AFTER 50 years of service to the University, former Faculty of Civil Law (Civil Law) Dean Amado Dimayuga continues to teach and helps produce lawyers with “strong moral fiber.”
According to Dimayuga, this year’s lone recipient of the 7th Dangal ng UST Awards Gawad Benavides for 50 years of service, his desire to impart the knowledge he has acquired and his love for teaching keeps him going.
“Teaching is a labor (and) and an art,” said the Dimayuga, who is also a member of the Philippine Judicial and Bar Council, which screens applicants to positions in the Judiciary.
A member of the UST Bar Review faculty, Dimayuga started teaching in 1954 and was Civil Law’s dean from 1989-2001. He takes pride in having produced four graduates in the top 10 of the bar exams during his deanship, and several students who have been appointed to the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Sandiganbayan as associate justices. He was honored as dean emeritus in 2001.
The Dangal ng UST recognizes the achievements of the faculty members in the different fields. It is given by the UST Faculty Union in cooperation with the University. It has four award categories: Gawad Santo Tomas, Benavides, San Alberto Magno, and Santo Domingo.
Before Dimayuga, 112 distinguished Thomasians have received the Gawad Benavides, which recognizes the years of service faculty members have rendered to the University.
Apart from the service awardees, the outstanding teaching and non-teaching faculty were also recognized through the Gawad Santo Tomas.
Dr. Willie Lagdameo (Medicine and Surgery), a Santo Tomas honoree, told the Varsitarian that there is really no secret to being an outstanding professor, only to do what is prescribed as a faculty member.
“Being recognized by your own peers is the best reward any faculty member can get,” Lagdameo said.
The other recipients of the Gawad Santo Tomas were professor Ma. Socorro Guanhing from the College of Nursing (Nursing), associate professor Rouena Villarama (Nursing), instructor Cheryl Peralta (College of Rehabilitation Science), high school faculty member Emmanuel Batulan, elementary school faculty members Madeline Dionora and Jaezmine Viray, guidance counselor Nenita Cervantes, and librarian Nora Matawaran.
Meanwhile, the Gawad San Alberto Magno was given to Jose Bergatin Jr. and Dr. Raymond Rosales for best research in science and technology and health sciences, respectively, and Erlita Mendoza for best book.
The Gawad Santo Tomas and San Alberto Magno recognize faculty members’ distinct achievements in research and teaching.
On the other hand, the Gawad Santo Domingo for distinct accomplishment in community service was awarded to Dr. Rosendo Roque (individual category), and the UST Department of Preventive, Family and Community Medicine (group category).
According to Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Dr. Armando de Jesus, the awards are reminders of the aspirations and achievements of the faculty members. De Jesus stressed that the awards should be valued for what they represent and not for what they are.
“One of the dangers of events like this is that people may get focused on the award rather than on the meaning of the award,” he said.
