News

THE EDUCATION High School topped the academic unit category for the overall total quality management (TQM) quality audit conducted by the Office for Planning and Development (OPD) for the academic year 2004-2005.

The overall winner was based on the three-quarter audit done by the OPD. The fourth quarter audit was not pursued due to time constraints.

The academic, administrative, and service offices were rated based on workplace management. A high score means that the workplace is conducive for the employees to be more productive.

FIVE thomasians landed in the top 20 of the Physician licensure examinations last February, despite the University’s “relatively poor” performance overall.

Magna cum laude graduate and 2003 Rector’s Academic Award recipient Emmy Lissa Oh (84.08 per cent), placed third; while cum laude graduate Christian Lanot (82.83 per cent) ranked sixth. Maria Solina Oconer (82 per cent), Petronilo Noel Reyes (81.17 per cent), and Salvador Rivera IV (81 per cent) placed 12th, 18th, and 20th respectively.

THE SAMAHANG Manggawa ng UST (SM-UST) has accepted the Court of Appeals (CA) decision on the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) dispute, but the University plans to appeal.

In a letter dated Feb. 16 addressed to Vice-Rector Fr. Juan Ponce, O.P., SM-UST’s executive board expressed acceptance of the court decision.

“Now that our differences had already been resolved by a court of justice, we wish to convey to you the Union’s primary goal of restoring and maintaining a close and harmonious relationship with the (UST) Management,” the letter stated.

WITH sheer determination and 130 points in the Final round, the Faculty of Arts and Letters (Artlets) made history by winning its fourth consecutive championship in the 28th Pautakan: The 28th Intercollegiate Quiz Contest last Feb. 26 at the Medicine Auditorium.

Asian Studies junior and Artlets team member Jann Suaberon said the team was more determined to win as the other squads were all set to prevent Artlets from snagging a fourth straight victory.

“Pakiramdam namin lahat ng grupo gusto kaming talunin kaya mas ginusto naming manalo,” he said.

SPANISH Ambassador to the Philippines Ignacio Salaz officially re-opened the Spanish-Filipino relationship in UST after signing the memorandum of agreement between UST and Spain for the establishment of the Aula, a Spanish Language program, in the University last Feb. 23 at the Rector’s Hall.

Salaz told the Varsitarian that Aula will initiate the beginning of Spain’s renewed cooperation with the Philippines, through UST.

“If life gives you lemons, make lemonades.”

Going with the flow seems to be the secret of Thomasian National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) “hero”, Angelita Castro-Kelly. For more than 25 years, she has reaped a number of achievements in space observation—a fete she says she owes greatly to her Thomasian education.

“Angie” as she is known in NASA, graduated summa cum laude from the old UST College of Liberal Arts in 1962, with a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics.

IT’s Good and bad news for UST students as they brace for a “slightly lower” tuition increase next school year: four per cent against last year’s five.

According to Vice-Rector for Finance Fr. Melchor Saria, O.P., the University needs to increase tuition due to rising inflation, which affects the faculty and the non-academic employees.

“We cannot (subsidize the costs) from the operations alone,” Fr. Saria said. “If we do not increase (the tuition), we won’t have anything to (pay) our (employees), and they might become restive.”

Technical considerations have forced the University to move the site of the Student Center to the area in front of the Central Library from the Cooperative building’s former location, as was originally planned.

According to Vice-Rector for Finance Fr. Melchor Saria, O.P., consultations with architect Adrian Chua revealed that drilling and ground work at the former Cooperative site would affect the foundation of the Main Building, a structure the University strives to preserve.

“Know that the Lord does wonders for his faithful one; The Lord will hear me when I call upon Him.” – Psalm 4:4

ALMOST everyday, I have to ride an FX taxi at 6:30 in the morning to arrive just in time for my 8:30 class. I would bargain with God to help me get a cab and I do it everytime I’m desperate.

Since I was a child, I have always considered Him as my superhero who saves the day. I believe that His little miracles will sustain me, and in exchange for the deals, — I would promise to be good.

SOON to rise is a Thomasian Village built by hard work and good heart in Bulacan.

A busload of students and faculty members from the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, instead of resting on their weekend, didn’t mind getting their shirts soiled with paint and sweat in a housing mission at a steep relocation site in Bulacan.

The Faculty’s campaign in Tower Village, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan last Feb.12 provided shelter for the families that the Couples for Christ (CFC) Gawad Kalinga housing project relocated from squatter’s areas in Manila.