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.

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Bishop Alarcon finished his theology studies in the University of Santo Tomas. Ordained priest in 1996 in the Archdiocese of Caceres, he is one of the country’s youngest bishops. A longtime educator, he has served at the Minor Seminary of St. John the Evangelist, Superintendent of Naga Parochial School, Superintendent of the Catholic schools of the Archdiocese, as well as President of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines.

Among the previous Archbishops of Caceres is the late Most Rev. Leonardo Zamora Legaspi, O.P., D.D., the first Filipino Rector and one of the longest-serving archbishops of Caceres (1983-2012).

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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.

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The research team presented their project to Most Rev. Pablo Virgilio S. David, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, and Mr. Charles Bertille, the representative of the funding organization, during a meeting at the Frassati Building on February 14, 2024.

Leading the project are Prof. Pablito A. Baybado, PhD (CTRSE) and Prof. Florence C. Navidad, EdD (RCSSED), with Assoc. Prof. Allan A. Basas, SThD, Asst. Prof. Philip L. Fuentes, PhD, SThL, and Assoc. Prof. Marites R. Redoña, Ph.D. of CTRSE, along with Fr. Vladimir Echalas, SOLT, SThD, Head of the CBCP Research Office, serving as Research Associates. Fr. Louie R. Coronel, OP, EHL, UST Secretary General, and Prof. Joel C. Sagut, PhD, CTRSE Director, serve as consultants for the project.

Dr. Emmanuel M. Batulan from the UST Office of the Secretary-General, along with project assistants Ms. Daphne C. Santos and Ms. Rechelle M. Basco, were also present during the meeting held on February 13, 2024.

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Twelve faculty members of the College of Nursing were accredited by TESDA after recognition of their prior learning and review of evidence of community engagement. They were certified as trainers for the caregiving program.

In an interview with College of Nursing Dean Rowena L. Escolar Chua, PhD, she underscored “people empowerment and resilence” as core values of the program. Escolar Chua said the program “program provided the opportunity to gain knowledge, skills, and attitudes to be competent care providers despite their financial and social status. The caregiving program fosters resilience in the face of health challenges. In addition, UST College of Nursing and Caregiving programs partake in the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, our great healer.”

The caregiving program is the latest to rolled out by UST and RMI-HFSEC which also had a Bookkeeping course training with the College of Commerce and Business Administration in 2021.

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The study titled “A Proposed Pastoral Approach to Address the Surge in Suicide Cases in the Philippines During the COVID‐19 Pandemic” was recently published in the Journal of Religion and Health, a Quartile 1 Scopus-indexed journal under Springer.

In their paper, Gozum and Gutierrez delve into the data and statistics related to the rise in suicide cases at the peak of the pandemic. While some cases were known before the pandemic, findings suggest that the pandemic played a role in increasing these cases and introducing additional stressors that adversely impacted mental health. These stressors included issues such as domestic conflicts, financial loss, anxiety, depression, and preexisting mental health conditions, all of which contributed to the spike in suicide rates.

Against this backdrop, the authors emphasized the Church’s commitment to uphold the sanctity of life amidst the health crisis. The Church addresses various social concerns related to suicide and the devaluation of individuals, while striving to uphold the inherent dignity of every person and adapting to address emerging challenges, including mental health issues. Given the limited access to basic healthcare in the Philippines, Gozum and Gutierrez advocate for the Church and other sectors to develop suitable programs to aid those affected by the pandemic. To this end, they proposed a pastoral program encompassing prevention, intervention, and postvention strategies.

The pastoral program draws inspiration from the Pastoral Letter on Suicide authored by Thomasian Cardinal, Jose Advincula, which underscores the importance of a “culture of presence” within the community. The program encourages collaboration between Church leaders and lay professionals to provide support to individuals involved in suicide-related cases. It envisions the Church offering support groups and counseling services to create a secure environment for sharing experiences and healing, especially for those who have attempted suicide or have family members affected by suicide. Emergency response protocols, including alerting emergency services and ensuring the individual’s safety, are deemed essential, requiring effective cooperation between the Church and mental health experts. Crisis-affected individuals may also benefit from parish prayer groups and spiritual guidance to foster a sense of belonging and support within the community.

This article contributes significantly to the expanding body of literature on mental health studies by helping bridging the gap between faith and science. It underscores the vital role the Church can play in addressing the global concern of mental health.

The article can be accessed here:

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Day 1

Kicking off the plenary sessions, Prof. Fr. Mark Daniel Holtz, O.P., Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy of Pontificia Università San Tommaso d’ Aquino, will lecture on “Plurium verorum plures veritates: Alethic Pluralism and the Plurality of Truth in Thomas Aquinas”.  Meanwhile, Prof. Jovito Cariño, PhD of the UST Department of Philosophy will share his insights in his lecture entitled, “Tagpuan, Tapatan, Talaban: Si Santo Tomas de Aquino, Dayalogo at ang Kontemporanyong Paghahanap sa Katotohanan” (Encounter, Exchange, Engagement: St. Thomas Aquinas, Dialogue and the Contemporary Search for Truth).

Inst. Sir-Lien Hugh Tadeo, MA will serve as the moderator.

Day 2

Sr. Prof. Catherine Joseph Droste, O.P. of the Pontificia Università San Tommaso d’ Aquino will lecture on “Forming Conscience in a Contemporary World: Aquinas’s Teaching on the Gifts of Wisdom and Counsel”. Lastly, fr. Rodel E. Aligan, O.P., SThD, UST Graduate School Regent, will cap the plenary sessions with his lecture on “Relevance of St. Thomas Aquinas on Truth, Communication and Authenticity of Christian Life in the Digital Age”

Asst. Prof. Maila M. Blanza will be the day’s moderator.

The two-day conference is organized by the Ecclesiastical Faculties, Faculty of Arts and Letters, Institute of Religion, Graduate School, and the Center for Theology, Religious Studies and Ethics to celebrate the Triennium of St. Thomas Aquinas: the 700th anniversary of his canonization (2023), the 750th anniversary of his death (2024), and the 800th anniversary of his birth (2025).

Visit /aquinasconference/ for more details.

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Dr. Rzymkowski, who also serves as the Government Plenipotentiary for the Development and Internationalization of Education and Science and a Member of Parliament, was accompanied by the Deputy Director from the Ministry of Education and Science, Mr. Przemysław Skrodzki; Charge d’Affaires of the Embassy of the Poland in Manila Mr. Jarosław Szczepankiewicz, and Embassy Intern Ms. Isabel Borwoska.

UST Office of Public Affairs Director Asst. Prof. Joreen T. Rocamora, Ph.D., the Executive Assistant of the Office of Secretary-General Mr. Emmanuel Batulan, Ph.D., and the Assistant to the Director for Public Affairs Ms. Michaella O. Lagniton, welcomed the visitors.

Part of the discussions during the courtesy call included possible points of further collaboration and new scholarship opportunities. The delegation also met the UST Prefect of Libraries Rev. Fr. Ángel A. Aparicio, O.P., Assistant Prefect of Libraries and Acting Archivist Rev. Fr. Gaspar Sigaya, O.P., Miguel de Benavides Library Chief Librarian Ms. Ma. Cecilia Lobo, and Head Book Restorer Ms. Ginalyn Santiago.

Fr. Aparicio also updated the delegation with regards to the ongoing collaboration between the University of Santo Tomas and the Embassy of Poland on the restoration of a rare first edition copy of Nicolaus Copernicus’ book on heliocentrism, which is a Polish cultural treasure housed within the UST Archives.

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Scattered like the mustard seed

Reflecting on the day’s Gospel, the Rector, the Very Rev. fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., PhD told the graduates that “we have assembled you only to disperse you and send you off tonight. We have gathered you to scatter you like seeds in all directions. This is the Thomasian diaspora.” The Rector, in his homily, recalled how in various random occasions he will meet strangers who introduce themselves as Thomasians, and instantly, a sense of belonging and friendship will be felt.

As the Rector concluded his homily, he rallied the graduating students to prepare for the next chapter of their lives: “Do not rehearse only for graduation day but get ready for the life that lies ahead. What is your vision? What is your preferred future? Pursue it with much passion, with much gusto. Move forward and move up.”

The Rector also reminded Thomasians that despite one’s earnest efforts, these are not the solitary work of humans. “There is a greater power at work than our human efforts. Our labors are in vain unless they are covered the blessings of the Lord. Spread the Thomasian spirit as you make your niche in life. You’ve got to start where you are, do what you can, and maximize your talents and resources.”

Sent out on a mission

Apart from punctuating a Thomasian student’s journey, the Baccalaureate Mass also serves as the Sendoff Rites, which included the blessing and imposition of the Thomasian Mission Cross, which “[reminds graduates] of [their] roots as a Thomasian.” In a message to the graduating students, Office for Student Affairs Director Maria Cecilia A. Tio Cuison, MEd stated: “Let it be your shield as you venture through life outside the University. Let it remind you of the ways of St. Thomas Aquinas who upheld the truth and remained spirited in life’s struggles and triumphs. The placing of the Thomasian Mission Cross is a symbolic gesture of your formation and your continuous mission as a true Thomasian.”

The rites included the traditional Ceremony of Light, in which the Rector, through the Deans and Regents, lit the candles given out to each student as a reminder of the University’s task “to spread the light.” The Rector said: “As you pass on this light to one another, keep in mind your Thomasian values, which we have instilled in you all these years. This must be continuously shared for the good of others.”

Knowing how to illuminate

In his graduation message, outgoing Central Student Council President and Juris Doctor student Nathan Raphael D.L. Agustin looked back at how Class 2023 is finally hurdling school life after overcoming the struggles exacerbated by the pandemic: “there is meaning to the struggle! Our determination to finish what we started, despite the circumstances, has given us more than what the four corners of our classroom could ever give – LIGHT!” Encouraging Class 2023 to not forget others, Agustin added: “In a world where not everyone can enjoy the same things we do, achieve the same goals, and be with us in moments of triumph such as this, we must see this occasion not just as a time of rejoicing, but also as a reminder of our mission. We know how the darkest night looks; and our Thomasian identity, marked by commitment, competence, and compassion, demands us not to only merely shine, but to illuminate!”

The Baccalaureate Mass is the final stop before the start of the commencement exercises, with the Faculty of Pharmacy having theirs on June 1, 2023. The College of Information and Computing Sciences will be the last unit to have their Solemn Investitures, on June 30, 2023.

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The Eucharistic Celebration was concelebrated by Parish Priest Rev. fr. Paul Reagan O. Talavera, O.P. and UST Museum Director and Faculty of Civil Law Regent Rev. fr. Isidro C. Abaño, O.P., SThL-MA.

According to fr. Talavera, the faithful must explore the life and the spirituality of the Saints first to be a full-pledged devotee. “For as long as superstitious pa ang ating paniniwala, kulang pa tayo,” he said, emphasizing the importance of reflection.

Capping his Homily, fr. Talavera shared the timely message of late Archbishop Emeritus Oscar Cruz, J.C.D., D.D. during the first visit of the Pilgrim Relics in the country in 2000, the Jubilee year. “Many Filipinos are devoted to her and she is, for them, a friend, model and intercessor. She has been a chosen instrument by God to show to us that Holiness is available to each person,” fr. Talavera quoted from Archbishop Cruz’s reflection.

Testimonies of devotion

In his own personal testimony, fr. Talavera recalled his spontaneous encounter with the Saint in a library where a St. Therese prayer card, which he still keeps, slipped out from a book he was leafing through. “During my seminary days, I always pray (the Prayer of St. Therese of Child Jesus) after the evening prayer,” he said. He then noted that one’s devotion sparks from answered prayers, acknowledging the visiting Saint as a very powerful intercessor.

Meanwhile, fr. Abaño recalled that his mother, also a devotee, introduced the Saint to him, and the saint has since become a guiding force in his life. He likewise refers to the Saint as “Ate Therese”, to whom he owes so much gratitude. “Nagpapasalamat ako to my Ate [St. Therese], who has been there guiding me [through the years],” he expressed.
This event was a part of the “5th Philippine Visit of the Pilgrim Relics of St. Therese of the Child Jesus and Holy Face”, with the theme “Lakbay tayo, St. Therese! Ka-alagad, Kaibigan, Ka-misyon!”

St. Therese is known to have an immense devotion to the Infant Jesus. The pilgrim held in the University falls on the Octave of Easter, a season where the Catholic Church celebrates and rejoices the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

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