AMOR PEDRO, a long-time UST economics professor and researcher, passed away on May 26. She was 88.
Her death was due to natural causes and was confirmed to the Varsitarian by her niece, Cora Legazpi-Shaw.
Pedro served as head of the economics department of the Faculty of Arts and Letters in 1975, and later as officer in charge of the Social Research Center, the predecessor of the Research Center on Social Sciences and Education.
Pedro made her mark in teaching econometrics, the application of mathematical modeling and statistics to economic data to test relationships between economic variables and generate forecasts.
“She wrote formulas and solutions longhand, in an era before spreadsheets and statistical software,” recalled Varsitarian assistant adviser Felipe Salvosa II, one of Pedro’s former economics students, who now teaches at Artlets.
Legazpi-Shaw remembered her aunt, whom she described as “very caring and thoughtful,” as a lifelong educator who inspired curiosity and critical thinking within their family.
“When we had questions or problems, she would tell us to look at all angles and arrive at our own conclusions. Do not take shortcuts,” Legazpi-Shaw said.
“Auntie Amor’s constant advice was to continue learning and never fear in our quest for more knowledge,” she added.
The UST Artlets Economic Society expressed its condolences in a Facebook post.
“She will be remembered not only for her academic contributions but also for her commitment to nurturing future generations of Thomasians,” the society’s post read.
Aries Gamboa, a former student of Pedro, recalled her presence in the classroom.
“The moment she starts speaking, you already know that she knows what she’s talking about,” Gamboa said. “Many feared her, but that ‘fear’ was what shaped us. It was a good kind of ‘fear.’”
Her wake was held at the Loyola Memorial Chapels on Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City.
Pedro’s remains were cremated on May 30.
