Tag: December 7, 2012

FORGED.

Signatures of a former official of the investment firm accused of stealing union funds were found to have been falsified, prompting the UST Faculty Union (USTFU) to withdraw his name from the case.

In an affidavit of desistance filed last Oct. 18 at the Manila City Prosecutor’s Office, the union cleared Ramoncito G. Modesto of any involvement in the theft of union money.

It noted that during a preliminary investigation, Modesto showed evidence “that he did not sign or issue any placement certificates from WISECITCO (Wise Capital Trust and Investment Company) including the sworn statement of the CEO (chief executive officer) of WISECITCO Mr. Emmanuel T. Deles.”

DEEDS must follow words.

Speaking before the Thomasian community last Nov. 27, former Polish President Lech Walesa urged the youth to keep their idealism, while stressing the importance of Catholic faith and values in nation-building.

“Look at what the politicians are doing with us. They never kept their words. They cannot lead us,” the Nobel laureate said after accepting an honorary professorship from the University. “Demagoguery and trying to be popular will not allow us to build this world.”

Walesa’s lecture, titled “The Role of Faith on the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy,” focused on key factors needed for a country’s progress.

ACADEMIC excellence alone does not transform a student into a leader.

A recent study found that academic achievers are less likely to interact with people and involve themselves in extra-curricular activities due to “anxieties.”

The study, titled “Emotional Intelligence, Leadership Behavior and Orientation of University Achievers,” noted that students who are more engaged in school activities and those who interact with others have less time to spend on their academic work.

“The career success [of the graduates] depends on their academic success and their personal and social aspect or development,” said Guidance and Counseling Department Director Lucila Bance, who authored the study.

CEBU ARCHBISHOP Jose Palma is calling on lawmakers to reject the “reproductive health” (RH) bill, warning of dangers behind the measure which is being pushed by foreign-funded lobby groups.

Palma, who is also president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said a national policy espousing widespread access to contraception would go against constitutional provisions upholding the sanctity of family life.

“Many of the legislators are aware that both the intention and eventually the consequences of the bill may not necessarily bring the desired common good of the people,” Palma told the Varsitarian in an interview.

UST HAS begun an early retirement program for non-teaching staff in a bid to control costs.

Vice Rector for Finance Fr. Manuel Roux, O.P. released a memorandum last Aug. 15 announcing the voluntary retirement program (VRP), which would offer “120 percent of the basic monthly salary per year of service.”

To be eligible, an employee must have “served the University for 10 years of credible service period,” and is below 63 years old, the memorandum said.

The support staff is composed of the non-academic employees, which include clerks, custodians, and technicians.

ISANG lalaking nagpapanggap na Tomasinong seminarista o pari ang napag-alamang nanloloko at humihingi ng donasyon mula sa mga mag-aaral at nagtratrabaho sa Unibersidad.

Noong nakaraang Abril, natuklasang may dalang pekeng student identification card (ID) ang nagngangalang si Prettyboy John De Castro, 20, upang makapasok sa UST. Nagpanggap si De Castro na mag-aaral ng Faculty of Canon Law.

Minsan ay ipinapakilala rin niya ang kaniyang sarili bilang paring Dominiko, o kaya naman ay mag-aaral ng Faculty of Civil Law.

Nang mapag-alaman ng mga awtoridad ng UST ang modus ng impostor, nagpakalat ang Office of the Secretary General ng babala na may larawan ni De Castro sa mga social networking sites.

AIMING to preserve cultural heritage amid rapid urbanization, the UST Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Tropics (CCCPET) and the Angeles City Tourism Office have completed a cultural mapping project for Angeles City in Pampanga, highlighting the province’s culinary tradition.

“Very globalized ang city ng Angeles,” said CCCPET director Eric Zerrudo in an interview. “One, because of its proximity to the airport (Diosdado Macapagal International Airport) and two, the investors in Angeles are mostly foreigners.”

THE REVAMPED research office formally opened this semester, with its new head vowing to strengthen the University’s research niche on its 50th year.

The office was transformed into a “research and innovation” office from the “research and development” unit to promote academe-industry technology transfer, which will allow partnerships with industries and encourage commercialization of the University’s research output.

“This time, we will try to do research and come up with things that can be commercialized or put into immediate use,” said the new research director, Maribel Nonato, who recently left her post as dean of the College of Science.

THE UNIVERSITY redeemed itself in the recent licensure exams for librarians, posting its highest passing rate in five years.

UST scored an impressive 81.58 percent as 31 out of 38 Thomasians made the cut, data from the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) showed.

Last year, UST posted its lowest passing rate since 2008—a dismal 38.78-percent—equivalent to only 19 successful examinees out of 49.

UST ranked third in the roster of top-performing schools this year, trailing behind University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman which recorded a 100-percent passing rate and Mindanao State University-Marawi City which got 85.71 percent.

A PROFESSOR from the Faculty of Civil Law is running for senator in next year’s midterm polls after election officials declared him eligible for candidacy along with 32 others.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has approved the candidacy of lawyer Samson Alcantara for the 2013 elections, citing his prominence and capability to launch a nationwide campaign.

“[Comelec requires] at least the capability to launch a nationwide campaign and capability to participate actively in the legislative process. We are not nuisance candidates,” Alcantara told the Varsitarian.

According to Rule 24, Resolution No. 9523 of the Comelec rules and procedures, “the certificate of candidacy of a nuisance candidate will be denied or cancelled.”