Held from January 30 to February 1, 2020 at the Mercure Hotel in Bali, Indonesia, the convention had the theme “Celebrating Decades of Innovations in Hospitality and Tourism Education,” while the research forum’s theme was “Digital Innovations in Hospitality and Tourism Education in the Philippines: A Global Perspective.”

Dean Granado presented his work titled “Critical Analysis of the Legal and Policy Issues Involved in Parties, Festivals and Celebrations in the Philippines.” 

The study’s initial results showed that there are few laws and regulations in the Philippines that ensure the safety and security of the guests of parties, festivals, and celebrations in the Philippines.  Due to this dearth, the optimum and holistic experiences of the guests are compromised. As the Philippines is a culturally-diverse country with tens of thousands of community festivals, fiestas, and other celebratory events, the study recommends strengthening the policies and regulations that are involved in Philippine celebrations.

An expert in the fields of tourism and law, Atty. Granado completed his undergraduate and graduate courses at the ŸĆÉ« where he obtained his Bachelor of Science in Tourism degree at the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management (cum Laude), Bachelor of Laws, Master of Laws major in Environmental Laws (cum Laude), and Doctor of Civil Laws (Magna cum Laude) degrees at the Faculty of Civil Law.

The COHREP was established in 1989 by a group of Hotel and Restaurant Administration faculty members to promote teaching excellence in hospitality education by providing venues to transform educators into confident and values-laden professionals. Among its founding members is CTHM Assistant Dean Assoc. Prof. Evangeline Timbang.

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With a majority of the items belonging to “The Pichon Family and Robert Biggert Collections,” the exhibition tells a visual story of the life ways in the Philippines at the turn of the 19th century until the eve of the Second World War. The postcard exhibit focuses on the general culture of its people, its architecture and the islands of Mindanao – home of the Pichon Family. Aside from postcards, also exhibited are historic stamps from the UST Museum collection, the private stamp collection of the late Fr. Antonio Cabezon, O.P., and from the Archivo del Convento de la Santa Cruz de los Padres Dominicos de San Juan del Monte, as well as significant letters from the holdings of the Archivo de la Universidad de Santo TomĂĄs that are rarely seen in public.

“The Pichon Family and Robert Biggert Collections” were bequeathed to the UST Library in 2018, through the signing of a Deed of Donation between the family of Erlinda Pichon, a Thomasian from Caraga, Davao Oriental, represented by Mr. Expedito Pichon, and UST Prefect of Libraries Rev. Fr. Angel A. Aparicio, O.P. The said agreement was signed on September 29, 2017 in Davao City.

Erlinda Pichon was a co-founder of a non-profit Amauan Multi-Arts Workshop in New York City, which operated from 1878 to 1998. In her service of two decades as Amauan’s unpaid director, she was honored at the Malacañang Palace as an Outstanding Overseas Filipino. Erlinda completed her Master’s Degree in English Literature in 1965, while her sister, Corazon Pichon Stanly was a graduate of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery in 1966.

In a message written on the souvenir program, Ms. Rosalinda Pichon Martin, sister and executor of the Last Will and Testament of Erlinda Pichon, explained that “The donors sought out postcards mainly on two specialized themes: The first theme colors the ways that traditional and indigenous Filipino societies were being portrayed in their villages, homes, activities and clothing. The second theme pursued the motives and mindsets of the political, religious and business forces of the Americans in the Philippines. Like all postcard collectors, the donors sought examples of the earliest periods: Pioneer (Pre-1898), Private Mailing Card (1898-1901) and Undivided Back (1901-1907).”

Normally housed at the Antonio Vivencio del Rosario Heritage Library, “The Pichon Family and Robert Biggert Collections” contain postcards, books, photographic materials, US Congress reports, magazine articles, and other printed ephemera concerning the presence of the United States of America in the Philippines. The postcards, numbering to more than a thousand, were gathered by Robert Biggert and Erlinda Pichon during their time living in 1980s United States – a time when older liberal arts colleges in the US were closing their libraries.

“The Library expresses its gratitude to all its friends and benefactors, especially to the Pichon family. We pray and hope this exhibit will evoke feelings of nostalgia for times and places stamped with the patina of past generations,” Fr. Aparicio said in his message.

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In continuation of this legacy and in celebration of the Philippine Arts Month, the UST Museum held the 2020 UST Annual Inter-School On-the-Spot Painting Competition (OTSPC) on February 15, 2020 at the UST Benavides Garden.  

This year’s UST Annual On-the-Spot Painting Competition (OTSPC) had for its theme: “Message for Peace.”  According to UST Museum Director Rev. Fr. Isidro D. Abaƈo, O.P., “Artists are visionaries, through their silent boundless reflections and imaginings they have natural tendencies toward what is good that they can express concretely in their works of art.”

Students from colleges and universities in and around Metro Manila competed in the oldest student art competition of its kind. 

In first place was “Tawag ng Kapayapaan” by Chester Aaron E. Sia from the University of the Philippines (UP). Bagging second place was “It All Begins with Us” by Mark James S. Barbecho from Bulacan State University (BSU), and in third place was “Kailangan Daanan ang Digmaan Bago Magkaroon ng Kapayapaan” (“Go through war before achieving peace”) by Reynaldo Barredo, Jr., from Eulogio Amang Rodriguez Institute of Science (EARIST).

The Metrobank Choice Award was won by Ronneile S. Talavera from BSU for his untitled work.

“Look Around and You Will See” by Jemson B. Conje from EARIST, “Universal Language” by Jose Panatian, Jr., from UP, and “Faith and Harmony” by Rhichelle Kirk A. Tabanera from EARIST got the first to third honorable mentions.

The winning works were on exhibit at the UST Main Building lobby from February 15 to 29, 2020.

This 78-year-old national art competition has in its roster of winners those who have become renowned and respected artists that include the likes of Vicente Manansala, Ricarte Puruganan, Galo Ocampo and Arsenio Capili.  Manansala, who taught in UST from 1951 to 1958, was declared National Artist for Painting in 1981. Ocampo also taught in UST, while Puruganan studied Fine Arts in UST and even taught in the same college. The four of them belonged to the group of select artists called “Thirteen Moderns.”                                                                 

Some student winners in its more recent competitions are now celebrated names in the contemporary art scene, among them, Ronald Ventura, Mark Salvatus, Alfred Esquillo, and Raffy Napay.

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‘Amor y amistad‘ is an initiative of the choir’s founder and conductor, Fidel Gener Calalang Jr.. Alumni of the UST Singers who now have their own choirs also performed. 

The festival, with Mr. Frank Lloyd Mamaril serving as Director, showcased a new generation of choral conductors and musical talents produced by the UST Singers in its many years of musical experience. 

According to Calalang, “‘Amor y amistad’ is more than a festival of exceptional choirs
 this concert is also a reunion. My dream, with a special gathering of the UST Singers, is to share with you what 28 years gave all of us and how our lives were shaped by music through all these years. I am proud to share the stage again with people whom I’ve loved more than half my life – the current members of the UST Singers and the UST Singers alumni in the Philippines, America, and Europe. Their existence is a testament of dedication and passion – a legacy that I hope will continue on.”

Featured in the festival were the two-time winner of the prestigious Luciano Pavarotti Choir of the World Trophy, the UST Singers under the baton of Asst. Prof. Fidel Gener Calalang, Jr.; UST Singers Alumni International and Los Angeles Vocal Artists led by Mr. Allan Diona Sims, UST Singers Alumni Philippines with Mr. Jessie Louie Singh as conductor, and UST Chorus of Arts and Letters and UST Pharmacy Glee Club following the lead of Mr. Mark Raeniel Agpasa and Mr. Andre Amistoso, respectively.

Also featured were Kammerchor Manila with Mr. Anthony Go Villanueva as Musical Director, Imusicapella under the baton of Mr. Tristan Ignacio, and Musikalipa led by Mr. Jayron Rezaba.

After the performances of each of the choirs, the eight groups joined together on stage for a performance of a medley of George Canseco’s songs, “Old Friends (from Merrily We Roll Along)”, and “Family (from Dreamgirls)” all arranged by Maestro Calalang.

“[Being part of the UST Singers family] takes time, courage, dedication, sacrifice, and faith. It takes love and friendship, and that is what Amor y amistad is all about. We share not only our music with you, but also our lives,” said Calalang.

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United States Ambassador to the Philippines His Excellency Sung Y. Kim, Philippine Veterans Affairs Office Deputy Administrator MGen. Raul Z. Caballes, and National Historical Commission of the Philippines Chair Dr. Rene Escalante graced the event and delivered remarks.

Advisor to the Filipino-American Memorial Endowment, Inc. Mr. Dan Larsen, who is also part of the Museum Volunteers of the Philippines, spoke about the history of the Embassy and its role in the Battle of Manila.

Also in attendance were Manila Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna, former American internee at the Santo Tomas Internment Camp Leslie Ann Murray, and Filipino veterans.

The participation of the UST Singers in the commemoration ceremonies was coordinated through the UST Office of Public Affairs by the Public Affairs Section of the US Embassy in Manila.  

The ŸĆÉ« was liberated in the Battle of Manila on February 3, 1945.  In the same year, the University conferred upon Gen. Douglas MacArthur with a Doctor of Laws degree, honoris causa.

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UST Innovation and Technology Support Office (ITSO) Manager Assoc. Prof. Michael Jorge N. Peralta conducted the seminar-workshop as part of their exposure to pharmacy practice in the Philippines, on February 12, 2020 at the Faculty of Pharmacy, Main Building. 

The students were hosted by the UST Faculty of Pharmacy from January 29 to February 14, 2020 as part of the mobility program that the UST Faculty of Pharmacy has with UniSA.  They were accompanied by Pharmaceutical Science Program Director Matt Sykes, Ph.D., who acted as the group’s Faculty Leader. 

The participants to the ITSO Search Workshop were: Ashlyn Austin, Millicent Bennett, Kylie Fong, Isabel Lean, Natasha Williams, Jenny Nguyen, Lija Pfeiler, Georgia Braddon, Luis Wiltshire, Eve Allen, and Kate Berry. The students were exposed to the pharmacy practice in the Philippines such as pharmaceutical industry, lab tours, clinical research, medicinal plants and community preparations. 

At the ITSO search workshop, Peralta discussed the different Intellectual Property rights and how they are applied to the field of Pharmacy. He also oriented them on the different free search engines in conducting patent search to determine the novelty and inventive step of their projects.  He stressed the point that this will assist them in avoiding the so-called ‘re-inventing the wheel’ and thus their projects might just fall within patentable subject matter. As for the workshop aspect of the seminar, Peralta gave them a hands-on experience on how to navigate the free patent databases and read patent documents.

As the University’s Executive Assistant for Intellectual Property and Research, Peralta works hard toward improving the IP awareness of the various sectors of the University, such as faculty members, students, and researchers in matters of IP, patent searching and patent drafting, by conducting seminar-workshops for them, and for other audiences such as University guests. According to Peralta, who has been recognized and awarded by public and private organizations for his indefatigable efforts at promoting IP awareness by conducting such seminar-workshops, “This would eventually lead to more technologies that would be commercialized and transferred to industry partners for public use and at the same time may earn royalties to the inventors as their incentives to create more.”

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From February 11 to 14, 2020, 19 partner communities took part in the 2020 Pistang Tomas held at the Quadricentennial Square. Vice Rector for Religious Affairs Rev. Fr. Pablo T. Tiong, O.P., visited the stalls, while SIMBAHAYAN Director Prof. Arvin Eballo, EdD, and Asst. Director Asst. Prof. Froilan Alipao and the college-based ŸĆÉ« Development Coordinators were also present.     

Farmers and representatives of the partner communities sold local products such as root crops, fruits and vegetables, food and delicacies, accessories, materials, and other products native to their communities. Another participant offered therapeutic massage. One of the frequently visited stalls was the ‘all-day-champorado’ sold by the Kalinga Unoy Rice Farmers Association. 

Participating partner communities were: Brgy. Ariendo, Bongabon, Nueva Ecija; Brgy. Buenavista, Nagcarlan, Laguna; Sitio Galilee, Brgy. San Jose, Antipolo City, Rizal; Jubilee Homes, Brgy. Lumangbayan, Plaridel, Bulacan; Brgy. Kanluran Kabubuhayan, Nagcarlan, Laguna; Kasiglahan Village, Brgy. San Jose Rodriguez, Rizal; Sitio Layak, Brgy. Anupul, Bamban, Tarlac; Sitio Mainit, Brgy. San Jose, Antipolo City, Rizal; North Triangle Alliance, Montalban Heights, Brgy. San Jose Rodriguez, Rizal.

Also taking part were representatives from: Sitio Parapal, Brgy. Mabiga Hermosa, Bataan; Brgy. Pugad Island, Hagonoy Bulacan; Brgy. Sibulan, Nagcarlan, Laguna; Sitio Buok, Brgy. Sto. Niño, Bamban, Tarlac; Sitio Santa Rosa, Brgy. Sto. Niño, Bamban, Tarlac; Ministry of Urban Poor Massage Therapy; Fellowship for the Care of Creation Association, Inc.; Holy Spirit Social Center, Inc., Quezon City; Cooperative of Women in Health and Development; and Kalinga Unoy Rice Farmers Association.

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In Fr. Sipalay’s homily, he directed the community to reflect on the question “Where am I going?”

“We come from God, we return to God. God is a purpose for each one of us
 [During Lent] we are reminded that we are for Christ, and we return to Him,” Fr. Sipalay explained.

With the purpose of turning away from the many diversions on the journey toward God, the Vice Chancellor asked that “We pray for the weapon of self-restraint – fasting, abstinence, and alms giving. Sometimes we fast with food. We fast with something that is very good and needed by our body. But if we already have the self-discipline to say no to good things, then that’s good practice to say no to the bad things [that lead us away from God].”

The Prior Provincial further emphasized the importance of the call of Lent, saying, “When we are anticipating a very important event, we heighten it through preparations, and the preparation [for Easter] is that starting with Ash Wednesday, we have [the season of Lent] for 40 days. I hope that when the Holy Week comes, when Easter Sunday comes, it’s really a new life amidst all the challenges we have. I hope we don’t lose track
 We have different ways to follow the Lord, but we only have one destination: His Love”

In the Catholic religion, Ash Wednesday is observed as a holy day of prayer and fasting. It signals the first day of Lent. Part of the tradition is the marking of the foreheads with ash. For this year, in compliance with the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines’ directive, dry ash was sprinkled on top of the faithful’s head instead of marking foreheads with wet ash. This is one of the safety precautionary measures that the Catholic Church in the Philippines is trying to carry out to curb possible transmission of COVID 19.

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In celebration of the National Arts Month, The Academia features Thomasian National Artists for the month of February.

In 2018, the EWTN broadcast of the Napa Conference featured the lecture of Fr. Thomas Joseph White, O.P., the Director of the Thomistic Institute. His lecture was titled “Can Beauty Save the World? Thomas Aquinas on Beauty and its Role in the Church.” During the forum, Father White was asked, how important is understanding art and beauty in the academe? 

The priest answered: “I think the unity of the university is assured through philosophy. This intellectual discipline tells us how all our learning is united. Philosophy is the key, but the next step there is to have a philosophy that examines what beauty is.” 

Father White further explained that the true purpose of the university, especially of Catholic universities, can only be realized when its isolated departments begin to appreciate the beauty of being united. He added that teaching aesthetics in the university should aid students, professors, researchers and all those who are part of it in cherishing the value of the unity of various fields. 

Somehow, giving a critique, the priest-lecturer also said: “We’ve invested in the modern philosophical trends in science and morals. These are extremely strong, but in aesthetics (we are) weak because there are very few professors of aesthetics in universities, and very few of them are adept in classical philosophy and aesthetics.”

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In his discussion of beauty, Father White also touched on the topic of artifacts. He said the arts “tell us how it is to be human.” It is no coincidence then that aesthetics will almost always have to deal with the creation and appreciation of the arts. That the university needs aesthetics should encourage the academe to keep some healthy space for the arts to flourish.

It is also no coincidence that the 409-year-old ŸĆÉ« has been fertile for the growth of artists. Fortunately, aesthetic life still thrives in the Pontifical University as evidenced alone by the number of Thomasians inducted into the Order of National Artists of the Philippines. After five decades since the institution of the national award, only 73 Filipinos have been named National Artists. Nineteen of them are Thomasians. 

Carlos Francisco. The first Thomasian National Artist, Carlos “Botong” Francisco blended Filipino culture, history, and the Catholic faith in his paintings. He was known for his paintings “Blood Compact,” “First Mass at Limasawa,” “The Martyrdom of Rizal,” “The Progress of Medicine in the Philippines.” He had several works done for the Dominicans. For one, the nave of the Sto. Domingo Church in Quezon City features eight murals painted by Francisco. These paintings show the story and the miracles of St. Dominic de Guzman, founder of the Dominican Order. Also, in UST, one can find Francisco’s mural flanking the grand staircase of the Main Building. It leads to the UST Museum where valuable collections of the various works of Filipino greats are housed. Francisco is a third of the Triumvirate of Philippine Modern Art, which was formed in UST, with Victorio Edades and Galo Ocampo, his co-educators in the University. He was proclaimed National Artist for Visual Arts in 1973.

Nicomedes Joaquin. Also known as Quijano de Manila, Nick Joaquin was honored a National Artist for Literature and Theater in 1976. He wrote novels, poems, plays, essays and biographies, all of which present Filipino identity and heritage. In his younger years, he was granted an associate degree by UST after he penned his work “La Naval de Manila.” The 1943 essay depicts the miraculous naval victories of Filipino-Spanish defenders of the Philippines against the Dutch armada, which since the 17th century have been attributed to the intercessions of Our Lady of the Rosary-La Naval de Manila. As a student scholar, Joaquin entered the Dominican monastery in Hong Kong. However, after the Second World War, he started to travel to different countries as a cultural representative of the Philippines. Among his notable works are the novels “The Woman Who Had Two Navels” and “Cave and Shadows”; the play “A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino”; the popular history “Manila, My Manila: A History for the Young”;

the collection of verses “The Ballad of the Five Battles”; and the biography “Rizal in Saga.”

Victorio Edades. Having been known for his masterful impasto technique in portraying the human body in his paintings and for his advocacies to advance visual arts in the country, Victorio Edades was dubbed the “Father of Modern Philippine Painting.” His works had themes that somehow depict the despondency of the human with dark and somber hues. The renowned artist taught in UST for three decades and served as dean of its School of Architecture and Fine Arts. In the University, he formed the great Triumvirate of Modern Art with fellow National Artist Carlos Francisco and the “Brown Madonna” painter Galo Ocampo, teaching many generations of Filipino artists. The vision of Edades and the wisdom of the pioneer faculty members of the arts program eventually led to the first Bachelor’s Degree program in Fine Arts in the Philippines. After he retired from teaching, at age 70, UST conferred the admirable artist-educator the degree Doctor of Fine Arts, honoris causa. He was known for his works â€œMother and Daughter,” “The Sketch,” â€œPortrait of the Professor,” and â€œPoinsettia Girl,” among many others.

Vicente Manansala. The painter behind the mural “History of Medicine,” which greets people who enter the St. Martin de Porres Building, was Thomasian National Artist Vicente Manansala. He joined fellow National Artists Victorio Edades and Carlos “Botong” Francisco in UST, inspiring many generations of Thomasian artists including the younger National Artist  Ang Kiukok. Indeed, he was among the moderns whose craft further flourished in the University. His works include “San Francisco del Monte,” “Via Crucis,” “Madonna of the Slums,” “A Cluster of Nipa Hut,” and “I Believe in God.” He was the only Filipino who was proclaimed National Artist in 1981.

Gerardo de Leon. Thomasian film director Gerardo de Leon starred in many films while still studying in UST, and before he focused on directing and producing movies. Among his first directorial jobs were with the musical-themed “Bahay Kubo” and “Ama’t Anak,” which he directed with his brother Tito Arevalo. However, the movies that earned him a place in the Hall of Fame of the FAMAS were “Hanggang sa Dulo ng Daigdig” (1958), “Huwag Mo Akong Limutin” (1960), “Noli me tangere” (1961), “El filibusterismo” (1962), “Ang Daigdig ng Mga Api” (1965), and “Lilet” (1971). He also produced the classic Filipino film “Dyesebel.” The Philippine Government recognized him as a National Artist in 1982.

Antonino Buenaventura. Proclaimed National Artist for Music in 1988, Antonino Buenaventura pushed the frontiers of Filipino music not only with his exceptional composition but also by way of serious research. His works include marches and orchestral music. Among the marches are “History Fantasy,” “Ode to Freedom,” “Echoes of the Past,” “Triumphal March,” and “Echoes from the Philippines.” Meanwhile, “Philippines Triumphant” and “Mindanao Sketches” stand out among the compositions for the orchestra. Buenaventura was once conductor during the most glorious days of the Philippine Army Band. In UST, he also became director of the Conservatory of Music. 

Leandro Locsin. In 1990, the Thomasian architect Leandro Locsin received the honor of being a National Artist. He was known for reshaping the urban landscape of Philippine architecture. His works include the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex (CCP, Folk Arts Theater, Philippine International Convention Center, and the Westin Hotel, which is now Sofitel). His designs reflect his mastery of space and scale, which plays with the visuals of heft and weightlessness, of volume and gravity. He was also the architect of the Istana Nurul Iman, the massive and sophisticated palace of the Sultan of Brunei.

Rolando Tinio. Simply one of the most illustrious Thomasian artists, Rolando Tinio set the standard for a certain time—or perhaps until today—in creative writing, production and pedagogy. A 1997 National Artist Award laureate for Theater and Literature, Tinio left indelible marks on the vast artistic Filipino landscape, having been a playwright, thespian, poet, teacher, critic, translator, and director. The lead of Teatro Pilipino, he revived traditional Filipino drama, such as the Sarsuela. His poetry collections include “Dunung-Dunungan,” “A Trick of Mirrors,” “Sitsit sa Kuliglig,” and “Kristal na Uniberso,” from where the popular poem “Valediction sa Hillcrest” can be found. It would be an incredible treat if his adaptations of “Orosman at Zafira” by Balagtas and Nick Joaquin’s “A Potrait of the Artist as Filipino” (Ang Larawan, the musical) would be a regular feature on the Thomasian stage!

Arturo Luz. Having abandoned figurative art early on in his career as an artist, Arturo Luz paved the way for abstract expressionism in the Philippines. He was clearly ahead of his time as he freed himself from the Amorsolo’s romanticism and the moderns, who became his professors in UST—among them were Galo Ocampo and Diosdado Lorenzo. Among his works are the “Carnival Series,” “Cyclist” paintings, “Candle Vendors,” “Procession,” “Vendedor de Flores,” “Cities of the Past,” and “Black and White.” He was proclaimed National Artist for Visual Arts in 1997.

Jeremias Elizalde Navarro. The playful colors of J. Elizalde Navarro started to find its strokes in UST. He was art director of The Varsitarian, where he also found friendship with future fellow National Artist Francisco Sionil JosĂ©. In the University’s student publication, he began using rubber prints for his graphics. He would continue doing so in the next four decades as he developed his craft in printmaking, graphic designing, painting, and sculpting. He has been known for his abstract art, such as oil on wood painting “The Seasons,” and mixed media, like “I’m Sorry, Jesus, I Can’t Attend Christmas This Year” and “A Flying Contraption for Mr. Icarus.” He was proclaimed National Artist for Visual Arts in 1999.

Ernani Cuenco. In 1999, musician Ernani Cuenco was named National Artist. His impressive record notes him as being a sought-after composer, musical director, educator, and film scorer. He was part of the Filipino Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Manila Symphony Orchestra. Among his notable works are “Pilipinas,” “Inang Bayan,” “Kalesa,” “Gaano Kita Kamahal,” “Isang Dalangin,” and “Bato sa Buhangin.” Cuenco has a music degree from UST in piano and cello. He also taught in the UST Conservatory of Music.

Daisy Hontiveros-Avellana. The 1999 National Artist laureate for Theater was Thomasian Daisy Hontiveros, an actor, director and writer. She was the other half of the rare couple of National Artists, having been married to Lamberto Avellana. Together with her husband, they established the National Artist Guild, which encouraged the patronage to dramatic arts in the Philippines, especially in radio and the TV. Her most notable performances were in Othello in 1953, Macbeth in Black in 1959, Casa de Bernarda Alba in 1967, and in Nick Joaquin’s The Portrait of the Artist as Filipino, where she played the role of Candida. She also directed the staging of “Diego Silang” in 1968 and the classic “Walang Sugat” in 1871. 

Francisco Sionil JosĂ©. The man of the house of the iconic Solidaridad Bookstore along Padre St. in Ermita, Manila is a Thomasian National Artist. The editor in chief of The Varsitarian, F. Sionil JosĂ© already had encounters with future National Artist for Visual Arts J. Elizalde Navarro. As JosĂ© narrates, their usual topics in their conversations were the Second World War and the arts. Also, the great Filipino novelist would always say that he spent “four of the happiest years of my youth at Santo Tomas.” In October 2019, the 94-year-old JosĂ© brought the International PEN, the worldwide organization of poets, playwrights, essayists and novelists, to UST, for the closing ceremonies of its 85th international congress. There, he publicly professed once again his pride and happiness in being a Thomasian before he heartily played the Auld Lang Syne with his harmonica. The Philippine Center of the International PEN was founded by JosĂ© in 1958. Since then, the organization has helped persecuted writers in and out of the country. As a novelist, JosĂ© is best known for his five-novel masterpiece, collectively known as the “Rosales saga.” It consists of â€œThe Pretenders,” “Tree,” “My Brother, My Executioner,” “Mass,” and â€œPo-on” (Dusk). Thank you, FSJ!

Ang Kiukok. 2001 National Artist for Visual Arts Ang Kiukok was a modernist painter. His works are cubist-like with the inflection of cubist-like technique. For art critics, his works depict the feelings of angst and fear, which were the hues of the political turmoil of his time. Because of this, his paintings radiated a sense of nationalist agenda. His notable paintings are “Pieta,” “Geometric Landscape,” “Seated Figure,” and many others. He studied in the UST College of Architecture and Fine Arts under the pioneering modernists of the Philippines, who broke away from the romanticism of Fernando Amorsolo. Among his professors in UST, Ang credited National Artist Vicente Manansala to having inspired him the most.  Some of his works can be found in the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and internationally in the National Museum of Singapore and the National Historial Museum of Taipei.

Bienvenido Lumbera. 2006 National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera is a poet-scholar. His research in Philippine Literature resulted in his important critical works “Tagalog Poetry, 1570-1898: Tradition and Influences in its Development”; “Philippine Literature: A History and Anthology”; “Revaluation: Essays on Philippine Literature”; and “Writing the Nation/Pag-akda ng Bansa.” His collection of poems are “Likhang Dila, Likhang Diwa” and “Balaybay.”  He studied Journalism in UST, where he also served as literary editor of university student organ, The Varsitarian.

Ildefonso Santos, Jr. Thomasian architect I.P. Santos was known as the “Father of Philippine Landscape Architecture.” The Philippine Government recognized him in 2006 for his engaging works in public spaces, such as parks and gardens in the country. His first major work was the Makati Commercial Center, where somehow the concept of green architecture was introduced. This character of his architectural style would be carried on to his other works, such as the Tagaytay Highland Resort, the Mt. Malarayat Gold and Country Club, and the Orchard Golf and Country Club. 

Cirilo Bautista. Poet, fictionist, translator, educator and critic Cirilo Bautista achieved several merits, which etched his mark on the literary landscape of the country. He was among the initiators of formal workshops in creative writing, who passionately did lectures and critiquing sessions to develop the artistry of aspiring writers. Among his major works are “Summer Sun,” “Words and Battlefields,” “”The Trilogy of Saint Lazarus,” “The Archipelago,” “Sugat ng Salita,” “Tinik sa Dila,” “Sublight on Broken Stones,” and “Galaw ng Asoge.” In UST, he was literary editor of The Varsitarian while being a working scholar and a Literature and Creative Writing lecturer after his graduation. 

JosĂ© MarÎŻa Zaragoza. 2014 National Artist for Architecture JosĂ© MarÎŻa Zaragoza designed several modern ecclesiastical structures. He obtained a degree in Architecture from UST before going to Rome to study at the International Institute of Liturgical Art. His training helped him in creating 45 religious structures across the country. These buildings include the Santo Domingo Church, a National Cultural Treasure; Don Bosco Church; San Beda Convent; Pius XII Center; and the Villa San Miguel. He was also behind one restoration effort of the historic Quiapo Church. Also, part of his major works are the Meralco Building in Pasig and the Metropolitan Cathedral of Cebu City.

Francisco Mañosa.  An architect, Thomasian Francisco Mañosa carved his name among the greats by incorporating Filipino themes in his architectural designs. His important works are the Chapel of the Risen Lord in Las Piñas City, Our Lady of Peace (EDSA) Shrine in Quezon City, the Metrorail Transit System Stations for LRT 1, the Quezon Memorial Circle, the Tahanang Pilipino (Coconut Palace), the Pearl Farm Resort in Davao, and La Mesa Watershed Resort and Ecological Park in Quezon City. He was named 2018 National Artist for Architecture and Allied Arts. 

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As Father White says, the arts tell us how it is to be human. These 19 paragons of Philippine Arts are not great because they stood out of the many. Rather, they etched their marks in the landscape of the arts because they carried with them the stories of the Filipino people. Each of them and their artworks were far from being perfect. Nonetheless, they never failed to inspire. Perhaps, that is the meaning of art telling us how it is to be human, that despite imperfections something would still be beautiful. Art and the artist will still inspire, and that kind of inspiration can surely breathe life to the academe that continues to grow more and more mechanical, metricized, and prosaic than poetic. 

Certainly, these 19 were not the only artists, who nurtured their art in the University. There had been a lot before them, and many others to come in the future. There could be another group of visual artists, who would start a new tradition like the moderns of the Fine Arts did earlier in the 20th century; a new set of fictionists, playwrights, poets, and critics; architects who would excite our eyes with their designs; actors and directors, who would tell our narrative of as a people and as a nation; and musicians who would lure us in and out of ourselves. 

The Thomasian community waits in anticipation. Mr. Levine Andro Lao teaches Aesthetics and Art Appreciation at the Ecclesiastical Faculty of Philosophy. He is the Executive Assistant of the Director of the Office for Grants, Endowments and Partnerships in Higher Education. 

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Ranera, a well-known conductor, composer, arranger, and educator, was awarded for his work in “Noli Me Tangere,” an opera production on the classic Filipino novel written by national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, himself a Thomasian.
A multi-awarded performer, Ranera was a three-time winner of the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA). He is a faculty member of the UST Conservatory of Music, and the associate conductor of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the resident symphony orchestra of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Ranera graduated from the UST Conservatory of Music.
Also recognized were: the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe (SDT), who won the Outstanding Cultural Dance Group (School-Based) category, and SDT Artistic Director Robert Stephen Biadoma, who won the Outstanding Festival Choreographer award for his work on the Abrenian Kawayan Festival in Bangued, Abra.
The Philippine Live Entertainment, Arts, and Festivals (LEAF) Awards is an organization that recognizes outstanding live performances in theater, dance, music, and festivals all over the country. This was the inaugural awarding ceremonies of the organization.

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