The forum theme was “Families and sustainable communities: The role of family literacy in meeting the SDGs.” The e-forum which is now second in the series was in response to the need to break barriers between formal, non-formal and informal learning contexts, specifically to support the learning that takes place at home and in the community.The program opened with welcome messages from the International Promoter of the Justice and Peace and Integrity of Creation (JIPC) of the Dominican Sisters International (DSI), Rome, Italy Sr. Cecilia Espenilla, O.P., and from the UST Graduate School Assistant Dean Prof.

Camilla Vizconde, Ph.D. This was followed by the talk by Dr. Ulrike Hanemann titled ‘Promising experiences of intergenerational approaches to literacy teaching and learning at the international level.’ She emphasized the need to make learning relevant and useful for adult learners through integrated programs, such as embedding literacy and numeracy, or linking the program with social and health services. Hanemann also added that learning through community-oriented projects, recruiting facilitators from the learners’ community, and choosing topics in collaboration with local communities are promising strategies in the development of adult literacy.

Hanemann is an International Consultant and Former Senior Programme Specialist of the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL), Hamburg, Germany. The program included presentations from three speakers from different institutions who, through their research and experiences, have integrated adult literacy, family learning and community development into their projects. They discussed that the concept of family must go beyond biological determination. It must expand its definition to the social context of families, and look into the aspect of gender, environmental, ecological, and indigenous practices to address learning within sustainable communities.

The members of the panel were Prof. Sushan Acharya, Ph.D., Professor of Education from Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal; Ms. May Cinco, National Coordinator of E-Net Philippines; and Christopher Millora, Chairperson of the British Association for Literacy in Development (BALID) and PhD Scholar to the UNESCO Chair in Adult Literacy and Learning for Social Transformation, University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom. The closing remarks were delivered by UST Vice Rector for Research and Innovation Prof. Maribel G. Nonato, Ph.D

The online activities spearheaded by the team were funded by the Global Challenges Research Funds (GCRF) which was awarded to Asst. Prof. Gina Lontoc, Ph.D. and Prof. Vizconde, for the research project titled, Family literacy and sustainable development: how can we build on indigenous intergenerational learning? A total of 112 participants from the UK, Nepal, Vietnam, Myanmar, Italy, Germany, Taiwan, and the Philippines attended this online event. ������Ƶ of Santo Tomas Graduate School, in partnership with the Asia-Pacific Dominican Promoters of Justice, Peace & Care of Creation, the UST Research Center for Social Sciences and Education (RCSSED) and the UNESCO Chair in Adult Literacy and Learning for Social Transformation at the University of East Anglia, organized this event with the aim to provide educational opportunities to families and communities in vulnerable situations

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It was published in the international scientific journal of Annales Botanici Fennici on August 10, 2020. The exploration was conducted by UST Graduate School researchers Dr. Marlon D.L. Suba and Dr. Axel H. Arriola, who both finished their doctoral degrees in Biology under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Grecebio Jonathan D. Alejandro, the director of the UST GS Office for Graduate Research. Also assisting the team were UST College of Science students under the B.S. Biology program who graduated in 2018, Nicolas Raphael Arcangel, Jomari Jalipa, Joaquim Gerardo Jurilla, and Jose Manuel Villasenor, who were Dr. Alejandro’s advisees in their undergraduate thesis. Suba is concurrently the Dean of the Angeles University Foundation College of Arts and Sciences, while Arriola is a faculty member at the University of the East. The first sample of P. arayatensis was initially found by the team in 2017 in the lowland forest of the 3,715-hectare area of MANP after securing clearance from the Protected Area Management Board of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

The MANP, considered as one of the centers of biodiversity in the Philippines, is a protected area that is still not well-explored and with very few published studies that are available, explained Alejandro. A respected scientist in the field of Botany here and abroad, he added that “The dearth of the scientific studies led us to consider the said mountain to search for possible new species as well as medicinal plants.” According to Alejandro who was interviewed online, with this discovery of a new species from the family Rubiaceae, it is not unreasonable to say that “[MANP] has ideal qualities as habitats for endemic species,” and its protected status and dormant stratovolcano are possible contributing factors for the presence of endemic species. In the Philippines, the genus Pyrostria is currently represented by P. elmeri, P. obovatifolia, P. oligophlebia, P. ramosii, P. subsessilifolia and P. triflora, while the conservation status of P. arayatensis is still unknown, the study stated. All belonging to the Rubiaceae family (coffee plant), it is the fourth largest flowering plant family in the world with over 500 species present in the Philippines.

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Zhang’s lecture focused on authorship attribution analysis and her pilot study’s preliminary results in China. She also discussed the excellent work of linguists on several criminal cases in the United Kingdom that eventually led to the International Association of Forensic Linguistics’ foundation in 1993. Zhang presented the case of other countries where forensic linguists or experts on authorship analysis are sought as expert witnesses in court procedures in legal cases. 

According to UST Department of English Department Chair Prof. Rachelle B. Lintao, Ph.D., who also acted as Moderator of the Open Forum, more than 500 participants from 19 different countries joined the webinar including those from the USA, Germany, England, Australia and the Channel Islands.

Authorship analysis takes center stage in UST Dept. of English webinar on Forensic Linguistics

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The forum discussed the controversial planned demolition of the Philamlife Theater on United Nations Avenue and the Old Sunico House in San Nicolas both located in Manila. Completed in 1961, the Philamlife Building in International Style architectural gem designed by Architect Carlos Arguelles, the dean of the UST School of Architecture from 1954 to 1959. The Sunico House, meanwhile was built in the 19th century and housed the foundry of Hilario Sunico, the famed bell caster of the late 19th to early 20th centuries.  Sunico produced more than 180 bells for churches in the country, which are still being used today. Both structures are going to be demolished as approved by national cultural agencies to give way to new development. 

USTGS-CCCPET Director Dr. Eric B. Zerrudo said the forum served as an academe- industry linkage which seeks to set examples on discussions on heritage issues in the country. 

Erik Akpedonu of Ateneo de Manila University presented the significance of the Old Sunico House while architectural scholar Lorelei de Viana presented the importance of the said edifice. The heritage contexts of both structures was meanwhile presented by researcher and journalist EA Sembrano, an alumnus of the cultural heritage studies program of the UST Graduate School. 

The forum was attended by a number of concerned groups and academic institutions all over the country. Among those that attended were the Philippine Institute of Interior Design, Philippine Institute of Architects, Council of Interior Design Education, Heritage Conservation Society ICOMOS Philippines, Escuela Taller, Tropiks Design, Vigan Conservation Council, Iloilo’s Coalition of the Willing, and Grupo Kalinangan, among others. 

Representatives of schools such as Mapúa University, University of Santo Tomas, University of San Carlos Cebu, University of Mindanao, National University, La Consolacion University Negros also attended the online heritage conservation event. These groups gave their sides on both buildings and heritage conservation in general, stressing the importance for the preservation of these historic structures. 

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The MSA Webinar series was held on September 12, 19, and 26, 2020, co-hosted by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Philippine National Historical Society. The event was held through Zoom and was aired live on their Facebook page. This year’s conference centered on three main themes: Manila’s Built Heritage, Manila’s History and Culture, and Manila during and after World War II and featured speakers such as EA Sembrano, Santillan, Timothy James Vitales, Rodio Batayen, Martin Gaerlan, Mary Josefti Nito, Marcelino Macapinlac, Jr. and Kinna Mae Kwan. 

In her presentation, Santillan, a Research Associate of the Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and Environment in the Topics of the UST Graduate School, reviewed three ‘lost’ works of the 1990 National Artist for Architecture Leandro V. Locsin, namely: Ayala Museum, Hyatt Regency Hotel, and Mandarin Oriental Manila. She discussed her analysis of their object form and spatial form and how this data could be utilized to derive the significance of the buildings. She further underscored the importance of the academe taking an active role in conservation, as we are losing important buildings despite them being protected under the Philippine Heritage Act of 2009 or the R.A. 10066. 

Architect Leandro V. Locsin, the subject of Santillan’s research, is a celebrated alumnus of the UST College of Architecture from batch 1953. Locsin’s architectural genius has produced designs for residences and buildings, churches and chapels, public and commercial buildings, major hotels, and an airport terminal building. One of Locsin’s most famous works is the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex which includes the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Folk Arts Theater, Philippine International Convention Center, Philcite, and the Westin Hotel (now Sofitel Philippine Plaza).  He is also known for the Istana Nurul Iman, the palace of the Sultan of Brunei, a massive single work with a floor area of 2.2 million square feet. 

The proceedings of the papers presented during the webinar series will be published in “Manila,” the official publication of the MSA. Editors of this annual journal include Ar. Lorelei D.C. de Viana Ph.D., a faculty member of UST College of Architecture, and Dr. Marya Svetlana T. Camacho, Ph.D.

The presentation can be viewed through this link: Santillan’s presentation is from 1:31:00 to 2:01:00. 

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With this set-up, and with the minimum protocols set by government to protect the people from further contamination, not to mention disallowing assemblies, one could not help but ask how would community development activities proceed in this kind of new normal? 

Thomasian Community Development efforts aim to foster warm and genuinely responsive partnerships, so in times where the general directive is to literally keep our distance and student activities are confined to computer-based activities, academic or otherwise, and access to digital connectivity is still a privilege, SIMBAHAYAN’s mission of empowering partner communities and at-risk sectors will now have to take on a different form. 

As the new UST SIMBAHAYAN Director, Asst. Prof. Froilan Alipao, affirms, “At present, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we will continue our mission, commitment, and concrete expressions of love and solidarity with our partners through blended strategies. Meaning, we will maximize the presence of people and technology.  We will support our partners to have resources to advance our connectivity with other partners for enriched collaborations and partnerships.  The vital requirement for this is to sustain the development process of our paradigm and ways of doing things amid our pandemic challenges toward a better normal.”

������Ƶ shifted to the “Enhanced Virtual Mode” of learning this August and is not holding classes in campus, but rather online. With faculty members and students both teaching and learning from home, Alipao remains confident that “there are many opportunities that will open to all stakeholders of the University, not only for the students and faculty members but to administrators and academic support offices as well. This is mutual for all stakeholders and can be blended and coordinated.”

Alipao, who has served twice as Assistant Director of UST’s community development arm, has been with the office since 2002. He clarified that “We are continuing our community development and advocacy engagements from the part of UST SIMBAHAYAN, community development coordinators and team members representing the academic units, and student organizations through remote/digital technology.”  

“Partner communities also continue their different development programs depending on their local context (urban poor communities, rural communities, and indigenous communities), resources, and creativity.  We open the processes of conceptualizing, developing, implementing, and evaluating community development and advocacy projects by including the remote and digital approaches,“ he explained. 

SIMBAHAYAN projects prior to the pandemic

Prior to the pandemic, the SIMBAHAYAN Office, in collaboration with the academic units, developed social transformation programs and projects to deliver further coordinated community engagement and advocacy projects such as Pistang Tomas, Dunong Tomas, AlerTomas, and Siglang Tomas.  The National Service Training Program (NSTP) has also been an avenue for both academic and service learning. Another was the formation and organization of Samahang Kamanlalakbay, a community-based umbrella organization of all partner communities of UST in terms of community development. With these engagements, the University was recognized by different institutions and accrediting bodies, one of which was Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), which awarded a five-star recognition to UST for Social Responsibility in 2017.

“We are not working solely to attain [accolades], but this will go with the actual process of developing programs and working with our partners.  As a Catholic and Pontifical University of the Philippines, we are guided by Gospel-truths, foundations, tradition, identity, vision, and mission.  As a Higher Educational Institution (HEI), we are mandated to develop and implement community extension.  We will continue to be conscious of the inclusion of Sustainable Development Goals and Laudato Si challenges in all our programs and engagements.  The processes and standards will be sustained in the next phases of UST SIMBAHAYAN,” shared Alipao. UST’s community service office is under the office of the Vice Rector for Religious Affairs, Rev. Fr. Pablo T. Tiong, O.P.

“Still, there are a lot of practices [in Thomasian community development] that we are most proud of,” Alipao continued, saying that “I think the key to our community development and advocacy programs is our partnership with communities and institutions.  They are partners and not beneficiaries. The learning and development are mutual and dynamic in partnership.”  

Since the beginning of the academic year, SIMBAHAYAN has organized a number of webinars on various topics, such as household sustainability, backyard farming, botika sa paso (medicinal potted plants) in partnership with the Inang Lupa Movement and the Agricultural Training Institute; zero waste living and the papal encyclical Laudato Si with the Dominican Family for Justice, Peace, and Care for Creation – Philippines (DFJPPC), and the Fellowship for the Care of Creation Association Inc. (FCCAI). 

Recently, rice subsidy and relief distribution were also initiated by the office through Tulong Tomasino, where 500 sacks of rice were distributed to 22 partner communities.

Plans: strengthen and institutionalize service-learning

After being appointed director, Alipao shared his goals for SIMBAHAYAN: “The very first consideration is how we will respond during this pandemic and to the complex realities of our partner communities and society at large.  Another is to develop and strengthen the Family and Household Development program and projects.  This will be integrated into the on-going programs and with partner communities.”

“We are targeting to strengthen and institutionalize service-learning in the university as additional potential space and opportunities for enriched and developed community engagements in phases,” Alipao mentioned.

Asst. Prof. Froilan “Ka-Puroy” A. Alipao is a development worker, educator and a researcher with communities and community leaders. He initiated his development work in 1991 with the Social Action Center of Zambales (SACZ) of the Diocese of Iba in the midst of the impact of Mt. Pinatubo’s eruption where he was able to enrich his engagement in different socio-pastoral work designations/functions (disaster response worker; community organizer; justice, peace, and Alay Kapwa) with the sectors of farmers, urban poor, fisher folks, women, youth, students, indigenous peoples and Church peoples.  

In 2002, Ka-Puroy joined the University of Santo Tomas, specifically the office then known as the UST-Office for Community Development (OCD) prior to the quadricentennial celebration of UST. It was at that point when it was merged with UST SIMBAHAYAN 400 and became the UST SIMBAHAYAN Community Development Office.

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Justin Victor G. Ang received the Special award having been the top scorer among all competing students. The whole team received a cash prize, trophy, medals and certificates apart from the Key of Excellence that is awarded to the champion school.

This year’s team is composed of 4th year students who hurdled a tough screening process and interview: Justine Victor G. Ang, Alain Kenny N. Chong, Natalie Regina K. Cu and Daphne Sophia T. Javellana. Seventeen schools participated and aimed for the much coveted Key of Excellence.

The UST team is headed by Dr. Gregorio L. Martin along with other coaches, Dr. Edilberto Manahan, Asst. Prof. Alvin Rey Flores, Mr. Clarenz Concepcion, Mr. Earl Adriane Cano and Ms. Diana Mendoza. Former PAMET winners helped the team by conducting coaching sessions.

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Ar. Charisse Jermaine Ong, faculty member and former College Secretary of the UST College of Architecture, delivered the inspirational speech as a Guest of Honor and Speaker.
Ar. Ong shared how a proper mindset is important to achieve one’s goals. This is could be achieved with a clear vision and a positive attitude to keep moving forward, even amidst adversities like the present pandemic. She encouraged the new batch of architects to continue learning, constantly collaborate, and design for people—not for the ego nor for the social media feed. Lastly, she urged the young architects to love the profession, uphold its value, and work for its improvement.
The ceremony was co-organized with the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) and the Professional Regulatory Board of Architecture (PRBOA) and was held at the UAP Head Quarters at Quezon City. It was graced by the presence of PRBOA Chairperson Hon. Robert S. Sac and PRC Commissioners Hon. Jose Y. Cueto, Jr and Hon. Yolanda D. Reyes.

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In recognition of his contribution to the chemical biology of natural products from organisms and synthetic peptides for the detection of nanoparticles taking part in cell signaling and cancer metastasis, Dr. Jonel P. Saludes was awarded the 2020 Gregorio Y. Zara Award for Basic Science.  Saludes graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2000 with a degree in MS Chemistry. He is currently a Professor of Chemistry and Associate Vice President – Office of the Research and Global Relations of the University of San Agustin in Iloilo City.

Meanwhile, Department of Science and Technology–Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) Director Dr. Annabelle V. Briones, is this year’s recipient of the 2020 Gregorio Y. Zara Award for Applied Science.

Briones is known for her role in the development of mosquito ovicidal/larvicidal trap system eventually helping in the reduction of Dengue cases in the country. She is also responsible for the design and prototyping of salt-processing equipment that included an evaporator set-up, washer, and iodizer which assisted the MSMEs to provide adequate supply of iodized salt that complied with the ASIN Law. She also conducted studies on utilization of carrageenan in drug and gene delivery systems serving as anti-bacterial coating for biomaterial surface. Briones earned her MS in Chemistry degree in 1993.

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March and September 2020

UST Passing Rate (Overall Performance): 86.96%

UST Passing Rate (First-time Examinees): 85.71%

National Passing Rate: 56.18%

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