What is the most memorable place in UST?
“Benavides Park. I like the ambiance and the lights during Christmas.”
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Marichelle Balay, Tourism, College of Education
“Sa mga benches in front of the UST chapel. ‘Yun kasi ang tambayan ng barkada kapag walang ginagawa at kapag nagre-relax after exams.”
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Hehersonne Reyes, Faculty of Pharmacy
“Sa UST field dahil doon ako natutong mag-football at mag-enjoy sa mga street party at mga concert ng mga cool bands. At ngayon, mae-experience ko for the last time ang memories na mabibigay sa akin ng field—sa Baccalaureate mass namin.”
– Paulo Jeru Macahilig, Philosophy, Ecclesiastical Faculties
“Benavides Park. It is the place where many students can relax and reflect.”
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Ryan Castro, Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy
“Library! The best place for boy-watching…”
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Ely Jane Hong, Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy
Who is the most unforgettable professor or UST administrator?
“Ma’am AA (Arquiza) of the Office of Student Affairs, because she taught me a lot of things that made me strong and responsible when I was a working scholar.”
– Marichelle Balay, Tourism, College of Education
“My philosophy professor, Dr. Alfredo Co. Kasi of all the professors I had, he’s the one na talagang interested in inculcating the value of Philosophy to his students. Nai-inspire kaming mga students na mag-aral kasi we feel that he believes in us.”
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James Villanueva, Behavioral Science, Faculty of Arts and Letters
“Si Ma’am (Elena) Polo, my literature professor, for instilling in us the love for literature, and the wonder and joy of learning. So many of the other teachers made learning miserable, and destroyed the sense of wonder and discovery, but Ma’am Polo was always supportive and encouraging. And she always found ways to make the subject matter important and relevant.”
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Irran Fernandez, Philosophy, Ecclesiastical Faculties
“ Ma’am Angelita Sarile (our Biochemistry professor) is one of a kind. She extends her knowledge, concern and affection to everybody. That is why everybody loves her.”
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Jemelee C. Hernandez, Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy
What UST event do you find most memorable?
“Noong Freshman Week namin in 2000, kasi mararamdaman mo talaga ang pagka-Thomasian mo. You’d feel proud of being a Thomasian after attending that event, parang taas-noo ka talagang makakapaglakad kahit saan dahil doon.”
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James Villanueva, Behavioral Science, Faculty of Arts and Letters
“When Erap was ousted in 2001. I was a freshman then, and there were all these activities like the EDSA rally. Na-interview pa kami noon sa TV. It was my first time to participate in something as big as that kung saan affected talaga ang mga tao. Noon kasing high school ako, I didn’t care so much about these things, but that event made me realize that the students’ awareness and participation in national issues is important as well.”
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Hehersonne Reyes, Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy
What would make you go back to UST?
“The rich tradition, the Oxford-like structures, the Ivy League-like atmosphere, and the Thomasian identity that I associate myself with.”
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Alvin Asper, Business Administration, College of Commerce and Accountancy
“Kapag pinilit akong bumalik para magturo. Seriously, as every Thomasian graduate would say – the memories alone would make me want to go back to UST, my alma mater.”
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Paolo Quetulio, Faculty of Civil Law
What needs improvement in UST?
“The facilities. You have to provide the students more learning facilities like libraries, Internet and computer terminals for the students to accomplish the tasks assigned to them more quickly and efficiently. We sorely lack in this department especially in our Faculty. We don’t really have that much access to anything except the (Main) Library—which is used by everyone else too. Besides, the provision of these facilities would also prevent the students from going out and spending their money elsewhere.”
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Josephene Mendoza, Journalism, Faculty of Arts and Letters
“UST’s manpower, particularly some incompetent faculty members, discourteous personnel—specially in the Registrar’s (office)—and the bureaucracy that prevents UST from being the No.1 school despite its almost 400 years of existence.”
– Alvin Asper, Business Administration, College of Commerce and Accountancy
“I think UST needs more effort in improving its facilities and the processing of requisition for OHP, LCD etc. Some of the rooms are air-conditioned, but the air-cons don’t work. An improvement on this aspect can make the classroom more conducive for learning.”
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Ma. Michelle Sioson, Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy
What gives the Thomasians an edge in the job market?
“Of course, we have that academic edge since UST is one of the finest Philippine universities. That, and the students being honed in a Catholic atmosphere. The holistic formation is very balanced because our spiritual aspect is developed simultaneously with the scholastic component.”
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Arturo Jay Pua, Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
“Aside from being competent, I think being compassionate and God-fearing will separate us, Thomasians, from the others. We are always humble with our achievements and live a simple life.”
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Rex Steven Co, Tourism, College of Education
What are your dreams for the Thomasian community?
“I dream for (the administration) to make the students’ life easier, and for students to enjoy their years, their education, and their stay in UST because usually they just stay inside the classroom without really having good memories with the teachers. Unlike my friends in other schools, talagang proud sila of their school. Somehow kasi not all Thomasians feel that way.”
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Josephene Mendoza, Journalism, Faculty of Arts and Letters
“Sana five years from now, lahat ng professors at least may master’s (degree). It
would not only add to the prestige of the University, but it would also be very advantageous to the students because their teachers would be able to impart more knowledge to them.”
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Arturo Jay Pua, Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering
“Wish ko lang sana ‘yung mga curriculum ng mga colleges mas maayos in the future. Marami pa rin kasing either irrelevant na ngayon, or kulang pa rin sa scope. Medyo kasi nahuhuli pa rin tayo in terms of technology and in the style of teaching where mostly traditional method pa rin at hindi na nakakapag-infuse ng new knowledge.”
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Michael Do-an Ng,
College of Architecture
Compiled by Elka Krystle Requinta and Brix Gil Bayuga
