THE VARSITARIAN P.Y. 2021-2022 ISSUE 10

FRESHMEN ENROLLMENT UP BY 3%

By Jacqueline B. Martinez

A TOTAL of 11,683 freshmen have enrolled in UST for the first term of Academic Year 2022-2023, data from the Office of the Registrar showed.

The total comprised 8,523 college and graduate school freshmen, 2,479 Grade 11 students, 315 Grade 7 stu dents from the Junior High School, 90 Grade 7 students from the Education High School, and six review students.

The total number of students saw a 3.05-percent increase from last year’s 11,335.

The Faculty of Engineering remained the faculty with the most freshmen this year, with 1,189 enrollees.

The Faculty of Pharmacy and the Faculty of Arts and Letters followed with 942 and 724 freshmen, respec tively.

The University resumed in-per son welcome traditions this year after holding them virtually for two consecutive years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The college and graduate school freshmen participated in the face-toface Welcome Mass, ROARientation and Welcome Walk on Tuesday, while incoming Grade 7 and 11 students had their hybrid “ALAB 2022” on Wednes day.

Separate “homecoming” rites will be held for Batches 2024 and 2025 on Aug. 23.

JHS, EHS students back on campus

UST’S TWO junior high schools are now reopened to students as the UST Education High School (EHS) began its face-to-face (F2F) classes on Aug. 30, days af ter the UST Junior High School (JHS) started in-person classes.

The JHS welcomed Grade 10 students back on campus on Aug, 25, starting its transition to full face-to-face (F2F) classes by October.

Each section for Grade 10, which typically has 42 students, was divided into two cohorts (A and B) to ensure public health standards would be adhered to during classes. Only 21 to 22 students will be accommodated per session.

A total of 214 Grade 10 students belonging to cohort A students returned to campus on Thursday, while 212 cohort B students are set to begin in-per

son classes on Friday.

Grade 9 students are scheduled to join the in-person classes starting Sept. 6, while Grade 7 and Grade 8 students are set to return to campus on Sept. 13 and 15, respectively.

The JHS will implement full face-to-face classes starting Oct. 24.

The Department of Edu cation (DepEd) is requiring schools to have five days of

in-person classes a week start ing Nov. 2.

For the first quarter, JHS students are required to wear their summer or Type B uni forms. Type A uniforms will be worn from the second to the fourth quarter.

The EHS is eyeing to transition to full F2F classes by November 2022.

Fr.

Msgr.

Talavera’s reinstallation coincided with the Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord.

Talavera was first installed as the 15th parish priest of the Santisimo Rosario Parish on June 5, 2019.

► CLAWS UP. Members of the UST Yellow Jackets make tiger poses as they teach UST chants to freshmen during the Homecoming rites for sophomores and juniors on Aug. 23.

PHOTO BY JOSELLE

MARIE B. REYES/ THE VARSITARIAN

► First-year medicine students pose for a photo during their face-to-face Welcome Walk on Tuesday, Aug. 9.

PHOTO

BY JOSELLE MARIE B. REYES/ THE VARSITARIAN

Paul Reagan Talavera, O.P. was reinstalled as parish priest of the UST Santisimo Rosario Parish on Saturday, Aug. 6.

Jose Clemente Ignacio, vicar general and moderator curiae of the Archdiocese of Manila, presided over the sol emn installation rites.

Talavera reinstalled as parish priest of Santisimo Rosario

black and white.

In his homily, Ang said these traits were necessary to make a student agile and flexible amid all the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pan demic.

“Be like a tiger that has strength, ferocity and power. It is fast and agile, making it invin cible […] These traits will provide you with your coping mecha nism. They may be considered explicitly as the new core values of UST,” the Rector said.

The University has been associated with the tiger mascot since 1992 when its varsity team moniker transitioned from “Glowing Goldies” to the “Growl ing Tigers.” The official mascot of UST is the Bengal tiger, which bears the University colors gold,

He replaced Fr. Louie Coro nel, O.P., who served the parish for three years and was appoint ed as regent of the College of Science in February 2019.

Talavera obtained his bachelor’s degree in theological studies at UST in 2007 and his master’s degree at De La Salle University in 2011.

In 2010, he became assis tant treasurer of Santo Domingo Parish in Quezon City.

He was ordained priest on Aug. 6, 2011.

Talavera is formerly the re gional treasurer of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines.

He was principal and prefect of discipline of the Angelicum School in Iloilo City and secretary of the Association of Religious Men in the Archdio cese of Jaro.

The Santisimo Rosario Church, which serves as the University chapel, was declared a parish on March 21, 1942 by decree of Manila Archbishop Michael O’Doherty. M.A.O.

CASTILLO

Vice Rector to freshmen: ‘Pinili kayo’

Rector tells freshmen:

Have strength like a tiger

Ang also advised freshmen to strive to be dedicated during their stay at the University.

“Do not underestimate the power you have to take your life in a new direction. This is your turning point. Expect changes and more responsibilities in college, as well as a heightened sense of autonomy. And right at the very beginning, it pays to have positive thoughts and positive expectations,” he said.

The Rector said this year’s welcome rites, the first to be held face-to-face since 2019, invigorated the 411-year-old University that had most of its facilities closed from students over the past two years.

“Congratulations to all of

Be like a tiger that has strength, ferocity and power. It is fast and agile, making it invincible […] These traits will provide you with your coping mechanism. They may be considered explicitly as the new core values of UST.

Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. UST RECTOR

you for making it to the list of freshmen students in your respective course programs.

I strongly believe that as young blood, you envigorate this 400-year-old institution, making it forever young,” he told freshmen.

Ang also encouraged students to develop resilience through faith-building.

“Thomasians like you, like me, have an indomitable spirit because we believe that God’s grace will overcome the gloom of our darkest night,” he said.

The Welcome Mass was fol lowed by the traditional ROARi entation and Welcome Walk, in which first-year students passed through the Arch of the Centu ries, symbolizing their entrance to the University.

“Homecoming” rites for Batches 2024 and 2025 were held on Aug. 23. JOANNE CHRISTINE P. RAMOS

UST VICE Rector Fr. Isaias Tiongco, O.P. called this year’s first-year students “chosen ones” of the University during the afternoon Welcome Mass for freshmen at the Quadri centennial Pavilion on Tuesday.

In his homily, Tiongco said the admis sion of the about 10,000 freshmen who made the cut out of the 48,000 applicants for Academic Year 2022-2023 was part of God’s “divine design.”

“Pinili ka. Pinili kayo. I think God has a beautiful plan for you that you will receive, and you will realize that beautiful plan by studying at the University of Santo Tomas,” Tiongco said.

“You were among the privileged 10,000plus freshmen enrollees who dream of having a quality education in a prestigious institution of higher learning, with its cen turies-tested tradition of excellence. Is this by coincidence? Perhaps. But if you ask me, I would say, it is by divine design that you are here,” he added.

Tiongco also encouraged students to show their true selves and forge “authentic” relationships with the people they will encounter at the University.

“When you have the courage to show up your true self, you will naturally attract peo ple who will resonate with your uniqueness. The best relationships are those based on authenticity,” he said.

He also advised them to pray, continue walking the path God chose for them and remember the significant roles in other people’s lives through the love they give and receive.

“God is listening to all your prayers. The wishes of your heart are always heard by Him. When you allow His joyous spirit to guide your path, He rejoices at your faith and trust in the divine journey. He wants you to remember how special you are to the people in your life and the impact of the love you share,” Tiongco said.

Tiongco presided over the afternoon Welcome Mass on Aug. 9, while UST Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. led the Welcome Mass for the morning batch.

Like in the morning session, the Welcome Mass was followed by the traditional ROARientation and Welcome Walk, in which the first-year students of the afternoon batch entered the Arch of the Centuries.

ADRIAN L. PARUNGAO

EHS

Each section was divided into two cohorts to accommodate only 22 to 23 students per class, Assoc. Prof. Marielyn Quintana, the EHS princi pal, told the Varsitarian.

Only 175 students, half of the EHS student population, will be accommodated per cohort to avoid overcrowding.

There are two schedules in each cohort: a half-day schedule from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and a full-day schedule from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

JHS, EHS health protocols

Students were required to submit digital copies of their Covid-19 vaccination cards or negative antigen tests valid for seven days, as well as proofs of flu and tetanus toxoid vaccinations within the first quarter of Academic Year (AY) 2022-2023 through Google Forms disseminated by their respective class advisers.

They must also submit con sent forms signed by their parents, allowing them to participate in the F2F classes.

They were also required to pres ent identification cards or printed registration forms and copies of their daily health declaration checklist from the Thomasian Online Medical Services and Support (ThOMedSS) upon entry to the building, and wear

medical, KN95 or KF94 masks at all times.

The JHS will sanction students with ill-fitted or improperly worn masks starting the third week of classes, the JHS principal, Assoc. Prof. Marishirl Tropicales said.

“There will be some kind of de duction in their conduct grade, part of their law abiding (criteria). It was discussed to them by their adviser,” Tropicales told the Varsitarian.

Students must dispose of their used face masks outside the Univer sity.

“We still don’t have the necessary policies on how to dispose of the used face masks, so might as well ask them to bring them home.,” Tropi cales said.

Quintana said the EHS would not sanction students wearing ill-fitting masks or incomplete health kits, but students would be reminded and monitored.

Students are required to bring health kits that contain extra face masks, alcohol or hand sanitizers, tissue, wet wipes and mosquito repel lent lotion.

Health kits will be checked and monitored by their respective class advisers, and the JHS will later sanction students with incomplete health kits.

“Similarly with other require ments we have to monitor first. We will try to call the attention of the students next time for an important reminder or even a reiteration,” JHS Secretary Anthony Castro told the Varsitarian.

Only four persons will be allowed inside a restroom at a time. While waiting for their turn to use the restroom, other students must form socially distanced queues and follow mobility signs in hallways.

Janitors will monitor the use of restrooms, while teachers and roving guards will monitor if students are following the mobility signs in the building, Castro said.

Students are advised to bring their own food as the JHS cafeteria will be closed until September, Trop icales said. They are restricted from sharing food, beverages, and utensils with each other.

Students who will experience symptoms of Covid-19, contract the virus and are close contacts of Covid-19-positive people will be pro hibited from attending F2F classes and must secure a clearance from the Health Service before returning to school.

“There’s a protocol if ever you are already positive with Covid-19 virus. There’s a 10-day quarantine

period, and you have to update your ThOMedSS. Once positive already from Covid-19, then you will be monitored by the medical doctors assigned by the health service, and then you must get a clearance on the tenth day before you go back on site,” Castro added.

Students who develop symptoms during classes will be sent to a transi tion room and dismissed from class.

Classmates of Covid-19-positive students will immediately be consid ered close contacts. Those who are fully vaccinated will have to observe and monitor for symptoms, while those unvaccinated must undergo home quarantine.

The UST JHS is planning to con duct major examinations (periodical exams) onsite, Tropicales said.

“We’ll see if we can have it in cohorts also. We have cohort A and cohort B, so probably we can have cohort A in the morning and cohort B in the afternoon,” Tropicales said.

The UST EHS will conduct its first quarter examinations onsite from Oct. 5 to 8, Quintana said.

“There will be a schedule, and, at the same time, we still have cohort systems during the exams because we only have eight sections, so they will only come during their exams,” the principal said.

UST RECTOR Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. urged first-year students to have strength, ferocity and power like a tiger, the University mascot, during the Welcome Mass for freshmen at the Quadricentennial Pavilion on Aug. 9.

► UST Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.Pdelivers the homily during the Welcome Mass for freshmen on Aug. 9. —PHOTO BY JOSELLE MARIE B. REYES

VICE RECTOR TELLS SOPHOMORES, JUNIORS:

‘Treasure God, family, UST’

By Adrian L. Parungao

UST VICE Rector for Finance Fr. Roberto Luanzon, Jr., O.P. called on Thomasians to cherish God and their families and enjoy their stay at the University during the Eucharistic celebration that kickstarted the in-person “homecoming” events for sophomores and juniors on Aug. 23.

In his homily, Luanzon said students should not be afraid to seek God and be dependent on their family for support as they brave through life’s challenges.

“Alam naman natin sa buhay natin madaming ups and downs, maraming challenges, especial ly nung time na nag-umpisa kayo ng college. Lahat online. Lahat nag-aadjust. Hindi lang kayo pati ang mga professors nag-adjust din,” Luanzon said.

“We were able to perse vere; we were able to overcome everything because of our own capacities, but more so of other people who are always there for us: our family, our own friends and relatives, and, of course, our God,” he added.

Luanzon said Thoma sians should be grateful for these “treasures” as they reach their aspirations.

“Kung anong ma-achieve nating treasure sa buhay natin, hindi lang dahil sa ating sarili. We all achieved that one because there are also other people who help us to achieve the treasures and achievements we have in our life… Kailangan natin ang ibang tao at kail angan natin ang Diyos para ma-achieve natin yung mga treasures and achievement natin sa buhay natin,” he said.

The vice rector also urged students to cherish their stay in UST and discover more “trea sures” in the forms of people,

Make prayer, going to church a habit, Thomasians told

UST VICE Rector for Religious Affairs Fr. Pablo Tiong, O.P. en couraged Thomasians to make prayer a habit during their stay at the University and regularly attend Masses at the Santisimo Rosario Parish Church.

In his homily during the second Mass celebrating the “homecoming” of sophomores and juniors at the Quadricen tennial Pavilion, Tiong said students could find treasure greater than material posses sions by praying and going to church.

“There in the chapel, we will learn a lot about the treasure of the Kingdom of God. Com ing here in the University, in between Masses, the blessed sacrament is there,” Tiong said.

The vice rector also said the statue of UST founder Fr. Miguel de Benavides, O.P. could be in

terpreted as the prelate pointing to and inviting students to go to the Santisimo Rosario Parish Church.

“Madaming kwento kung anong ibig sabihin ni Bishop Benavides kaya nakaganito ‘yung kaniyang kamay. Sabi nila,

‘pag mababa daw ang grades, pumunta ka na sa ibang univer sity,” he said.

“[A]llow me, dear students, to see another meaning in the gesture of our founder. Ikutin lang natin nang kaunti ‘yung kanyang daliri, and our dear Fr.

Benavides will be pointing to none other than the UST Chap el,” he added.

Tiong urged Thomasians to find time to enter the UST Chapel and say a prayer inside even without Mass going on.

“We invite you, our dear students, kahit walang Misa, Fr. Benavides is pointing his hand for all of us. That way is the chapel, and he leads us to the treasure that if we are going to find the Kingdom of God [and] if it is going to be in our hearts, we start with a prayer,” he said.

He also reminded the soph omores and juniors to not give in to fake happiness brought by temporary pleasures.

“We hope that in your stay at the University, you will always be in search of

‘Use experience in UST for growth,’ vice rector for research says

UST VICE Rector for Research and Innovation Fr. Jannel Abogado, O.P. advised Thoma sians to nurture the gifts and talents they possess by actively involving themselves in their education and extracurricular activities.

In his homily during the third and final Mass for the “homecoming” rites for sophomores and juniors at the Quadricentennial Pavilion, Abo gado said students could lose “treasures” by neglecting their academic opportunities.

“If you do not cultivate your gifts and talents to the oppor tunities that you have, then it is likely that you will not be able to give birth to a [better version of yourself],” Abogado said.

“Labor here means the need for you to be actively involved in your education. It requires

studying hard for your academ ics, participating in extracur ricular activities to cultivate your social and emotional life, and also taking part in reli gious activities to improve your religious experience and deepen your relationship with God,” he added.

Abogado said UST would do its best to assist students in their efforts to nurture their talents and gifts and develop the core values of competence, compassion and commitment (3Cs) by letting them “grow with experience.”

“You do not just go through the experience, or you do not go with the experience, but you need to grow with the experi ence,” Abogado said.

“You need to be like a sponge; learn to absorb as much learning as possible to grow

‘‘

events and even structures.

But of all of life’s treasures, God is the “greatest treasure” that should be given impor tance the most, Luanzon said.

“You also give importance to God dahil alam natin ‘yon talaga ang greatest treasure, our relationship with God, how we give importance to God in their lives,” he said.

Luanzon delivered his hom ily to sophomores and juniors of the College of Architecture, the College of Fine Arts and Design, the Faculty of Engineering, the College of Rehabilitation Sciences, the Faculty of Phar macy, and the Conservatory of Music, who comprised the first batch of Thomasians in the Homecoming Rites.

The traditional in-person ROARientation and Welcome Walk followed the mass, which the second and third-year students previously missed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Special Report

to your full potential while you are here in the University. You are like pearls, pearls of great price, similar to what the Gospel reading tells us, and the University will assist you to form yourself with your God-given talents and charac ter to elevate your value,” he added.

The last batch of the Home coming Walk was suspended right after the “ROArientation” that followed the Mass due to Severe Tropical Storm “Florita.”

Sophomores and juniors from the College of Accoun tancy, Ecclesiastical Faculties, College of Commerce and Busi ness Administration, Graduate School and Graduate School of Law, and the Faculty of Medi cine and Surgery were not able to walk through the Arch of the Centuries as a result.

By Eduelle Jan T. Macababbad and John Aaron C. Pangilinan

THE UNIVERSITY has amped up security around the campus amid increasing reports of criminal activity around the university belt (U-Belt), according to UST Secretary General Fr. Louie Coronel, O.P.

Coronel told the Varsitarian that UST had deployed perimeter-roving guards and installed spotlights on Lacson street to help deter crime.

Coronel also said that the University se curity officers were coordinating with nearby barangays and the Manila city government for assistance.

“Security measures in the University have always been put in place and well-coordinated internally with the security force of the UST Hospital and Santísimo Rosario Parish as well as externally with the barangay officials, Office of the Mayor and Manila Police District,” Cor onel said.

Coronel said Thomasians and visitors should comply with security measures when visiting the campus, such as the presentation of IDs and bags for inspection and health dec laration via the ThOMedSS and StaySafe.PH applications.

“We continue to be vigilant and proactive in addressing issues that are detrimental to our safety and security, not just when we have events, but throughout the academic year,” Cor onel said.

Social media was recently abuzz with re ports of alleged criminal activity around uni versity campuses in Manila.

In a Facebook post, Julius Oliveras of the UST Faculty of Engineering said he witnessed suspicious activity on Lacson Avenue near UST Gate 14 last Aug. 19.

He said that he saw a man give a piece of paper to a girl walking near the campus and then take out something that allegedly looked

► Vice Rector for Finance Fr. Roberto Luanzon, Jr., O.P. delivers his homily during the first Homecoming Mass for sophomores and juniors at the Quadricentennial Pavilion on Tuesday, Aug. 23.

PHOTO BY FRANCIA DENISE M. ARIZABAL/ THE VARSITARIAN

We were able to persevere; we were able to overcome everything because of our own capacities, but more so of other people who are always there for us: our family, our own friends and relatives, and, of course, our God,

Fr. Roberto Luanzon, Jr., O.P. UST VICE RECTOR FOR FINANCE

Heightened security measures, increased police presence around UST following rise in crime reports

► UST Vice Rector for Research and Innovation Fr. Jannel Abogado, O.P. delivers his homily during the third and final Mass for the ‘homecoming’ rites for sophomores and juniors at the Quadricentennial Pavilion on Aug. 23. SCREENSHOT FROM THE UST LIVESTREAM

► Fr. Pablo Tiong, O.P. SCREENSHOT FROM UST’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL

New UST tiger statue, block letters unveiled

By Eduelle Jan T. Macababbad

The unboxing of the new struc tures was accompanied by the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe’s dance routine of Katy Perry’s “Roar.”

In his message, Facilities Management Office (FMO) Direc tor Fr. Dexter Austria, O.P. said the unveiling of the structures was representative of UST’s overcom ing of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The Father Rector (Fr. Richard

Ang, O.P.) thought of something to best symbolize our rising over the pandemic, in bringing back our hope to the present and in strength ening our unity as one Thoma sian community,” Austria said.

The new tiger statue is that of an 8-foot Bengal tiger designed by Anthony Zamora, a former faculty member of the College of Fine Arts and Design, while

the new block letters were mod ified to the Trajan Pro font.

Austria earlier told the Varsi tarian that the new Plaza Mayor mainstays “inaugurate a new era after the Covid-19 pandemic.”

The same features will be put up in UST General Santos (GenSan) and UST Santa Rosa.

“[The redesigned structures also aim] to signal UST’s aggressive expansion to Sta. Rosa and General Santos. You will see that symbol ic dynamism in the block letters and tiger statue,” Austria said.

The tiger, which has been UST’s official mascot since

1992, symbolizes Thomasians’ adaptability, Austria said.

“Tigers and Thomasians are very adaptable. Both are able to blend and excel in a given environment,” he said.

UST Secretary General Fr. Louie Coronel, O.P. said in his opening message that the block letters represented UST’s “tradition of ex cellence” that had served as a bridge for generations of Thomasians.

“These letters represent the University’s tradition of excel lence for having nurtured saints, martyrs, heroes, leaders in various fields, connecting the past 411

years of existence to the current and future generations of Thoma sians despite the many challeng es of the pandemic,” he said.

Bal David, the newly minted coach of the UST Growling Tigers, briefly appeared in the unboxing ceremony, pledging his best to lift the basketball team’s standing in the upcoming UAAP season and asking for Thomasians’ support.

“Ang mapa-promise namin, together with my coaching staff, we will put time and ex treme effort para makatulong sa Tigers. And we need all the support, okay?” he said.

Despite bad weather, Thomasians happy with Homecoming Walk

By Justin Benedict T. Lim and Joanne Christine P. Ramos

One’s Thomasian journey is never complete without passing through the Arch of the Centu ries and experiencing the floods of España—or so they say.

Thomasians who participated in this year’s “homecoming” rites went through both “welcome to UST” experiences as Severe Tropical Storm “Florita” dampened the Homecoming Walk on Aug. 23.

The “homecoming” activ ities for sophomores and ju niors included three batches of Homecoming Walks, the first two of which were held amid heavy rains. The third and final batch was ultimately canceled.

Despite inclement weath er, Thomasians remained ec static as they finally got the chance to experience their first in-person UST event after two years of the pandemic.

Kirov Concepcion, a sec ond-year engineering student, said he felt the warmth of the Homecoming Walk de spite the rainy weather.

“Nakakatuwa kasi kahit bumabagyo, literal [na] tuloy na tuloy pa rin ‘yung walk, and the hype was still there. Ang warm ng pag-welcome talaga, as in,” Concepcion told the Varsitarian.

Neomie Zabala, a thirdyear hospitality management student, quipped that “Florita”

brought “welcome rains.”

“It was unexpected, but I was not surprised when it happened because, as some say, ‘you’re not a true Thomasian unless you have experienced heavy rain and flood ing [on] the campus,’” Zabala said.

But for some, like architec ture junior Carla Mae Mateo and science junior Trisha Tan, the rain made the Homecom ing Walk underwhelming.

“It would’ve been more fun if hindi maulan. But I think everything happens for a reason, so we can also learn how to enjoy despite the rain,” Mateo said.

“[I]t felt underwhelming…I felt that we weren’t able to fully appreciate and enjoy our Homecoming Walk,” Tan said.

“Florita” forced the suspension of the final batch of the Home coming Walk for sophomores and juniors from the Alfredo M. Velayo-UST College of Ac countancy, College of Medicine, College of Civil Law, Graduate School, Graduate School of Law, College of Commerce, and the Ecclesiastical Faculties.

Unlike the earlier batches, the

Thomasians

THE UNIVERSITY unveiled a new version of its tiger statue and UST block letters at the Plaza Mayor on Aug. 9, which mostly impressed Thomasians on social media.

The new tiger statue and block let ters signify the University’s aggressive expansion outside Manila as it opens campuses in Santa Rosa, Laguna and General Santos, and UST’s “rising over the pandemic,” UST officials said.

The infamous “Jed’s Island” tiger was replaced with a roaring 8-foot Ben gal tiger standing on its two hind legs and supported by a stone slab that bears the University logo. It sported UST’s gold, black, and white colors.

The block letters, meanwhile, were changed to the Trajan Pro font used in official University communication.

Some social media users were in awe after seeing the remodeled tiger, the official mascot of UST since 1992.

“Luv (love) the glow up, but I will miss the old tiger,” said one Thomasian on Twitter.

“If the UST tiger can glow up, so can you! Keep trying, babe!” tweeted another.

The erstwhile tiger had gone viral for looking like the statues in Jed’s Is land Resort in Bulacan, which is known for its uniquely sculpted statues of cartoons and anime.

Asst. Prof. Joselito de los Reyes of the Faculty of Arts and Letters called the new tiger statue “fierce.”

“Hayan, hindi na mukhang pangJed’s Island Resort ang tigre sa Plaza Mayor. Fierce na. Tapos kinapos ang talon kaya humampas ang dibdib sa kilometer post,” he said in a Facebook post.

He also likened the tiger statue over the years to Thomasians’ phases of thesis writing.

Some Thomasians, however, were saddened about the new posture of the statue.

“[T]he sad part [about] the upgrade is hindi na siya pwedeng sakyan. But ang ganda, sobra,” a Thomasian said on Twitter.

The old tiger and UST block letters were relocated to the Quadricentennial Square on July 27.

JUSTIN BENEDICT

‘Jed’s no more’: UST tiger’s ‘glow-up’ impresses

A ROARING Thomasian crowd watched as the University “unboxed” its remodeled tiger statue and block letters at the Plaza Mayor to cap the face-to-face onboarding activities for freshmen on Aug. 9.

► The University unveils its new UST block letters and bengal tiger statue at the Plaza Mayor on Aug. 9.

—PHOTO BY MARVIN JOHN F. UY

► ‘NEW TIGER, WHO DIS?’: The old and new tiger statues at the Plaza Mayot.

PHOTOS BY ARIANNE MAYE D.G. VIRI AND JOSELLE MARIE B. REYES/ THE VARSITARIAN

► ‘RAINY HOMECOMING: Sophomores and juniors are welcomed back to UST for their “homecoming” activities on Aug. 23, which were met by heavy rains due to Severe Tropical Storm “Florita.”

PHOTOPHOTO BY RENZELLE SHAYNE V. PICAR/ THE VARSITARIAN

Anxious over face-to-face classes? Count on the Holy Spirit, says CBCP VP

To overcome the adverse effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on mental health, Thomasians should be instruments of spiritual renewal for each other, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Vice President Mylo Hubert Vergara said in this year’s Misa de Apertura at the Santisimo Rosario Parish Church.

Vergara, the bishop of Pasig, underscored the importance of faithful introspection in this time of turmoil in his homily during the opening Mass that marked the beginning of Academic Year 20222023.

“In this life, a renewed spiritual formation […] of our young students, parents and educators should be an urgent focus due to the negative psychological effects of the pandemic [on] our mental health,” he said.

“We hope that deeper introspec tion on the centrality of God in our life, who created us, the be all and end all of our beings, makes us realize that any finite coping mechanism to deal with psychological issues [is] mere palliatives to get out of our emotional

crisis,” Vergara added.

The Pasig bishop also urged Uni versity stakeholders to work together for a “relevant and effective” spiritual renewal.

“The challenge for the University is […] to look together as an educa tional community with one vision of hope: to listen and discern together involving all stakeholders so as to encounter Christ in each other and loving together as a sprawling beyond the University campus to the existing peripheries,” Vergara said.

“By the renewal of our faith in Jesus Christ, we have the comfort and consolation we seek to gain healing and, hopefully, attain the peace of mind and heart that God is in charge [of] whatever crisis comes our way,”

‘‘

In this life, a renewed spiritual formation […] of our young students, parents and educators should be an urgent focus due to the negative psychological effects of the pandemic [on] our mental health.

Bishop Mylo Hubert Vergara VICE PRESIDENT, CATHOLIC BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE OF THE PHILIPPINE

he added.

Vergara likened this year’s open ing of classes to the Pentecost, with the University gradually shifting to limited face-to-face classes for more programs.

“Our opening of classes is a Pentecost for us—a promise fulfilled for all stakeholders of this Universi ty […] that by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are healed of our fears and anxieties and can courageously unlock the closed doors of our homes, classrooms, libraries, meeting halls, recreational rooms and convention al centers so we can have places of face-to-face encounters, dialogue and learning,” he said.

“As we open classes in UST this year, may we be [an] instrument of the Holy Spirit to renew each other in both a per sonal and communal way,” he added.

Classes in UST officially started mainly through “enriched virtual mode” on Aug. 9. EDUELLE JAN T. MACA BABBAD

Embrace pandemic’s effects on education

AS THE Covid-19 scare gradually eases and new modes of educational delivery are being introduced, Phil ippine higher education institutions (HEIs) must embrace the changes brought by the pandemic, a UST professor said.

Prof. Clarita Carillo, the assistant to the Rector for planning and quality management, said in this year’s Dis curso de Apertura, or the inaugural lecture at the start of the classes, that accepting new instructional delivery strategies became a necessity amid the pandemic.

“The resistance to online plat forms for instructional delivery during pre- and early pandemic […] has since been overcome by the acceptance of its necessity,” Carillo said in her lecture, titled “Quality Assurance and the 3Cs of Resiliency as Philippine Academic Institutions Move Forward” on Thursday.

“At present, educational institu tions are coming up with new designs of blended delivery, especially in view of issues of subpar learning and learning loss attributed to the closure of Philippine schools for more than

two years,” she added.

Carillo highlighted how UST became the model for many HEIs in shifting to new instructional delivery strategies amid the lockdowns and restrictions on in-person classes.

To ensure the continuity of learn ing in the early days of the pandemic, the University utilized the UST Cloud Campus to hold remote synchronous and asynchronous classes under the enriched virtual mode (EVM) of instruction, aided by other applica tions such as Google Suite, Zoom and Microsoft Office 365.

“Educational institutions clearly went through trial and error when forced to resort to emergency teaching mode from March to May 2020 and approached the control stage as they [gradually refined] these initial prac tices and policies,” Carillo said.

“The University served as a model for many other Philippine HEIs, silently observed and trailed, for both its coping and [innovative] practices as this were trialed and tested vis-àvis its considerably large population and the consequent complexity factors,” she added.

No return to full F2F anytime soon

Carillo said the new ways of learning delivery crafted during the pandemic could be utilized and improved upon in the future, reducing the need for full face-to-face (F2F) classes.

“At present, educational institu tions are coming up with new designs

of blended delivery, especially in view of issues of subpar learning and learning loss attributed to the closure of Philippine schools for more than two years,” Carillo said.

“The new possibilities, however, appear to be inclined to expand the

UST keeps perfect streak in June 2022 exams for elementary teachers

THE UNIVERSITY maintained its perfect passing rate in the June 2022 licensure examina tions for teachers (LET) at the elementary level, in which all four Thomasian examinees made the cut.

Charline Juntilla of the Compostela Valley State Col lege–Montevista Branch topped the examinations for elementa ry-level teachers, scoring 93.40 percent.

There were no top-perform ing schools for elementary-level teachers since no school had 50 or more passers and a passing rate of at least 80 percent.

UST meanwhile posted a 75-percent passing rate in the LET for secondary-level teachers, with three of its four examinees passing the exam.

Marvin Nillas of the Com postela Valley State College–Montevista Branch was the No. 1 in the examinations for sec ondary-level teachers, scoring 94 percent.

The Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology was the sole top-performing school for secondary-level teachers after recording an 84.62-percent passing rate.

The national passing rate for elementary-level teachers slightly increased to 50.54 per cent (8,667 of 17,149 examinees) from last March’s 48.81 percent (10,039 of 20,567 examinees).

The national passing rate for secondary-level teachers rose to 50.48 percent (10,193 of 20,191 examinees) from 41.72 percent (7,809 of 18,717 examinees).

The exams were conducted on June 26.

JUSTIN BENEDICT T. LIM

Homecoming walk

FROM PAGE 4 ►

basic education cluster, whose Homecoming Rites were moved a day later to Aug. 25, experi enced a sunny homecoming.

Cyril Ferrer, a Grade 12 Humanities and Social Sciences student, said it was relieving to experience the Homecoming Walk on a “beautiful sunny day.”

“I am somehow relieved that it [was] suspended since today was a beautiful sunny day rather than a gloomy and rainy weather… Overall the experience was great despite the postponement of the event, and it will definitely be a core memory of mine,” Ferrer said.

► CBCP Vice President Mylo Hubert Vergara (left) presides over the Misa De Apertura, or the Mass of the Holy Spirit, marking the beginning of Academic Year 2022-2023 on Aug. 4. The Mass was attended by selected student and University officials. PHOTOS BY MARVIN JOHN F. UY

► Prof. Clarita Carillo, the assistant to the Rector for planning and quality management, delivers this year’s Discurso de Apertura at the Santisimo Rosario Parish Church on Aug. 4.and juniors at the Quadricentennial Pavilion on Tuesday, Aug. 23. PHOTO FROM THE UST WEBSITE

UST Library reopens with online reservation system

By Jamilah B. Angco

STARTING Aug. 15, Thomasians can again stay, use resources and avail themselves of services at the UST Miguel de Benavides Library after reserving seats through an online appointment system.

Benilde breaks UST’s 7-year streak as ‘School of the Year’ in Quill Awards

THE UNIVERSITY ended its seven-year streak as the “School of the Year” in the 9th Philippine Student Quill Awards, which recognizes sterling communication-related works by students nationwide.

UST, which won nine excellence awards during the virtual award ceremony on Aug. 18, lost the title to the De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde, which bagged 11 excellence awards.

Far Eastern University, which won 10 excellence awards, was named first runner-up.

UST reaped a total of 28 awards

in the Student Quill Awards.

The Varsitarian, UST’s 94-yearold official student publication, won four awards, including one excellence award for its story, “After 15 years, gates of Heaven’s Touch to close.”

The Varsitarian also won merit awards for its website and two other stories, namely: “Breaking down fees

for UST’s enriched virtual mode” and “UST, UP scientists call on gov’t to consult with scientists on devel opment projects.”

Eleven entries from the Tiger Media Network and four each from TomasinoWeb and TOMCAT earned awards. Several UST journalism and communication arts students also won citations.

UST Angelicum College won seven awards, with one of its entries, “Tanglaw sa Dilim,” earning an excellence award.

The Philippine Student Quill is the junior division of the prestigious Philippine Quill Awards, an annual awards program for business com munication.

Organized by the Philippine chapter of the International Associ ation of Business Communicators, the Student Quill follows a rigid seven-point scoring system set by the International Gold Quill Awards, which are given to top corporations across the globe.

JOANNE CHRIS TINE P. RAMOS

UST Angelicum offers reduced fees to displaced Colegio de San Lorenzo students

By Jacqueline B. Martinez

students a seamless transfer of records from their previous school.

To secure a seat, Thomasians must reserve a seat in their pre ferred library location (except high school libraries) through https:// libraryreserve.ust.edu.ph at least a day before their intended visit date. Those with “approved” reservations may proceed to visit the library.

Academic and administrative officials, academic staff, support staff and students who are participating in limited face-to-face classes are allowed to make reservations.

Chief Librarian Maria Cecilia Lobo said the UST Library deemed it necessary to provide limited in-per son transactions since the University is rolling out more limited face-toface classes for this academic year.

“We want to assure everyone that even in these challenging times for education, the UST Library is becoming even more essential to the learning needs of the students. The library faces new realities with resilience to respond to this crisis,” Lobo told the Varsitarian.

The Library will accommodate about 600 students in the morning (8:30 a.m. to 12 nn) and another 600 students in the afternoon (1:30 to 5:30 p.m.) from Monday to Friday.

“The Library will do its best to be more dynamic, creative and respon sive in giving its best service than ever before. It will always remain engaged, connected, and committed to supporting the information needs of every Thomasian,” Lobo said.

Each section or branch will have its seating capacity limit informa tion posted at its entrance door.

Alumni, reviewees and vis iting researchers must send a request letter addressed to the prefect of libraries or chief librar ian at library@ust.edu.ph prior to the intended date of visit, which will be subject to approval.

Visiting the Graduate School section, Ecclesiastical Faculties Library and Health Services Library will also be subject to approval.

The UST Library also resumed its on-site circulation services (borrowing and returning) and TURNITIN service on Aug. 15.

Other online services (Li brary Virtual Office, Circulation Services, Document Delivery, Online Library User-Education, Suggest a Purchase, TURNITIN Service) resumed on Aug. 9.

THE UST Angelicum College on Wednesday announced that it would offer scholarships to stu dents displaced by the sudden closure of Colegio de San Lorenzo.

UST Angelicum is offering a oneday admission process to displaced students in which they only need to pay a P5,000 downpayment.

The remaining balance will be deferred until the stu dents receive their tuition re fund from the closed school.

UST Angelicum is also matching Colegio de San Loren zo’s tuition rates for students transferring from the school.

Transferring students will also be assisted in obtaining a subsidy under the Government Assistance to Students and Teachers in Private Education (GASTPE) program.

UST Angelicum promised

It is offering admission from pre-school to senior high school in the following strands:

● Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)

● Accountancy, Business and Management (ABM)

● Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS)

● General Academic Strand (GAS)

● Technical Vocational track on ICT (TECHVOC-ICT)

● Technical Vocational track on Home Economics (TECHVOC-HE)

It also offered admission to its AB Communication, BS Information Technology, BSBA Entrepreneurship, and BS Human Resource Manage ment programs at the college level.

The Colegio de San Lorenzo

THE UNIVERSITY produced 109 new mechanical engineers in the August 2022 mechanical engineer licensure examinations, in which UST posted a 55.90-percent passing rate.

The 109 passers came from a pool of of 195 takers.

UST’s passing rate declined from 63.89 percent in the February 2022 exams, in which 69 out of 108 Thomasians passed.

Franz Pingol of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines – Sta. Mesa topped this year’s examina tion with a score of 95.35 percent.

Batangas State University was named the top performing school with a 94.19-percent passing rate, or 227 out of 241 examinees.

The national passing rate for mechanical engineers slightly decreased to 54.15 percent (3,184 of 5,880 examinees) from 56.11 percent (2,121 of 3,780 examinees) in February.

Meanwhile, UST posted a per

fect passing rate in the guidance counselor licensure exam after its two examinees passed the exams.

Ryan Oducado of West Visayas State University – La Paz led the country’s new batch of guidance counselors with a score of 89.25 percent.

No top-performing schools were named.

The national passing rate for

guidance counselors saw a slight decline from 62.45 percent (286 of 458 examinees) in August 2019 to 61.27 percent (405 of 661 examin ees) in the recent cycle.

The licensure examinations for mechanical engineers were con ducted from Aug. 13 to 14, while the guidance counselor examinations were held from Aug. 17 to 18.

JOANNE CHRISTINE RAMOS

learning spaces for both on-site and off-site classes, signaling that there will be no return to any full on-site delivery in the coming years, with or without a pandemic,” she added.

Earlier, the Office of the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs announced that the EVM would remain UST’s default mode of instruction for Academic Year 2022-2023, but academic units can choose between new variants: EVM hybrid and EVM hyflex.

EVM hybrid is for courses whose outcomes and com petencies could not be fully achieved with online learn ing, while EVM hyflex is for courses whose outcomes and competencies may be achieved with online learning, but F2F classes could help enrich the delivery of education.

In July, The Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) granted safety seals to 46 academic units and programs of UST, giving them the green light to conduct limited faceto-face classes. EDUELLE

JAN T. MACABABBAD

announced its permanent closure on Aug. 15, the day it was supposed to begin regular classes this school year, due to financial problems. Its sudden closure drew criti cism from parents and students as

the school still accepted enrollees. The school promised it would refund the students’ tui tion in full and coordinate with other institutions where their students could transfer.

► The UST Angelicum College in Quezon City. FILE PHOTO

Free the Sails

MIGUEL LOUIS M. GALANG

Marcos Jr. declares war vs history, truth

But in his recent interview, Marcos Jr., who appeared to be still riding high from his victory, addressed the matter in a new and alarming manner.

Instead of his usual response of evading the issue, Marcos Jr. downplayed the hu man rights abuses and extrajudicial killings that occurred during his father’s strongman rule.

The ever-devoted son of the late strong man defended the latter’s declaration of martial law, stressing that it was a crucial move against communist and separatist rebellions that were determined to topple the government.

“Martial law was declared because of the two wars we were fighting on two fronts and that is CPP-NPA (Communist Party of the Philippines) were fomenting revolution––they wanted to bring down the government through violent means so the government had to defend itself,” Marcos Jr. said.

“The second front was the secessionists’ movements down in the South led by MNLF (Muslim separatist movement of the Moro National Liberation Front) and chairman Nur Misuari at the time––he started the uprising of the secessionist movements and that eventually turned into violence and essentially war,” he added.

Marcos Jr. acknowledged the atrocities committed during his father’s reign but said it happened “like in any war.” This kind of reasoning is the epitome of a false analogy fallacy.

It’s either Marcos Jr.’s camp finally gave up on denial as a defense mechanism or he has become cockier all thanks to his recent win in the elections.

But to oversimplify the abuses based on an implausible comparison exactly a week before its 50th anniversary is downright insulting to Martial Law survivors and the remaining families of victims.

Not to mention, many critics argued that Martial Law should never have been declared in the first place.

Marcos claimed the imposition of Mar tial Law, a year before the expiration of his term, was the last defense against the rising disorder caused by student demonstrations and the alleged threats of communist insur gency but one could easily call foul on the circumstances.

Martial Law Museum said several in dependent reports suggest that at the time there were only about 1,000 NPA guerrillas, whose arms were old-fashioned. In the NPA’s own history, only 350 men with firstline rifles were documented at the time of Martial Law.

The museum further said that it was the declaration of Martial Law in 1972 which

IT ONLY TAKES ONE story to change the course of your life forever.

Barely two months into the Varsitarian in 2020, I was assigned to cover the global outbreak of an unknown and highly contagious virus. Then called “nCoV” or the novel coronavirus, it would later be assigned the name “Covid-19” that we all now know and dread.

At that time, I didn’t know I was going to be caught in the midst of one of the most important events in human history. And how could I, a neo phyte journalist who was still memorizing his stylebook and polishing his leads? But that expe rience ultimately foregrounded my journey not just as a journalist, but as a storyteller.

During my college entrance interview, I was asked by one of the course facilitators why I chose to major in journalism instead of creative writing since I mentioned earlier I was a writer (in the broadest sense of the term). I said I wanted to be “grounded in reality,” shamelessly borrowing someone else’s answer I read from one of those online college forums.

Joining “V” served as my ticket to realizing what that “grounding” entailed. I was thrust into a fast-paced environment not unlike the model newsrooms we discussed in our courses. I be came a student of current events, and a sniffer for potential news. Most of all, I was face-to-face with reality in a way I never could have imagined as some small-town writer.

With little to no experience in the campus press, my first few months in V felt like I was crawling my way through a darkened room. Not to mention the first stories I covered were already of great national importance such as the Depart ment of Finance’s “Sulong Pilipinas” tax reform conference, the eruption of Taal Volcano, and the Covid-19 pandemic.

But growing pains were inevitable and noth ing could adequately prepare me for the field even as a journalism student. Over time and on the job, I learned how to ask the best questions to produce the best answers from sources while the pressure of deadlines stretched and sharpened my capabilities as a writer.

greatest takeaway, however, is more sub

Joselle Marie B. Reyes, Gillian Kin Q. Robles Camille Abiel H. Torre, Marvin John F. Uy, Arianne Maye D.G. Viri

Editorial Assistant Jessica C. Asprer

FOUNDED JANUARY 16, 1928

Joselito B. Zulueta Publications Adviser

For the last couple of years, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. and his family have stuck to their script whenever the Martial Law atrocities are brought up––they either deny or dodge it or feign ignorance.

Whether he denies, evades or trivializes the Martial Law atrocities, the fact remains that thousands of people were killed, wrongfully imprisoned and tortured during his father’s rule and that they are family of plunderers. No stunt nor strategy could ever erase that.

My

Joining “V” served as my ticket to realizing what that “grounding” entailed. I was thrust into a fast-paced environment not unlike the model newsrooms we discussed in our courses.

Red-tagging sa mga akda, ‘wag na sanang maulit

KAHIYA-HIYA ang ginawang pagrered tag ng mga komisyoner ng Komi syon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF) sa mga akdang binansagan nilang “su bersibo,” at sa pagpapatigil nila ng publikasyon ng mga ito.

Taon-taon naglilimbag ng mga bagong libro ang KWF sa ilalim ng proyekto nitong “KWF Publikasyon” na nagaanyaya sa mga dalubhasa na lumikha ng libro gamit ang wikang Filipino o katutubo upang maipal aganap ang karunungang bayan sa publiko.

Ngunit noong ika-9 ng Agosto, at nasakto pa sa pagdiriwang ng Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa, na glabas ang KWF ng Memorandum Blg. 2022-0663 kung saa’y pinatigil nito ang publikasyon ng mga su bersibong aklat na naunahan na nitong inaprubahan. Kabilang sa mga librong ito ang likha ni Dexter Cayanes, Tomasinong propesor, na may pamagat na “Tawid-diwa sa Pa nanagisag ni Bienvenido Lumbera: Ang Bayan, ang Manunulat, at ang Magasing Sagisag sa Imahinatibong Yugto ng Batas Militar 1975-1979.”

Kabilang sa listahan ng mga itinal agang subersibo ay “Teatro Politikal Dos” ni Malou Jacob, “Kalatas: Mga Kuwentong Bayan at Kuwentong Buhay” ni Rommel Rodriguez, “May Hadlang ang Umaga” ni Don Pa gusara, at “Labas: Mga Palabas sa La bas ng Sentro” ni Reuel Aguila.

Sa kaparehong araw, nagla bas din ng pahayag ang kilalang red tagger na si Lorraine Badoy sa programang “Laban Kasama ang Bayan” ng SMNI News Channel na inimpluwensiyahan umano ng CPPNPA-NDF ang tagapangulo ng KWF na si Arturo Casanova na ipalimbag ang mga nasabing libro upang ipal aganap ang mithiin ng mga komu

Kurò-kurò SAMANTHA NICHOLE G. MAGBUHAT

nista sa mga mamamayan. Hindi na ito nakakagulat sapagkat tala mak na kay Badoy at sa SMNI ang red-tagging o malisyosong pagtawag sa mga indibidwal bilang subersibo kapag naging kritikal sa gobyerno.

Kalapastanganan ito sa pagdi riwang ng buwan ng wikang pam bansa, lalo na sa mga mamamayan sa kanilang karapatan na ihayag ang kanilang saloobin o freedom of speech gamit ang wikang Filipino o katutubo. Kailan pa naging sub ersibo ang pagsulat ng libro ukol sa kasaysayan at kultura? Suportado ng mga pangunahing sanggunian at isinulat ng mga dalubhasang may karanasan sa akademiya o bahagi ng mga organisasyon ang mga inilim bag, hindi pa ata sapat ang mataas na mga pamantayan na ito upang patunayan ang uri ng literatura sa KWF Publikasyon.

Marapat lamang na binawi nila Alain Russ Dimzon, Angela Lorenza na at Hope Yu ang pagpirma nila sa sutil na Memorandum Blg. 20220663 at ang kanilang pagkondena sa pagkitil ng KWF sa freedom of speech at expression. Anila sa Reso lution No. 27, “It is not the mandate of KWF to determine whether or not a publication is subversive[,] the declaration of which is under the ju risdiction of the courts.”

Bilang mga komisyoner, dapat alam nila ang mga protokol at lim itasyon ng kanilang mga posisyon sapagkat dala-dala ng mga lagda nila ang pangalan ng KWF. Kung ta

lagang nais nilang labanan ang ma la-rebolusyon na konteksto ng mga libro, dapat tanggalin na rin ang mga lathala ni Jose Rizal na “Noli me Tangere” at ‘El Filibusterismo”, mga likha ng iba pang mga pamban sang alagad ng sining sa literatura, at iba pang mga manunulat na tu mututol sa kawalan ng katarungan!

Binuo ng adminstrasyong Dute rte noong 2018 ang National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict at Anti-Terrorism Council (NTF-ELCAC) upang la banan ang namumuong pagbaban ta ng komunismo sa bansa. Sa pagtatalaga ng institusyong ito, nag tapos ang mga pangkapayapaang negosasyon sa NPA at nagsimula naman ang pananakot at red-tag sa mga indibidwal na taliwas sa mga layunin ng pamahalaan. Naging sandata ito ng mga maykapangyar ihan upang magkaroon sila ng kon trol, lalo na sa midya.

Sa panahon ngayon, napakada li na lang tawagin o bansagang komunista ang isang tao lalo na kung hindi mo sinusuportahan ang ideolohiya o layunin ng kasalukuy ang administrasyon. Kung tutuusin, nagpapabibo ang mga opisyal o tagasuporta ng pamahalaan, mis tulang ikabubuti ng kanilang imahe ang pagtunton ng mga subersibong gawain kahit wala silang ebidensi ya upang patunayan ito para lang masabi na ginagawa nila ito para ilayo sa kapamahakan ang bansa. ‘Di bale nang makasira ng buhay o

puno ng kasinungalingan ang kanil ang mga pahayag, ang importante ay makuha nila ang suporta ng mga panatiko at pati ng mga maykapang yarihan. ***

Nagsimula man ako sa Varsi tarian sa panahon ng pandemya na puro lamang online ang mga pagpupulong at programa, hindi ito naging hadlang upang ialay ang aking serbisyo sa mga Tomasino na maghatid ng mga balita tungkol sa wikang Filipino.

Napagtanto ko na patuloy pa rin ang laban upang lutasin ang mga kakulangan at isyu sa ating wika, na noo’y aaminin kong hin di ko naman nabigyan ng pansin at atensyon sapagkat limitado ang aking kaalaman sa Filipino bilang asignatura. Natutunan ko na mas malaki pa pala ang papel ng ating wika—maging tulay ng ating pag kakaisa at identidad.

Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga kapwa ko manunulat at kawani ng Varsitarian sa ating mga pinagsa mahan, lalo na sa dalawa kong ma nunulat. Patuloy sana nating ipagla ban ang kalayaan sa pamamahayag kahit hindi na tayo nagta-transcibe ng mga cover o magsulat ng mga ar tikulo sa madaling araw.

Ngayong nasa larang na ako ng medisina, gagamitin ko ang mga natutunan ko sa Seksiyong Fili pino upang makipagtalastasan at makatulong sa mga pasyenteng nahihirapang ilahad ang kanilang nararamdaman dahil nangingib abaw pa rin ang wikang Ingles o kawalang-pansin sa mga wikang ka tutubo. Sa aking paglisan sa V, hindi rito nagtatapos ang kabanata ko sa Filipino.

Special Report

FROM PAGE 1 ►

like a knife.

“I was nervous and I was even more nervous for the girl,” Oliveras said in an interview with the Varsi tarian. “So, I walked faster to get closer to their place and in case the guy did something to her.”

Ramping up police presence

Police Lt. Col. Ramon Nazario, station commander at Barbosa Police Station in Quiapo, told the Varsitarian that they had increased police surveil lance around UST following reports of theft and lascivious behavior.

“Actually, natanggap namin ‘yan [reports], may mga nag-forward sa amin,” Nazario said. “Ang action na ginagawa natin diyan ay nagdagdag tayo ng police visibility.”

“Bukod doon, meron tayong mo bile na […] iniikot talaga ang paligid ng UST, ‘yung Lacson, Dapitan, P. Noval at España,” he added.

Nazario said students and parents could find tarpaulins with QR codes containing the police’s contact infor mation and safety reminders posted around the gates of UST.

“Nag-iwan kami ng bawat contact number sa bawat gwardya sa gate, then nag-post kami ng tarpaulin para lahat ng students o parents, pwede nilang i-scan ‘yung QR code,” he said. “Naka lagay doon [sa QR code] ano gagawin para iwas madukutan o ma-snatchan.”

Barbosa Police Station can be reached at (02) 8723-2708 or (02) 85201791. The Varsitarian has also been au thorized by Police Lt. Col. Nazario to publish his mobile number. He can be reached at 0955-085-0752. Both lines are open 24/7.

art by jerome carlo d macanaya and christine angelie p . orines

FROM

prompted the increase of membership in radicalized groups.

“Reports on the increased following of the radical movement emphasize the role of idealistic youth, fed up with the abuses committed during the regime. Toward the end of Martial law, re corded numbers had grown from about 1,500 in 1976 to 35,000 in 1985,” the museum said on its website.

It is obvious that Martial Law was used to extend Mar cos’ term. His obsession with clinging to power resulted in widespread abuses and killings.

Rights group Amnesty International estimates some 70,000 people were imprisoned and 34,000 tortured under the 20-year Marcos regime.

But according to Marcos Jr. the rights group based their findings only on “hear say,” falsely claiming that the group “never” visited the country.

Pretty comedic and ironic for someone who is eager to “talk about facts, not political opinion.”

When asked why their side of the story never made it into history books and mainstream media, Marcos gave a cringeworthy but honest answer: “Because the victors write history, don’t they? It is the victors in the conflict that will write the history.”

He did not lie there, his tory is indeed not grounded in facts but rather in the winners’ interpretation.

Perhaps his answer was already a hint of what he hopes to accomplish in the future now that he has successfully returned to the Malacañang Palace.

The people must remain vigilant against Marcos Jr.’s filthy ploys to distort history.

Whether he denies, evades or trivializes the Martial Law atrocities, the fact remains that thou sands of people were killed, wrongfully imprisoned and tortured during his father’s rule and that they are family of plunderers. No stunt nor strategy could ever erase that.

Habit

FROM PAGE 1 ►

treasures and that as you live your student life here, may that fire of faith, hope, and love lead you to speak the truth—the real truth,” Tiong said.

The second batch of homecoming rites consisted of sophomores and juniors from the Faculty of Arts and Letters, College of Information and Computing Sciences, College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, College of Education, Institute of Physical Education and Athletics, College of Nursing and College of Science.

UST secures Malian big for Season 86

THE UST Growling Tigers have ac quired a new foreign reinforcement in 6-foot-7 Hinda Mady Dit Tounkara from Bamako, Mali.

Tounkara, 19, will be eligible to play in Season 86 after a one-year residency period, IPEA Director Fr. Rodel Cansancio told the Varsitarian. He arrived in the Philippines on Aug. 15.

He fills a spot in the UST roster that was depleted by Dave Ando’s move to turn professional and the departure of Gani Stevens, who along with fellow Minnesota native Willie Wilson transferred to UE after spending the preseason with the Tigers.

Stevens and Wilson had uninspiring performances for UST in the recently concluded PBA D-League Aspirants Cup. Stevens averaged 3.7 points and 4.8 rebounds, while Wilson averaged 5.5 points and 1.5 rebounds.

In Season 84, UST’s big-man rotation was limited to Ando and Bryan Santos. The Tigers averaged 41.79 rebounds per game in the recent UAAP season, which was second-worst in the league.

Tounkara, who has a 7-foot wingspan, will be UST’s first foreign student-athlete since Season 82 most valuable player Soulemane Chabi-Yo. NICOLE ANNE D.G BUGAUISAN

Ex-UST coach Ayo inks multi-year deal with Converge in PBA

By Mark Ernest V. Villeza

The Aldin Ayo era in UST is officially over.

The former Growling Tigers head coach has signed a multi-year contract with the Converge Fiber Xers in the Philippine Bas ketball Association (PBA), ending his 5×5 basketball coaching hiatus that stemmed from the Sorsogon “bubble” scandal.

Ayo signed his deal with Converge a day after he said on Facebook that he had yet to commit to any coaching gigs to focus on helping his ailing mother.

“I talked to her last night, and this morning she told me, ‘Gusto kita makita mag-coach sa PBA.’ She said she doesn’t want to see me just sitting around the house,” Ayo said.

Ayo, who recently resigned from coach ing Chooks-to-Go Pilipinas 3×3, replaces

erstwhile Converge head coach Jeffrey Cariaso.

The former Tigers coach, who is known for his “mayhem” tactics, will bring in former Tiger Cubs head coach McJour Luib as his assistant coach and Joph Cleopas in his strength and conditioning staff.

Ayo, who coached the Tigers for two years, brought UST to a finals appearance in UAAP Season 82 in 2019 where they lost to the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

He won two championships at the collegiate level: one as coach of the College of San Juan de Letran in NCAA Season 91 and one as coach of De La Salle University in UAAP Season 71.

But in 2020, the Ayo-led Tigers figured in a “Sorsogon bubble” controversy that led to the fallout that caused the team to rebuild.

tle. Through dozens of copy revi sions and conversations with peo ple from different backgrounds, I learned how to translate life experi ences into powerful and compelling stories that are not beyond chang ing the world. Because news, I be lieve, can make or break our reality.

I am eternally grateful and in debted to the people who have jour neyed with me in V for the last al most three years.

To our publications advisers, Lito Zulueta, Felipe Salvosa II, and Christian Esguerra, thank you for your guidance. It has been both an honor and a privilege to be under the tutelage of competent journal ists.

To my fellow editorial board members (“EB babes”), Hirro and Laurd, thank you for being constant sources of inspiration. It pains me that we couldn’t have a normal campus press experience, but work ing with you two more than makes up for it.

To my “Cerberus” batch and fel low staffers, thank you for making my stay in V a most memorable and joyous one. In an alternate world, let’s go and build our own fun little newsroom.

This may be the end of my jour ney as a campus journalist in UST, but not as a storyteller. Beyond the four corners, there are more stories to tell. Minsanatmananatili !

ed two Filipino-American ballers, Kylle Magdangal and Richi Calimag.

“The good thing there kapag tinanong mo ‘yong mga Fil-Ams, ang sinasabi, ‘Coach we don’t look for ano, you know material things, we just want to play,’” he said.

David said the Tigers handled the departure of Baclaan professionally and did not let the issue affect them as they were preparing for Season 85.

“I asked them, to be honest, ‘Affected ba kayo kay Kean?’ Siguro professionals na sila, they said, ‘No coach!’ ‘Di na ako nagka-time to talk ‘di ko na binoost morale nila. Ayun na sinagot na nila. Ayun lang, simple lang,” he said.

After coaching the Tigers in the

last two preseason games, assistant coach Ronald Magtulis said he would focus on instilling defense to the iden tity of the young UST team.

“Binigay niya sa akin (coach Bal) ang whole responsibility when it comes to defense. Ang i-expect nila sa Tigers ay maging physical kami, hard nose defense, so sana, sana mag buy in ‘yong mga bata,” he told the Varsitarian.

In the upcoming UAAP Season 85, Magtulis said high-pressure defense was to be expected by the Thomasian community from the Tigers.

“Gusto ko ma-surpise kayo e, pero talagang dumepensa. Tsaka ‘yung depensa namin mas physical,” he said.

► Hinda Mady Dit Tounkara (second from left) poses for a photo with IPEA Director Fr. Rodel Cansancio, O.P., former Growling Tigers head coach Jinino Manansala, and athletics moderator Rod Sambuang.

► Ex-UST Growling Tigers head coach Aldin Ayo answers questions during the UAAP season 82 opening. FILE PHOTO

SONS OF FORMER PBA PLAYERS DUREMDES, CALIMAG JOIN TIGERS

By Nicole Anne D.G Bugauisan

Growling Tigers head coach Bal David has recruited the sons of former PBA players Kenneth Duremdes and Ricki Calimag to UST after scouting them in the US.

Kylle Magdangal, son of Duremdes, a former PBA MVP and Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League commissioner, is expected to add playmaking to the UST roster that saw the departure of guards Joshua Fontanilla and Willie Wilson.

Magdangal is a 6-foot2 playmaker, who was a key player for the Califor nia-based Marina High School Vikings.

He is expected to arrive in the Philippines on Aug. 30.

Richi Calimag, the son of the 11-year PBA veteran Ricki Calinag, has also com mitted to the team.

“I just had the feeling

that UST was the best school for me, and then Coach Bal talked to me and he gave me a solid plan on what was going to happen in the next few years,” he told the Varsitarian.

Richi Calimag averaged 13.6 points, 9 rebounds and 1.5 assists in his senior year in the US and made a name for himself with his prolific shooting.

He is the younger brother of the UP Fighting Maroons’ RC Calimag. Richi will arrive in the country on Aug. 22.

David is currently scouting prospects in the US alongside his assistant Rodney Santos.

Cabañero remains with UST despite offers from 4 other UAAP schools

By Nicole Anne D.G Bugauisan

SOME TIGERS have chosen to leave the Tigers’ lair, but Nicael Cabañero is here to stay.

Cabañero, one of the UST Growling Tigers’ few bright spots in Season 84, revealed to the Varsitarian that he had received offers from four other UAAP schools when UST had yet to hire a permanent head coach.

“Oo, dumating sa time na may kumausap sa akin, pero napili ko pa rin UST. Mahirap mag-decide non, actual ly,” he said.

Cabañero said it was his par ents, the UST coaching staff and the Thomasian community who helped

him decide to remain committed to the University.

“Siguro mas fit ako sa UST and with the guidance of my parents, gusto rin nila ako mag-stay. Lalo na kay Coach Ji (Jinino Manansala). Ganda rin suporta ng UST (community),” he said.

In his rookie year in UAAP Season 84, Cabañero averaged 12.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.

Recently, Kean Baclaan, who emerged as a preseason stud for the Tigers, de-committed from UST and transferred to the National University Bulldogs. Baclaan averaged 16.2 points per game in the recently concluded PBA D-League Aspirants Cup.

The Tigers also lost guard Willie

Wilson and big man Gani Stevens, who transferred to the University of the East after brief preseason stints with UST.

In a separate interview, new UST head coach Bal David admitted that the collegiate basketball scene had seen some changes since his playing years.

“Ang core value kasi ng UST before, ‘yong inabot ko, we just aim sa prize [winning], not sa mga side offers. Na ka-focus lang kami sa prize lang talaga noon,” he told the Varsitarian.

UST only makes basic offers to athletes, including dormitories, scholar ships, food and allowance, David said. In his recent US trip, David recruit

Tigresses set to join Shakey’s preseason cup

The UST Golden Tigresses will be competing in the Shakey’s Super League, a collegiate preseason cup that will feature teams from the UAAP and NCAA.

UST was among the teams announced to join the league during the signing of the memoran dum of agreement on Aug. 16 at the Shakey’s Pizza Parlor Aseana branch.

Only six of the eight UAAP schools have so far confirmed their participation: Season

84 champion National University, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, UST, University of the East and Far Eastern University.

Adamson University and the University of the Philippines have yet to announce their participa tion in the tournament.

All 10 NCAA schools will join the cup.

The tournament will be slated from Sept. 22 to Nov. 28. MARK

ERNEST V. VILLEZA

► Kylle Magdangal (left), son of former PBA MVP Kenneth Duremdes, and Richi Calimag, son of the 11-year PBA veteran Ricki Calimag, are recruited to UST by head coach Bal David (middle).

► The UST Golden Tigresses communicate with each other during a UAAP match FILE PHOTO

► Growling Tiger Nic Cabañero goes for a layup against the UP Fighting Maroons. FILE PHOTO