Tag: July 16, 2004

SOCIAL Research Center (SRC) founder Fr. Fausto Gomez, O.P. urged Thomasian researchers to stimulate the research atmosphere in the University during the pre-celebration of the SRC’s 25th anniversary last June 25 at the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex (TARC) Auditorium.

“Combining research and teaching by conducting researches on social issues affecting the development of the Church in the Philippines and studies relevant to modernization and change in the Philippine society,” said Fr. Gomez, who is also the Faculty of Sacred Theology dean.

The USTH Dietary Department launched “Breastfeeding panatilihin, dagdagan ng wastong pagkain!” last July 6 at the University of Santo Tomas Hospital (USTH) in observance of national nutrition month.

According to Joan Sumpio, head of the Dietary Department, an increased prevalence of malnutrition among children is associated with the decrease of breastfeeding among mothers.

“Breastfeeding is psychologically rooted,” Sumpio said. “The baby’s suckling makes the mother produce milk.”

RECTOR Fr. Tamerlane Lana, O.P., urged the student leaders to play an active role in social change and nation-building during the 1st SOCC Leadership Congress last June 30 at the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex (TARC) seminar room.

Quoting the television commercial slogan “walang ganyan sa States,” Fr. Lana said the students have the ability to transform the mock negativity that advertisement implies against the nation into a source of national pride.

THE COLLEGE of Science has launched a number of projects to improve pedagogy and better prepare its students to become competent experts.

Science Dean Dr. Fortunato Sevilla III said one of the projects, learner-centered instruction, employs different techniques to get students to participate actively in the learning process.

“We are still learning all the techniques under this to find out which is most suitable to the College’s needs. Hopefully, in two years’ time, we’ll be done with the evaluation of the techniques,” Sevilla said.

AN ADVERTISING sophomore got nearly robbed if not for the timely intervention of UST security guards and other students.

According to Paul Nacu, the culprit, Mamerto Ramos, poked a gun at him at the Padre Campa overpass at 11:30 am.

Nacu said Ramos told him to give the latter P300, which the offender would allegedly use to have his watch repaired.

When Nacu gave the amount, Ramos asked for another P700.

DESPITE the UST administration’s scrapping of the rite of rassage, the Central Student Council (CSC) continued with the welcome ceremony for the University’s freshmen last July yesterday.

According to CSC president Xialeemar Valdeavilla, the ceremony, “Fresh!,” still had the traditional parade of freshmen passing through the Arch of the Centuries except that the administration would no longer be part of the event.

THOMASIANS from the College of Nursing and the Faculty of Arts and Letters are invading the classrooms of other UST departments as they are straining the capacity of their respective buildings.

University Registrar Rodolfo Clavio said the colleges have a hard time allocating classrooms.

“It’s not necessarily overcrowding (the University),” he added. “We just have to maximize our facilities.”

THE UST Medical Alumni Association (USTMAA) in America reaffirmed its support for the University by pledging to donate more than $100,000 over a five-year period during its 12th annual grand reunion and clinical convention last June 20 to 24 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“It is their way of maintaining ties with the school,” Faculty of Medicine and Surgery dean Dr. Rolando Lopez said. “They are manifesting their loyalty through the help they give.”

DESPITE her achievements and accolades, she refuses to be flattered, and insists her achievements are mere products of chance and by a person who just happened to be at the right place at the right time.

KEEPING up to beat with the times, the Conservatory of Music (Music) will soon be adding new majors to its curriculum.

In an interview with the Varsitarian, Music Dean Raul Sunico said the College is planning to introduce Jazz, Music Therapy, and Musical Recording soon, but only Jazz would be implemented next year due to the lack of faculty, rooms, and facilities.

“You have to make changes in the curriculum no matter how good it is, because there will always be something new (to add),” he added.