Funded by the Department of Science and Technology’s Philippine Council for Health Research and Development, the GRACE Hub, whose office was inaugurated on September 16, 2024, is a project led by multi-awarded academic researchers Donald G. Manlapaz, PhD, PTRP (Department of Physical Therapy) and Agnes L. Castillo, PhD, RPh (Department of Pharmacy).

Aiming to contribute to the attainment of UN Sustainable Development Goals on Good Health and Well-being and Quality Education, the project aims to fill the void of a “home” to synergize otherwise disparate ideas and efforts to solve various healthcare issues.

GRACE Hub is an Innovation Hub aiming to “lead the advancement of health research and product innovation by promoting and facilitating ideas and concepts to improve the quality of health care for all Filipinos.” As such, it positions itself as the pre-incubation hub of health research products, specifically those currently being supported by the Philippine government through PCHRD. The hub will provide experiential learning for health innovators, who will be trained on having an entrepreneurial mindset, generating creative ideas, and identifying a problem before these are brought to the TomasInno Center for actual incubation of the planned technology.

Operating under the Office of the Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation, the GRACE Hub will initially help innovators from the UST health sciences programs and the UST Hospital and conduct training sessions to support innovation. Once capacitated, the trained future innovators will be transferred to the TomasInno Center where the ideas can be incubated for commercialization and rollout to the public.

Future innovators may get in touch with the GRACE Hub through their Facebook Page: .

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The UST passing rate of 87.10% is higher than the national passing rate of 55.19%.

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From left: Mark Kevin Devanadera, Angelica Crisostomo, Myla Santiago, Leonardo Guevarra, Jr., Yusong Guo, Minerva Daya, Robert K.M. Ko, Ruel Valerio De Grano, John Paulin, Maritess Cation, and Maricel Ranido.

To foster international collaborations and enhance academic excellence, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Faculty of Pharmacy Department of Biochemistry embarked on a benchmarking visit to the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) from March 12 to 16, 2024. The delegation from UST, comprising faculty members and researchers specializing in biochemistry, was warmly welcomed by Dr. Robert K.M. Ko, Acting Division Head, Division of Life Science, and Professor Yusong Guo at HKUST.

During the benchmarking activities, the UST delegation had the opportunity to tour state-of-the art research facilities and laboratories at HKUST, gaining insights into cutting-edge technologies and methodologies employed in biochemistry research.

Engaging discussions and knowledge sharing sessions facilitated a fruitful exchange of ideas, highlighting areas of mutual interest and potential collaboration. Dr. Minerva Daya, Chair of the Department of Biochemistry, UST Faculty of Pharmacy, expressed her appreciation for the warm hospitality extended by HKUST and emphasized the significance of international partnerships in advancing scientific research and education. “This benchmarking visit has provided us with invaluable insights and inspiration to further enhance our academic programs and research initiatives at UST. We look forward to exploring collaborative opportunities with HKUST in the field of biochemistry,” she remarked.

The visit to HKUST marks a significant milestone for the Department of Biochemistry paving the way for future collaborations and contributing to the advancement of biochemistry research in the Philippines and beyond.

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Faculty of Pharmacy Dean Aleth Therese L. Dacanay, PhD, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery academic researcher Maria Minerva P. Calimag, MD, PhD, and alumni Antonio Leachon, MD, Alfredo So, and Vicente U. Briones met with lawmakers to share their position on the bill filed by Rep. Ferjenel G. Biron.

In an interview with the Communications Bureau, Dean Dacanay mentioned that the group agreed to the bill, provided that provisions will be included for the protection of consumers against scrupulous e-prescriptions. Thus, safeguards on signatures, surrender of used prescriptions, and partial filling should be in place. Furthermore, the bill should clearly define legitimate online pharmacies given the proliferation of online sellers. Finally, the group advocated for an education campaign should the bill be approved.

Dacanay represented the Philippine Pharmacists Association, while Calimag spoke for the Philippine Medical Association. So is currently the President of the Consumer Healthcare Industry Association of the Philippines, while Briones heads the Drugstores Association of the Philippines. Leachon attended as a private individual in the hearing.

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Apart from the two distinctions, UST was also recognized for having the most number of Level IV accredited programs in the country. Level IV is the highest rating a program can get. Programs enjoying this status “have been highly respected as very high academic programs in the Philippines and with prestige and authority comparable to similar programs in excellent foreign universities,” according to PACUCOA.

Meanwhile, four bachelor’s programs were also recognized for producing topnotchers in recent Professional Regulation Commission licensure exams, namely, BS Medical Technology, BS Accountancy, BS Nutrition and Dietetics, and BS Architecture.

UST also won an award for the community outreach/extension program contest. The College of Science bagged Second Prize for “CCHEERS to Laudato si: Care for our Common ������Ƶ through Environmental Expedition Integrating the role of Service-Learning.”

Thomasian professors were also recognized by PACUCOA. Graduate School academic staff Lucila O. Bance, PhD was named Outstanding Accreditor, while Dean Emeritus Carmen Kanapi, PhD received a Posthumous Award for Service. Service awards were also received by Graduate School academic staff Belen Tangco, PhD (Accrediting Team Chairman), as well as Faculty of Pharmacy officials Aleth Therese L. Dacanay, PhD, Frieda Z. Hapan, PhD, and Edilberto P. Manahan, PhD.

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Meanwhile, the University ranked 3rd in the top-performing schools after registering a 95.05% passing rate, which is higher than the 73.65% national passing rate. UST produced 288 new Thomasian Pharmacists.

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After registering 2,995 indexed entries last week, UST tallied on October 19, 2023 3,003 journal articles, book chapters, books, conference papers, and other research materials.

The eight most recent co-authored works, covering journal articles and conference papers, came from the following:

·       Ross Vasquez of the Faculty of Pharmacy (Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy);

·       Carlo Gabriel Casipit of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery (IJC Heart and Vasculature);

·       Jojo Blanza of the Faculty of Engineering (International Journal of Electrical and Computer Engineering);

·       Frederick Masangkay of the Faculty of Pharmacy (three journals articles in Scientific Reports);

·       Marc Eric Reyes of the College of Science (BMC Psychology); and

·       Jame Monren Mercado and advisee students from the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (Journal of Ethnic Foods).

Citing Scopus’ labels for disciplines and research themes, UST’s ten leading research themes in terms of total indexed works are Medicine (1,284); the Social Sciences (473); the Agricultural and Biological Sciences (432); Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology (367); Environmental Sciences (260); Engineering (233); Computer Science (209); Arts and Humanities (180); Immunology and Microbiology (147); and Neuroscience (139).

UST finally got ranked in TIMES Higher Education’s World University Rankings (particularly the 2024 edition) after meeting the minimum requirement for Scopus-indexed materials in the last five years: 150 per year and at least 1,000 in the last five years. The 2024 World University Rankings covered the years 2018 to 2022.

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The research focused on the isolation of a free-living amoebae in a volcanic mud spring in Los Banos, Laguna and is said to be the first surveillance study conducted in the area for potentially pathogenic free-living amoebae. The isolate can thrive to up to 80 degrees celcius and is considered the first of its kind. Free-living Amoebae can cause fatal and non-fatal infections of the brain when contracted by swimming in freshwater sources like lakes, hot springs, and swimming pools.

The research group is composed of Crisselle Celis, Isabella Caburnay, Fritz Avila, Angela Cunan, Aleli Cuevas, Kenneth Banal, J Piolo Blanco, Hannah Conol, and Asst Prof. Giovanni De Jesus Milanez, PhD as the group’s research adviser. Collaborators include Asst. Dean Ma. Frieda Z. Hapan, PhD, Department Chair Prof. Edilberto P. Manahan, PhD, and Asst Prof. Frederick Masangkay. The group received a travel grant, a plaque, and a cash prize.

The conference was participated in by researchers from Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, Taiwan, and the Philippines.

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University officials led by the Rector, the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Cheryl R. Peralta, DrPH, and academic unit heads joined the event to confer the recognitions upon this year’s retirees, namely:

Accountancy

Inst. Rosalina L. Erece, MS – 8 years of service

Asst. Prof. Shirley C. Ireneo, MA – 39.5 years of service

Architecture

Assoc. Prof. Leah P. dela Rosa, PhD – 28 years of service

Arts and Letters

Asst. Prof. Jocelyn A. Amongo, MEd – 26 years of service

Prof. Arlen A. Ancheta, PhD – 42.5 years of service

Asst. Prof. Zenaida L. de Luna, MEd – 25.5 years of service

Asst. Prof. Gonzalo R. Malihan, PhD – 16 years of service

Prof. Felicidad E. Pereña, EdD – 22 years of service

Asst. Prof. Josephine A. Placido, MA – 41.5 years of service

Civil Law

Prof. Philip A. Aguinaldo, Ll. B. – 40 years of service

Counseling and Career Center

Assoc. Counselor Monica Sophia D.L. Tuason, PhD – 20 years of service

Engineering

Assoc. Prof. Josefin S. de Alban, Jr., MS, Ll. B. – 44 years of service

Fine Arts and Design

Inst. Guia Concepcion A. Sarte – 6 years of service

Medicine and Surgery

Asst. Prof. German Jose T. Albano, MD – 28 years of service

Asst. Prof. Jolinda V. Almazan, MD – 30 years of service

Prof. Mary Jocylyn S. Bautista, MD – 32 years of service

Prof. Remedios D. Chan, MD – 36 years of service

Assoc. Prof. Nilo C. delos Santos, MD – 32 years of service

Assoc. Prof. Alejandro Bimbo F. Diaz, MD – 36 years of service

Prof. Maria Honolina S. Gomez, MD – 29.5 years of service

Assoc. Prof. Lerrie D. Gutierrez, MD – 26 years of service

Prof. Albert E. Ismael, MD – 30 years of service

Assoc. Prof. Iluminada M. Lerma, MD – 30.5 years of service

Prof. Norberto V. Martinez, MD – 34 years of service

Prof. Alejandro Jr. V. Pineda, MD – 32 years of service

Prof. Raymond L. Rosales, MD – 35 years of service

Assoc. Prof. Josefino I. Sanchez, MD – 30 years of service

Assoc. Prof. Marie Michelle Y. So, MD – 30 years of service

Prof. Anniela Y. Soliven, MD – 32.5 years of service

Assoc. Prof. Ma. Irene B. Tangco, MD – 30 years of service

Nursing

Assoc. Prof. Eden I. Beltran, MA – 34 years of service

Asst. Prof. Cecilia P. Buenaflor, MA – 34 years of service

Asst. Prof. Margaret M. Natividad, MA – 39 years of service

Pharmacy

Prof. Ma. Cristina C. Doria, PhD – 42 years of service

Asst. Prof. Andrea G. Vargas, MS – 30 years of service

Religion

Prof. Noel G. Asiones, PhD – 40 years of service

Asst. Prof. Jose Carlos, MA

Asst. Prof. Catalina M. Lituañas, MA – 40 years of service

Asst. Prof. Claudita O. Yaranon, MA – 36 years of service

Science

Asst. Prof. Catherine C. Carson, MS – 28.5 years of service

Assoc. Prof. Alicia Ely J. Pagulayan, MS – 39.5 years of service

Asst. Prof. Ma. Victoria B. Pangilinan, MS – 26.5 years of service

Asst. Prof. Marites D. Saludares, EdD – 34 years of service

Prof. Marie Antonette S. Vargas, PhD – 30 years of service

A life of great service

In his homily, fr. Tiong, on the occasion of the Feast of St. James the Apostle, thanked the retirees for their many years of service, “one of the central themes of the day’s Gospel.” “This [gratitude] is really something that comes from the heart of the University…because…you have graced the University by your presence, by your very person,” fr. Tiong said in his homily.

During the testimonial, Prof. Peralta lauded the retirees for molding their students’ character and empowering them to contribute positive changes in the world through education. “As you step into the next chapter of your lives in retirement, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of you for selflessly dedicating yourselves to molding young minds, motivating discouraged hearts, and uplifting dampened spirits that allowed Thomasian students, alumni, and university staff reach what they are today,” Peralta said.

In his message, fr. Ang stated that seasoned teachers have fulfilled their roles when students finally develop their own moral compass to guide them in life and extend their learnings beyond the classroom, as well as getting remembered for acknowledging and treating them well. “They will remember how well you treated them, how they felt valued and cared for, and how you recognized their unique gifts and talents,” fr. Ang said.

Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Josefin de Alban, Jr. delivered his acceptance speech on behalf of the retirees, emphasizing that the University they served for years will always be their home. “Retiring faculty members shall never leave UST. We shall never forget,” de Alban said. “UST is our home and we always wanted to be in this beloved Pontifical University whenever we are away from her,” he added.

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In her inaugural address, Dacanay stressed the importance of unity and solidarity that will necessitate “the involvement of every officer and member of the association….Everyone has an important role to play here and our goal must always be for the good of the association.” Anchoring her leadership on the actions Lead, Empower, and Innovate, Dacanay expressed excitement for the next three years, during which PPHA is expected to maximize its existing and future partnerships with stakeholders to advance the cause of pharmacists.

No stranger to leadership roles in professional associations, Dacanay served as President of the Philippine Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (PACOP) and serves as the Chair of the Technical Panel for Pharmacy of the Commission on Higher Education. She also serves in the Continuing Professional Development Council for Pharmacy of the Professional Regulation Commission. At UST, she has served as Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy since 2015 and has led the Faculty’s efforts to ensure that all programs are at par with international peers, evidenced by the ASEAN University Network Quality Assurance certification enjoyed by the BS Pharmacy, BS Medical Technology, and BS Biochemistry programs.

With 15,000 individual members and 83 regional and local chapters, the PPHA is the only pharmacists organization accredited by the Professional Regulation Commission. It has ten affiliate organizations and has partnered with local and international organizations for the benefit of its members.

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