The UST Simbahayan Community Development Office (SIMBAHAYAN), in collaboration with the Office for Student Affairs (OSA), held the “All Leaders’ Community Development E-Forum and CD Team Members’ Orientation (A.Y. 2021-2022).”

Conducted via Zoom and Facebook on August 19, the online gathering of student leaders and community development coordinators focused on the processes involved in the University Community Development Program (UCDP) which are significant in the successful preparation, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of a community development project and advocacy.

Office for Student Affairs Director Asst. Prof. Maria Cecilia Tio Cuison, in her opening remarks, acknowledged the efforts of everyone for earnestly sustaining the sense of compassion and solidarity amongst the community in the humble service for others.

Moreover, the OSA director emphasized that the definition of a community be developed not just with the partner communities of UST, but also with the immediate environment of the students, which includes the family, neighborhood, non-government organizations, minority groups, online groups, people with similar needs and other social circles.

Presented to the student leaders were the online process for non-curricular activities including policies on student activities, student-initiated activities, processing of online activities, approval process, processing timeline, SAAF submission file format, and important reminders.

Meanwhile, SIMBAHAYAN Assistant Director Asst. Prof. Evalyn Abiog, Ph.D., formally introduced the Community Development Coordinators for the academic year, and discussed the Ten-Step SIMBAHAYAN Process that involves: 1) consultation, 2) preparation, 3) review, 4) endorsement, 5) submission, 6) follow-up, 7) approval and preparation of the budget and other requests, 8) the release of budget, 9) project implementation, and 10) project reporting and evaluation.

The updated SIMBAHAYAN forms such as Emergency Response Project Proposal, Advocacy Project Proposal, and Emergency Response Terminal Report were also highlighted. It was mentioned that all of the remaining pertinent SIMBAHAYAN documents will be made available to the students and faculty members through a Google Drive link posted on the SIMBAHAYAN Facebook Page. Abiog also addressed some frequently asked questions related to community development and advocacy.

Part of the forum was to equip the student leaders with analytical and creative thinking skills, the ability to solve a problem, and to effectively collaborate and communicate as they learn in the problem case scenarios.
The forum was moderated by College of Tourism and Hospitality Management Community Development Coordinator Asst. Prof. Joreen Rocamora, Ph.D.

Over 200 Thomasian student leaders, community development coordinators, support staff, and faculty team members from different academic units attended the e-forum and orientation.

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The exercise programs are strengthened through interprofessional collaboration among physical therapists, sports science specialists, coaches, and medical doctors. Using online platforms, such as a private Facebook group and Zoom, athletes can join the group and schedule their initial screening appointment.

The online launch was attended by the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Prof. Cheryl R. Peralta, DrPH, College of Rehabilitation Sciences Dean Assoc. Prof. Anne Marie Aseron, UST Health Service Director Dr. Sheryl M. Dionisio, UST-IPEA Athletic Moderator Asst. Prof. Rodrigo A. Sambuang, Jr., Physical Therapy Department Chair Asst. Prof. Donald G. Manlapaz, Ph.D., Sports Science Department Chair Asst. Prof. Reil Vinard S. Espino, Chief Physical Therapist Ken Erbvin R. Sosa, Sports Science Supervisors Gino V. Zapanta and Kris Anthony T. Agarao, faculty members, coaches, and interns from the physical therapy and sports science programs.

Aruga Occupational Therapy Clinic

The Department of Occupational Therapy, under the University of Santo Tomas College of Rehabilitation Sciences, formally launched its first virtual clinic on July 29, 2021. The event was held online through video conferencing among organizers and main guests, and streamed live for public viewing.

Formally known as the , this virtual therapy and wellness center provides an avenue for occupational therapy interns to receive quality training and an opportunity for the department to serve the UST community and its partners through the provision of free occupational therapy services.

The online launch was attended by University officials, faculty members, interns, and guests from partner organizations and institutions.

College of Rehabilitation Sciences Dean Assoc. Prof. Anne Marie Aseron delivered the welcome remarks. This was followed by a presentation about the Aruga UST OT Clinic, showcasing the history, background, goals and programs of the clinic.

To signify the formal opening of the clinic, the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Peralta, with Dean Aseron, the clinic administrators Charles Bermejo, Zha Nella Canja, Gillian Ollet, Ma. Carol Mae Protacio, Allan James Tan, and the OT Department Chair Asst. Prof. Kathlene Anne Hernandez held a virtual ribbon cutting ceremony.

From the planning stage beginning in December 2020, Aruga opened its doors to receive its first clients on July 1, 2021. Partners in this initiative include the UST Human Resource Department, Parent Advocates for Visually Impaired Children (PAVIC), Balay Tulul-anan, the UST SIMBAHAYAN Community Development Office, the UST Health Service, and the UST Psychotrauma Clinic.

Aruga moves forward with its mission to impart quality education and training to occupational therapy interns, to go beyond the provision of service in physical clinics and extend the reach of occupational therapy services to more people through telehealth, and to empower clients and their families to be able to overcome their difficulties and limitations.

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University of Santo Tomas Singers founder and conductor Asst. Prof. Fidel Gener Calalang, Jr.’s composition, “Adoramus Te, Christe” (We Adore You, O Christ), won third prize in the Academia Musica’s Second International Composers Competition held on August 16, 2021, in Vienna, Austria.

“Adoramus Te, Christe” had its online global premiere on August 15, 2021. It was performed by the two-time winner of the Luciano Pavarotti Choir of the World trophy, the UST Singers.

Scored for six voices, the song is based on the centuries-old traditional church hymn, “Adoramus te, Christe et benedicimus tibi.” (We adore You, O Christ, and we bless You.”)

In his message during the premiere, Calalang said that he composed the song in April 2021.

“I was inspired and motivated to create a song that will provide a sense of hope and strength in the wake of our dark, uncertain, and troubled times,” Calalang explained, referring to the pandemic.

The award-winning song is available for streaming on various music platforms, such as Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Deezer, Amazon, and SoundCloud.

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Through a community-based tourism framework and mobile technology, Tejuco proposed multiple strategies to encourage digital tours of Escolta. These include multi-sectoral and phasing projects like ongoing streets improvements, developing an online visitor application, and skills training of displaced and affected residents as tour guides.

The conference theme was “Creative Cultural Industries: Responses to COVID-19,” and Tejuco presented this digital tour of Escolta titled “Reviving the Tourism Sector of Manila through a Preliminary Tourism Trail as Part of its Comprehensive Tourism Plan Vis-à-vis Community-based Planning During the COVID-19 Pandemic.”

Under the sub-theme “Changing Spaces: ������Ƶ, Institution, Diaspora and Empire,” Tejuco presented his second paper “Documenting the Spirit of the Place of the UST Arch of the Centuries through its Tangible and Intangible Features in the Digital Platform of Minecraft.”

Tejuco discussed how an online game can be used to promote the heritage structures and events of the University. The study was inspired by the Minecraft version of the UST campus, which was planned and developed by College of Information and Computing Sciences student Charles Nobleza, president of the Thomasian Gaming Society.

The digital recreation of UST allowed new Thomasian students to virtually experience the Thomasian Welcome Walk, a UST tradition. In his research, Tejuco explained that the digital translation of sites and structures like the UST Arch of the Centuries can be developed as “alternative” platforms to promote tourism. For heritage sites, he noted the importance of capturing the “spirit of place,” or the iconic design of the Arch; and the “sense of place” or the symbolism of the Arch as an entry and exit portal

The first paper was a collaboration between Tejuco and his former students, Kristine L. Manzano, Christian Paul R. Ramos, Buena Mai C. Tunac, Iain Rafel N. Tyapon, and Ar. Nathan Arman T. Sario.

The second paper was co-authored by Tejuco and his adviser, University of the Philippines College of Architecture Dean Grace Ramos, where he is a student under the Doctor of Philosophy in Designed and Built Environment program.

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The virtual activities for the certificate course was held on August 28, 2021

In her address, Graduate School Assistant Dean Camilla Vizconde congratulated the graduates and said that they will now bring with them the new skills, strategies, and competencies of an HR Practitioner gained from the program and apply these in their respective workplaces, empowering not only themselves as individuals, but also the companies with whom they work and their clients.

Special recognition was given to two graduates for their exemplary performance in the course. Ms. Maville C. Alferez graduated as Top 1, while Top 2 was John Marvin S. Ong.

In her message of thanks, the Top 1 graduate Alferez said that the course was able to hone her business partner mindset and thanked the resource speakers & course facilitators for providing the framework to understand and appreciate HR, the strategies to think innovatively while striving for continuous improvement, the ability to operate the HR models for employee effectiveness and productivity, the skills to be a management consultant, and the heart to make decisions with meaning and purpose.

Ong, who was the Top 2 graduate, expressed his thanks to CCPED for hosting such relevant course that would equip HR Practitioners who aspire to be an effective HR Business Partner and transition to a strategic model in the HR field. He also said that the program is really highly recommended for all people managers, business leaders, and aspiring HR Professionals.

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WIKAAKUHAN 2021 was a three-part webinar series on language and culture held on the Tuesdays of August, in celebration of this year’s Buwan ng Wika.

Newly-appointed UST Department of Filipino Chair Dr. Roberto Ampil, inaugurated the first leg, held on August 17, with the theme “Wika at Panitikan.” Featured lecturers were multi-awarded fictionists Dr. Luna Sicat-Cleto and Ms. Rosa May Bayuga.

Cleto lectured on “Tungkol sa Kapangyarihan ng Maláy na Pagninilay,” while Bayuga discussed “Hininga’t Hiraya sa Sinapupunan ng Hiwaga.”

The second session was held on August 24. Following the theme “Kultura at Katutubong Wika,” educators Dr. Randy Nobleza lectured on “Wikang Filipino at Marinduque: Bigkis ng Magkakabuklod na Isla sa MIMAROPA,” while Dr. Vicente Villan expounded on “Pasundayag: Ang Adaptibong Wikang Akademiko at Halaga ng Organikong Sining sa Dekolonisasyon ng mga Pilipino.”

To cap the series, Dr. Rhoderick V. Nuncio’s “Ang Araling Filipino at Maka-Pilipinong Pananaliksik sa Gitna ng Krisis at sa Bagong Normal” and Dr. Romeo P. Peña’s “Pagsusulong ng Maka-Pilipinong Multidisiplinaryong mga Pananaliksik: Ilang Hamon at Inspirasyon” delved on the theme “Wika at Pananaliksik.” The third and final session was held on August 31.

In her closing remarks, College of Education Dean Assoc. Prof. Pilar I. Romero, Ph.D., reminded the participants to celebrate language despite the challenges that we face during the pandemic.

The webinar series may be viewed on the UST Departamento ng Filipino Facebook page.

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Arts and Letters Faculty Secretary, Asst. Prof. Ma. Zenia M. Rodriguez and UST Political Science Department Chair Asst. Prof. Dennis C. Coronacion, Ph.D., led the Thomasian contingent in the three-day forum graced by the country’s leading political science scholars and researchers.

Rodriguez talked about international religious non-government organizations and their advocacies for peace and justice within the purview of the Dominican Order. Meanwhile, Coronacion co-presented with his student Jerome Madrid Inoc, the case of Overseas Filipino Workers in Cambodia in the context of the Global South trends in migration.

Faculty members Jazztin Jairum Manalo, delivered a study on the co-production and environmental governance in Palawan. Anthony Andrew Divinagracia probed the implications of the ABS-CBN shutdown on the final years of the Duterte administration. Cleve Arguelles, meanwhile, examined the durability of President Rodrigo Duterte’s popularity amid his mismanaged COVID-19 response.

Another faculty member, Amr Solon Sison co-presented the resurgence of “other canon” economics in the early decades of the 21st century with Arellano University instructor Bryan Joseph Ortiz.

            Political Science student Erick Joshua Lagon, dissected the great power politics of the COVID-19 pandemic under the lens of political realism.

This year’s conference theme centered on COVID-19 politics amid economic and sustainability issues confronting the world today.

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Managed and published by the College of Education Department of Filipino, HASAAN is the University’s official annual refereed academic journal in Filipino.

Department of Secondary Education Chair Asst. Prof. Alvin Ringgo Reyes officially released the current issue by recognizing the contributors and international referees, including the new editors of the journal. Mr. Reyes is the former chairperson of the Department of Filipino.

Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Zendel Rosario M. Taruc, Ph.D., editor-in-chief of HASAAN, discussed the process of publishing works in the journal.

The topics discussed during the three-day lecture consisted of rhetoric, varieties of local language, analysis of language used in literature, among others.

Speakers were: Jun Yang Badie, Dr. Eugene Y. Evasco, Mark Anthony S. Angeles,  

Dr. Leslie Anne L. Liwanag, Romeo J. Toring, Jr., Hilda A. Pedrera, Aisah B. Camar, Dr. Fe S. Bermiso, Ian Mark P. Nibalvos, Dr. Christoffer Mitch C. Cerda, Axle Christien J. Tugano, Clarissa Mae E. Paranas, Nina Jesusa G. Reyes, and Nixon Paul J. Sumaong.

Some of the topics presented were: “Mga Talinghaga ng Pagkalinga, mga Retorika ng Pandemya: Kapangyarihan ng mga Infographic at Tungkulin ng Pagsasalin sa Paglupig ng COVID-19; “Mga Talinghaga ng Saranggola sa Panahon ng Krisis at Pandemya,” “Varayti ng Wikang Surigaonon: Isang Pagsusuri sa Ponemang /J/ at /Y/”; “Hulagway sa Pagwasak sa Kalikasan at Kapaligiran: Ang mga Eko-Panitikang Manobo na Nagtatanghal ng mga Hamong Ekolohikal,” among others.

The call for contributions for HASAAN Volume VII (2021) was also formally made. According to Mr. Nibalvos, managing editor, the next issue will prioritize research papers related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Submissions will be accepted until October 31.

Articles from HASAAN Volume IV may be downloaded at the journal’s website (), where the guidelines for the next issue may also be accessed.

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Managed and published by the College of Education Department of Filipino, HASAAN is the University’s official annual refereed academic journal in Filipino.

Department of Secondary Education Chair Asst. Prof. Alvin Ringgo Reyes officially released the current issue by recognizing the contributors and international referees, including the new editors of the journal. Mr. Reyes is the former chairperson of the Department of Filipino.

Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Zendel Rosario M. Taruc, Ph.D., editor-in-chief of HASAAN, discussed the process of publishing works in the journal.

The topics discussed during the three-day lecture consisted of rhetoric, varieties of local language, analysis of language used in literature, among others.

Speakers were: Jun Yang Badie, Dr. Eugene Y. Evasco, Mark Anthony S. Angeles,

Dr. Leslie Anne L. Liwanag, Romeo J. Toring, Jr., Hilda A. Pedrera, Aisah B. Camar, Dr. Fe S. Bermiso, Ian Mark P. Nibalvos, Dr. Christoffer Mitch C. Cerda, Axle Christien J. Tugano, Clarissa Mae E. Paranas, Nina Jesusa G. Reyes, and Nixon Paul J. Sumaong.

Some of the topics presented were: “Mga Talinghaga ng Pagkalinga, mga Retorika ng Pandemya: Kapangyarihan ng mga Infographic at Tungkulin ng Pagsasalin sa Paglupig ng COVID-19; “Mga Talinghaga ng Saranggola sa Panahon ng Krisis at Pandemya,” “Varayti ng Wikang Surigaonon: Isang Pagsusuri sa Ponemang /J/ at /Y/”; “Hulagway sa Pagwasak sa Kalikasan at Kapaligiran: Ang mga Eko-Panitikang Manobo na Nagtatanghal ng mga Hamong Ekolohikal,” among others.

The call for contributions for HASAAN Volume VII (2021) was also formally made. According to Mr. Nibalvos, managing editor, the next issue will prioritize research papers related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Submissions will be accepted until October 31.

The lectures may be viewed on the UST Departamento ng Filipino Facebook page.

Articles from HASAAN Volume IV may be downloaded at the journal’s website (https://hasaan.ust.edu.ph/), where the guidelines for the next issue may also be accessed.

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Coronacion, the first UST faculty member to be elected to the position, assumed the presidency following a majority vote from members of the country’s premier organization of political science scholars, mentors, and researchers. He will lead the organization until 2023.

Prior to his election as president, Coronacion served the organization as vice president for two years. He replaced Prof. Rosalie Arcala-Hall, Ph.D., of the University of the Philippines- Visayas.

In his speech, Coronacion thanked the outgoing officers of the PPSA and assured its members that his leadership will continue to spur political science scholarship in the country through the organization’s various initiatives.
Aside from teaching and taking active part in University research, Coronacion, who is affiliated with the Faculty of Arts and Letters, is regularly invited by media outfits as a resource person to discuss the pressing political issues of the time. He has also authored books and research articles on Philippine political dynamics and world affairs.

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