With the title “Enhancing Ethical Behavior: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic,” Tan-Alora acknowledged the lasting effects of change that COVID-19 brought about. Among them was undeniable surge in the use of online technologies, which inadvertently led to the prevalence of “incomplete knowledge,” brought about by “rampant mis/disinformation and predatory journals.” Tan-Alora also lamented the capacity of the “ubiquitous social media landscape” to blur the line between truth and fiction.

In terms of patient care, the isolation of many patients during the pandemic necessitated an “adjustment of goals of care to patient’s values” and called for “personalized, dignified, humane care” especially when patients were stigmatized due to the highly virulent nature of the virus and the fear of getting infected. Tan-Alora also lamented how poor governance and communication of policies hampered much-needed copping with the pandemic. Apart from an unprepared health system, leaders were also motivated by “self-interest as the primary goal.” Emotional reactions also prevent balanced discussions on needed actions, and misconduct marred effective healthcare delivery.

With these as a backdrop, Tan-Alora said that “trustworthiness” of those serving patients must be recovered. “We must recover their [the patients] trust. Only then will they cooperate and comply with health policy,” the Metrobank Outstanding Teacher awardee said. The road to regaining trust back is the professional’s humility “to be an accountable steward society and to my God.”

Tan-Alora saw hope in the immense amount of compassion shown during the pandemic. She called on continued to support for patients and those who may not be ill, but who have been forced to isolation due to mobility restrictions that may lead to “being lonely, depressed, and in need of compassion.” The need for compassion shows the need for developing “a culture of sensitive caring” and “be present physicians.”

The pandemic, Tan-Alora averred, “magnified the hardships of health inequities” and “made visible stark realities on the ground [that exerted] discriminatory impact on class, age, occupation, and socioeconomic status.” She recognized that those who were already at a disadvantage were most vulnerable, suffering death and being victimized by unscrupulous individuals who took advantage of disinformation in order to make a profit.

Tan-Alora is an eminent educator of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, her alma mater which she also served as Department Chair and Dean. Apart from being UST’s first-ever Metrobank Outstanding Teacher Awardee, she has earned many plums and is an influential figure in the field of medical and research ethics. She is one of the pioneers of the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board.

The Doña Victoria Ty Tan Professorial Chair in Medical Education was established by the Metrobank Foundation in 2019 to support professors and clinicians in undertaking avant garde and relevant studies to upgrade the delivery of medical education. Managed by the UST Research and Endowment Foundation, Inc., the Professorial Chair will be granted to a total of ten medical educators, the first two being Prof. Sandra Navarra and Prof. Fidela Moreno.

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Running tally from Scopus, the Elsevier-owned scholarly indexing service, as of February 27, 2023 shows that UST (Scopus ID number: 60071488) had 354 scholarly materials (mostly journal articles) in 2022. Scopus adds that the 354 materials are broken down into published works (318) and “articles in press” (36). These materials were authored solely by Thomasians or were co-authored by Thomasians and research partners from other academic and non-academic affiliations.

The 354 materials cover journal articles (274), book reviews (35), conference papers lodged in proceedings (22), “notes” (22), book chapters (six), letters to the editor (six), editorials (two) and erratum (1). Spanning multiple disciplinal areas, the leading disciplines where the scholarly materials were lodged came from “Medicine” (128), “Social Sciences” (62), “Agricultural and Biological Sciences” (42), “Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology” (40), and “Arts and Humanities” (32). The UST materials landed in 26 categorizations of disciplines in the Scopus database for 2022.

This 2022 total is the highest since Scopus tallied scholarly works authored by researchers—faculty members and students—from UST since 1946.

Among those currently affiliated with UST, the top producers of Scopus-indexed academic journal articles tallied in 2022 is Prof. Daniel Joseph Berdida of the College of Nursing (15), Prof. Marc Eric Reyes, PhD of the College of Science (13), Prof. Frederick Masangkay of the Faculty of Pharmacy (11), former Faculty of Engineering academic staff Adrvin Kester Ong (11), Prof. Ross Vasquez, PhD of the Faculty Pharmacy (11), Prof. Marri Jmelou Roldan also of the Faculty of Pharmacy (10), and Prof. Allan de Guzman, PhD of the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (10).

Meanwhile, out of the 2,042 journal articles that Thomasian researchers have produced for Scopus-indexed journals since Scopus began the count, De Guzman has produced the most number: 129. Professors Grecebio Jonathan Alejandro, Dr. rer. nat. of the Graduate School and the College of Science (97), Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz, Dr. rer. nat. (63), Fortunato B. Sevilla III, PhD (60), Allan Patrick Macabeo, Dr. rer. nat. of the College of Science (55), Raymond Rosales, MD (53) of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, Rey Donne S. Papa, PhD (47) of the College of Science, Marc Eric S. Reyes, PhD (44) of the College of Science, and Sandra Navarra, MD (42) of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery followed suit.

������Ƶ of Santo Tomas Hospital (Scopus ID: 60071489), for its part, has separately produced 509 scholarly materials since 1955, and 45 in 2022. Medical doctors teaching at UST also affiliate themselves with the UST Hospital.

The Scopus index is the database used by Times Higher Education (THE) and Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) when tallying the research productivity of universities in their annual world university rankings. UST has been ranked in the QS World University Rankings for multiple years, and recently received a “Reporter” status in the 2023 THE World University Rankings last year.

The running tally of scholarly materials indexed in Scopus shows that UST produced 225 materials in 2017, 175 in 2018, 228 in 2019, 278 in 2020, and 333 in 2021.

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Three Thomasians were recognized in the 2021 edition of Asian Scientist 100, a selected list of scientists that acknowledge the top researchers and contributors from Asia. Having received national prizes in the year preceding the award, UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and UST Hospital Rheumatology Section Chief Prof. Sandra Teresa V. Navarra, M.D., and UST Graduate School alumni Dr. Jonel Saludes and Dr. Annabelle V. Briones qualified for this year’s list.

 For 2021, eight Filipinos, including the three Thomasians, are among the Asian Scientist 100.

Prof. Sandra Teresa V. Navarra, M.D. is a renowned rheumatologist in Asia. Most recently, Navarra was awarded the 2020 Dr. Paulo C. Campos Award for Health Research by the Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology for her research on lupus. Currently the head of the Rheumatology section of both UST FMS and UST Hospital, she has been a UST professor since 1985. She is also the President and CEO of the Rheumatology Educational Trust Foundation, Inc. (RETFI). She earned her Doctor of Medicine degree, cum Laude, from UST in 1980.

Joining Navarra and the ranks of AS100 is Dr. Jonel Saludes, who graduated Summa cum Laude in 2000 with a degree in MS Chemistry. His qualifying award was the 2020 Gregorio Y. Zara Award for Basic Science Research for his research into the chemical biology of natural products from organisms. 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.

The third Thomasian for this year’s list is Department of Science and Technology–Industrial Technology Development Institute (ITDI) Director Dr. Annabelle V. Briones, who earned her MS in Chemistry degree in 1993. She received the 2020 Gregorio Y. Zara Award for Applied Science Research for designing a mosquito ovicidal/larvicidal trap system aimed at reducing the incidence of dengue fever.

From 2017, six Thomasian professionals have made it to the Asian Scientist 100 yearly list: Prof. Raymond Rosales, M.D. (Medicine, 2017), Assoc. Prof. Ricardo S. Balog (Engineering, 2019), Rosalinda Torres,  Ph.D., (Pharmacy, 2019), Prof. Alicia M. Aguinaldo, Ph.D. (Science, 2020), Raul Destura, MD, (Science,  2020), and Engr. Susan Gallardo, Ph.D. (Engineering, 2020).

According to its website, the Asian Scientist Magazine annually compiles a list of Asia’s most outstanding researchers. In its sixth edition, the Asian Scientist 100 list celebrates the success of the region’s best and brightest, highlighting their achievements across a range of scientific disciplines. To be acknowledged on this list, the honoree must have received a national or international prize in the preceding year for his or her research. Alternatively, he or she must have made a significant scientific discovery or provided leadership in academia or industry.

The full list can be viewed through this link:

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Health Research award

Prof. Sandra Teresa V. Navarra, MD, of the was feted with the Dr. Paulo C. Campos Award for Health Research. Navarra, a Fellow of the Philippine Specialty Board of Rheumatology, was recognized in 2019 by the University of Santo Tomas and Metrobank Foundation with the Doña Victoria Ty Tan Professorial Chair in Medical Education. She is President and CEO of the Rheumatology Educational Trust Foundation, Inc. (RETFI). Moreover, Navarra is the prime mover of the Lupus Inspired Advocacy (LUISA) Project for lupus education and research, and People Empowerment for Arthritis and Lupus (PEARL) Movement for lay education and medical assistance programs.

Navarra earned her Doctor of Medicine degree from UST in 1980.

Gregorio Y. Zara Award

Thomasian alumni were likewise feted during the ceremonies. Dr. Anabelle V. Briones was awarded with the 2020 Gregorio Y. Zara Award for Applied Science Research. Her notable works include the development of DOST Mosquito Ovicidal/Larvicidal Trap System which aimed to reduce dengue cases. Moreover, her line of study included the uses of carrageenan in drug and gene delivery system as anti-bacterial coating for biomaterial surface, and the design of salt-processing equipment that includes evaporating set-up, washer, dryer, and iodizer to help MSMEs comply with ASIN law

Briones, the Director of DOST-Industrial Technology Development Institute, earned her Master of Science Chemistry degree in 1993 from UST.

Dr. Jonel Saludes, PhD was awarded with 2020 Gregorio Y. Zara Award for Basic Science Research. He is an expert on chemical biology of natural products from organisms, and his studies involved with synthetic peptides that detect nanoparticles signaling and cancer metastasis. Saludes earned his MS Chemistry degree from UST in 1999.

Some of the notable Thomasian scientists who were previously recognized with this award were (2016; for Basic Science Research), (2015, for Basic Science Research), and (2011, for Applied Science Research).

Gregorio Y. Zara was a notable Filipino engineer and physicist whose main contribution was the first two-way electronic videophone, which later on would be a significant channel of communication.

This convention was organized by Department of Science and Technology and National Academy for Science and Technology.

For the full list of honored Filipino researchers: https://www.facebook.com/DOSTph/posts/3374321699256991

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The Gold and Silver Series awards are granted to faculty members in recognition of their research productivity and leadership in their respective fields of specialization within the period covered by the award. These awards are based on research publications (author by-line should indicate the University of Santo Tomas as address in the publication), ongoing research involvement, and tenure in the University.

The Gold Series

The awards, given every two years come in two categories: Research Category and Creative Works Category. The Gold Series Award Research Category is granted to tenured full-time faculty member with Ph.D. or M.D., with teaching load, and exclusively teaching in UST except for faculty affiliates of the UST Graduate School, authored at least five research papers published in refereed journals/ scholarly books in the last five years, with at least two of these published, one of which is an international (Web of Science/ Scopus) publication, or has one patent or utility model granted, within the period covered by the award, or, authored at least two scholarly books in the last five years, with one of these published within the period covered by the award, with ongoing research under the Research Center or Research Unit of the University, and, with at least one research disciple.

Under the Creative Works Category, the awardee should be a tenured full-time faculty member with Ph.D., with teaching load, and exclusively teaching in UST except for faculty affiliates of the UST Graduate School, authored at least three creative or critical works in the last five years, with at least one of these published within the period covered by the award, and, with ongoing studies (creative projects) under the Research Center or Research Unit of the University.

The Silver Series

Under the Research Category of the Silver Series, the award is given to tenured full-time faculty member with M.Sc. or M.A., with teaching load, and exclusively teaching in UST, must have authored at least three research papers published in refereed journals/scholarly books in the last five years, with at least one of these published, or has one patent or utility model granted, within the period covered by the award or, authored at least one scholarly book in the last five years published within the period covered by the award and, with ongoing research under the Research Center or Research Unit of the University. Under the Creative Works Category, the faculty member must be tenured full-time faculty member with M.Sc. or M.A., with teaching load, and exclusively teaching in UST, must have authored at least two creative or critical works in the last five years, with at least one of these was published within the period covered by the award, and, with ongoing studies (creative projects) under the Research Center or Research Unit of the University. A Research disciple refers to junior faculty members, graduate students, medical interns, and medical residents.

International Publications Award (2014–2017)

The International Publications Award is presented to all full time faculty members teaching only in UST for the publication of their research outputs in journal/s and books indexed in the Web of Science/ Scopus with IF Quartile Metrics Ranking. Author byline should indicate the University of Santo Tomas as address in the publication.

Arts & Humanities (8 awardees)

• (AB: Silver & IP)
• (AB: Gold)
• Asst. Prof. Jovito V. Cariño, Ph.D. (AB: Silver & IP)
• Prof. Franz Giuseppe F. Cortez, Ph.D. (AB: Silver & IP)
• (Education: Silver)
• (AB: Silver & IP)
• Asst. Prof. Roland Theuas D. Pada, Ph.D. (AB: IP)
• Prof. Ma. Luisa T. Reyes, Ph.D. (AB: IP)

Education & Social Sciences (32 awardees)

• Assoc. Prof. Mark Anthony D. Abenir, D.S.D. (AB: Silver & IP)
• Prof. Ma. Claudette A. Agnes, Ph.D. (Science: IP)
• Prof’l. Lect. Lucila O. Bance, Ph.D. (Science: Silver & IP)
• (AB: Gold & IP)
• (CRS: IP)
• (Commerce: IP)
• (Science: Silver & IP)
• (Commerce: Gold & IP)
• (Education: Gold & IP)
• Mr. Jommar A. de Guzman, M.D.C. (Commerce: IP)
• Prof’l. Lect. Rosalito G. de Guzman, Ph.D. (GS: IP)
• Prof. Rowena L. Escolar Chua, Ph.D. (Nursing: IP)
• Assoc. Prof’l. Lect. Amelita A. Gaerlan, Ph.D. (GS: IP)
• Assoc. Prof. Ma. Frieda Z. Hapan, Ph.D. (Pharmacy: IP)
• Assoc. Prof. Sr. Angelina M. Julom, Ph.D. (Science: Silver)
• (Commerce: IP)
• Prof. Maria Belinda S. Mandigma, Ph.D. (Commerce: Silver & IP)
• Asst. Prof. Evangeline T. Matienzo, M.A.N. (Nursing: IP)
• Asst. Prof. Florence C. Navidad, D.Ed. (Pharmacy: Silver)
• (CRS: IP)
• Asst. Prof. Jeremaiah M. Opiniano, M.P.S., M.A. (AB: Silver & IP)
• (Science: IP)
• Mr. Laurence Lloyd B. Parial, M.A.N. (Nursing: IP)
• Asst. Prof. Corazon F. Regacho, M.Sc. (Science: IP)
• Prof. Marc Eric S. Reyes, Ph.D. (Science: IP)
• Assoc. Prof. Portia Lynn Q. See, Ph.D. (Science: IP)
• Asst. Prof. Pia Patricia P. Tenedero, M.A.T. (AB: IP)
• Asst. Prof. Gian Carlo S. Torres, M.A.N. (Nursing: IP)
• Assoc. Prof. Marishirl P. Tropicales, Ph.D. (Education: IP)
• Prof. Chin Uy, Ph.D. (Commerce: IP)
• Asst. Prof. Les Paul M. Valdez, M.A.N. (Nursing: IP)
• (AB: Silver & IP)

Health & Allied Sciences (35 awardees)

• Mr. Franco Louie L. Abes, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Assoc. Prof. Encarnita R. Ampil, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Ms. Lara Mae A. Angeles, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Prof. Alejandro C. Baroque II, M.D. (Medicine: Gold & IP)
• Asst. Prof. Christine B. Bernal, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Assoc. Prof. David T. Bolong, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Assoc. Prof. Ma. Rosario F. Cabansag, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• (Medicine: Gold & IP)
• Assoc. Prof. Benjamin S. Campomanes Jr., M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Assoc. Prof. Melchor M. Chan, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Prof. Remedios D. Chan, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Assoc. Prof. Mary Anne D. Chiong, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Ms. Elaine C. Cunanan, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Assoc. Prof. Janine Margarita R. Dizon, Ph.D. (CRS: Gold & IP)
• Assoc. Prof. Ma. Victoria C. Dizon, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• (CRS: Gold & IP)
• Mr. Frederick T. Dy, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• (CRS: IP)
• Mr. Dennis S. Flores, Ph.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Prof. Maria Honolina S. Gomez, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Prof. Flerida G. Hernandez, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Prof. Reynaldo M. Javate, M.D. (Medicine: Gold & IP)
• Assoc. Prof. Sjoberg A. Kho, M.D. (Medicine: Gold & IP)
• Asst. Prof. Johnny K. Lokin, M.D. (CRS: IP)
• Mr. Erick S. Mendoza, M.D. (Medicine: Silver & IP)
• Prof. Leilani B. Mercado-Asis, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H. (Medicine: Gold & IP)
• Prof. Sandra Teresa V. Navarra, M.D. (Medicine: Gold & IP)
• Prof. Jose C. Navarro, M.D. (Medicine: Gold & IP)
• Prof. Narciso S. Navarro Jr., M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Prof. Jocelyn C. Que, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Prof. Raymond L. Rosales, M.D., Ph.D. (Medicine: Gold & IP)
• Prof. Jose D. Sollano Jr., M.D. (Medicine: Gold & IP)
• (Medicine: Gold & IP)
• Assoc. Prof. Teresa T. Sy-Ortin, M.D. (Medicine: IP)
• Assoc. Prof. Ma. Irene B. Tangco, M.D. (Medicine: IP)

Science & Technology (42 awardees)

• (Science: Silver & IP)
• (Science: IP)
• (Science: IP)
• (Science: Gold & IP)
• Prof. Jovencio G. Apostol, Ph.D. (Pharmacy: IP)
• (Science: Gold & IP)
• (Science: Silver & IP)
• Prof. Aristea V. Bayquen, Ph.D. (Pharmacy: IP)
• (Engineering: Silver & IP)
• (Science: Gold & IP)
• (Science: IP)
• Asst. Prof. Renz Kenneth G. Cadiang, M.Sc. (Pharmacy: IP)
• (Pharmacy: Gold & IP)
• (Pharmacy: IP)
• Assoc. Prof. Gil A. Cauyan, M.Sc. (Science: Silver & IP)
• Ms. Stephanie L. Chua, M.Sc. (Pharmacy: IP)
• (Pharmacy: IP)
• (Science: Gold & IP)
• (Engineering: IP)
• (Science: Gold & IP)
• (Science: Silver & IP)
• (Engineering: IP)
• Mr. Justine M. Kalaw, M.Sc. (Science: IP)
• Mr. Lorico dlS. Lapitan Jr., M.Sc. (Engineering: IP)
• (Science: Gold & IP)
• (Science: Gold & IP)
• Asst. Prof. Loida R. Medina, Ph.D. (Science: IP)
• (Science: Gold & IP)
• (Science: Gold & IP)
• (Science: Gold & IP)
• Asst. Prof. Maureen B. Sabit, Ph.D. (Science: IP)
• (Science: Gold & IP)
• (Pharmacy: Gold & IP)
• (Pharmacy: Silver & IP)
• (Science: Gold & IP)
• Ms. Pamela Berilyn T. So, M.Sc. (Pharmacy: IP)
• (Science: Gold & IP)
• (Engineering: IP)
• (Science: Gold & IP)
• Asst. Prof. Ryan Rhay P. Vicerra, Ph.D. (Engineering: IP)
• (Science: Silver & IP)
• (GS: Silver)

Sacred Sciences (4 awardees)

• (EF: Gold)
• (AB: Silver)
• (AB: Silver)
• (IR: Silver)

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