Former Science dean Emerita Carmen Kanapi; 97

By Nillicent Bautista

FORMER UST College of Science

Dean Emerita Carmen Kanapi, the first known Filipina doctorate holder with a specialization in genetics, passed away on Dec. 14. She was 97.

Prof. John Donnie Ramos, a former dean, described Kanapi as a "no-nonsense critic but the best mentor, adviser, and faithful friend."

"She is a woman of science who devoted a significant portion of her career to the study of life," Ramos told the Varsitarian Kanapi graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in zoology from the University in 1950.

Kanapi later obtained her master's degree from the University of Chicago and her doctorate in genetics from the University of Texas.

After college, Kanapi immedi-

Licensure Examinations

11 Thomasians in top 10 of December 2022

PT, OT boards

THREE Thomasians were among the 10 highest scorers in the December 2022 licensure examinations for physical therapists (PT), while eight others entered the top 10 in the exams for occupational therapists (OT).

Thomasians Terence Buico and John Ramos scored 88.05 percent in the PT exams to tie for sixth and lead the new batch of Thomasian PTs.

Therese Manaloto ranked 10th after scoring 87.45 percent.

UST was named the second top-performing school in the PT exams after posting a 95.16-percent passing rate, or 118 out of 124 examinees.

The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila was the top-performing school in the PT board with a passing rate of 95.88 percent or 93 out of 97 examinees.

The national passing rate for PTs improved to 59.87 percent (1,186 out of 1,981 examinees) from 54.65 percent (564 out of 1,032 examinees) in June.

Meanwhile, Thomasian Allyssa Ang ranked second nationwide in the OT board with a score of 83 percent.

Seven other Thomasians joined Medina in the top 10: Reyna Medina (No. 3, 82.80 percent), Lareine Nava (No. 5, 82.40 percent), Erick Pelagio (No. 6, 82.20 percent), Jillian Eborde (No. 8, 81.80 percent), and Hannah Aldio, Kristine Alunan, and Gian Arellano (tied at No. 9, 81.60 percent).

UST’s passing rate in the OT exam rose to 73.61 percent, or 53 out of 72 examinees, from 61.54 percent or eight out of 13 examinees in June.

The University of Philippines Manila was named the top-performing school in the OT board after recording a perfect passing rate, or 30 out of 30 examinees.

The national passing rate for OT increased to 49.79 percent (241 out of 484 examinees) from 35.63 percent last June.

The examinations were held from Dec 1 to 2. ALEXANDRA L. MANGASAR ately worked at UST as an instructor and served as the zoology department chair from 1968 to 1983.

She was appointed dean of the UST Graduate School in 1976.

Kanapi served as the assistant dean of Science before starting her 14-year term as science dean in 1982.

She was a founding member of the Biology Teachers Association of the Philippines and a founding incorporator of the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation (Pacucoa).

She spearheaded the Pacucoa accreditation of the UST College of Science and, later, other programs at UST.

Upon her retirement, Kanapi was given the title of "Dean Emerita."

"She was fiercely loyal to the University and really strived hard to work for the betterment of the

College of Science. Our senior colleagues and alumni remember her as a strict yet very caring mother figure in the college," Science Dean Rey Donne Papa told the Varsitarian.

Kanapi was instrumental in developing the three-semester biology seminar (research) courses, which were eventually adopted by other science programs at UST.

She was behind the placement of scientific names on the trees in UST, the closure of the incinerator, the no-smoking policy, and the transformation of UST into a botanical garden.

According to Papa, Kanapi also influenced the publication of the two-volume compendium of trees and shrubs in UST in 1997.

Science Regent Fr. Louie Coronel, O.P. presided over the requiem Mass for Kanapi held at the UST Santisimo Rosario Parish Church on Dec. 17.