Crisis Management seminar-workshop held

Last July 21-22, 2015 (Tuesday-Wednesday), the Central Crisis Management Committee chaired by the Vice-Rector for Finance Fr. Manuel F. Roux, O.P. organized the two-day Crisis Management and Disaster Response workshop at the Blessed Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Building.

Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr., Director of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PHIVOLCS) talked about “The Valley Fault System and Earthquake Preparedness,” explaining the context behind the preparations for the “Big One” earthquake.

Dr. Renato Solidum, Jr.

Providing the audience with the practical tips and procedures on emergency response was Mr. Martin Aguda, Jr., a security and crowd management expert. He stressed the need for vigilance, preparedness and efficiency in managing the crowds—Thomasians and non-Thomasians alike—who are expected to seek refuge in the University’s open spaces should the earthquake strike.

Mr. Martin Aguda, Jr.

 

Finally, Mr. Henry Theodoro Hernia, CSP talked about how to formulate the “Business Continuity Plan” (BCP), which looks into how the University will recover and eventually resume operations after the disaster.

Mr. Henry Theodoro Hernia, CSP

The BCP was the focus of the workshops held during the second day, as the different officials of the crisis management teams converged by cluster to determine the threats to their own localities as well as how to mitigate the expected detrimental impacts that the disaster will cause.

In his closing remarks, Fr. Roux thanked the attendees for their inputs, which will be used by the Central Committee as guides on how to be better equipped for disasters. He likewise stressed that “crisis management is not just the concern of one person; it is the concern of everybody.”

UST posts 93.56% passing rate in Pharmacy boards; 4 in top 10

Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy graduates scored an impressive 93.56% passing rate, or 247 passers, in the July 18 & 19, 2015 board exams administered by the Professional Regulation Commission. The UST passing rate is significantly higher than the national passing rate of 63.78%.

Four graduates likewise clinched spots in the Top 10, including the Top 1 rank:

            Top 1 -           Mark P. Dumago                                93.35%

            Top 4 -           Arianne Angeli F. Baluyut                 92.03%

            Top 7 -           Darwin Bryan L. Kiong                     91.70%

            Top 10 -         Chriselle Marie C. Mirhan                91.42%

The University of Santo Tomas’ BS Pharmacy program holds the highest accreditation level, Level IV, as recognized by the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation.

Science co-hosts symposium with Nagoya City University

From July 16-17, 2015 (Thursday-Friday), the UST College of Science will co-host the symposium entitled ‘Biodiversity and Environmental Medicine in South East and East Asia based on molecular biology 2015,” with Nagoya City University, Japan.

Presenting their papers are Science Dean John Donnie Ramos, PhD, and researchers Rey Donne Papa, PhD and Allan Patrick Macabero, Dr. rer. Nat.

UST College of Science and Nagoya City University officials

Presenting posters will be Maureen Sabit, Jennifer Marles Yap and Pia Marie Albano.

The symposium is a part of the implementing activities of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between UST and NCU. This is the 2nd joint symposium between the 2 universities; the first one was held in UST in 2013.

Naguit of Medicine recognized as Best Delegate in ASEAN youth exchange

Raymond John S. Naguit, a third-year Medicine student, was recognized as the “Most Outstanding Delegate” in the recently concluded ASEAN Young Leaders’ Association Info-Cultural Exchange Camp, held from July 4-6, 2015, at the Caliraya Resort in Lumban, Laguna.

Mr. Naguit is the incumbent Vice-Chairperson of the Central Commission on Elections and is an alumnus of the College of Nursing, Batch 2012.

Science sends BS Applied Physics OJT students partner universities abroad

THOMASIAN STUDENTS ABROAD

Science sends BS Applied Physics OJT students partner universities abroad

This special term, eleven (11) Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics major in Instrumentation students are undergoing on-the-job training in universities abroad, under the guidance of their respective supervisors.

Learning under the guidance of Drs. Toshiaki Makino and Hitoshi Miura of Nagoya City University, Japan, is Elisha Khristia Basadre. Meanwhile, Dr. John Holdsworth of the University of Newcastle in Australia is mentoring Vidal Marvin Gabriel.

Victoria Louise Quilatan is under the guidance of Dr. Chia-Ming Kuo and is undergoing her OJT in the National Central University of Taiwan and in the Conseil Europeen pour la Recherche Nucleaire (CERN) or the European Council for Nuclear Research in Switzerland.

Finally, the following students are in Taiwan, under their respective mentors:

            In Academia Sinica

Jason Mactal under Dr. Yang-Yuan Chen

            Pocholo Luis Mendiola under Dr. Chi-Keung Chan

           

            In Chung Yuan Christian University

Jericha Cher Iglesia under Dr. Chi-Tsu Yuan

            Septem P. Caigas, Yuola Rose Rubio, and Michelle Granado under Dr. Ji-Lin

Shen

            Paolo Luis Abalos under Dr. Wen Yaw Chung

            Princess Genevieve Sena under Dr. Yu-Chiang Chao

Manila Archdiocese, UST Campus Ministry, Simbahayan offer certificate course on youth ministry

THOMASIAN FORMATION

Manila Archdiocese, UST Campus Ministry, Simbahayan offer certificate course on youth ministry

In partnership with the Commission on Youth of the Archdiocese of Manila, the UST Center for Campus Ministry and the UST Simbahayan Office for Community Development offer a non-formal, non-degree Certificate course on Youth Ministry, Pastoral Leadership and Empowerment (CYMPLE). CYMPLE is an attempt to help equip the Youth Leaders of the Archdiocese of Manila with the necessary skills demanded by Youth Ministry. 

The course is a 7-Saturday program that includes lectures, workshops and a required mission experience. Topics include Youth Spirituality and Prayer, Catholic Youth Ministry, Effective Youth Leadership, Management of Organization, Peer Counseling, Youth Catechesis, Public Speaking, Youth Advocacies and Critical Thinking.

The Course instructors are provided by both UST and the Archdiocesan Commission on Youth. Among the Thomasian instructors were:

Name	Affiliation	Topic
Most. Rev. Broderick Pabillo, D.D.	Alumnus, Sacred Theology	Peace and Good Governance
Rev. Fr. Jose Antonio Aureada, OP	UST Graduate School	Critical Thinking
Assoc. Prof. Richard Pazcoguin	Center for Campus Ministry	Youth Catechesis
Mr. Albert Loteyro	Center for Campus Ministry	Management of Organization
Ms. Girly Constantino	Institute of Religion	Effective Youth Leadership
Asst. Prof. Enrique Jamilla	Institute of Religion	Seminar on Webpage Design
Assoc. Prof. Joan Christi Trocio	Institute of Religion	Theater Workshop
Ms. Carmen Rosario Quesada	Guidance and Counseling Dept.	Peer Counseling
Mr. Paul Quiambao	Alumnus, College of Architecture	Photography Workshop
Mr. Kabaitan Bautista	Alumnus, Conservatory of Music	Music Workshop
Mr. Harold Nikko Forton	Student, Conservatory of Music	Music Workshop
Ms. Bianca Camille Santos	Alumna, Faculty of Arts and Letters	Public Speaking Workshop
Mr. Gerald Matthew Eustaquio	Alumnus, Faculty of Arts and Letters	Public Speaking Workshop
Mr. Philip Latonio	Alumnus, Faculty of Arts and Letters	Public Speaking Workshop
Mr. Jeffrey Garcia	Alumnus, College of Education	Public Speaking Workshop
Mr. Juan Carlos Libiran	Alumnus, College of Education	Youth Spirituality and Prayer

The certificate of completion is awarded to participants who have completed at least 75 percent of the total course hours, passed the oral examination and completed the course requirements, which include reflection papers, special projects and a mission experience. 

CYMPLE Batch 4 graduates and facilitators pose with Cardinal Tagle.

The first batch finished their program in March 2013, with 21 graduates. The second batch produced 24 graduates (August 2013). Batch 3 produced 34 graduates (June 2014). The fourth batch, with 25 graduates is received their certificates on July 4, 2015, with no less than His Eminence, Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, presiding over the graduation mass and commissioning rites.

To date, ten Thomasians have earned the certificate.

Batch 1 (March 2013)

Name	College	Church Affiliation
Mr. Anjo Magsaysay	Faculty of Engineering	Representing Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Makati
Mr. Christopher Alcantara	College of Education	Representing Santisimo Rosario Parish, UST
Mr. Dean Louis Bascon	Faculty of Arts and Letters	Representing Our Lady of La Paz Parish, Makati
Mr. Jhudiel Rañola	Faculty of Engineering	Representing San Roque Parish, Manila

Batch 2 (August 2013)

Name	College	Church Affiliation
Ms. Julie Vi Lominoque	Office Staff	Center for Campus Ministry
Ms. Francia Rosero	Faculty of Arts and Letters	Representing St. Joseph Parish, Makati

Batch 3 (June 2014)

Name	College	Church Affiliation
Mr. Geofrey Baje Sy	Faculty of Engineering	Center for Campus Ministry
Mr. Vincent Palonpon	Faculty of Pharmacy	Representing Sts. Peter and Paul  Parish, Makati

Batch 4 (July 2015)

Name	College	Church Affiliation
Mr. Juano Lio Dionisio	College of Education	Center for Campus Ministry
Mr. David Cicero Pado	Concervatory of Music	Representing Santisimo Rosario Parish, UST

Pharmacy students participate in mobility program to Bangkok, Thailand

THOMASIAN STUDENTS ABROAD

Pharmacy students participate in mobility program to Bangkok, Thailand

Last July 01, 2015, six students from the B.S. Pharmacy major in Clinical Pharmacy program of the Faculty of Pharmacy arrived in Bangkok for the Pharmacy Student Mobility Program for Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. The student participants included: Emielex Aguilar, Colleen Anne Caragay, Bea Carmelle Casiding, Anescia Francia, Reuben Quimio and Melchin Tapan. They were the second batch of students to attend the program in the said university and were accompanied by their Internship Area Coordinator, Mr. Renz Kenneth G. Cadiang.

The first day was allotted for the general orientation and a lecture forum. UST participants, together with students from University of Arizona, USA and Paris Descartes University, France were cordially welcomed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Usa Chaikledkaew, Deputy Dean for International Relations of Mahidol University Faculty of Pharmacy. Dr. Usa then presented the detailed program of activities per participating institution.

BS Clinical Pharmacy students (in white) with their Internship Area Coordinator, Mr. Renz Kenneth G. Cadiang, and officials from Mahidol University - Faculty of Pharmacy

Participants listened to a lecture on the Thai Health Insurance System and Consumer Protection on Health Products, Public Health and Healthcare System of Thailand and the Laws and Regulations regarding Drug Control Distribution and Marketing, delivered by Dr. Farsai Chanjaruporn. A tour of the Mahidol University Faculty of Pharmacy was held afterward, facilitated by Dr. Jiraporn Leanpolchareanchai.

In the succeeding days, students will be attending a series of lectures focusing on Drug System, Distribution and Marketing in Thailand, Drug Selection and Utilization in Thailand, Cell Culture Assay and Techniques, Biopharmaceuticals, Pharmacogenomics, Medicinal Plant Information Center and Drug Information Center and Their Services, Good Manufacturing practice, Good Laboratory Practice and ISO 17025. They will also have study visits at the Mahidol University Salaya Campus, Manufacturer of Thai Traditional Medicine, Hospital and Community Pharmacies and exposure on Thailand’s Home Healthcare Services. 

Students will also have time doing cultural visits at different famous temples in Bangkok and at Dong Wai Floating Market.

Alejandro, Maningas receive 2015 Outstanding Scientific Paper Award from NAST

Alejandro, Maningas receive 2015 Outstanding Scientific Paper Award from NAST

UST Office for Graduate Research Director Grecebio Jonathan Alejandro, Dr. rer. Nat. and Assoc. Prof. Mary Beth Maningas, PhD, both received the 2015 Outstanding Scientific Paper Award from the National Academy of Science and Technology last July 9, 2015, at the Manila Hotel.

Prof. Grecebio Jonathan Alejandro, Dr. rer. Nat.

Assoc. Prof. Mary Beth Maningas, PhD

Drs. Alejandro and Maningas are affiliated with the College of Science, Graduate School, and Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences.

Macabeo hailed as 2015 Outstanding Young Scientist in Chemistry, receives 2015 Third World Academy of Science Award in Chemistry

Macabeo hailed as 2015 Outstanding Young Scientist in Chemistry, receives 2015 The World Academy of Science Award in Chemistry

Assoc. Prof. Allan Macabeo, Dr. rer. Nat. was awarded last July 9, 2015, as the 2015 Outstanding Young Scientist in Chemistry by the National Academy of Science and Technology. He will likewise receive the 2015 The World Academy of Science Award in Chemistry.

Photo Credit: UST College of Science Administration

Dr. Macabeo’s areas of specialization include Organic, Medicinal and Pythochemistry.