Fr. Lana re-appointed
School year 2002-2003 saw the reinstallation of Rev. Fr. Tamerlane Lana, O.P. as the University’s 93rd Rector on June 26, 2002 at the Santissimo Rosario Parish.
In his acceptance speech, Fr. Lana enunciated his vision to upgrade the University as a center and leader in the pure and the applied sciences, in research, and in community development, in time for 2011.
No-smoking policy
The University started to strictly implemented a no-smoking policy on campus.
After a month, 13 smokers – 10 students and three outsiders – were apprehended. The policy showed the University’s support for the government’s clean and green campaign.
Administration shuffle
Educational Technology (EdTech) Center director Fr. Melchor Saria, O.P. replaced Fr. Roberto Pinto, O.P. as vice-rector for finance. Former Faculty of Engineering dean Alberto Laurito took over as EdTech director.
Fr. Romulo Rodriguez, O.P. and Fr. Regino Cortez, O.P., were apointed regents of the College of Education and the College of fine Arts and Design (CFAD), respectively. Fr. Vicente Cahilig, O.P. was appointed as acting director of the new Center for Contextualized Theology.
Five other regents were reappointed. They are Fr. John Funelas, O.P., (UST High School), Fr. Joacquim Valdez, O.P. (Faculty of Pharmacy), Fr. Antonio Cabezon, O.P. (College of Nursing), Jose Ma. Tinoko, O.P. (Conservatory of Music), and Fr. Braulio Peña, O.P. (Faculty of Civil Law) who died later, Fr. Dionisio Cabezon, O.P. would later on be appointed acting Civil Law regent.
Prof. Zenaida Roda replaced Prof. Editha Fernandez as UST High School principal, while Prof. Jaime de los Santos took over from Fr. Isidro Abaño, O.P. as CFAD dean.
Former Office for Research and Development (ORD) director Dr. Fortunato Sevilla III was made College of Science dean. Sevilla’s predecessor, Dean Dr. Gloria Bernas, took over his old post as ORD director.
PBL war
The controversial problem-based learning (PBL) method’s implementation resulted in a tense academic atmosphere with many professors of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery their opposition to it.
The issue was settled last month after Fr. Lana instructed then Medicine Dean Dr. Angeles Tan-Alora and regent Fr. Jerry Manlangit, O.P. to apply the faculty’s old curriculum to the incoming freshmen, effectively phasing out the PBL method.
USTH-Bureau of Customs face-off
In its mission to improve its services, the University of Santo Tomas Hospital (USTH) acquired a magnetic resonance imaging instrument. However, a legal battle ensued when the Bureau of Customs questioned USTH’s tax-exempt status.
The dispute ended as then Education Secretary Raul Roco gave USTH the green light after the Hospital submitted pertinent documents proving its tax –exempt status.
Freshmen “initiated”
To instill pride and loyalty in their alma mater, the freshmen of school year 2002-2003 marched through the Arch of the Centuries in a “rite of passage” in June 14. According to Secretary-General Fr. Winston Cabading, O.P., the warm reception should make the “neophyte” students feel more welcome in the University.
Women gear up for NSTP
Despite protests from leftist and feminist groups, female freshmen students were included in the National Training Service Program (NSTP).
However, tension gripped the first day of NSTP as large contingents from the Philippine Army and Philippine National Police, armed with high-caliber weapons, hovered among the ranks of the cadets. The security measures of the UST-Department of Military Science and Tactics drew negative reactions from University officials and faculty who expressed fears the show of force was tantamount to a “militarization” of the campus.
UST-Sta. Rosa
In line with VISION 2011, the University bought a 40-hectare land in Sta. Rosa, Laguna where a new campus is set to rise.
The extension campus is being planned to house technology and health-related courses. The new campus would help students from the southern regions to have easier access to a Thomasian education.
The University also acquired lands in General Santos City, South Cotabato. It is also considering putting up another extension campus in Baguio City.
Digital ID
In line with full computerization of the University’s offices, the new digital identification system became fully operational.
Digital ID monitors were placed at entrances of the University’s different buildings. The digital IDs not only serve as a identification and library cards, but also as locators. Functioning as a security asset, the new ID system prevents impostors from entering buildings as the information about the ID’s owner is flashed on the screen. Later, grades also became verifiable through the digital ID.
AB-BSE
The Faculty of Arts and Letters and the College of Education offered a double-degree course in Social Science. AB-BSE Social Science includes professional subjects for education while covering areas of the social sciences, such as political science, sociology, history, and economics.
Maneja tops bar examination
Magna cum laude graduate and former debater Arlene Maneja topped the 2002 bar examinations with a 92.9% rating, the first UST graduate to do so in 66 years. Before that, only former President Diosdado Macapagal (1936) and former Chief Justice Roberto Concepcion (1924) were the only Thomasians who have topped the bar examinations.
UST dominates boards
Despite not having an examinee landing in the top 20, the University got the highest rank in the 100 examinees and above category during the Certified Public Accountancy (CPA) licensure examination. Karen Joy Digo led other Thomasians with an 83.43 per cent rating.
Five Thomasians landed in the top 10 of the October CPA board exams, maintaining UST’s top spot. The University registered a 52 per cent passing rate with 138 out of 265 examinees passing. Janet Blas placed third with a 90 per cent score. Others were Jose Ramon Villatuya at fourth (89.71 per cent), Denise Ann Saclag at sixth (89.43 per cent), Heidi Lynn Bravo at eight (89.14 per cent), and Jennifer Ticlao at ninth (89 per cent).
Vivian Hazel de Guzman posted a grade of 82.40 per cent while Jonathan Sadsad had 81.60 per cent to land sixth and ninth, respectively, in the June Architecture board examination. The University registered a passing rate of 55.36 per cent (93 out of 168 examinees passed).
Last January, Henry Steve Olonan placed second in the Architecture board with an 86.80 per cent rating, while Suzette Lourdes Alba (84.90 per cent) and Aissa Barbara Khristeen Palma (84.20 per cent) ranked fourth and seventh, respectively. The University improved its passing rate with a 61.54 per cent passing rate (88 out of 143 examinees).
The University maintained the top spot in the over-all ranking for 100 or more examinees in the Pharmacist licensure examination last July with cum laude Ma. Christina Gumangan placing eight. UST registered a 95.31 per cent passing rate as 244 out of 256 examinees passed.
In the Pharmacist licensure examination last February, Agnes Llamansares placed second by posting an 89.38 score. UST ranked second in the top performing schools category of 10 or more examinees with 91 per cent in passing rate (31 out of 34 examinees passed).
Magna cum laude Allan Roque topped the Physical Therapy board last August by posting an 85.70 per cent mark. The other Thomasians who made it to the top 10 were Ma. Farrah Araceli Bernales (84.65 per cent, 3rd), Joel Almario Reyes (84.10 per cent, 4th), Joseph Chua Morales (83.50 per cent, 7th), and Jon Avery Go (83.15 per cent, 10th). All 22 Thomasian examinees passed the examination.
In the January Physical Therapy Board, Dominador Ayeras III placed first with an 85.80 per cent mark to lead 10 other Thomasians. UST ranked third with a 91 per cent passing rate.
Meanwhile, Yuronica Chua posted an 82.80 per cent mark to top the Occupational Therapy board. Bernice Kaye Co (82.20 per cent, 2nd), Francis Ryan Co (82 per cent, 3rd), Marco Angelo Trinidad (81 per cent, 6th), and Joy Abigail Guzman (80 per cent, 7th) were the other Thomasians who landed in the top 10.
In the Physician licensure examinations last August, magna cum laude Maria Sherry Ann Rosalind Caimol placed second with an 85.80 per cent mark. Norman Norvis (85.25 per cent) landed fifth, while Renee Vila Sicam (85 per cent) ranked eight. 92 per cent of Thomasian examinees passed.
In the Medical Technology licensure exams, the University claimed six of the top 10 spots. Lene Grace Cantoria placed third with 88.60 per cent, while Gerard Erikson Gonzales placed sixth with 87 per cent. Janet Cruz placed 86.60 per cent, Glesie San Andres placed ninth with 86.50 per cent, while Gloriamaris Loy and Marnielle Suse tied for the 10th place with 86.40 per cent. UST’s passing rate was 83 per cent as 100 out of 128 examinees passed. On the other hand, 25 out 34 students passed the Chemistry board for a passing rate of 74 per cent.
UST placed second among schools with 10 or more examinees in the Electrical Engineering licensure exams last October with Jeffrey Ang taking the eight spot with a grade of 92.45 per cent. 63 out of 64 examinees passed the examinations fro a 98.4 passing rate.
2002 Rector’s Academic Award recipient Francis Go placed fifth with an 85.40 per cent mark in the Mechanical Engineering board exam. UST posted an 89.71 passing rate with 61 out of 68 examinees passing.
The University registered a respectable 78.18 per cent passing rate (86 out of 110 examinees) in the Electronics and Communications Engineering board.
On the other hand, the University landed second as it posted an 88.40 per cent passing rate (61 out of 69 examinees) in the Civil Engineering board exams, while 32 Thomasians were successful in the Chemical Engineering licensure exams.
Twenty out of 32 Thomasians (62.50 per cent) passed the Interior Design board exams with Michelle Katherine Ku posting a second-best 81.55 per cent mark.
Waste water treatment facility
Last July, the University’s P35 million wastewater treatment facility became operational.
Built mainly to conserve water and lessen water pollution, the treatment facility was in compliance with Presidential Decree (PD) no. 984. Known as the Pollution Control Law, PD 984 requires small companies and universities to decrease water pollution.
Beato Angelico facelift
A renewed optimism for more academic excellence was expressed for the College of Architecture and the College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD) after a renovated Beato Angelico building was inaugurated last Feb. 18.
Starting school year 2003-2004, Architecture and CFAD will vacate the Roque Ruaño Bldg., its home for more than 50 years, and transfer to the Beato Angelico Bldg. The College of Science’s Computer Studies department will take over the space vacated by the two colleges.
Salinggawi Dance Troupe wins cheering competition
After years of languishing under the shadow of the University of the Philippines Pep Squad, The UST-Salinggawi Dance Troupe (SDT) bagged the first place in the 2002 Universities Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP)-Nestle Non-Stop Cheerdance Competition last Sept. 21 at the Araneta Coliseum.
Furthermore, five SDT members and one member from the UST Yellow Jackets were chosen to be a part of the Philippine delegation’s official cheering squad in the 14th Asian Games in Busan, South Korea. They were England Alano, Fatima Hermosa, Julie Ann Lopez, Mark Lester, Carla Valencia, and Jean Patrick Bagaporo.
Thomasians reap bronze in Busan
UST taekwondo coach Dindo Simpao, 2001 Taekwondo World Cup silver medalist Tshomlee Go, and flyweight Daleen Cordero made the country and UST proud by bagging bronze medals in the 14th Asian Games in Busan, South Korea.
Simpao failed to enter the final round as he withdrew from his semifinal match after spraining both knees while Go ran into questionable officiating to miss the gold medal match.
Despite a blazing performance in the earlier rounds, Cordero’s tentativeness cost her the chance to advance to the finals.
Meanwhile, Jins Donald Geisler, Kalindi Tamayo, Alex Briones, karateka Gretchen Malalad, and wushu competitor Janice Hung failed to deliver despite showing signs of brilliance during the competition.
UST continues to dominate UAAP
Even if the Tigers failed to capture back the basketball diadem, UST managed to edge out De La Salle University in the over-all standing to win its 30th general championship crown.
The University banked on strong performances from the teams in men’s volleyball, men’s and women’s table tennis, men’s track and field, men’s lawn tennis, men’s taekwondo, and men’s judo.
UST Singers dominate the world
The angelic voices of the acclaimed University of Santo Tomas Singers again captivated audiences around the world as manifested by their numerous awards gathered from appearances in different international choral competitions.
In Europe, the UST Singers won first prize in the all three categories of the Tonen 2002 International for Chamber Choirs in Monster, Netherlands. Conductor Fidel Calalang Jr. also received the Best Conductor prize.
In the 4th International Chorwettbewerb 2002 in Mittinberg, Germany, the choir won the first prize in the Polyphony category and second in the Public Prize. In addition, the Bavarian Prime Minister also conferred on them the Best Interpretation award for the compulsory piece “Magnificat” by Josef Swider.
The UST Singers received First Prizes, two Jury Prizes, and two Public Prizes at the 41st Concorso Internazionale di Canto Corale “C.A. Seghizzi” 2002 in Gorizia, Italy.
At the 30th Mezinardoni Festival Munid Cantant “Peveckych Shoru” in Olomouc, Czech Republic, the UST Singers was awarded the Best choir and took home five Gold First Prizes in all five categories.
Aubrey Miles
The “revelation” made by screen siren Aubrey Miles in an interview with a leading local magazine that she was a student of the UST-Conservatory of Music raised a lot of eyebrows.
UST records revealed that Miles did study in the University, but stayed in the Conservatory for only one semester.
Thomasian Sublime
Another Thomasian nearly duplicated the feat of Miriam Quiambao in 1999.
Ms. Thomasian 2000 and Hotel and Restaurant Management alumna Jhezarie Javier was crowned Bb. Pilipinas-International in this year’s Bb. Pilipinas beauty pageant held last March 15 at the Araneta Coliseum. Javier will represent the country in the Miss International beauty pageant in Tokyo, Japan.
Aside from Javier, Communication Arts graduate and karateka Gretchen Malalad and Architecture alumni Caroline Ramos and Joy de los Reyes joined the beauty pageant.
Earlier, Journalism graduate and former Varsitarian special reports writer Frances Margaret Arreza won second runner-up in the Mutya ng Pilipinas beauty contest last June 8 at the Armed Forces of the Philippines Theater in Quezon City.
Fr. Braulio Peña, O.P.
Last Dec. 15, the University bade farewell to Faculty of Civil Law regent Fr. Braulio Peña, O.P. He was 52.
Fr. Peña was the former dean of the Faculty of Sacred Theology, assistant dean of the Religion Department, assistant regent of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and acting regent of both UST High School and College of Commerce.
Hanz Paolo Lopez
The damage brought about by typhoon Gloria last July 4 was overshadowed by the heroism done by Civil Law student Hanz Paolo Lopez after he saved the lives of sisters Justin and Maria Joan Turian from electrocution at the cost of his own. Lopez was 24.
The son of UST Publishing House marketing director Lourdes Lopez, Hanz was manning the family’s computer shop when the disaster struck. He immediately responded to the sisters’ plea for help. After bringing the sisters to safer ground, Hanz was overwhelmed by the electric current.
Jose “Joe” L. Guevara
Manila Bulletin columnist Jose “Joe” Guevara succumbed to cardiac arrest last December at the Makati Medical Center. He was 85.
Regarded as one of the pillars of Philippine journalism, Guevara was a former editor-in-chief of the Varsitarian in 1938. Known as the “Tom Sawyer” of college writing during his UST days, Guevara was also an admirable family man who found time for his family despite his hectic schedule.
“V” at 75
The Varsitarian, the official student publication of the University, celebrated its 75th anniversary with a grand alumni homecoming last Dec. 14 at the Main Bldg. lobby. The Varsitarian turned 75 last Jan.16.
Aside from organizing the event, the Varsitarian also ventured into book publication. Released were the UST Varsitarian Campus Press Stylebook, a manual of style and correct grammar usage in writing in English, and Heaven’s Kitchen, a collection of inspirational articles that appeared in the Varsitarian’s Witness (Religion) section. Billy Joe I. Allardo
