Trinidad received a Special Awards in Sports Psychology. She was a part of Filipina Olympian and weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz’s team who (brought home the country’s first gold in theĚý2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics.

Serving as a consultant in the Philippine Sports Commission – Sports Psychology unit, the Thomasian Sports Psychologist has coached all the national athletes.

Around 200 nominees across 278 sports were judged according to their contribution in promoting and developing their sport.

In celebration of Women’s Month, the inaugural event was organized by the Philippine Sports Commission in honor of Filipinas who dominated and blazed the trail in sports.

Watch the awarding ceremonies here:

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SDT’s electrifying routine was inspired by the K-pop group BlackPink, which earned them the bronze. Mark Chaiwalla is SDT’s coach.

Revisit the performance of the .

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In the female individual category, Lady Jin Chelsea Tacay was named the Most Valuable Player after scoring 8.000. She and team captain Vincent Rodriguez dominated the mixed pair category, garnering 8.167 points.

In the male individual category, Tiger Jin Nash Alcairo chipped in a bronze medal with his 8.034 score. Alcairo, Dane Subaste, and Jeus Yape, tallied 8.100 points to bag the silver medal in the male team category.

Lastly, Stella Yape, Allyson Serapio, and Aidaine Laxa snagged the silver medal with their 8.117 points in the female team category. Laxa is a SEA Games gold medalist.

First in the Varsitarian.

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Jeanne Arnibal, who is this season’s Rookie of the Year, dashed for the bronze in the 100m hurdles event. Moreover, Arnibal dominated the heptathlon and triple jump events, snagging the silver medal in the women’s high jump event.

Their male counterparts placed 6th with 106 points, reaping a 3-1-1 medal haul. In the men’s 4×400-meter relay, Hokett de los Santos, Jasper Obanon, Gerald Casimiro, and John Romero won the silver medal for their 3:18.89 finish.

First in the Varsitarian.

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Melito Ocsan Jr. bagged the Most Valuable Player award after winning 8 of the 10 games in Board 2. Meanwhile, Chester Reyes was crowned Rookie of the Year with his nine wins in Board 3.

The team is composed of Ocsan, Reyes, Julius Gonzales, and brothers Mark and Carl Daluz. Mr. Ronald Dableo is the coach of the chess team.

First reported in the Varsitarian.

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In a public post on his official Facebook page, Obiena wrote, “Thank you to everyone who made this possible, and my deepest gratitude to those who went to war so that I could continue this dream. This is not just my accomplishment alone, but everyone’s. Maraming salamat, Pilipinas, sa pagkakataon na iwagayway ang iyong diwa. This dreamer dares to dream.”

He is also the first Filipino to secure his spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics. He qualified for the Summer Games by clearing a 5.82-meter jump at the Wanda Diamond League’s Bauhaus Galan meet in Stockholm, Sweden on July 2, 2023, which earned him a silver medal.

Obiena has repeatedly set and broken new records, including soaring to new heights by joining the “six-meter-club” as the first Asian and Filipino pole vaulter on June 10, 2023 at the Bergen Jump Challenge in Norway, where he brought home the gold medal. He is the 24th athlete of all time to leap over the six-meter barrier.

Obiena recently won the gold in the 2023 Asian Athletics Championship held in Pattaya, Thailand on July 16, 2023. He now holds a new Asian record of 5.91m.

Earlier this academic year, during his homecoming to the University of Santo Tomas in September 2022, he received the Pope John Paul II Outstanding Achievement Award for his stellar performance in pole vault.

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OAR Director Asst. Prof. Fredeswindo R. Medina, together with the Tournament Chairman and IPEA alumnus Dr. Adrian Paolo Laurel, and incoming Tournament Director Ar. Eduardo Casares handed over a check amounting to Php 1,300,000.00 to the Institute. It was accepted by the IPEA administrators headed by Director and Regent Rev. Fr. Rodel S. Cansancio, O.P. The proceeds collected will be used for the development programs of the athletes.

The committee assured the group of the tournament’s improvement with more pledges, sponsorships, and a slightly higher playing fee that would benefit the student athletes.  

This year’s Rector’s Cup included playing teams from various alumni batches of the Faculty of Arts and Letters, College of Accountancy, College of Architecture, Faculty of Civil Law, College of Commerce and Business Administration, Faculty of Engineering, Junior High School, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery (Team Champion), Faculty of Pharmacy, and the College of Science.

Monetary sponsors included Wilcon Depot, Inc., DivinaLaw, Datem, Inc., and Commerce Asia, Inc.

In-Kind Sponsors included Chery Auto PH, Shinagawa Lasik & Aesthetics, Rey Gajo, Edgar San Diego, Skynet Travel Corp., Willie de Vera, Summit Ridge Tagaytay, Hotel 1611, Aficionado, L Three R’s Enterprise, and Chevrolet PH.

The 6th Rector’s Cup is set to launch in the first quarter of 2024.

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The award is conferred upon students who win in national or international competitions, demonstrating the commitment to pursue Thomasian excellence. “[The Pope John Paul II award] means a lot to me and I have been looking at it, it is beautiful. I never really thought that UST would recognize me and the things I have done. I have always been a part of the University even if I was away,” Obiena said.

In his message, Vice-Rector the Rev. fr. Isaias D. Tiongco, O.P., JCD lauded Obiena’s medal rush, as well as his “self-discipline, confidence, determination, and rigorous training that are bearing much fruit”.

Moreover, while reminding the world-class athlete to prioritize his well-being above everything else, the Vice-Rector gave his blessings to Obiena in preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics. “It is the hope not only of your fellow Thomasians but, more so, to our Filipino countrymen that you come back home victorious and make us all prouder not only as a Thomasian Olympian but more prestigiously, a Thomasian Olympic Champion,” fr. Tiongco said.

Obiena, whose rise to international prominence is due to consecutive victories in various competitions, recently bagged the gold medal for soaring past 5.91 meters in the Brussels Diamond League, held in Belgium on September 2, 2022.

The renowned athlete has so far brought home 17 medals–12 of which were gold– in 2022.

He also represented the country in the Summer Olympics 2020 held in Tokyo. Obiena also snagged a bronze in theĚý World Athletics Championships, making him the sole Filipino to have snagged an award in the feat.

Photos by Hans Lawrence V. Malgapu

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Capping the August 9 Onboarding activities for the freshies of the higher education cluster was theĚý unveiling of the University’s iconic Tiger statue and UST block letters, which are found in the Plaza Mayor and usually join the Main Building in stills that immortalize UST.

Facilities Management Office Director Rev. fr. Dexter A. Austria, O.P., SThD said the unveiling of the revamped familiar icons heralds the University’s initiative to go beyond its España campus, with UST General Santos and UST Santa Rosa campuses already nearing completion.

The Tiger, which is depicted in an act of leaping and pouncing, shows agility and vitality, two important qualities as the University rises above the challenges posed by the pandemic. Fr. Austria stated that the figures at the campus that boast Thomasian identity roar a symbolic message that the community has risen above the COVID-19 pandemic. “It is a symbolism for us to get out of this pandemic, [to] rise above the pandemic, and our expansion,” Fr. Austria said.

Also unveiled were the new UST block letters, which conform to the official font style adopted by the University in its official correspondence. “The letters represent the University’s tradition of excellence for having nurtured saints, martyrs, heroes, leaders in various fields, connecting the past 411 years of existence to the current and future generation of Thomasians,” said Secretary-General fr. Louie R. Coronel, O.P., EHL.

Fr. Coronel also underscored the importance of the open and common spaces in the campus for it showcases the University’s heritage, treasures, culture, and values, which are gifts that the community enjoy with pride.

College of Fine Arts and Design alumnus and former faculty member Mr. Anthony Zamora was the artist behind the 8-foot tall UV resin-made tiger installed at Plaza Mayor.

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Rebuilding the Tigers Den

Meanwhile, the newly appointed UST Growling Tigers head coach, the legendary Ginebra court general, Bal David, was formally introduced, along with his coaching staff, to the Thomasian Community.

In his message, David requested for the Thomasian Community’s support, promising that he will steer the young basketball team, in rebuilding process at present, in his coaching stint. “We will put time and extreme effort para makatulong sa Tigers,” the former Glowing Goldie added.

“Gagawin namin ang lahat para makakuha tayo ng magandang position sa darating na UAAP […] inaasahan namin ang malaking suporta niyo po. Kailangan namin kayo para magtulong-tulong this coming [UAAP] season,” he said.

Photos by Hans Lawrence V. Malgapu

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Our Thomasian Athletes dominated in half of the eight events this season, clawing gold in Poomsae, Men’s 3×3 Basketball, Men’s Beach Volleyball, and Men’s Chess tourney.

Rancel Varga was named the “Most Valuable Player” in Men’s Beach Volleyball feat while Sherwin Concepcion was named the MVP in the Men’s 3×3 Basketball. In the Poomsae division, Lady Jin Aidaine Laxa was named the “Rookie of the Year” and the MVP in the campaign; she also bagged the silver medal in the women’s individual event.

The University also bagged silver in Women’s 3×3 Basketball, clinched on the fourth place in Women’s Volleyball, and settled for seventh place in both Men’s 5-on-5 Basketball and Women’s Chess.

The UAAP tallying system is as follows: 15 points for gold finish, 12 for silver, and 10 for bronze. The fourth placer gets eight points, six for fifth placers, four for sixth placers, two for seventh placers, and one for the eighth placer.

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