ARTDEC’s membership includes faculty affiliates from Visual Art & Design academic institutions in the Philippines namely -University of the Philippines, Far Eastern University, University of San Carlos, University of the East, Bulacan State University, St. Scholastica’s College, CIIT College of Arts & Technology De La Salle Lipa, Adventist University of the Philippines, Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science & Technology and the University of Santo Tomas.

The Council of Visual Arts & Design Educators, Inc. (ArtDEC) was initiated in October 2012 by representatives of higher educational institutions (HEIs) that offer programs in visual arts and design in the Philippines. ArtDEC was organized primarily to provide art and design educators with opportunities for professional development and networking with fellow academicians as well as with practitioners in the creative Industry. Some of the founding members and current officers/board of trustees of ArtDEC also serve as CHED Technical Committee for Fine Arts.

ArtDEC’s major activity for the year 2024 was held during the three-day conference (July 4-6, 2024) at School of Architecture, Fine Arts and Design (SAFAD) Theater, University of San Carlos (USC) Talamban Campus, Cebu City with the theme “REDESIGN: Explore the Ways Design Practice is being Re-considered, Re-defined and Re-formed”.

The said conference was hosted by both academic institutions – University of Santo Tomas College of Fine Arts and Design, Manila and University of San Carlos School of Architecture, Fine Arts and Design, Cebu in partnership with National Bookstore.

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The 413-year-old University of Santo Tomas (UST) opened its gates to new Thomasians. Over 13,500 first-year students in the basic and higher education levels began their student life at UST by joining several onboarding activities, including an opening mass and lecture, the ROARientation, and the Thomasian Welcome Walk from August 2 to 5, 2024.

The Opening Exercises on August 2, 2024 highlighted the University-wide Mass of the Holy Spirit (Misa de Apertura) and the Inaugural Lecture (Discurso de Apertura). Both events were available for livestreaming on the official UST Facebook Page (/UST1611official) and the UST YouTube channel (/UST1611Manila).

The Bishop of Alaminos, His Excellency Most Rev. Napoleon B. Sipalay, Jr., O.P., D.D., served as the main presider of the Misa de Apertura, which was concelebrated with the Dominican priests at the Santísimo Rosario Parish Church (UST Chapel) at 9:00 AM.

The Discurso de Apertura, delivered by UST Faculty of Arts and Letters Dean Prof. Melanie D. Turingan, Ph.D., immediately followed the Mass of the Holy Spirit that formally opened the Academic Year 2024 to 2025.

The Discurso is an inaugural academic lecture that has been essential in the opening exercises of universities across Europe. UST adapted this practice to conform with the tradition of the Dominican houses of studies of starting every school year with a conference called Lectio Prima, or first lecture, based on the UST statutes drafted by Fr. Juan Amador, O.P., in 1785.  For this year, Dean Turingan’s lecture was titled “Imbued with Unending Grace: A History and Legacy of the University of Santo Tomas”.

Dean Turingan detailed the rich history of the University, from Archbishop Benavides bequeathing his books and a modest amount for the foundation of a seminary-college, the initial founding of the Colegio de Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario in 1611, the transfer to the Sulucan (now Sampaloc) campus, up to its deliberate expansion efforts at present in Santa Rosa City and General Santos City.

“In the first decade of the American regime, the Dominicans had to confront the problem of accommodating its students in the very small building constructed in 1619. Intramuros itself could no longer expand even one inch more. Sulucan was one of the 10 barrios that made up the arrabal of Sampaloc,” Dean Turingan introduced the impetus for the transfer.

Dean Turingan shared that in July 1911, a donation was given to the Dominican Fathers, a 220,000 square meter land located in the Sulucan Estate from Doña Francisca Bustamante Bayot. Rev. Fr. Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P., was the Dominican Provincial, while Fr. José Naval, O.P. was the Rector at the time. By December 1911, the laying of the first cornerstone for the Main Building was made by University stakeholders and the Dominican Fathers, with the design and construction headed by the engineer-friar Fr. Roque Ruaño, O.P.

The Main Building would rise in 1927 as the first building at the heart of the Sampaloc campus–the oldest among almost 30 structures within the 21.5-hectare UST Manila today.

“The structures we once had, we currently have, and we will soon have are not just tangible cultures that we see and set foot in,” said the Dean, who added, “These edifices symbolize UST’s rich history, values, and aspirations.”

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������Ƶ has now leapt to different cities of the Philippines, with the Main Building in UST General Santos recently inaugurated in 2024, and the Ricardo S. Po Integrated Innovation and Research Laboratories soon to rise in the Mindanao campus. In Santa Rosa, The Tony Tan Caktiong Innovation Center was inaugurated in 2023, while the Dr. William T. Belo Interdisciplinary Research Institute broke ground in 2024.

On the same day, UST General Santos held its own Eucharistic Celebration with the UST Vice Rector for Finance Rev. Fr. Roberto L. Luanzon, Jr., O.P, as presider and homilist. The Dominican Fathers concelebrated the Mass at the Main Building of UST General Santos. The Thomasian Community in General Santos also participated virtually during the Declaration of the Opening of AY 2024-2025 and the Discurso de Apertura in UST Manila.

After the official opening of the academic year on August 2, the Virtual ROARientation on August 3, 2024 shared informative sessions that covered relevant University services on various topics, such as Health and Wellness, Spirituality, Academics and Research, Technology, Communication and Media, Student Comfort and Safety, Finances, and Student Life. These sessions aired via the students’ respective Canvas course sites.

Following the virtual sessions was the in-person ROARientation 2024 “Embracing the Thomasian Spirit: Roar Your Way In!” on August 5, which builds the Thomasian school spirit and identity among the freshmen through various activities like games, performances, and the introduction of school cheers. It was held at the arena of the Quadricentennial Pavilion at 8:00 AM, including a Welcome Mass presided by UST Rector Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., Ph.D. (morning batch) and UST Vice Rector Rev. Fr. Isaias Antonio D. Tiongco, O.P., JCD (afternoon batch).

Immediately following the in-person ROARientation was the traditional Thomasian Welcome Walk at 11:00 AM for the morning batch. Since 2002, hundreds of thousands of Thomasian freshmen have walked through the Arch of the Centuries at the start of each academic year. For the freshmen of 2024, their entry on August 5 begins the cycle that will end in a few years at their Baccalaureate Mass, when they will exit through the Arch. UST upholds its traditions involving the Arch of the Centuries because the Arch was the original gateway of the University back in its Intramuros campus. It was reassembled piece by piece in the Sampaloc campus after World War II and serves as a reminder of the University’s rich history. There was also an afternoon batch for the in-person ROARientation and Welcome Walk.

Other activities include the Thomasian Welcome Concert on August 6 at the Quadricentennial Pavilion, the Triduum Prayers and Mass in honor of St. Dominic de Guzman from August 5 to 7 at the UST Chapel, and the Onboarding Fair with various food stalls and game booths at the UST Practice Gym from August 5 to 9. Regular classes officially commenced on August 9, 2024.

The Pioneers of UST General Santos

The inaugural batch of first-year students from UST General Santos also went through their own Welcome Walk as a rite of passage on August 29, 2024.

One hundred and twenty-six new Thomasians walked through the front gates, accompanied by the school administrators led by Academician Professor Emeritus Maribel Nonato and the Dominican Fathers, including UST Secretary-General Rev. Fr. Louie Coronel, O.P. EHL, and the Associate Vice Rector for Religious Affairs Rev. Fr. Gerard Z. Zabala, O.P.

UST Rector Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., Ph.D. served as the main presider of the Eucharistic Celebration at the UST General Santos Main Building.

“We are very happy and honored to welcome you to the newly opened UST General Santos campus,” The Father Rector greeted the pioneering batch, adding that “[You] are setting the trend, and paving the way for future Thomasians in this institution. We strongly believe you will invigorate this campus with your brilliant ideas, ardent passions, and dynamic energies. There is no other way to go but up and there is no other direction but to move forward, and today marks your new beginning as freshly-minted college students. Our Mass and welcome rites serve as signposts indicating that you are empowered to make changes and take your life into an exciting new direction, so my dear students, do not be afraid to take the first steps.”

The 97th Rector also reaffirmed that “I believe this campus should be a more diverse campus. We are open for all, not just for Catholics… The 21st century is a time of diversity and openness. Let us take our cue from Pope Francis, who wrote ‘No one should be afraid that God has allowed there to be different religions in the world, but we should be frightened if we are not doing the work of fraternity, of walking together in life as brothers and sisters of one human family.’ While UST is Catholic, we respect and welcome people from other religions, most especially our Muslim brothers and sisters in Mindanao. It is not Christ-like to disregard someone just because he is different from the rest of us. In this campus, no one will be left behind.”

“As you step into this new chapter of your academic life, we encourage you to develop these three attitudes: Let resilience be your stronghold. Let faith be your beacon. Let humility be your safeguard,” Fr. Ang advised the young Thomasians in General Santos.

“My dear students, you are all now part of the UST story and you will be making history beginning today. The world is at your feet and the sky is the limit. Have a wonderful extraordinary journey ahead! God bless you all,” he concluded.

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The association’s officers took their oath on July 18, 2024 during the Accountancy Week Celebration at the Far Eastern University. NACPAE is the sectoral organization of accounting teachers and academics in the Philippines.

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The student group, together with CTHM academic staff Mr. Wyett White T. Lee and Ms. Katherine Camille Nagal, together with the Hospitality Management Department Chairperson, Dr. Fhamela F. Sarmiento and CTHM Dean, Atty. Gezzez Giezi G. Granado, arrived in Hong Kong with their first stop at the Philippine Consulate where they met with Consul General Atty. Germinia V. Aguilar-Usudan, a Thomasian alumna, as well as two other CTHM graduates currently employed at the consulate.

As part of the students’ internship experience, they were introduced to Ritz-Carlton’s renowned service culture having the chance to work in different departments and experience management styles from diverse supervisors and managers.

As the biggest delegation of interns leaving the University for international internship since the pandemic, the partnership between CTHM and The Ritz-Carlton is a promising endeavor for future Thomasian Tourism and Hospitality Professionals.

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The two-day lectures were attended by about 200 students pursuing Masters of Construction with Specializations in Construction Project Management, Quantity Surveying, and Construction Law and those taking the Bachelor of Construction program from the School of Built Environment at the Massey University Auckland Campus. The hybrid event covered the principles of plain language, how plain language has progressed over the years in varied domains and the prospects of plain language in the construction industry.

Lintao also featured some of her research on plain language and initiatives in promoting the use of plain language in the Philippines. She is the Country Representative of Clarity (an international organization that advocates for the use of plain language in contracts and other documents) to the Philippines. She is also the Philippine Language and Country Lead  of the International Plain Language Federation Standard Localization and Implementation Committee.

Plain language is writing designed to make written outputs comprehensible and easily understood by its intended audience.

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Prior to the actual day of the conference, a special tour of the San Agustin Church was conducted by Prof. Regalado Trota Jose, Chair of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

With sessions held in Cagayan de Oro on August 5-6, participants had the unique opportunity to explore the Opol Ruins, Our Lady of Candelaria Chapel, Talisayan Church, Balingasag Old House, Jasaan Ruins and Church, among other sites. During this time, Prof. Ayako Fukushima of Kyushu University, Matthieu Masson from the Diocese of Hong Kong, and Dr. Eric Zerudo, Executive Director of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, shared their expertise in a presentation centering on catholic church world heritage sites, nominations, and conservation approaches.

On August 7, another forum continued at the UST College of Tourism and Hospitality Management-Sentro Turismo. On this day, additional presentations, including “Updates on the Case of Naepo Church: Journey to the UNESCO World Heritage Site Nominations” by Fr. Kim Sungtae, Director of Naepo Church History Institution of Daejeon Diocese, “Status of Church Heritage in the Philippines” by Fr. Milan Ted D. Torralba, Executive Secretary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines Episcopal Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church (CBCP-ECCHC), “Rebuilding Sto. Domingo: Contexts and Goals in Post-War Philippines” by Rev. Mervin Lomague, Member of the Dominican Province of the Philippines Cultural Heritage Committee, and the “Status of Boljoon Church on its Bid for UNESCO World Heritage Site Nomination” by Fr. Brian Brigoli, Chair of the Archdiocese of Cebu Commission on Church Heritage were shared with the group. The open forum was facilitated by Dr. Zerrudo.

Apart from ARCH members, they are joined by representatives from the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines, National Historical Commissions of the Philippines, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and ICOMOS Philippines. Their presence was acknowledged by Ms. Beverly Bautista, Officer-in-Charge of USTGS-CCCPET. Dr. Lilian J. Sison, Director of UST Office for International Relations and Programs and Prof. Michael Anthony C. Vasco, Dean of the UST Graduate School were also present during the event.

The event concluded with a tour of Santo Domingo Church and San Sebastian Church for the ARCH members. The Heritage Forum, with its diverse and comprehensive range of presentations and discussions, provided valuable insights and recommendations for preserving church heritage. The robust network established during the event will continue to facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing among international and local heritage specialists and practitioners.

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The seminar workshop’s primary objective was to enhance participants’ knowledge of cultural mapping and equip them with the skills to apply it in their communities. This comprehensive approach aimed to create a detailed inventory of cultural assets, assess their significance, and identify their potential for community development, including enhancing tourism, education, and economic growth.

The seminar also introduced cultural planning as a strategic framework for integrating cultural assets into broader sustainable development efforts, addressing community needs and objectives. Additionally, it emphasized heritage utilization, which leverages cultural mapping and planning outcomes to benefit the community through tourism, education, and local economic development.

The event included not only lectures but also hands-on workshops. Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Dexter Galit, a committed advocate for cultural development, welcomed the guest speakers and participants. Ms. Beverly Macayan-Bautista, the Officer-in-charge of CCCPET, who took the helm of conceptualizing the Pamanaraan program, shared a lecture on ‘Cultural Mapping: Laws, Process, and Utilization’ and facilitated a workshop on cultural mapping. Assistant Professor Jame Monren Mercado, academic staff from the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management and Coordinator of Sentro Turismo, shared his insights on ‘Cultural Development Planning’ and led the workshop on cultural planning.

The final part of the workshop, focusing on heritage utilization and the creation of a museum, was led by Dr. Eric B. Zerrudo, Executive Director of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

The seminar-workshop underscores the Provincial Government’s unwavering commitment, under the leadership of Governor Edwin Ongchuan, to preserving Northern Samar’s rich history, culture, and heritage, including the establishment of the Ibabao Museum of Northern Samar, the envisioned provincial museum of Nortehanon.

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Pavia, the immediate past Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences, has worked on non-native aquatic organisms and non-native freshwater fish species. In 2023, he published an article warning about the risk of non-native fishes invading due to climate change, with Lake Taal as the study site. Recently, he co-authored the article “Development and application of a second-generation multilingual tool for invasion risk screening of non-native terrestrial plants.”

First chartered in 1968, FIFMS now has over twenty-three members comprised of both public and private higher education institutions. The federation provides an avenue for greater collaboration among members through collaborative research undertakings and the sharing of expertise and resources.

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The 2025 rankings, which look into international outlook, teaching, research environment, research quality, and industry, saw UST maintain its #3 position among Philippine universities, landing in the 1501+ bracket along with three other universities.

UST was also third in the country for research quality, measured through citation impact, research strength, research excellence, and research influence. According to THE, the data from Elsevier from 2019 to 2024 help show “how much each university is contributing to the sum of human knowledge…to expand the boundaries of our understanding, irrespective of discipline.”

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The paper focuses on AI’s potential to improve patient outcomes and operational efficiency but emphasizes the challenges related to disparities in AI healthcare access. The authors propose that AI-driven healthcare solutions risk exacerbating existing inequalities, benefiting primarily those in urban and high-income areas while leaving marginalized communities behind. Their research suggests an equitable AI implementation framework, drawing from key principles of CST such as human dignity, the common good, and preferential options for the poor. These teachings, rooted in justice, align closely with the ethical concerns surrounding AI and healthcare.

Using the Church’s commitment to social justice as a guide, Gozum and Flake argue for systemic changes to ensure that AI healthcare technology benefits all communities, particularly the underserved. Their proposal is timely as AI revolutionizes medical fields, from early diagnosis to treatment customization. The authors emphasize that AI must complement healthcare professionals rather than replace them, and call for inclusive healthcare systems that prioritize equitable distribution of AI resources. They also draw attention to the ethical implications of AI algorithm biases, which could disproportionately affect marginalized groups.

This study represents a novel intersection of religion, ethics, and technology, urging both policymakers and healthcare professionals to consider the social impacts of AI and its role in global health equity.

For further details, readers can access the full paper via this link:

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