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

The post UST produces 54 new registered pharmacists, named #3 among top performing schools appeared first on University of Santo Tomas.

Edison Ong claimed the 2nd rank with his 89.08% rating. Vergel Enriquez registered an 87.67% score to earn the 6th place. Lastly, in the 8th spot, Eryll Alea tallied an 87.08% rating.

UST was likewise named the second top-performing school after notching an 84.45% passing rate, producing 56 new Thomasian doctors. The national passing rate was 55.50%.

The post Three Thomasian doctors lead April 2024 boards, UST is #2 appeared first on University of Santo Tomas.

As co-host, CTHM handled the Culinary Challenge Competition Briefing, held on March 3, 2024, at the Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. (BGPOP) Building’s Multi-function Room (MFR), while the Food Styling & Photography Competition was also held at the BGPOP Lobby and Mezzanine on March 23, 2024. Both events were internally organized by the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (CTHM) 3HCE1’s Solasta Productions, led by Mr. Wyett White Lee as the course facilitator and Mr. Rod Fredric S. Villamarin as the Overall Chairperson, as part of their partial fulfillment of the requirements for THM52027: Introduction to Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events Management.

The highly anticipated event commenced with a remarkable turnout, welcoming 3,074 guests on its opening, where The University of Santo Tomas Chorus of Arts and Letters set the tone for the event with a moving invocation followed by a stirring rendition of the national anthem.

The expo’s opening statements were delivered by a roster of prominent figures who have played pivotal roles in the agriculture and food industry. Among them were Mr. Roberto Angelo O. Amores II, Director of PhilFoodEx; Hon. Cynthia A. Villar, the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food; Hon. Francisco Tiu P. Laurel Jr., Secretary of the Department of Agriculture; Mr. William Tiu Lim, also a Director of PhilFoodEx; and Mr. Sergio Ortiz Luiz, President of the Philippine Exporters Confederation, Inc. Their insights set a forward-thinking agenda for the expo, emphasizing the importance of innovation, sustainability, and collaboration in the food sector.

The three days featured culinary competitions such as the Philippine Regional Table Setting Competition, Kitchen Masters, PINASarap Breakfast, Modern Filipino Dessert, Healthy Pasta, Mystery Ingredient, and the UST Dream Team competition, featuring 2nd to 3rd year Culinary Entrepreneurship and Hospitality Leadership students from the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management. The PFE Knowledge Challenge also debuted during this year’s expo, challenging students’ knowledge on various topics.

Additionally, Dr. Reinald A. Andaya, CHE, a UST CTHM Academic Staff and the Laboratory Coordinator, held a seminar on the third day called “Namit Gid!: Iloilo City’s Journey for the UNESCO Creative City on Gastronomy.”

The culinary competitions were hosted by Mr. Louis San Sebastian and Ms. Clarisse Ricablanca, 3rd-year Culinary Entrepreneurship students from UST CTHM. On the other hand, the PFE Knowledge Challenge was hosted by Mr. Louis Anjello Cheng and Ms. Anna Mae Paño, also from the same college.

The final day’s highlight was the awarding ceremony, a moment of recognition and appreciation for all participants who represented their schools with pride and passion.

The 16th Philippine Food Expo was organized by the Philippine Food Processors and Exporters Inc. (PHILFOODEX) and Cut Unlimited Inc. It is supported by 3HCE1’s Solasta Productions of the UST CTHM as partnered organizers and student marshalls.

The post CTHM co-hosts 16th Philippine Food Expo 2024 appeared first on University of Santo Tomas.

The activity, a joint undertaking with the alumni of the Tomasinong SOCCSKSARGEN chapter, gathered close to 300 attendees comprised of 150 families, SOCCSKSARGEN chapter officials, UST Alumni Association, Inc. officials, and UST officials. The Thomasian community gave gifts and dined with the community of Batomelong, which is led by the Barangay Captain, Hon. Alikhan K. Bentaib.

In his message, Captain Bentaib thanked the SOCCSKSARGEN Chapter’s representatives, led by incoming President Antonio Villanueva, Jr. and Secretary-General fr. Louie R. Coronel, O.P. “Hindi po kayo nagkamali na pilian ang community ito. Kakatapos lang po ng aming Ramadan namin. Sino ba naman ang hindi matutuwa na mapili? Maraming salamat po!”

Meanwhile, UST Secretary-General fr. Louie R. Coronel, O.P. introduced the Thomasian community to the residents of Barangay “hindi lang po kami kaagapay. Mga Pilipino po tayo, at tayong lahat ay magkakapatid.”

Finally, UST Assistant to the Rector for General Santos Professor Emeritus Maribel G. Nonato, PhD expressed hope that the University’s efforts in academics and research will be of great help to the local communities of Mindanao.

The post UST officials, SOCCSKSARGEN alumni mark Ramadan feast with Muslim community in GenSan appeared first on University of Santo Tomas.

In a post by WORLDBEX, the organizers hailed the team’s entry as “a testament to how interactive architecture should be, bridging technology and architecture to create a dynamic and flexible environment enjoyed by many.”

The post Architecture students named Grand Winners in WORLDBEX ideas and design competition appeared first on University of Santo Tomas.

In a post by the College of Nursing, the two Belgian students are joining UST Nursing’s Level 2 and Level 4 students for their obstetrics, pediatrics, and community rotations.

This is the latest in the slew of international partners collaborating with the College since the start of the year. Complementing online and hybrid exchanges, such as the Collaborative Online Interactive Learning programs, the onsite immersions help international students see local contexts and deal with patients from various socio-economic backgrounds.

The post Belgian nursing students undertake international exchange program in UST appeared first on University of Santo Tomas.

Rector Rev. fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., PhD led the Thanksgiving and Feast Day Mass in honor of the saint, while Bishop-elect Rev. fr. Napoleon B. Sipalay, Jr., O.P. blessed the image.

The Fra Angelico image was enthroned at the main lobby of the building named after him.

‘Angelic Artist’
According to fr. Ang, Fra Angelico was dubbed as the “Angelic Artist” because of his integrity and how he uses his artistic gifts as a way to connect with God. “Fray Angelico was very prayerful that painting for him was not just an artistic enterprise or expression, but it was also a form of prayer,” fr. Ang said in his homily.

A 15th-century Renaissance artist and Dominican priest whose frescoes and paintings depicted Gospel scenes, Fra Angelico shared the “Angelic” distinction along with the University Patron Saint Thomas Aquinas, who was dubbed as the “Angelic Doctor.”

Meanwhile, Layug is a BFA-Painting alumnus who was awarded in March 2016 with the Pro Ecclesiae et Pontifice, the highest honor the Pope can award to the lay people in recognition of their services to the Church.

Layug’s life-size saints, retablos, and other religious images can be found in churches and cathedrals in the country.

The post CFAD unveils new Layug-made Fra Angelico image appeared first on University of Santo Tomas.

In the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Mathematical Olympiad (BBB) Heat Round – Online, held on December 3, 2023, Evan Justine E. Panergo claimed the 1st place and the Highest Distinction, while Prince Joy A. Abayon and Angel Faith Ilagan shared the 3rd place.

Abayon settled for the silver in the Thailand International Mathematical Olympiad 2023 Heat Round (TIMO).

They are qualified to join qualified to join the Final Round (online) in Macau.

The said olympiad was staged by .

View the full list of winners .

The post SHS students win awards in International Mathematics Olympiad appeared first on University of Santo Tomas.

The new Thomasian architects were led by the following graduates who landed in the ten highest places:

#4 – Ar. Franchesca T. Lopez – 84.40%
#5 – Ar. Nicole Carl Erika Aunario – 84.30%
#5 – Ar. Andrea Marie M. Ugay – 84.30%
#6 – Ar. Jene Miguel C. Macam – 84.20%
#7 – Ar. Angel Lyn B. Balastigue – 83.60%

The post UST is sole top performing school in January 2024 architecture boards, 5 among top passers appeared first on University of Santo Tomas.

The milestone inauguration comes just one month after the USTAAHK was both formally recognised as a registered society (Society registration number: 0065480) by the Hong Kong government in December 2023, and a duly registered Philippine organisation with the Consulate General of the Philippines in Hong Kong the same month.

The USTAAHK is made up of 13 founding members, namely Ms. Jan Yumul, president of USTAAHK; Mr. Nobel Gabasan, vice president; Ms. Anna Pendry, public relations officer; Mr. Erwin Regalado, secretary; Mr. Byron Agarano, treasurer; and Mr. Joel Almeda, auditor. Ms. Pendry, Mr. Gabasan, Mr. Almeda, Mr. Agarano, and Mr. Regalado, also serve concurrent roles, as chairperson, Socio-Cultural Events Committee; vice chairperson, Socio-Cultural Events Committee; chairperson, Finance Committee; vice chairperson, Finance committee, and chairperson, Sports and Games committee, respectively.

Other founding committees include Ms. Tanya Sales Manzano, chairperson for external affairs, Communications and Marketing ; Mr. John Go, chairperson for internal affairs, Communications and Marketing; Ms. Joy Alba, chairperson, Membership and Presence; Ms. Maureen Pickering, vice chairperson, Membership and Presence; Ms. Jenely de Ocampo, chairperson, Advocacy; Ms. Michelle Rea Yongque, vice chairperson, Advocacy; and Mr. Victorino Baltazar, vice chairperson, Sports and Games.

While the UST alumni in Hong Kong have previously organised social, family-oriented, and team-building activities, this marks the first time the group has formalised their association where an induction ceremony was held at The Hive in Sheung Wan. The event was well supported with the attendees reaching more than 100 Thomasian alumni, business representatives, academic representatives, community leaders, and nonprofit organisations.

Newly designated Philippine Consul General to Hong Kong Germinia Aguilar-Usudan, a Juris Doctor (Doctor of Law) graduate from UST, graced the event as keynote speaker and administered USTAAHK’s founding officers’ oath. In her speech, Ms. Aguilar-Usudan said the University of Santo Tomas “is not only the university where we pursued our education and earned our degrees”, but it was also “the place that developed our character and who we are today”. “Its core values, namely ‘competence, compassion and commitment, guide us in the pursuit of our dreams and aspirations,” said Ms. Aguilar-Usudan.

“As founding officers of the USTAAHK, you are expected to perform your task with competence, to serve everyone with compassion, and to fulfil your mandate with commitment. Let us all serve our kababayans in HK, ‘the UST way’ and make our alma mater proud,” she added. The Consul General also seized the opportunity to wish the attendees a belated New Year, and an advance Lunar New Year.

“Twenty-twenty-four is the year of the Wood Dragon. It is expected to be a great year to start new projects, explore new opportunities and create value for yourself and others. A very suitable year for the new USTAAHK. Congratulations!” said Ms. Aguilar-Usudan. “I wish all of you good health, happiness, and a successful new year ahead. Maraming, maraming salamat po. Mabuhay! Mabuhay ang UST! Mabuhay, mabuhay ang USTAAHK. Maraming Salamat,” she added.

The induction ceremony was also supported by guests who flew in from UST Manila, namely the UST Office of Alumni Relations (OAR), led by Ms. Joreen Rocamora, acting director of UST-OAR; Ms Carla Romina, alumni engagement officer of UST-OAR, and Ms Marlot Ira Coleen Ngo, web data management officer at UST-OAR.

Dr. Evelyn Songco, chairman of UST Alumni Association Inc. (USTAAI), also graced the event. In her opening remarks, she linked the latest addition of the USTAAHK to the USTAAI family to that of the birth of a child, which “is always a joyful occasion”. She said the birth of an alumni association “is definitely a cause of joy” and so “we gather this evening to celebrate that”. “We also celebrate tonight the past and the future. We celebrate the past because every alumni group coming together is born out of the alumni’s connection to the past; because of the memories of our alma mater,” said Dr. Songco.

“Today, we celebrate the future because I am sure that with this event tonight, you will always have meetings and say “Kita tayo”. With those words comes the promise of the future – the promise of faith, of hope, and of charity,” she added. Dr. Songco also reminded the Hong Kong Thomasian community that the promise of faith “rests on our fidelity to our alma mater and on one another as we promise to see each other in the future”, in continuing to “pursue the mission of our profession or our life advocacy”, and that the promise of hope “rests on how well we will serve our alma mater, the alumni, and the community”.

“The promise of charity rests on how generous we shall be with our time, talent, and treasure to keep in touch with one another, conduct assemblies, and activities for the benefit of our alma mater and the Thomasian alumni in HK, and the community,” said Dr. Songco.

She said faith, hope, and charity “have amazingly sustained the USTAAI, the mother alumni association of all recognized alumni associations” and that they were in constant partnership with the Thomasian Alumni Community Foundation, Inc (TACFI), which raises funds for the activities of the USTAAI.

“Giving birth and sustaining an alumni association is a daunting task. It is a volunteer work for all of us. It is a commitment; a mission; and most importantly, it is an act of giving. As volunteers, we are blessed not with material things but with joy in our hearts. That is our reward,” said Dr. Songco.

The USTAAI chairman was also accompanied by Ms. Katherine Lou Bundang, business manager, USTAAI, and Ms. Pickering, who serves concurrent positions with USTAAI and USTAAHK.

Bringing a message to the newly inducted USTAAHK Board of Directors on behalf of the Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, OP, PhD, Ms. Rocamora, acting director of UST-OAR, said the establishment of the USTAAHK was “the dawn of a new chapter”. “My heartfelt congratulations to all of you! You have accepted the mantle of leadership with courage and dedication, stepping forward to serve our vibrant community of Hong Kong-based Thomasians. Your commitment to upholding the legacy of UST, fostering unity among alumni, and propelling our association to even greater heights is truly inspiring,” said Ms. Rocamora.

She noted that the path ahead “may be paved with challenges”, but with “unwavering determination and a shared vision, you will conquer them all”. “Embrace the diversity of the association, draw strength from our shared history, and never lose sight of the values that bind us together: compassion, commitment and competence, said Ms. Rocamora.

“Let your leadership be a beacon of light and inspiration for every Thomasian in Hong Kong. Remember, the success of UST Alumni Association Hong Kong lies not just in your individual efforts but in the collective spirit of our association,” she added. In her closing remarks, Hong Kong-raised Ms. Yumul, founding president of USTAAHK, acknowledged and thanked Dr. Songco and the USTAAI, the Manila-based mother chapter, for welcoming the USTAAHK as a member under its wings. She also thanked the UST-OAR for being instrumental in forming the USTAAHK’s establishment.

Ms. Yumul also unveiled the chapter’s advocacies, which would focus on uplifting and mainstreaming Filipino professionals in Hong Kong, supporting youth empowerment, and putting “care” in the healthcare of migrant domestic workers. USTAAHK events will also aim to target the promotion of Philippine arts and culture in Hong Kong through hosting exhibits, live demonstrations, and workshops by Filipino artists, musical performances by UST groups.

“Today is a celebration of countless overcoming and coming together. A lot of people ask me why the need to form the USTAAHK. (To) the Filipinos in Hong Kong, let’s face the reality. We’ve been boxed into one profession for a very long time. So, I hope we can change this. I hope our engagements will deepen and broaden as we overcome challenges,” said Ms. Yumul.

According to the ������ý Affairs Department’s Race Relations Unit, citing the 2021 Population Consensus, there are 201,291 Filipinos in Hong Kong with more than half of the population employed as domestic workers in the city.

“There were ‘Three Cs’ of the Thomasian values that were mentioned tonight: competence, commitment, and compassion. In the Hong Kong version, I want to add one more ‘C’. (Be) ‘Community Engagers’ because we will go very far. The establishment of the association ends our 14-year journey in search of Thomasian trailblazers and organizers. We look forward to your support,” she added.

Ms. Yumul also acknowledged several community leaders in the academic, NGO, and business fields for graciously accepting the association’s invitation. Some notable guests included Ms. Cynthia Abdon-Tellez, general manager of the Mission for Migrant Workers, Ms. Janet Carnay, volunteer at the Bethune House Migrant Women’s Refuge, and Mr. Thiru Nachiappan, Chairman, Tomorrow’s Youth Development Fund.

Ms. Jonnet Kudera, Regional Philanthropy Manager, The Fred Hollows Foundation, and Mr. Lito Castillo, Chairperson, Hong Kong Musicians’ Union were also among those present. The event was also attended by business executives such as Ms. Estephanie Chan, account executive at Philippine Airlines, as well as past chairmen of the Philippine Association of Hong Kong, namely Ms. Jocelyn S. Palomaria, Ms. Myrna P. Hill, and Ms. Kathy De Guzman, who is also general manager at PNB Hong Kong.

Members of the academic community who came to support the event included Dr. Theresa Cunanan, associate programme director, Division of Arts and Languages, College of International Education at Hong Kong Baptist University and Jan Gube, Assistant Professor at the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, The Education University of Hong Kong.

Thomasian alumni Dr. Michael Manio, lecturer and head articulation programme at the University of Hong Kong Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences was also present. Dr. Manio is also a guest lecturer and honorary professor at the Hong Kong Metropolitan University.

Meanwhile, other Hong Kong chapter alumni of Philippine universities were also present, namely Ms. Maritess Turingan, President, University of the Philippines Alumni Association Hong Kong (UPAAHK), former UPAAHK President Ms. Sherina Manimtim-Erno, and Mr. Gary Flores, Treasurer at De La Salle University Alumni Association One La Salle HK Chapter.

Sponsoring the event were San Miguel Brewery Hong Kong Limited, veteran Filipino caterer Siony’s Lutong Bahay, Kambal Gallery, Grandpa’s Crib and Gastropub, Pickering Marine Group, and Ace Cho Photography.

Article Contributors: Ms. Anna Pendry, Founding Public Relations Officer, University of Sant
Tomas Alumni Association Hong Kong Chapter; Ms. Tanya Sales Manzano, Founding Chairperson for External Affairs, University of Santo Tomas Alumni Association Hong Kong Chapter

The post Asia’s oldest existing university now has a Hong Kong Chapter Alumni appeared first on University of Santo Tomas.