AFTER more than three decades in UST, communication faculty member and media practitioner Asst. Prof. Faye Martel-Abugan is retiring from the University, leaving behind a legacy of mentorship and innovation in campus broadcasting.
Abugan said retiring was an easy decision because she felt her journey at UST had come full circle.
“This retirement (decision) was very easy… Madali lang siyang pagdesisyunan. I felt that I didn’t have anything left to do in UST,” Abugan said.
(This retirement decision was very easy. It was easy to make because I felt I didn’t have anything left to do at UST.)
The communication professor was among the 49 faculty retirees honored by the University during a testimonial ceremony on July 17, recognizing retiring teaching and non-teaching academic staff.
Abugan began her Thomasian journey in 1989 as a communication student under the Faculty of Arts and Letters.
As an undergraduate, she became an active member of Artistang Artlets, the faculty’s theater guild.
She directed several productions and received a scholarship from the Cultural Center of the Philippines, which certified her as a theater trainer.
Through the organization, Abugan developed a close working relationship with the late communication arts coordinator Ramon “Bong” Osorio, who later told her the program needed additional faculty members after she graduated.
“Sinabi ko [kay Sir Bong] jokingly, but I guess it’s half-meant, ‘Sir Bong, ako na lang magtuturo?’ Kasi di ba, certified ako na trainer. Natawa lang siya,” Abugan said.
(I jokingly told Sir Bong, though it was half-meant, “Sir Bong, why don’t I just teach?” After all, I was already a certified trainer. He just laughed.)
Abugan joined the UST faculty in 1994 at the age of 22, making her one of the program’s youngest faculty members at the time.
“You know, at that time I really didn’t realize… kung how much Sir Bong trusted me, at kung gaano kalaki ‘yung binigay sa akin na opportunity.”
(At that time, I really didn’t realize how much Sir Bong trusted me and how great an opportunity he had given me.)
She later became faculty adviser of the Educational Technology (EdTech) Center in 2004, a position she held for 14 years.
In 2018, Abugan founded the University’s official broadcasting arm, Tiger Media Network (TMN), which won several international awards under her leadership.
She also served as assistant director of the Communication Bureau from 2018 to 2024.
Her contributions earned her the Dangal ng UST Award for 25 years of service in 2021 and the Distinguished Thomasian Alumni Award in 2025.
Looking back on her 32 years at UST, Abugan said the University taught her to constantly challenge herself and become more confident.
“Kahit na very extrovert ako, I used to be not that confident. Kasi sometimes hindi mo naman alam ‘yung impact na nagagawa mo, ‘yung tamang ginagawa mo,” she said.
(Even though I’m very extroverted, I used to lack confidence because sometimes you don’t realize the impact you have or whether you’re doing the right thing.)
“I got comfortable with not being comfortable… There just came [a point in my life] na parang I wanted more. I wanted to do more.”
(I got comfortable with not being comfortable. There came a point in my life when I realized I wanted more. I wanted to do more.)
Although retiring from UST and Artlets, Abugan said she would remain active in the Thomasian community through alumni activities and by caring for the campus cats.
“I look forward to being involved more as an alumna also, so hindi naman ako totally mawawala sa UST. Once a Thomasian, always a Thomasian.”
(I look forward to becoming more involved as an alumna, so I won’t really be leaving UST completely. Once a Thomasian, always a Thomasian.)
