AS THE year comes to a close, the Varsitarian remembers and pays tribute to Thomasians who passed away this 2018.
Jake Macasaet
Amado “Jake” Macasaet, longtime newspaper publisher and former Varsitarian cadets editor, passed away last Jan. 7. He was 81.
Macasaet, a veteran business editor, became publisher and owner of Ang Pahayagang Malaya (later Malaya Business Insight) in 1986.
Bernardo Bernardo
Thomasian actor and comedian Bernardo Bernardo passed away last March 8. He was 73 years old.
The former Varsitarian editor in chief’s death was confirmed by his niece Susan Vecina Santos on Facebook.
The veteran actor obtained his bachelor’s degree in journalism in UST in 1966 and his theater training at the University of California. He graduated with a Master of Arts degree at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts.
Nestor Mata
Veteran newsman Nestor Mata died last April 12 at the Cardinal Santos Memorial Medical Center. He was 92 years old.
Mata obtained his bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s degree in foreign affairs in UST, and taught political science and journalism subjects in the University.
Cirilo Bautista
A titan of Philippine literature, National Artist Cirilo Bautista, died last May 6 at the age of 76.
The former Varsitarian literary editor’s death was announced by the official Facebook page of the De La Salle University’s literature department, where he taught and held the rank of a full professor.
Bautista taught literature and creative writing in UST from 1969 to 1970.
Aurora Tuble
Asst. Prof. Aurora Tuble, who taught communication and journalism courses at the Faculty of Arts and Letters, died last May 6 after battling pancreatic cancer for two years. She was 52.
Tuble taught in Artlets beginning 1999 and briefly served as journalism coordinator from 2005 to 2006.
Bishop Jose Oliveros
Thomasian Bishop Jose Oliveros of the Diocese of Malolos died last May 11 after battling prostate cancer. He was 71.
Oliveros was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2015.
Paulino Cruz
Former UST Golden Sox and instructor Paulino “Paul” Cruz died from a stroke last May 11 at the Metropolitan Hospital in Santa Cruz, Manila. He was 71.
The College of Education graduate suited up as a pitcher and batter for the Golden Sox in the 1960s.
Fr. Juan Lera Mateos, O.P.
Spanish Dominican Fr. Juan Lera Mateos, O.P., died last Oct. 18 at the Dominican Convent of the Holy Cross in San Juan. He was 88.
Mateos was one of the few remaining Spanish missionaries belonging to the Holy Rosary Province of Spain who were assigned to the Philippines.
Elena Roco
Elena Roco, a former mathematics professor at the Faculty of Arts and Letters, died last Nov. 22 at the UST Hospital. She was 91.
Roco graduated from the University with a bachelor’s degree in science, major in mathematics and physics.
George Ty
Thomasian banking tycoon George Ty died last Nov. 23 after battling pancreatic cancer. He was 86 years old.
Ty received an honorary doctorate in humanities, honoris causa, from the University on Aug. 7, 2014 for his philanthropy and for building one of the country’s biggest banks.
Marko de Guzman
Engineering senior Marko de Guzman passed away last Nov. 27, a month after the car he was riding from the Grab ride-hailing application hit a scaffolding on Taft Avenue.
De Guzman’s death sparked public outrage on the insurance policy of Grab.
