A SEMINARIAN from the Faculty of Philosophy is this year’s valedictorian after recording a general weighted average of 1.126.
Bro. John Alfred Rabena was among the recipients of the Rector’s Academic Award, UST’s highest academic recognition, during the UST Student Awards at the Quadricentennial Pavilion on Friday.
“We are grateful to our Thomasian education for inculcating in us the need for lifelong learning,” Rabena said in his speech.
Rabena said he was dedicating his award to his father who had passed away.
“He was active in the social ministry, and [that] inspired me to become more like him,” Rabena said.
Other recipients of the Rector’s Academic Award were Sem. Jomari Joseph Aragones (Faculty of Sacred Theology), Henrick Ryan Fong (Faculty of Medicine and Surgery), Simon Miguel Lopez (Faculty of Pharmacy), Monique de la Cruz Bernardino (Faculty of Arts and Letters), Xiorence Cai (Faculty of Engineering), Sean Kalel Garcia (College of Education), Rizza Loren Osmillo (College of Science), Rhoma Raine Manzo (College of Architecture), Ma. Angela Camille Salas (College of Commerce and Business Administration), Kristina Balangue (Conservatory of Music), Maria-Jayne Lerma (College of Nursing), Wingmay Yves Alegado (College of Rehabilitation Sciences), Jianne Nicole Uy (College of Fine Arts and Design), Mae Andrea Bernal (Institute of Physical Education and Athletics), Bill Julius Ocampo (UST-AMV College of Accountancy), Lyka de los Santos (College of Tourism and Hospitality Management) and Tobiel Franc Gaspi (Institute of Information and Computing Sciences).
The Varsitarian, along with 16 other student organizations and 17 students, received the Benavides Outstanding Achievement Award for excelling in regional, national or international competitions, conferences or congresses.
Recipients of the Pope Leo XIII Community Development Award, which is given to students for their involvement in community development activities, were Rome Voltaire Gomez (Graduate School); Joseph Rafael Mauleon (Pharmacy); Kaye Angeline Jimenez (Science); and Karen Daryl Brito, John Dennhel Cruz and Aubrey Gonzal (Office for Student Affairs); and 15 student organizations.
Students who have led and organized activities that contributed to the welfare of Thomasians and other organizations outside the University were conferred the Quezon Leadership Award.
Recipients of the award were outgoing Central Student Council President Francis Gabriel Santos, John Dennhel Cruz and Jan Lucas Quilala (Office for Student Affairs); Karen Regina Calumpang (Arts and Letters); Michael Angelo Abad, Christine Joy Aban, Niña Mae Blanco and Avryll Jhet Pidoc (Commerce); Rome Voltaire Gomez (Graduate School); Patricia Mae Asedillo (Engineering); Justine Frances Cabalay, Timothy Justin Lopez and Joseph Rafael Mauleon (Pharmacy); Anna Katrina Roxas (Rehabilitation Sciences); and Mianne Airish Hernandez and Carl Lexter Tan (Medicine and Surgery).
Seven students, which included UAAP Season 81 women’s volleyball Most Valuable Player (MVP) Cherry Ann Rondina and judo MVP Dither Tablan, and eight other teams received the Pope John Paul II Outstanding Achievement Award for their achievements in sports and the arts.
Ten student organizations received the St. Dominic de Guzman award for their outstanding performance in organizing activities relevant to the University’s mission.
The St. Albertus Magnus award, which is given to students for outstanding research, was given to 10 students and eight groups.
Becarios de Santo Tomas was the sole recipient of the Tradition of Excellence Award, an honor given to organizations that have won awards for five consecutive years.
UST Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. led the conferment of awards.
Also present were Vice Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P., Secretary General Fr. Jesus Miranda, Jr., O.P., Vice Rector for Religious Affairs Fr. Pablo Tiong, O.P., Vice Rector for Finance Fr. Rolando Castro, O.P., Vice Rector for Research and Innovation Maribel Nonato and Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Cheryl Peralta.
