Liba of CTHM awarded Best National Master Trainer

Dr. Ryan T. Liba, faculty member of the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, was awarded “BEST NATIONAL MASTER TRAINER” during the commencement exercises of the recently concluded training program of National Master Trainers and Assessors on Food Production held from October 11-16, 2015 at Diamond Hotel, Malate, Manila.

The recognition was given to Dr. Liba due to his exemplary performance throughout the duration of the training. It was organized by the Department of Tourism (DOT), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and Tourism Industry Board Foundation Inc. (TIBFI) and facilitated by the ASEAN Master Trainers and Master Assessors on Food Production. It was participated by 26 hospitality educators and chef instructors from different Universities, Colleges and Hospitality Training Centers in the country.

The said training is under the ASEAN Tourism Human Resource Development Program supported by DOT, TESDA and TIBFI. It aims to develop National Master Trainers and Master Assessors to cascade the training to local trainers and assessors in the country to fast track the implementation of the ASEAN Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA) on Tourism professionals and the achievement of the ASEAN Economic Integration 2015.

Cuadro, alumni of Speech Language Pathology present research in China

Carla Cuadro, MRS-SP, faculty member of the Department of Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) in the College of Rehabilitation Sciences, led a group of SLP alumni who were part of the pioneer batch in 2014 in presenting their research at the 9th Biennial Asia-Pacific Conference on Speech Language Hearing, organized by the Asia Pacific Society of Speech Language and Hearing (APSSLH) and Jinan University, China, last October 9-11, 2015. This  was held at the Yi He Hotel in Guangzhou, China. 

Their research poster entitled, “Acoustic Characteristics of Voice in Typically Developing Filipino Children Aged 4 to 6 in Sta. Cruz, Manila” was presented by Marajo Bondoc, and the team was joined by Raphielle Dizon, Kurt Fresnido, Ma. Clarisse Malilay, Justin Sayana, and Rachelle Ann Vasquez, who were then SLP students of CRS. 

There were only 3 presentations from the Philippines in this conference, including that of UST. The conference featured 144 speakers, 64 research papers and 77 research posters covering areas of interest in speech-language pathology, audiology, and hearing sciences. It was attended by experts and scholars from 13 countries, including Philippines, Australia, Great Britain, Canada, Japan, Thailand, South Korea, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, India, United States of America, Vietnam, and 14 provinces of Mainland China, aside from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan.  

Dequina, Francisco of Chem. Eng’g. attend PTT ASEAN Camp in Bangkok

UST BS Chemical Engineering students Ralph Lorenz Dequina and Melwyn V. Francisco were among the Filipino delegates in the PTT Seeding the Future ASEAN Camp 2015 held lfrom September 28, 2015 to October 3, 2015 in Bangkok, Thailand. Dequina and Francisco were chosen by the PTT Philippines Corporation for their creative video entries, which showcased their activities and achievements in the University.

The aim of the PTT Seeding the Future program is to create a potential youth network in ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) which will be developed into a PTT staff network in the future.

Fr. Dagohoy delivers three-year report, highlights University achievements and sets future direction

The much-anticipated report of the Rector was delivered in the morning of October 16, 2015, at the Medicine Auditorium, where the Very Rev. Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, O.P. presented the University’s achievements from 2012-2015 to the Thomasian community.

Identity
Fr. Dagohoy stressed that the Thomasian identity is rooted in Catholic formation, presenting how UST continues to form the students spiritually, through institutionalized religious activities.

Leadership & Governance
The Rector underscored that the University must adapt to the changing times, which bring about its challenges. He then presented the changes in University administration, particularly the new offices created, such as the Office of the Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation, Office of International Relations and Programs, Academic Programs and Quality Assurance Office, Institute of Information and Computing Sciences, Senior High School, and the Social Media Bureau, among others.

The Rector likewise highlighted how UST successfully hurdled all three ISO certification audits, proving how efficient the management of the University is.

Students & Graduates
Banking on the volume of freshmen applicants every year and the ever-voluminous number of student enrollees (this year, it breached the 46,000 mark), the Rector stressed how UST remains to be a “trusted brand” in Philippine education.

The Rector stressed that as part of UST’s commitment, thousands of scholarship opportunities are provided to the students, who later on show the nation and the world the excellent  Thomasian formation they received, as evidenced by, among others, excellence in licensure performance exams.

Teaching and Learning

The Rector stressed that UST remains to be one of the universities that offers quality education, as evidenced by CHED recognitions, PACUCOA, PAASCU and international accreditations. The Rector mentioned the new academic programs offered in the last three years and how these are aimed at responding to the needs of the industry.

Research & Innovation
Fr. Dagohoy expressed satisfaction at the progress of research undertakings in the University, particularly in the rise of faculty members involved, paper presentations, and publications in Scopus-indexed journals.

The Rector cited the increased amount of funding received from international and national agencies, and recognized these partners as important partners of UST in promoting a vibrant research culture.

Internationalization

The Rector recognized internationalization as one of the best ways to upgrade the quality of teaching and learning, for it affords UST the chance to collaborate with other institutions and share best practices, among others. He underscored that the establishment of the Office of International Relations and Programs was done to focus on this aspect.

The Rector noted the 300% increase in international mobility of students and faculty, of the increase in visiting professors, and of the continued rise of the number of formalized memoranda of understanding/agreement with universities abroad (now at 102). The Rector also cited the different international organizations and federations of which UST is part, through officials who serve as officers in the said groups.

Community Development & Advocacies
The Rector boasted of the University’s continued commitment to helping the marginalized, citing how the Simbahayan, originally aimed for the Quadricentennial in 2011, became sustained and institutionalized. The Rector presented data on the activities conducted per college, thanking the units for their efforts and urging them to continue reaching out to the needy.

He cited the University’s contributions to the various communities, and emphasized how the charitable contributions for indigent patients in the UST Hospital was 440% above the initial Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) target, allowing QS to rate UST with 5 stars for Community Involvement.

Public Presence
A slideshow of the people—dignitaries, the Pope, Queen Sofia of Spain, ambassadors, luminaries—who have visited UST served to show how UST has remained in the stream of public consciousness, and the Rector pointed out that with the many historic events—most recently the Papal Visit—held in whole or in part in UST, the University can lay claim to be a truly important institution.

Resource Management
Fr. Dagohoy presented the University’s completed infrastructure projects—the Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Building and the Practice Gymnasium, and presented the Central Laboratory Building, which is aimed to be operational by next academic year.

Fr. Dagohoy also bared plans for existing Dominican educational institutions in Quezon City, Legazpi, and Iloilo to be placed under the UST system, in addition to the planned campuses in Sta. Rosa, Laguna and General Santos City.

Virtual tours of the planned campuses were presented to the audience, who expressed delight at the plans.

Not Insurmountable

The Rector acknowledged that the recent and the coming years have been filled with challenges that bring about transitions and shifts in the educational landscape.

Publishing House exhibits work in Frankfurt Book Fair

Titles published by the UST Publishing House are on display in the Frankfurt Book Fair, the biggest and the most prestigious book fair in the world. It draws publishers, literary agents, printers, exhibitors, and authors from all over the world. The fair runs from October 14-18, 2015.

This is the UST’s and the Philippines’ first time to participate as a country, and UST is the only academic press participating. The Director of the UST Publishing House, Assoc. Prof. John Jack Wigley, PhD, is on hand to represent the University.

The Book Development Association of the Philippines and the National Book Development Board are supporting the Philippine delegation.

UST hosts three-day Dominican Family Retreat in preparation for Order of Preachers’ 8th centenary

In what can be considered as a shining legacy of St. Dominic de Guzman, the Dominicans—friars, nuns, laity, seminarians, and collaborators—of Asia-Pacific gathered at the University of Santo Tomas’ Quadricentennial Pavilion for the three-day Dominican Family Retreat, held from October 12-14, 2015 (Monday-Wednesday).

The Joy of Preaching
The retreat, which exhorted the participants to continue preaching the Gospel and bring the light to the world, had Fr. Timothy Radcliffe, O.P., former Master General of the Order of Preachers, as its main conference speaker. Fr. Radcliffe called on the Dominicans to, among others, exhibit true joy in their preaching, relying on the Lord for this source of great joy.

The Value of Humility
The most Reverend Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas, D.D., one of the newest members of the Dominican Clerical Fraternity, celebrated the Opening Mass and reminded that only by “kneeling,” by being humble, can preachers be effective in their ministry.

Witnessing
In between the conferences and Eucharistic celebrations, opportunities to share in small groups were provided for participants, who reflected on the points given by the hosts, Frs. Carlo del Rosario and Jek Arada. On the third day of the retreat, a panel discussion involving Fr. Timothy Radcliffe and other Dominican representatives was moderated by Fr. Edmund Nantes, O.P. and Dr. Cristina C. Cabral.

Bearers of Light
The closing Mass, celebrated by Fr. Vivian Boland, O.P., the Vicar of Master General Fr. Bruno Cadore, O.P., was a chance for the Dominicans to renew their commitment to spreading the light and preaching the Gospel. A bound copy of the Gospel of Matthew was distributed and blessed, for this was the Gospel where the call to preaching was most explicit.

A candle lighting ceremony punctuated the Mass, beginning with the candlelight brought by Dominican brothers from the altar. These served to light the candles carried by each participant, ending in a sea of candlelight puncturing the dimness of the arena.

Tell The World
The retreat ended with the community’s rendition of “Tell The World of His Love,” an apropos song about the value of preaching about the Lord.

UST posts 95.29% passing rate in CPA boards, ranks 2nd top performing school; two grads in Top 10

In the October 2015 licensure exams for Certified Public Accountants, University of Santo Tomas graduates posted a 95.29% passing rate, or 364 passers. With this rating, UST was ranked as the second top performing school.

Entering the Top 10 were May Ann R. Reyes (91.29% – Top 7) and Ma. Rosa Mia. R. Reyes (91.14% – Top 8).

Grad. school inks MOA with University of San Carlos – Cebu for MA programs

The University of Santo Tomas Graduate School (USTGS) recently established its fourth partnership with a local university – the University of San Carlos – Cebu for MA Marketing Communication and Master of Fine Arts programs, as it intensifies its plans for consortia.

The partnership with USC is a welcome addition to the list of partnerships that the USTGS has established since last year with the University of San Agustin – Iloilo for its Master of Laws and MS Pharmacy programs, the Ateneo de Davao University for its MA Architecture program and Aquinas University – Legazpi for its Master of Arts major in Library and Information Science and Master of Laws programs.

The partnerships offer several advantages for USTGS as the linkages have made Thomasian graduate education more readily available to those who do not have all the resources to avail of its quality education at the University’s main campus. Without having to be physically present in the University on a regular basis, graduate students may acquire the substance of Thomasian training and be branded as Thomasians after attending the special programs. The core values of Thomasian identity (competence, compassion and commitment) get ingrained in the students by the same faculty who implant in them Thomasian ethical values. Moreover, the UST Graduate School is also able to accommodate more students without having to worry about the constraints of physical space at the university campus in Manila.

First Grounded Theory seminar-workshop held at USTGS

The Graduate School, through the initiative of the Office for Graduate Research and in partnership with the Philippine Association for the Sociology of Religion (PASR), held the very first Grounded Theory seminar-workshop at UST. The three-day event held at the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex from October 6-8, 2015, was facilitated by Dr. Foster Fei, a graduate of PhD in Management (Organizational Behavior), University of Bath and a fellow of the Grounded Theory Institute, California, USA. It aimed to orient and train the participants on the tenets of Grounded Theory as a research method or approach and a way of thinking about and conceptualizing data and to introduce them to a new perspective of looking at research.

Participants, 43 in all,  were not only students and administrative officials of the Graduate School and officers of PASR but also student and faculty researchers from various local institutions, such as the De La Salle University-Dasmariñas, PAREF Southridge School, Centro Escolar University, Isabela State University, Far Eastern University, La Consolacion College-Mendiola, University of the Philippines, University of Antique, Isabela State University, Arellano University, Guimaras State College, Catanduanes State University, University of San Carlos-Cebu, Quirino State University, Mapua Institute, and Colegio de San Juan de Letran.

The seminar-workshop was the Graduate School’s way of bringing Grounded Theory closer to a wider circle of researchers. Dr. Fei substantially tackled what Grounded Theory is, the data analyses involved in Grounded Theory, open and selective coding, procedures in Grounded Theory research, sampling and theoretical coding and the differences between qualitative research and Grounded Theory.

On the third day of the seminar-workshop, no less than the founder of Grounded Theory, Dr. Barney Glaser addressed the participants’ queries via video conferencing.

The said seminar-workshop is deemed as the starting point for the realization of the dream of  establishing a Grounded Theory Institute in the Philippines.

CRS, PASP co-host seminar in voice therapy

In partnership with the Philippine Association of Speech Pathologists (PASP), the University of Santo Tomas – College of Rehabilitation Sciences hosted The Science and Practice of LSVT LOUDÒ and LSVT BIGÒ last October 7, 2015 at the CME Auditorium, St. Martin de Porres (Medicine Building), University of Santo Tomas.

The seminar drew a large number of participants – speech language pathologists, physical therapists and occupational therapists, officers, and trustees of the PASP.  More so,  it brought together the faculty, students and alumni of the four schools offering the Speech Pathology or Speech Language Pathology program in the country — University of the Philippines Manila-College of Allied Medical Professions (UP-CAMP), University of Santo Tomas – College of Rehabilitation Sciences (UST-CRS), Cebu Doctors University – College of Rehabilitative Sciences (CDU-CRS), and De La Salle University – Health Sciences Institute (DLSU-HSI). A lecture for patients with Parkinson’s disease and their family members and caregivers followed the presentation for the professionals and students

To enable the full participation of CDU-CRS and the spillover from the CME auditorium, the entire seminar was simultaneously live-streamed to CDU campus and Rm 409 of St. Martin de Porres Building with the assistance of the Educational Technology Center of UST.  Attendees from these three venues actively participated in the open forum.  

Dr. Lorraine Ramig and Dr. Cynthia Fox are co-founders of LSVT Global. Backed up by nearly 20 years of research studies, they presented the Lee Silverman Voice Therapy LSVT LOUDÒ and LSVT BIGÒ. The former is an effective speech treatment for individuals with Parkinson Disease and other neurological conditions. LSVT LOUDÒ  uses a hierarchy  of exercises that stimulate the muscles of the speech musculature. Meanwhile, LSVT BIGÒ addresses unique movement impairments for individuals with Parkinson Disease by providing exercises and training designed to improve limb and body movements. Owing to the success of this endeavor, Dr. Ramig and Dr. Fox are looking forward to coming back to the Philippines for the certification courses of LSVT LOUDÒ and LSVT BIGÒ.

Suarez and Dones of CRS present research outputs in the USA

Professor Consuelo G. Suarez, MD, PhD, FPARM, RMSK, Research Supervisor of the Center for Health Research and Movement Science (CHRMS) and Assistant Professor Valentin C. Dones III, PhD, MSPT, PTRP, Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy, both under the College of Rehabilitation Sciences, were engaged in educational pursuits in their trip to the United States of America (USA) from September 17-30, 2015.  Both researchers of the CHRMS presented their research outputs in various fora in three key cities in USA namely Virginia, New York and California.

On September 21, 2015, Dr. Suarez and Dr. Dones presented seven of their research publications in a post-conference workshop entitled ‘Fascia: The Missing Link in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Lateral Epicondylalgia’ at the Fourth Fascia Congress in Reston, Virginia, USA.  The Fourth Fascia Congress was a highly regarded meeting of researchers, clinicians and educators whose primary interest is in the human fascia.  During the conference, the latest and best scientific researches on human and animal fasciae were presented.  On September 25, 2015, Dr. Dones presented his Biomechanical Taping Technique, a novel technique used in the treatment of musculoskeletal pains, to the rehabilitation team of Wyckoff Heights Medical Centre Hospital in Bushwick, Brooklyn in New York City, USA. 

On September 28, 2015, both faculty members visited the California Baptist University (CBU), an institution which recently inked a Memorandum of Agreement with the University of Santo Tomas in March 2015. Dr. Suarez, who was instrumental in facilitating the linkage between UST and CBU, initiated the drafting of an Agreement on Implementation of a research project on obesity with Dr. Margaret Barth, the Program Director of Nutrition and Food Sciences at the College of Health Sciences, CBU.  After which, Dr. Suarez and Dr. Dones presented their research outputs on Snacking in Filipino Children and Effectiveness of Biomechanical Taping in Musculoskeletal Disorders, respectively, to the faculty and students of the College of Health Sciences.

Sonza, Anatacio of HRM emerge as champions in culinary contest

Last October 2, 2015, John Sonza and Jan Reitchelle Anatacio, fourth-year BS Hotel and Restaurant Management students, emerged as Champions in the Ham, Sauces, and Garnishing category of the culinary contest entitled “QC Na! Kulinarya, Turismo, Talento, Atbp.” This was organized by Stram, Inc., and was held at TriNoMa Mall in Quezon City.

Agnes of Psychology appointed Member of the PRC’s Continuing Professional Development Council for psychologists

Prof. Ma. Claudette A. Agnes, PhD, Chair of the Department of Psychology under the College of Science, was appointed as Member of the Continuing Professional Development Council for Psychologists, of the Professional Regulation Commission.

Villareal, Tropicales, Suyat move past elimination round of ANC Square Off: The Firm Debates

The UST Law Debate and Moot Team, composed of Mark Arvill Villareal, Marie Sybil Tropicales, and Dexter John Suyat, won the elimination round of the recently concluded ANC Square Off: The Firm Debates. The debate happened last September 18, 2015.

With the victory, they will move on to the next round, slated to happen this October.

Siguenza of HRM wins bronze medal in 2015 Philippine Culinary Cup

Monique T. Siguenza, a BS Hotel and Restaurant Management student, won a Bronze medal in the 2015 Philippine Culinary Cup held at SMX Convention Center. Her entry won a medal in the Wedding Cakes competition. A total of twenty-seven entries were evaluated in the said contest.

Commerce holds business and cultural tour in Bataan

The College of Commerce and Business Administration celebrated its 82nd founding anniversary from September 21-26, 2015, with the theme “Commerce at 82: Intensifying Thomasian Values in Business”. Being a premier business school, one of the highlights of this year’s celebration was the business opportunities and cultural tour in Bataan last September 25, 2015. This was participated in by the administrative and academic officials, and the faculty members of the College. This was organized by the committee headed by Asst. Prof. James R. Platon.

The morning activity was a tour of Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar in Bagac, Bataan, a heritage resort which exhibits historical houses from various parts of the country, which have been reconstructed and restored. The walking tour showed how the Filipino cultural legacy can promote tourism and business.

After lunch, there was a visit to the Mt. Samat National Shrine in Pilar, Bataan. The shrine was built during the presidency of his excellency Ferdinand E. Marcos to honor the heroism and bravery of the Filipinos who fought during World War II. Inside the museum, located at the Colonnade of the shrine, a picture of the Main Building of the University of Santo Tomas, which was used as a camp during the war, is displayed. The guide in the museum acknowledged the important role the University played in our country’s history. Later on, some members of the group decided to continue the trek to the top of the mountain, where the cross is located.

Before leaving for Manila, the group visited the Tourism Office of Bataan, where the local food and non-food products of the province were showcased.

CFAD, Publishing House, RCCESI launch book, host exhibit in honor of pioneering Fine Arts faculty member

The College of Fine Arts and Design, represented by Assoc. Prof. Mary Ann Venturina-Bulanadi, the Publishing House, and the Research Center for Culture, Education, and Social Issues, launched on October 6, 2015, the book “Anatomy for Art Students,” in honor of the late Bonifacio Cristobal.

According to Bulanadi, the project, which features Cristobal’s own sketches and paintings, works of his own students who became professors in Fine Arts, and the present-day students, is part of her years-long research project to pay tribute to the seventeen (17) pioneering professors of Fine Arts in UST.

Cristobal was the Anatomy for art students expert during his time. He wrote a module that used for decades, and this was repackaged by Bulanadi, and published by UST. The repackaged book was launched in the Beato Angelico Gallery.
#ThomasianPublications

UST inks MOU with Universidad de Santa Isabel, Naga City

The University of Santo Tomas (UST), being the first and currently the only recognized Center of Development in Physical Therapy under the Commission on Higher Education, signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Universidad de Sta. Isabel (USI) of Naga City in Bicol, the only HEI currently offering physical therapy program in Naga, to formally launch collaborative academic, research and community development programs.  The ceremonies were held last September 28, 2015 at the Rector’s Hall of the University of Santo Tomas. 

Representing USI in the event were Sr. Lourdes L. Albis, DC, Dean Salve T. Zuñiga, MAN of the College of Health Education, and Mr. Christopher Bien, PTRP, Chairperson of the PT Department. They were welcomed by officials of the University and the College of Rehabilitation Sciences (CRS), including Prof. Maribel G. Nonato, PhD (Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation), Asst. Prof. Mark Anthony D. Abenir, DSD (Director of the Simbahayan Community Development Office), Assoc. Prof. Cheryl R. Peralta, DrPH (Dean of CRS), and Rev. Fr. Joaquin F. Valdes, O.P. (Regent of CRS).  The event was hosted by Asst. Prof. Ma. Georgina D. Mojica, MHPEd, Department Chair for Speech-Language Pathology, and was witnessed by some of the lead faculty to be involved in the projects with USI: Jordan Barbra Nava (CRS Coordinator for Community Development), Joyce Anne Ponciano, MAEd (Researcher, Center for Health Research and Movement Science) and Charles Bermejo (President, UST-CRS Alumni Association). 

This partnership aims to facilitate community-based rehabilitation programs in Naga, anchored on research. This five-year project was initially launched through a tripartite agreement between the Parent Advocates for Visually Impaired Children and the Naga City government. Involving USI in the project aims to facilitate capacity-building and sustainability in the local scene.

UST produces 32 new chemists, grad ranks 8th

In the recently concluded Chemistry board exams, the UST College of Science produced 32 new licensed chemists.

Also, Justine T. Vigo ranked 8th overall, with a grade of 88%.

Benjamin of Chem. Eng’g. presents paper in National Climate Conference

Asst. Prof. Michael Francis D. Benjamin, PhD, of the Department of Chemical Engineering presented his paper entitled “Climate change-induced risk analysis in bioenergy parks using physical input-output modeling” during the 4th National Climate Conference last September 23, 2015. This event is annually organized by the National Academy of Science and Technology, Philippines (NAST) and was held at Hotel Jen Manila in Pasay City. NAST is the country’s premier recognition and advisory body with regards to Science and Technology.

Dr. Benjamin is a researcher at the Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences under the Mathematics and Theoretical Physics group. He is also the Coordinator of Engineering International Relations and Programs. His main research interest is in the development of process systems engineering (PSE) methods for systematic risk analysis of integrated energy systems (i.e., biofuel and bioenergy networks).

Currently, he has 4 international publications (ISI-indexed/Scopus-listed/Google scholar-cited) and his paper entitled “Probabilistic multi-disruption risk analysis in bioenergy parks via physical input-output modeling and analytic hierarchy process” is part of the first volume of the journal of Sustainable Production and Consumption published by Elsevier.