NOEMI Catalan, who served as chair of the Department of Psychology for 14 years, passed away on Feb. 1 due to complications from long-term diabetes. She was 92.
Her death was announced by her daughter in law, Gerby, and confirmed to the Varsitarian by her son, Ron.
“She is both gentle and firm, earning the respect of her children and everyone she encountered through leading by example,” Ron said.
Ron said his mother’s legacy lives on through the students she had taught, and who have become professionals.
“I believe her real legacy [is] the people whom she supported morally and academically, who earned their doctorate degrees and are now acknowledged professors and professionals in their own right,” he said. “Her career path has come full circle, bearing fruits in others and calling them to pay it forward.”
Catalan chaired UST’s psychology department under the College of Science from 1989 to 2003.
In 1998, she was named consultant of the old UST Social Research Center, one of the precursor institutions of the UST Research Center for Social Sciences and Education.
Before joining UST, she served as chair of Far Eastern University’s (FEU) Department of Psychology in 1982. She obtained her master’s in psychology and doctorate in philosophy from FEU in 1968 and 1985, respectively.
Catalan was conferred the Distinguished Tamaraw Award in 2013.
From 1988 to 1990 and from 1994 to 1995, Catalan served as president of the Psychological Association of the Philippines (PAP), the oldest and largest network of psychologists in the country.
The PAP paid tribute to Catalan in a Facebook post, remembering her “generosity and commitment [to] serving the association’s purpose.”
In 2002, the PAP conferred the title Outstanding Psychologist to Catalan and five others.
Catalan’s wake will be held until Feb. 6 at St. Peter Chapels in Commonwealth, Quezon City.