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This year’s tourney reinvigorated the solidarity and loyalty of the alumni to the University after the two-year hiatus due to the pandemic. Sponsors such as Wilcon Depot, DivinaLaw, DATEM, Inc., and Shinagawa Lasik & Aesthetics also rejoined and guaranteed their commitment to the cause. The full day event saw the dedication of the community that brought in the largest turnout of golfers since the tournament’s inception.
Tournament Chairman Dr. Ian Laurel highlighted the series’ distinction from others where different college teams host the competition every year, saying that “This fosters the engagement and participation of all alumni, making it more exciting, bigger, more vibrant, and more relevant each and every year.” He also admired the Rector’s support and leadership, inspiring them to continue with the advocacy.
A fellowship banquet and awarding ceremonies followed the morning of golf and was graced by the presence of UST Vice Rector Rev. Fr. Isaias D. Tiongco, O.P., and IPEA Director and Regent Rev. Fr. Rodel S. Cansancio, O.P.
Ten teams which consisted of different colleges and a high school department competed over the coveted perpetual championship trophy created by Ar. Ramon Orlina.
The teams of Faculty of Engineering and Faculty of Pharmacy tied at 571 points. However, the Pharmacy team clinched the third runner-up title with nine birdies in Team Event while the Engineering team only birdied two, placing them at the fourth.
The first time podium finisher Faculty of Arts and Letters team unexpectedly sealed its second runner-up finish with 568 points.
A great upset has met the College of Science as their team committed a couple of errors garnering them 562 points, which took them a few steps back from defending the crown. Meanwhile, the Rector’s Cup 3 champions Faculty of Medicine & Surgery team made a comeback with only 557 points, which secured the top spot for this year’s event.
For the sixth Rector’s Cup, the College of Architecture will host the competition headed

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Zerrudo provided an opening message where he underscored the significance of the environment to the viability of Philippine weaving. The students were introduced to the ingenuity of traditional weavers and the diversity of techniques such as the binakol of Ilocos region, the pina weaving of Aklan and the Inaul of Maguindanao Region.
The Likha program was a convergence of three weaving industry prime movers – Al Valenciano of Ilocos, Lesly Mobo of Visayas, and Charisse Tugade (a Thomasian CHS Alumna) for Mindanao. Approximately 21 weavers engaged in a conversation relative to their practice, its significance, threats to its viability, and its survival in relation to the government assistance they need . After validation from the weavers, the results of the discussions were later forwarded to Philippine First Lady Atty. Liza Araneta Marcos, who spearheaded the initiative.

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Beginning with a performance at the “Rejoice Choir Concert” at the Jeju Arts Center, the UST Singers performed alongside international choral groups, such as the Voice of Bali, the Riverside City College Chamber Singers, and the Jeju Ladies’ Choir on February 19.

From February 21 to 24, they performed at the 7^th Jeju International Choir Festival and Symposium (JICF). In the same event, the UST Singers Founder Fidel Gener Calalang, Jr., delivered a lecture on his choral works at the Jeju Oriental Hotel on February 22. Some of the works presented were his original work, “Adoramus Te Christe,” which won 3rd Prize at the 2021 Academia Musica 2^nd International Music Competition, and other arrangements such as “Paru-Parong Bukid,” “Ikaw,” “Kailangan Kita,” “The Prayer,” and “Plink Plank Plunk.”

Ambassador of the Philippines to the Republic of Korea Her Excellency Ma. Theresa Dizon-De Vega and the Third Secretary and Vice Consul Jilliane Joyce De Dumo-Cornista graced the event with their presence and support for the group during the UST Singers’ performance at the First Icheon World Choir Festival at the Incheon Art Hall on February 24, 2023.

At the Daegu Concert Hall in Daegu, South Korea, the UST Singers performed with the Pilgrim Children’s Choir on February 25.

For their final stop, the UST Singers had a short concert and church service at the First Presbyterian Church in Daegu.

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The theme of the joint session lecture was “Researches on Philippine Social Welfare and
Agrarian Reform Development Agenda, Land Registration, and Community Development”.
There were five speakers, namely, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Undersecretary Atty. Adonis P. Sulit; Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Assistant Director Elizabeth Zambrano-Villapando, CESO VI, OIC-Director III, Bureau of Land Tenure Improvement; DAR Director Garland Leila A. Cuarteros, OIC-Director for Policy and Research Service (PRS), Policy Planning and Research Office (PPRO), Provincial Agrarian Reform Officer II (ARPO II); Land Registration Authority (LRA) Atty. Raymond Ramos, Register of Deeds, Parañaque City; and YNU Master of International Business Law student Maria Hachigo.

The Honorable DSWD USEC Atty. Sulit talked about the DSWD Programs and Services, while DAR OIC-Director Zambrano-Villapando and OIC-Director Cuarteros lectured on an Overview of of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) Extension with Reforms, Parañaque City Register of Deeds Atty. Ramos spoke about identifying real and fake Certificate of Titles, and Ms. Hachigo discussed her lessons from her various field trips undertaken to various remote communities in Japan.

Also present during the colloquium were Faculty Secretary Assoc. Prof. Elizabeth Arenas and academic staff members Dr. Elizabeth Recio, Dr. Ernesto Dimaculangan, Dr. Patricia Empleo, Dr. Antonio Dayag. Dr. Tomas Tiu served as the Master of Ceremonies and Dr. Rosemarie Opis introduced the speakers.

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Titled “Bringing Low-Cost Virus Detection to Your Community,” Hall and her team discussed the use of simple, affordable technologies to detect the presence of viruses in the environment and how such technologies can be used to monitor the spread of viruses in communities, which can aid in the early detection and prevention of outbreaks. The students were also given hands-on experience in using these technologies, with the research team guiding them through the process of setting up and using low-cost virus detection kits.
Hall leads the Cambridge Analytical Biotechnology (CAB) group. She is a recipient of the Gold Medal from the Royal Society of Chemistry (Analytical Division) in 2005 and the Alec Hough-Grassby Memorial Award from the Institute of Measurement and Control in 2009. In 2019 she was awarded the SNU-Dongjin Distinguished Lectureship and in 2020 she received the Oxburgh Medal for outstanding contribution to measurement, instrumentation and control in the field of environmental science and engineering.
The workshop was well-received by the students, who found it both informative and engaging. It was a collaborative effort between the University of Santo Tomas and the University of Cambridge, with the aim of empowering young Filipinos to take an active role in addressing the ongoing global pandemic. The co-sponsors for the workshop are the UST Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, the Department of Chemistry, and the Graduate School.

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The event, which marked the culmination of KKP’s 85th anniversary celebrations, aimed to emphasize the vital role of chemistry in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
With the theme, “Chemistry Innovations for World Needs”, the conference had six keynote lectures and 30 oral presentations grouped into parallel sessions, covering six different themes related to the UN SDGs: chemistry and food, chemistry and health, chemistry and education, chemistry and environment, chemistry and energy, and chemistry and innovation.

The four keynote speakers included Academician and National Scientist Dr. Lourdes J. Cruz, who discussed the importance of prioritizing research and development in chemistry for sustainable development and economic growth in the Philippines. University of Cambridge Professor of Analytical Biotechnology Dr. Lisa Hall, CBE, CChem, FRSC, presented an overview of integrating new genetic and molecular diagnostic technologies in low-resource nations, while Philippine Nuclear Research Institute Atomic Research Division Chief Dr. Lucille V. Abad talked about the role of nuclear science and technology in addressing global concerns. National Tsing Hua University Institute of Analytical and Environmental Sciences Chair Professor Dr. Ruey-An Doong shared insights into the potential of using agro-derived carbon nanocomposites for a range of applications.

Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in various workshops, walk through the poster sessions, and interact with presenters. Included among the workshops was “Smartphone-Based Colorimetry: Analytical Measurements Using Smartphones and Paper-Based Sensors” facilitated by
UST Department of Chemistry Chair Assoc. Prof. Alan Rodelle M. Salcedo, Ph.D., and Henley F. Galiga, Ph.D., from Romblon State University.

The conference concluded with the presentation of the first-ever 2023 KKP Emerging Researcher Award to Dr. Jordan F. Madrid of the Philippine Nuclear Research Institute for his outstanding contributions to the development of functional composite polymeric materials from Philippine natural fibers using radiation-induced graft polymerization. The IC2 conference highlighted the importance of chemistry in addressing the challenges of sustainable development and brought together experts from different countries to share their research and expertise in various areas of chemistry.

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Also present in the meeting were Assistant Dean Dr. Melanie Turingan, Faculty Secretary Asst. Prof. Ma. Zenia Rodriguez, Coordinator for International Relations and Programs Asst. Prof. Michelle Desierto, and academic staff from the Department of Modern Languages Mr. Royce Randall Lim, Mr. Brian Erick Benbinuto, and Ms. Ruth Torres.

The following likewise attended the meeting via Zoom: Department of Modern Languages Chair Asst Prof. Abigail Pagalilauan, with academic staff Fr. Nestor Abog, Ms. Jana Isabela Hayao, and Mr. Dennis Maturan.

Ferrán acknowledged the necessity for Spanish courses in the College of Education and in the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, with the possibility of an internship in Spain. He also considered offering Spanish classes to high school students at UST.

Pagalilauan also discussed the Language Assistantship Program in Spain, which many Thomasian students and graduates have joined. She said that the participants are hoping to renew their contracts with their respective language centers in Spain. Ferrán believes that participants in the Language Assistantship Program should have a basic knowledge of Spanish (at least A1 level).

The DELE (Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera or Diploma of Spanish as a Foreign Language) requirement for prospective language assistants will be implemented starting 2024-2025. For them to participate in the Language Assistantship Program, the participants need to have at least a DELE A1 diploma. DELE is a Spanish proficiency exam with six different levels ranging from A1 to C2 based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which are learning, teaching, and assessment.

Discussion on collaboration included giving opportunities for Spanish teachers in UST to participate in the language assistantship program and the free webinars organized by the Ministerio de Educación de España (Spanish Ministry of Education), promotion of the immersion program in the College of Education and in AB for History majors as part of coming up with creative ways to promote Spanish to Thomasian students. There was also a discussion about a possible partnership with Universidad de Alcalá.
The meeting concluded with the formal signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the University of Santo Tomas and the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training of the Government of Spain, as represented by Mr. David Ferrán.

The objectives of the said MOU were to contribute to the promotion and development of the teaching of the Spanish language and culture in the Philippine education system, and the English language and culture in Spain; promote the relations between the citizens of the Philippines and those of Spain, enhancing the understanding and the appreciation of the shared culture by both communities; provide students and alumni with a multicultural and international experience which will prepare them for their future success personally, academically, and professionally; and to facilitate opportunities of professional development and academic exchange of the students, teachers, and professionals of education and the development of joint activities.

Exploring joint ventures with Thammasat University

Along similar lines, administrators and professors from the Faculty of Liberal Arts in Thammasat University visited the Faculty of Arts and Letters of the University of Santo Tomas to explore possible academic collaborations in the fields of modern languages, history, and Asian studies. This marks the beginning of a productive partnership that will improve the academic ties between the two institutions.
The visit was made possible as a result of the nomination of the Faculty of Liberal Arts in Thammasat University to receive a donation from Senator Loren Legarda in order to execute the Philippine Studies Program in Thailand. This allows them to initiate activities including academic exchanges, lecture series, research grants, enhancement of the Filipiniana collection, and other projects relating to the history, cultures, and society of the Philippines.

During the meeting, the participants discussed the most important aspects of their academic partnership, which include student exchange between the two institutions, research collaboration, organizing a short summer course (including Filipino language, Spanish language, and other aspects of culture), academic talks, and visiting scholars.

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As one of the successful researchers accepted to join the roster of 106 oral presentations, Reyes-Tolosa virtually presented her work on “The Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Contamination on Cellphones of Asymptomatic Healthcare workers from a COVID-19 Testing Facility in the Philippines” in Session 28: Infectious Diseases and Prevention. The paper tackles the impact of environmental contamination of SARS-CoV-2.

With the theme “Building Bridges for Future Public Health Preparedness and Response”, the two-day conference had 28 sessions were organized according to topics that included: 1) Women, gender studies and gender-based violence; 2) Women, maternal, infant and child health; 3) Psychological well-being and mental health; 4) Miscellaneous Health and Safety; 5) Nutrition, Food Security; 6) Environmental Health; 7) Occupational Health; 8) Infectious Diseases and Prevention; 9) Other Disciplines; 10) Non-communicable Disease; 11) Social Determinants of Health, Healthcare services and education; (12) Primary Healthcare; and (13) Occupational and Environmental Health.

The annual conference is organized by The International Institute of Knowledge Management (TIIKM) partnered with University of Malaya in Malaysia.

TIIKM Managing Director Mr. Isanka P. Gamage welcomed both physical and virtual participants. In his message, he emphasized that the true value of knowledge acquisition will only be realized when this knowledge will reach more people and related his message to this year’s conference theme focusing on the need to build bridges and networks among the participants.

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The research visit is part of the DOST-PCHRD funded project, spearheaded by the group, focusing on biocontrol application of bacteriophages against foodborne pathogens. This project is part of a program headed by Dr. Jose Bergantin, Jr. of the Chemistry Department of the College of Science.

Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) has been and is a common concern in many fields of studies, most especially in infectious diseases. This silent pandemic has threatened our generation in so many ways that some scientists claim that we have arrived in the post-antibiotic era. The UST BEATS research group has been actively working since 2014 on bacterial viruses as alternatives to antibiotics to address such a concern, while the KaoLab in Taiwan has in depth knowledge and has been studying many aspects of bacterial pathogenesis and resistance.  This collaboration is crucial to help find solutions and address AMR in both countries. 

The UST-BEATS research group, headed by Asst. Prof. Donna May D. Papa, Ph.D., of the Department of Biological Sciences and the RCNAS, including her team members– Ms. Tracey Guiterrez and Mr. Richard Raneses, both Science Research Specialists, assisted in bacteriophage methods while training on various laboratory protocols. The training, which was also organized by the KaoLab team, headed by Dr. Cheng-Yen Kao, included processing of samples for viewing on Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), and Galleria melonella larvae handling and infection. The one-week research visit concluded with a grand research meeting wherein bacteriophage methods were presented and discussed.

Additionally, the KaoLab served as a venue for planning future collaborations between the two research groups – starting off with a potential joint research project focusing on characterization of multi-drug resistant bacteria and assessment of phage-antibiotic combinations against bacterial species.

The work and results garnered during the past year and the potential collaborative project between the two laboratories shows importance in exchange of expertise and merging various fields in order to address a common problem – in this case, antimicrobial resistance.

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