Karol
Wojtyla by UST Department of
Philosophy Prof. Jove Jim S. Aguas
explores the philosophical mind
of St. John Paul II, one of the most
influential leaders of the twentieth
century, and his contribution to the
contemporary debates or discussions
on the human person, his existence
and personal subjectivity, and his
notion of human actions.
The book provides a comprehensive
yet very readable statement of
the personalist philosophy of
Wojtyla, and also helps readers overcome Wojtyla’s sometimes
dense prose, giving lucid explanations of the key concepts of
subjectivity, human action, and the human person—concepts
that are essential to understanding the powerful accounts of love,
sexuality, and human dignity.
53
ARTS&CULTURE
A
Epochal murals unveiled, blessed
new image of Our Lady of the Rosary
and two murals depicting historic
University events were blessed and
unveiled during the birthday of the Blessed
Mother last September 8 at the Faculty of Civil
Law lobby.
unveiling of the Quadricentennial Square
marker just outside the faculty, the designation
of the UST campus as the bar examinations
venue, the solemn investitures and the
recessional parade through the Arch of the
Centuries, and other activities.
UST Rector Rev. Fr. Herminio V.
Dagohoy, O.P. led the ceremonies, attended by
Vice Rector Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., Secretary
General Fr. Winston F. Cabading, O.P., UST
Museum Director and Civil Law Regent Fr.
Isidro C. Abaño, O.P., and Civil Law Dean Nilo
T. Divina, faculty members, and Civil Law
students.
The Benavides Monument hovers above
the artwork as if to permeate with inspirations
all the images below, while the image of
Civil Law’s patron St. Raymund of Peñafort
can be found on one side. At the center is the
grand depiction of the administrators in 2011,
including Dean Divina.
The image of Our Lady, which presently
stands at the left side of the Civil Law lobby,
is patterned after its prototype—the grandiose
historical image of the Our Lady of the Rosary
of La Naval—enshrined at the Santo Domingo
Church in Quezon City.
“Just like its prototype, the heads and
hands are made of ivory. The ivory used
was acquired before the enactment of the
1980 international law that prohibits its
commercialization,” Fr. Abaño said in his
opening speech. The image is a Marian gift
from Dean Divina and his family.
The two-panel murals, meanwhile,
illustrate the roles of Civil Law during the
Quadricentennial or ‘Q’ and Neo-centennial
celebrations in 2011 and 2012, respectively.
The left panel (when facing the Main
Building exit) chronicles Civil Law’s activities
and contributions in the ‘Q’ festivities: The
54
“If anybody were to ask why his portrait,
my answer would be: It is a historical fact that
he was the dean during that auspicious year,”
said Fr. Abaño, who served as director of the
UST Office for Quadricentennial Highlights
and Activities.
The mural includes important
people who graced the University
on that year like Queen Sofia of
Spain, Dr. Mahatir Mohammad of
Malaysia, and the Papal Nuncio to
the Philippines.
the parade of colors of the different faculties
and colleges at the opening of the academic
year, the Main Building, the UST emblem, and
an allegorical image of faith are portrayed in the
painting.
At the center are the portraits of high
incumbent officials who were installed at the
start of the Neo-centennial: The Rector, Vice
Rector, and the Secretary General. Pope Francis
is also included because of the proximity of the
beginning of his pontificate.
Jaime de los Santos, former dean of the
College of Finer Arts and Design, hand-painted
the two murals, which are considered additional
epochal landmarks of the University.
Fr. Abaño said that when the two panels
are placed side-by-side, all the images converge
to a cross raised by the right hand of the
allegorical image of faith.
On one side is an image
of San Pedro Calungsod whose
image blessed in Rome during his
canonization was directly brought
to the UST Chapel.
The logo of the Philippine
Conference on New Evangelization
that was first celebrated in UST, a
meeting of the Council of Regents,
Rev. Fr. Dagohoy, O.P. blesses the newly placed image of Our Lady
of the Rosary at the UST Faculty of Civil Law lobby.
• October 2014
ARTS&CULTURE
UST Singers captures America in ‘UST to USA’
The UST Singers entices the crowd with its world-class performance during the 2014 U.S. tour.
T
he world-renowned two-time Choir
of the World winner, the University
of Santo Tomas Singers, led by
its founder and conductor Prof. Fidel G.
Calalang Jr., concluded a successful twomonth international goodwill concert tour
of the United States from May 28 to August
4, 2014. The tour “UST to USA” brought
them to the states of Washington, Washington
DC, Virginia, New York, Ohio, Michigan,
Wisconsin, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Arizona,
and California marking its 11th trip to the
United States.
Highlighting the tour were performances
arranged by the Philippine Embassy in
Washington, D.C under Ambassador José
Cuisia. The Singers had the honor to perform
before the members of the U.S. Congress
during the launch of the Philippine-American
Heritage and Alliance at the U.S. Capitol Hill,
and at the Philippine Embassy, in celebration
of the Philippine Independence Day. The
Singers also graced a special performance for
the Philippine Independence Day Reception
at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing
Arts.
October 2014 •
In New York, the group also had the
opportunity to sing at the Philippine Center
at Fifth Avenue. The choir also staged a
successful Independence Day Concert at the
Philippine Cultural Center in Virginia Beach
where it also received a special recognition
by the Mayor of Virginia Beach.
Aside from command performances,
the choir collaborated on a summer choral
workshop titled “Music From Around the
World” spearheaded by Dr. Brady Allred,
internationally-acclaimed conductor of the
Salt Lake Choral Artists in Salt Lake City,
Utah. The choir was also featured in various
local newspapers, radio and TV stations, and
online journals and blogs highlighting its
performances and tours in different states,
such as NBC 24, Brigham Young University
Radio, The Asian Journal, One Philippines
News and The Global Filipino to name a few.
The 31-member choir wowed audiences
with its programme of sacred, classical and
contemporary works, international songs,
Philippine folk songs, and Broadway tunes,
in various concert halls, churches, and
auditoriums. This was made possible with
the help of the UST Alumni Association,
the UST Singers Alumni and various
Filipino-American associations in the US.
“UST to USA”, the concert tour, aimed
to bring Thomasian excellence in music
to the United States and instill Thomasian
pride and spirit. This was the choir’s 22nd
anniversary celebration project.
The choir is composed of students and
alumni from the colleges and faculties of
the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo
Tomas. Founded in 1992 by its conductor
Prof. Calalang, the choir has successfully
completed 27 international tours in Europe,
North America, and Asia, and has garnered
75 top prizes in various international
competitions all over the world, including,
the 1995 and the 2010 Choir of the WorldLuciano Pavarotti Grand Prize in Wales,
United Kingdom.
55
ARTS&CULTURE
Five Fil-Am writers
share poetry
with Thomasians
Fil-American Writers (from left)
Galang, Stapleton, Bueno, Cortes
and Linmark share their expertise
during the ‘Writers in Conversation’ event.
T
he UST Center for Creative Writing
and Literary Studies (CCWLS), in
collaboration with the Varsitarian, the
official student publication of UST, featured
five visiting Filipino-American writers at
an event billed as “The Filipino-American
Project: Writers in Conversation.”
With R. Zamora Linmark as host, the
writers—Amalia Bueno, Fidelito Cortés, M.
Evelina Galang, and Lara Stapleton—read
from their published work or their worksin-progress last July 23 at the Tanghalang
Teresita Quirino, Benavides Bldg.
In her opening remarks, Writing
Center Director Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo,
Ph.D., recalled that when she was still an
undergraduate student in UST, she and
her contemporaries had no awareness of
“Filipino-American writers” nor had the
terms “expat” or “diaspora” been coined.
And even as late as the mid-90s, when she
introduced a course on the narratives of
Filipino women at the University of the
Philippines in its Creative Writing Program
and decided to include the works of Filipino
women based in other countries, she managed
to find only a handful.
Things are obviously different today.
The Filipino-American Project, initiated by
Writing Center resident fellow Ferdinand
Lopez, regularly invites visiting FilipinoAmerican writers and scholars to interact
with members of the Thomasian community.
“Such collaborations can only further
enrich our literatures and deepen our
understanding of our multi-faceted world,”
Hidalgo said.
The event was attended by National
Artist for Literature F. Sionil José; two
56
members of the Carlos Palanca Hall of
Fame, José Dalisay, who is also director of
the UP Institute of Creative Writing, and
Alfred Yuson; and Lilia Quindoza-Santiago,
a Filipino-American writer/scholar based in
Hawaii.
Galang teaches at the University of
Miami, USA where she is also the director of
its creative writing program. She is the author
of Her Wild American Self (Coffee House
Press, 1996), One Tribe (New Issues Press),
and Angel de la Luna and the 5th Glorious
Mystery (Coffee House Press, 2013).
Cortés, meanwhile, was a Stegner
Fellow in poetry at Stanford University and
has written two poetry collections: Waiting
for the Exterminator (Kalikasan Press),
which won the National Book Award from
the Manila Critics’ Circle, and Everyday
Things (UST Publishing House), a finalist for
the 2010 National Book Award.
Stapleton has won the Hopwood Award
for Fiction, the Columbia Journal Award,
and a Ludwig Vogelstein Grant and is the
author of The Lowest Blue Flame Before
Nothing (Aunt Lute, 1999), a Pen Open Book
Committee Selection and an Independent
Booksellers’ Selection, while Bueno, a writer
and educator, has just completed her first
book—a collection of poetry titled Gabriela’s
Daughters.
The event also saw the launch of the
latest issue (Volume 2, Issue Number 3) of
Tomás, the official literary journal of the
Writing Center, with Ralph Semino Galán,
CCWLS senior resident fellow and de facto
deputy director, as issue editor and CCWLS
resident fellow Chuckberry Pascual as
managing editor. Hidalgo is Tomás editor-inchief.
Linmark and CCWLS resident Fellow
Joselito Delos Reyes read works from the
issue of Tomás. Among the contributors who
attended the launch were Jenny Ortuoste,
Rogelio Braga, and artist Tilde who provided
the pen and ink drawing in Tomas 3.
UST’s Baybayin from page 51
What is the Archivo de la Universidad
de Santo Tomas?
The Archives of the University of
Santo Tomas (or AUST, the initials by
which it is cited in scholarly works) is
the repository of documents pertaining
to the history of the University. Here are
preserved the original Foundation Decree
of 1611 and subsequent papal bulls, royal
decrees, statutes, addresses, publications,
periodicals, and academic records, including
those of Philippine national heroes who
studied here. It makes available a trove of
material for those researching on a variety of
topics, especially on the culture and history
of the region, on the Church, and on the
Dominicans in general. Its treasures have
attracted scholars from all over the world,
most recently from Japan, Vietnam, Poland,
Canada, Brazil, Mexico, and Australia. Last
May 23, the AUST staff composed of Prof.
Regalado Trota José, Jane Tumambing,
Elsie Musni, and Aron Fernandez held their
first outreach program at the Archives of the
Archdiocese of San Fernando, Pampanga,
upon the invitation of Bishop Pablo David.
The Archivo is thus one window of the
University of Santo Tomas that opens both
to the country and to the world.
• October 2014
ARTS&CULTURE
Pusta’s book explores ‘mutations’
in communication
F
aculty of Arts and Letters Asst. Prof. Maria Gwenetha
Pusta, Ph.D. launched her book MediaMorphosis:
The Dynamics of Communication and Socio-Cultural
Change during the 2014 PACE National Conference held from
April 3 to 5 at the Benguet State University.
“Change is the operative word in understanding
transformations in society both in its physical sense and its
imaginary sense,” Pusta said.
Her book addresses the multi-faceted, plural, diverse,
and emergent landscapes of the intersection between
communication and change in its continuous mutation,
remodeling and reshaping—a morphing of the inter-disciplinal
and transdisciplinal nature of media studies.
An attempt to bring the perspectives and social scientific
methods of sociology, anthropology, psychology, political
science, journalism, and development studies, the book is an
analysis of the mass media by amalgamating the historical
development of time-tested theories into an analysis of the
roles and impact towards the sociology of issues confronting
mass media and considering mass media’s impact on public
policy.
Pusta’s book trains its focus on the political, economic,
Dr. Pusta assisted by her colleagues leads the ribbon-cutting ceremony during her book
launch.
social and cultural aspects in which communication operates to impact lives
on both a national and global scale. The book is an interesting anthology of
essays woven into brave and honest intellectual engagements of the disciplinal
and multi-disciplinal exigencies and contingencies of communication and
socio-cultural change. It remains a living example of interdisciplinary
analysis with various facets and applications of ‘mutation’ that will continue
to inspire debates and discourse and keep discussions public and insightful.
Calalang holds choral workshops in US, China
P
rof. Fidel G. Calalang Jr.,
a faculty member and Head
of the Composition Theory
and Conducting Department of
the UST Conservatory of Music,
facilitated a Choral Workshop
at the Hall of the Immaculate
Heart of Mary Church in Denver,
Colorado on July 6, 2014
lecturing on choral, vocal and
rehearsal techniques. The lecture
was attended by aspiring and
established choral conductors,
singers and choir enthusiasts.
The workshop was capped by a
performance of the UST singers
to the delight of the attendees.
Prof. Calalang conducts lecture before a foreign musically-inclined crowd.
October 2014 •
On June 3, 2014, Calalang
was invited as guest in a forum
for graduate school students in
Conducting of the University
of Washington-Seattle College
of Music headed by Dr. Jeffrey
Bowers, chair of Choral Studies
at the UW. He also conducted the
UW Chamber Singers in a joint
concert with the UST Singers
titled “Points” at the Meany Hall
of the University of Washington.
NBC 24 News in Ohio
interviewed Calalang last July.
He was also a featured guest in a
radio interview at Brigham Young
University Radio in Salt Lake
City, Utah.
From September 2 to 14,
Calalang was in China to conduct
a choral workshop to discuss his
composition “Scenes from the
North, Ayug ti Amianan” at the
Beijing Wuzi University, together
with the Beijing Wuzi Youth
Choir under the direction of Prof.
Pan Ming.
57
ARTS&CULTURE
Literary scholar examines use, abuse of Filipino language
W
ith focus on the social and political
reasons for the low regard of
Filipinos toward the national
language, the UST Center for Creative
Writing and Literary Studies held a lecture
featuring Ateneo Professor Emeritus Soledad
S. Reyes last August 19 at the jampacked
Tanghalang Teresita Quirino, Benavides
building.
Reyes thoroughly examined the use,
misuse, and abuse of the Filipino language
in popular culture from the Philippine
revolution to the present in the lecture,
‘Pusong Walang Pag-ibig: Ang Pagtatatwa
sa Wika’, organized in celebration of the
country’s Buwan ng Wika.
According to Reyes, our native tongue’s
loss of prestige is partly due to its being
denigrated by important people as belonging
only to the provenance of the so-called
“bakya” crowd, a term used by National
Artist for Film Lamberto Avellana, after two
of his movies flopped in the box office. She
cited, Miss Universe 1969 Gloria Diaz, who
declared in an interview that she only used
Tagalog to address her helpers.
Reyes is a distinguished literary scholar,
K
Prof.Reyes (4th from left) and Dr. Hidalgo (3rd from
left) with UST CCWLS resident fellows (from left)
Wigley, Coroza, Galan and Delos Reyes interact after
a meaningful lecture held at the Tanghalang Teresita
Quirino, Benavides Building.
Romance Mode, and Kritisismo.
Reyes is also the editor of important
anthologies Ang Silid na Mahiwaga:
Kalipunan ng mga Kuwento’t Tula ng mga
Babaeng Manunulat (1994), and ALIW!
Essays on Popular Culture (2000).
UST Library keeps updated at 409
eeping abreast of current trends, the
University of Santo Tomas (UST)
Library celebrated its founding
anniversary with the theme ‘Miguel de
Benavides Library @ 409: Now Trending’
last July 25.
The event started with a parade led by
officers of the UST High School Readers’
Club and library staff donning costumes that
depict the characters in the popular books
Hunger Games and Divergent. Prefect of
Libraries Fr. Angel Aparicio, O.P. and Chief
Librarian Ms. Estrella S. Majuelo led the
joyful march.
Following the parade was the naming
of the ‘Outstanding Book Borrowers for A.Y.
2013-2014’ at the library lobby. Awardees
were members of the academe who registered
the most number of books borrowed at the
given academic year, namely: Prof. Marc
Aldous Baccay of the Faculty of Arts and
58
mentor,
literary
and art critic,
anthologist
and
editor, and essayist
specializing in the
field of Philippine
popular
culture
and popular art
forms. She is the
author of Nobelang
Tagalog, 1905-1975:
Tradisyon at Modernismo
(1982), The Romance
Mode in Philippine
Popular Literature
and Other Essays
(1991), Kritisismo:
Mga Teorya at
Antolohiya Para
sa Epektibong Pagtuturo ng Panitikan
(1992), and Pagbasa ng Panitikan at
Kulturang Popular: Piling Sanaysay,
1976-1996 (1997), From Darna to Zsazsa
Zaturnnah: Desire and Fantasy Essays on
Literature and Popular Culture (2009), A
Dark Tinge to the World: Selected Essays
1987-2005 (2005), and Narratives of Note:
Studies of Popular Forms in the 20th
Century (2012). She has won the National
Book Awards for Nobelang Tagalog, The
Letters (faculty category), Yitong Guo of the
Ecclesiastical Faculties (graduate category),
Michael Joseph Concepcion of the College of
Architecture (undergraduate category), and
Elizer Elleazar of the Education High School
(high school category). They were given
certificates of appreciation and tokens.
The event highlighted a “Book Talk”
with Arts and Letters’ Prof. Eros S. Atalia
discussing how to write novels.
The library also announced the winners
of the “Shelfie” photo contest, which called
for entries showing current students’ “selfies”
within the library building premises with an
original creative caption.
College of Commerce and Business
Administration’s Juhyun Song won first place
with his shelfie “You Are What You Read,”
taken at the Humanities section.
Francisco Ezekiel M. Espinosa of the
College of Rehabilitation Sciences “Mind and
Muscle Elite” taken at the Health Sciences
Library and Mark David Tabangcura of
the College of Architecture who submitted
“Book Lovers are on the Hunt!” taken at the
main library ground floor were tied for second
place.
Following the program was a Eucharistic
celebration led by Fr. Aparicio, O.P.
A three-day book fair was also held at
the ground floor reading area from July 24
to 26, with Powerbooks exhibiting books on
various disciplines.
The activities honored the founder of the
University, Msgr. Miguel de Benavides, O.P.,
the third Archbishop of Manila, who in 1605,
donated his private library collection and the
amount of P1,500.00 for the establishment of
the seminary-college that became UST.
• October 2014
ARTS&CULTURE
Fine Arts faculty,
alumni hold Benavides II
T
he Benavides Art Group whose members are
UST graduates and who are united by their
love of the arts, their zeal for their craft and
by the Thomasian spirit of upholding beauty in
goodness, truth and faith in God, held their second
group show titled BENAVIDES II at the Art Elements
Asian Gallery in SM Aura, Bonifacio Global City.
Participating in their second group exhibit were:
Eric Cachero, Rey de Guzman, Jaime delos Santos,
Pedro Garcia II and Noli Vicedo, with founding
member Joe Datuin as guest artist.
CFAD Regent Fr. Edgardo Alaurin, O.P. (9th from left, standing) with outstanding Thomasian artists and
friends that include (standing from left) guest, Manuel Baldemor, Lydia Velasco, Ma. Luisa Murillo, guest,
Rev. Fr. Edgardo Alaurin, O.P., Asst. Prof. Mary Ann Bulanadi, Ace Dimanlig, Eric Cachero, Jaime Delos
Santos, (seated from left) Pedro Garcia, Ninoy Lumboy, Joe Datuin, Rey De Guzman, Noli Vicedo
October 2014 •
Eric Cachero focuses on the fine arts and in
promoting Filipino heritage through art. Rey de
Guzman whose hobby is in photography bears the
influence of his uncle, master painter / printmaker
Mario Parial. Former College of Fine Arts and
Design (CFAD) dean Jaime delos Santos is a designer
/ illustrator and does architectural renderings for
various institutions. Pedro Garcia II, CFAD faculty
member, held a solo exhibition in Singapore inspired
by fairy tales, nursery rhymes and lullabies. Noli
Vicedo, also a CFAD faculty member, is a mosaic
artist, a book designer / illustrator. Joe Datuin is
an adept painter and as a sculptor he has received
local and international recognitions for his threedimensional works.
59
ARTS&CULTURE
New Spanish Amb graces PH-Spain Week in UST
The two choral groups sang
their renditions of “A Tu Lado,”
“Piliin Mo ang Pilipinas,” “Eres
Tu,” and “Iyo Kailan Pa Man.”
Musical luminaries like
cellist Renato Lucas of the
Conservatory of Music and guest
baritone Roberto V. Robledo
performed
Spanish-inspired
pieces such as “Habanera” and
“Mi Ultimo Adios,” respectively.
The event, which provided
the audience with an experience
of cultural harmonies between the
two countries, was graced with
the presence of the Ambassador
of Spain to the Philippines H.E.
Ambassador Calvo (extreme left) and representatives from the Embassy of Spain together
Luis Antonio Calvo Castaño.
with Dr. Sison (2nd from left) join the culminating activity at the UST-TARC Auditorium
In his speech, Ambassador
during the University’s celebration of the Philippine-Spanish Friendship Week.
Calvo underscored the forging of
the cultural ties not only between
orld-renowned UST Singers and the Coro Tomasino left the the two counties on a national
audience spellbound during the first UST celebration of the level but also the historical links
Philippine-Spanish Friendship Week held last September 5 at the between the University and
Spain.
Thomas Aquinas Research Complex Auditorium.
W
The celebration was in
line with the implementation
of Republic Act 9187 (2002)
that not only mandates the
commemoration
of
the
friendship
between
the
Philippines and Spain but, more
importantly, it recognizes the
role of the Spanish culture and
civilization in the formation of
the Filipino national identity.
The program, organized
by Department of Foreign
Languages Chair Dr. Cornelio
R. Bascara, was also attended
by the Office of International
Relations Director Prof. Lilian J.
Sison, Ph.D. and Faculty of Arts
and Letters Dean Prof. Michael
Anthony C. Vasco, Ph.D.
Students from Arts and Letters
also attended the program.
UNESCO, UST hold workshop on World Heritage nomination
T
he United Nations Educational,
Scientific, and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO), National Commission
of the Philippines in partnership with the
University of Santo Tomas Graduate School
Center for Conservation of Cultural Property
and Environment in the Tropics (CCCPET)
recently held a four-day conference titled
“Moving Forward: Joint Workshop on
World Heritage and Biosphere Reserves
Nomination” at the Vigan Convention Center
in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
“The purpose of the Vigan workshop
was to review the UNESCO World Heritage
Tentative List of the Philippines, to orient
the site managers of places of significance to
man and biosphere program, and the world
heritage convention,” CCCPET Director
Assoc. Prof. Eric B. Zerrudo said.
Among those who attended were the
representatives from the country’s newest
World Heritage Site, the Mount Hamiguitan
Range Wildlife Sanctuary in Davao Oriental.
Ambassador Cristina Ortega, former
permanent delegate to UNESCO said the
inscription of the mountain is just the
beginning and she urged everyone to move
60
forward.
“We believe that the Philippines has a lot
to offer in terms of heritage sites,” she said.
A number of properties or sites were
added to the country’s tentative list during
the event. However, some were delisted due
to the damages they suffered as a result of the
powerful earthquake and typhoon Yolanda
last year. Environmental issues were among
the reasons in delisting other sites.
Delisted were Loboc Church (Bohol),
Baclayon Church (Bohol), Guiuan Church
(Eastern Samar), Taal Volcano Protected
Landscape (Batangas), Panglao Island
(Bohol), and Mount Apo Natural Park (Davao
del Sur, North Cotabato).
Some of those added were the San
Joaquin Church (Iloilo), Mount Matalingahan
(Palawan), Mounts Isarog and Iriga
(Camarines Sur), and Mayon Volcano and
Cagsawa Ruins (Albay). It was suggested that
the Maranao Settlement of Tugaya, Lanao
del Sur be included instead to the intangible
cultural heritage list.
In a related activity, two UST Graduate
School students Billy Ray C. Malacura and
Benjie M. Apostol from the Cultural Heritage
Studies program represented the Philippines in
the World Heritage Youth Forum 2014 held in
Doha, Qatar from June 3 to 15 in conjunction
with the 38th session of the UNESCO World
Heritage Committee. Designed to discuss the
significance of youth involvement, the forum
consisted of lectures, hands-on workshops,
museum tours, visit to Qatar’s World Heritage
Site of Al Zubarah which was inscribed
during the 37th session in 2013, and a Youth
Model plenary patterned after the proceedings
of the World Heritage Committee. The
delegation was composed of promising young
professionals from 29 countries representing
the fields of Archaeology, Architecture,
Conservation, International Diplomacy,
Museum Development, and Urban Planning,
among others.
Malacura and Apostol reported on the
Baroque Churches of the Philippines and the
Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordillera,
respectively. The forum further underscored
the great need for youth capacity building as
well as the key role of the local communities
in ensuring a sustainable management of
World Heritage Sites.
• October 2014
COMMUNITY
DEVELOPMENT
Architecture rebuilds chapel in Nagcarlan, Laguna
Simbahayan Community Development
Office and the UST National Service
Training Program (NSTP), Architecture
provided some design studies for the
chapel.
According to barangay captain
Ariel Barrios, the chapel is primarily
used by the barangay for masses and
activities. It also serves as temporary
shelter during natural calamities, its
said.
Fr. Roux, O.P. (3rd from left), together with Fr. Matienzo (4th from left),
leads the blessing of the newly renovated chapel and day care center at
Nagcarlan, Laguna.
R
esulting from a partnership with Barangay Sibulan
in Nagcarlan, Laguna, the College of Architecture
Community Development Office (CD-ARKI) blessed a
newly renovated chapel and day care center last June 24.
As part of the project, which was coordinated with the UST
Sibulan Chapel parish priest Fr.
Raul D. Matienzo and Architecture
Regent Fr. Manuel F. Roux, O.P.
concelebrated a Mass during the reopening of the chapel.
Present in the event were:
Architecture College Secretary Asst.
Prof. Warren S. Maneja, Architecture
faculty association president Assoc.
Prof. Tobias A. Bonaobra, Ph.D.,
UST NSTP Director Mr. Ricart
Origenes, outgoing CD-ARKI
coordinator Mr. Antonino N.
Tobias IV, incoming CD-ARKI
coordinator Mr. Edgar Tuballa,
Mr. Frederick C. Del Rosario,
Arch. Henry Felix E. Herrera,
Arch. Juanito M. Malaga, Arch.
Boyet A. Tejuco, Asst. Prof.
Ma. Mynn P. Alfonso, Asst.
Prof. Leah Y. Martin, Arch.
Bernadette M. Delos Reyes,
Arch. Adora Meredith C. Yap,
Arch. Raymond P. Clarin, Arch.
Ricardo D. Rodriguez and Arch.
Enrico P. Cinco.
The projects were made
through the assistance of
the College of Architecture
Faculty Club, the accredited
organizations of the college,
sponsors from the United
Architects of the Philippines
Manila Atelier Chapter, and
UAP
Architects
Billiard
Association.
Graduate researchers hold hands-on lab workshop
for high school teachers
G
raduate researchers from the Fungal
Biodiversity and Systematics (FBS)
group of the UST Research Center
for Natural and Applied Sciences (RCNAS)
conducted a teacher training from May 24
to 25 at the Philippine Science High SchoolBicol Region campus in Goa, Camarines Sur.
system, and the disk diffusion assay for
antibacterial testing.
Dubbed as ‘Mentoring the Mentors:
A Science Hands-on Laboratory Workshop
for Secondary Teachers’, the training was
attended by 41 high school science teachers
from Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte, and
Albay.
Trainors of the FBS group were Krystle
Angelique Santiago and Ma. Angelica ReaMaminta, graduates of M.Sc. Microbiology
and M.Sc. Biological Sciences, respectively,
in UST and graduate students Carlo Chris
Apurillo, Melissa Pecundo, Louise Tse Yan
Wong, Shenly Marie Gazo and Kin Israel
Notarte. The FBS group is headed by Prof.
Dr. Thomas Edison dela Cruz, professor of
microbiology at the College of Science and
UST Graduate School and a senior faculty
researcher at RCNAS.
Participants learned basic techniques
in microbiology in preparation for the
implementation of K-2 curriculum, which
included hands-on activities on techniques
for the aseptic transfer of microorganisms,
identification of bacteria using the API ID
October 2014 •
The lecture also focused on the
potential applications of lichens and fungi for
chemotherapy, environmental biomonitoring
and bioremediation.
61
ALUMNI
UST alumna bags top prize
for climate-adaptive, floating house
The Bambox Hut features a bamboo
structure that can endure strong gush of winds,
float during extreme floods, and adjust to the
hot and humid climate of the Philippines. It
will be the house design that will be used in
the rehabilitation and construction of houses
in areas severely affected by the typhoon.
According to Cruz, the main feature of
the house design is its ability to float. The
buoyant force of water provides enough force
to lift the steel drums attached underneath the
lightweight structure during flooding events.
Cruz
A
2014 UST Architecture alumna
emerged as top student-designer in a
national architectural plan competition
organized as a response to the needs of the
typhoon ‘Yolanda’ survivors in the Visayan
region.
Lara Therese Cruz, 23, won first place
for her climate-adaptive house design called
“Bambox Hut” in the contest that drew more
than 100 entries from architecture students
from across the Archipelago last summer.
“As the flood subsides, the structure
goes back in place and with the help of
vertical steel posts found on all corners of the
slab, the structure is able to resist horizontal
forces that may be water current in the flood
or a storm surge,” she said.
Despite the small floor area of the
Bambox Hut, which ranges around 65
square-meters, the house provides enough
living space with a small living room, a
dining and kitchen area, two bedrooms, and
a bathroom.
“Most condominium units offer
approximately the same floor area, that is
why I believe that the Bambox Hut is livable
for the average Filipino family,” Cruz said.
Winning designs in the contest,
organized by Ortigas & Company, the
Department of Science and Technology, and
Habitat for Humanity Philippines, will be
used in a housing site in Tacloban City.
The entries were reviewed by Mr.
Norm Garden, executive vice president of
RTKL; Mr. Brian G. Morgan, an associate
of Magnusson Klemencic Associates based
in Seattle, Washington, USA; Mr. Gregory
Thompson, an associate senior project
manager of Rowan Williams Davies & Irwin
headquartered in Guelph, Ontario, Canada;
Mr. Joselito F. Santos, general manager of the
Real Estate Division, Ortigas & Co.; Arch.
Bong Recio, a board member of Habitat
for Humanity Philippines; Sec. Mario G.
Montejo of the Department of Science and
Technology; and Arch. Paulo Alcazaren,
Philippine Star City Sense columnist.
“As an architecture student, I have
always wanted to contribute something to
society—to create an architectural innovation
that can help our country battle the adverse
effects of climate change,” Cruz said in a
message sent to the Academia.
The Bambox Hut is a modified version
of her undergraduate thesis called “LowEnergy, Adaptable, and Passive House”
or “LEAPhaus,” which employs a more
sophisticated system than the Bambox Hut.
“However, the Bambox Hut is more
suitable to the micro-climactic profile of
Eastern Visayas,” Cruz said.
The “Bambox Hut” designed by UST Architecture alumna Lara Therese Cruz
62
• October 2014
ALUMNI
(From left) Vital, Tiu, Rillo, Soriao and Manucom participate in the research competition held at Taguig City.
Castro
Food tech alumni win in national research competition;
Castro is PAN Outstanding Student
F
ood Technology alumnus Jan Benedict Tiu took
home the second prize in the Undergraduate Student
Research Competition during the 40th Food and
Nutrition Research Institute Seminar Series of Food and
Nutrition Researches held from July 3 to 4, 2014 at the
Department of Science and Technology Complex, Taguig
City.
Tiu, a recent graduate, was recognized for his paper
Characterization of Dehydrated Banana Heart (Musa
balbisiana) as Source of Dietary Fiber, which explores
the utilization of dehydrated banana heart powder (BHP)
and its potential as a functional ingredient in food.
Co-authored with fellow food technologists Ana
Dominique Aquino, Monica Trizia Cavero, Claudine
Orencia, Jhonna Ortazo, Rhea May Rogelio, and Nikka
Roldan, the research characterized dehydrated BHP in
terms of proximate composition, functional properties,
and potassium content. They found that dehydrated BHP
contains 46.0g/100g total dietary fiber.
Meanwhile, Jairus Kent Vital presented his paper
titled, Dehydration of Maize (Zea mays) and its Utilization
October 2014 •
as Source of Dietary Fiber in Muscle Food Systems in the
Food Innovation Asia Conference held from June 12 to 13
in Bangkok, Thailand.
Vital’s study revealed that meat systems with maize
core powder (MCP) are a “potential dietary fiber source.”
The MCP can reduce product cost by 12 percent without
significantly affecting sensory qualities of meat products.
Outstanding student
Nutrition and Dietetics alumnus Gabriel Nicolo
Castro of Batch 2014, was named Outstanding Nutrition
and Dietetics Student by the Philippine Association of
Nutrition, Inc. in an annual convention held last July 18
at the Marco Polo Plaza, Cebu City.
Castro was the president of the PAN-Omega
Chapter in 2013-2014 and a recipient of the UST Quezon
Leadership Award.
Present in the convention were Department of
Nutrition and Dietetics Chair Asst. Prof. Cristina C.
Sagum and Asst. Prof. Eva O. Olarte.
63
UNIVERSITY
VISITORS
Spanish
Ambassador
to the Philippines
UST Rector Rev. Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy,
O.P. (4th from left) welcomes the newly
appointed Ambassador of Spain to the
Philippines H.E. Luis Antonio Calvo
Castaño (5th from left) during a courtesy
call to the Rector. Also present were
Office of Public Affairs Director Assoc.
Prof. Giovanna V. Fontanilla (extreme left),
Department of Foreign Languages Chair
Assoc. Prof. Cornelio R. Bascara (extreme
right), Instituto Cervantes Director Carlos
Madrid Álvarez-Piñer (3rd from left)
and representatives from the Embassy of
Spain.
Italian consul
USAID-STRIDE consultants
Rev. Fr. Dagohoy, O.P. (right) meets Consul Antonio Gallo
from the Embassy of Italy during his visit to the university.
Assoc. Prof. Fontanilla and the UST Guidance Counselors
welcome the consultants for Model Career Development
Center of UST Ms. Christine Yip-Cruzvergara (3rd from
left) and Mr. Joseph A. Teftani (4th from left), both from the
William Davidson Institute, University of Michigan, U.S.A.
64
• October 2014
UNIVERSITY
VISITORS
Former Chilean
Ambassador
to the Philippines
Rev. Fr. Dagohoy, O.P.
(left) greets former Chilean
Ambassador Roberto Mayorga
during a meeting.
Foreign physicians
Assoc. Prof. Fontanilla (2nd from left) and Prof. Jocelyn Que,
M.D. (extreme right) welcome Assoc. Prof. Roger Goucke from
Australia-New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, Australian
Chapter of Palliative Medicine RACP (4th from left), and Dr.
Mary Cardosa from the Ministry of Health Malaysia, Hospital
Selayang, Selangor, Malaysia (3rd from left) at the UST
Museum.
October 2014 •
Western Mindanao State
University administrators
UST Secretary General Executive Assistant Assoc. Prof. Imelda
A. Dakis (3rd from left) and Assoc. Prof. Fontanilla (extreme
right) welcome the administrators of the Western Mindanao
University during their visit to UST.
65
BOARD TOPNOTCHERS
Physical Therapist Licensure Examination
August 2014
UST Passing Rate: 91.74%
National Passing Rate: 58.47%
4th - 86.05%
Perry Neil Yee Lee
8th - 84.95%
Monique Galinato Ilagan
Occupational Therapist Licensure Examination
August 2014
UST Passing Rate: 65.52%
National Passing Rate: 57.06%
2nd - 82.20%
Paolo Granil Pimentel
4th - 81.60%
Kevin Matthew Solis
66
3rd - 81.80%
Kristen Zaira Villamater
8th - 80.40%
Danielle Marie Bianca
Acosta Racela
10th - 80.00%
Nicole Marie Wong Locsin
• October 2014
BOARD
TOPNOTCHERS
Physician Licensure Examination
August 2014
UST Passing Rate: 98.92%
National Passing Rate: 81.25%
1st - 89.58%
Eric Royd Fanco
Talavera
4th - 89.25%
Jessica Mae Dimalanta
Sanchez
4th - 89.25%
Lean Angelo Ang Silverio
7th - 88.75%
Kevin Bryan Uy Lo
9th - 88.33%
Lorayne Ann Lim Chua
10th - 88.25%
Ryan Anthony Francisco
Agas
Medical Technologist Licensure Examination
September 2014
UST Passing Rate: 93.30%
National Passing Rate: 82.60%
8th - 89.30%
Hanna Clementine Q. Tan
October 2014 •
67
68
• October 2014