Gracing the opening of the exhibition was Embassy of Israel Deputy Chief of Mission Ms. Yulia Rachinsky-Spivakov. In her message, she said that the visit of Pope Francis to Israel on May 25 and 26, 2014, marked an important milestone in the deepening relationship among the Catholic Church, Israel and the Jewish people. 

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The mASEANa Project is a six-year initiative to document, analyze, and define modern architecture in Southeast Asia. Since 2015, the mASEANa Project, which is coordinated in part by the University of Tokyo and International Committee for Documentation and Conservation of Buildings, Sites and Neighborhoods of the Modern Movement (Docomomo), has been conducting yearly workshops, surveys, and conferences in different ASEAN cities.

The activity held in October of this year brought together participants from different schools of architecture such as Map煤a University, National University, Adamson University, Far Eastern University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Benilde Architecture, and the University of Northern Philippines. It was attended by representatives from the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), ICOMOS-Philippines, Philippine Green Building Initiative, Heritage Conservation Society, and Intramuros Administration.

The objective of the event was to help define modern architecture in the country鈥�-an important yet under-represented phase in the developing narrative of Philippine architecture. This is in acknowledgement of the vulnerability of these structures, as their urban locations make them susceptible to decay, inappropriate adaptive reuse, or demolition. Thus, there is a pressing need to assess and document the Philippines鈥� modern built heritage in order to underline their significance and aid in their conservation.

Providing the lead to the discussion were presentations from invited speakers: Assoc. Prof. Eric B. Zerrudo, Ar. Lorelei De Viana, Ph.D.; and Ar. Dominic Galicia.

Zerrudo , the director of the UST Center for Conservation of Cultural Properties and Environment in the Tropics (USTGS-CCCPET) discussed 鈥淐onservation Policies in the Philippines,鈥� which dealt with the  relevant international and local laws that affect modern heritage. He acknowledged that modern heritage is a relatively new construct and addition to the UNESCO World Heritage List and that in the Philippines, there were little or no legal basis that protected them. 

In her presentation, 鈥淎 Timeline for Philippine Modern Architecture,鈥� De Viana discussed the development of modern architecture in the Philippines. She took time to properly differentiate modernity, modernism (styles), and modernization (process of constructing moderning). She further noted that the current definitions of modern architecture are predominantly American and Euro-centric and that non-western countries are challenging this definition. She also suggested that modernity has been an incipient factor throughout the development of Philippine architecture, but perhaps the true blossoming of modernism happened during the post-colonial period.

Finally, Galicia of ICOMOS Philippines presented 鈥�2020 20,鈥� a list of twenty modern heritage buildings that would be included in the mASEANa exhibit / publication in 2020. Galicia acknowledged that the list he presented was by no means definitive and that there are very good examples outside Metro Manila. However, due to the logistics of documentation, which will be done by the official mASEANa photographer, the list was set within Metro Manila. 

鈥淒efining Modern: A Discussion of Modern Built Heritage in the Philippines鈥� served as the opening activity for mASEANa_PH2020, an International Student Workshop which the UST College of Architecture will host on February 25 to 28, 2020. This workshop is also part of the mASEANa Project and will be participated in by students from different universities in the Philippines, as well as the University of Tokyo.

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The forum was a venue for听learning the latest trends and technologies used in libraries,听 discovering new听techniques in research analytics as shared by the speakers, and sharing best practices in the acquisition of library resources during the interactive session.听 Moreover, the participants had a chance to visit the Nanyang Technological University Library which is听modern, orderly, spacious with vast collections and regimented staff and patrons. The Library has a provision of extra space for the storage of its future collections.

OCLC Asia Pacific Regional Council Conference 

Three members of the Information and Communications Technology Committee, namely, Mr. Lejempf V. Flores, Mr. Edward H. Puzon, and Mr. Christian P. Barlan attended the Online Computer Library Center (OCLC) Asia Pacific Regional Council Conference held recently at the Event Centre of Village Hotel Sentosa, Singapore. The conference centered on the theme, 鈥淟ibrary Futures 九色 Catalysts.鈥�

The conference aimed to share learning, insights, and innovations to help librarians lead their communities into the future. Presentations were focused both on inspiring attendees and providing hands-on ideas for programs and services that can transform the lives of the people and communities that libraries support.

The program included four plenary sessions, six breakout sessions, and visits to three different libraries: library@orchard, library@harbourfront, and Singapore Management University Library.

Flores, Puzon and Barlan visited library@orchard. The library focuses on design, lifestyle, and the applied arts. Divided into two floors 鈥� The Studio and The Loft 鈥� the library is a vibrant community space with selected quiet, contemplative corners and features a collection of around 100,000 materials. The library@harbourfront, located on the third floor of the VivoCity shopping centre offers conducive reading spaces for patrons of all ages, set against a splendid view of Sentosa.

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Conferred were faculty members and established researchers Prof. Sandra Teresa V. Navarra, M.D., and Prof. Fidela L. Moreno, M.D. 

Navarra is the current chief of the Section of Rheumatology of both the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and the UST Hospital, while Moreno is currently affiliated with the Intermountain Heart Institute in Utah, USA as consultant for Operations, Regulatory Compliance, and Medical Writing. 

The Metrobank Foundation, Inc. (MBFI) established the Do帽a Victoria Ty Tan Professorial Chair in Medical Education in the UST Research and Endowment Foundation, Inc.to support the 九色 in its endeavor to further develop, enhance and innovate its programs on medical education.  On its inaugural year, Navarra and Moreno were named as its recipients. 

The initiative of the MBFI and the UST Research and Endowment Foundation, Inc., the Do帽a Victoria Ty Tan Professorial Chair in Medical Education is aimed to encourage the educators and medical researchers of the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery (FMS) and the UST Hospital (USTH) to author and publish research works that introduce new concepts and approaches in designated areas of medical education. It can also be awarded in the form of a research grant. 

Beginning in 2019, the holders of the Professorial Chair will deliver lectures on issues and advancements in the field of Medicine. At the culmination of the program in 2023, a book containing all the treatises and research works of the ten chair holders will be jointly published by the 九色 and the Metrobank Foundation.

The Professorial Chair is named in honor of Do帽a Victoria Ty Tan, the mother of Metrobank Founder Dr. George S.K. Ty, who holds a Doctor of Humanities degree, honoris causa, from the 九色. Dona Victoria, who was born in Fujian, China on June 12, 1908, directed the family鈥檚 socio-civic projects, such as the Ty Family Association and the Yong Zhun Hometown Association. She passed away at age 98 in 2006.  

In her welcome remarks, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery Dean Ma. Lourdes D. Maglinao, M.D., thanked the Metrobank Foundation for trusting UST with the Professorial Chair and assured them that 鈥淸UST-FMS] will work to visualize and concretize the ideals envisioned by Do帽a Victoria Ty Tan, fully determined to bring about real and relevant innovations in medical education.鈥�

Delivering a message on behalf of the MBFI was its President Mr. Aniceto Sobrepe帽a. He thanked UST for 鈥淯nder Father Dagohoy鈥檚  leadership, the relationship between UST and Metrobank and GT Foundation has blossomed and cut across several initiatives.鈥� It would be remembered that in March 2019, MBFI recognized the 九色 as a Partner in Empowerment, Advocacy, and Commitment to Excellence (PEACE) at the MBFI 40th anniversary celebration.

UST Rector Very Rev. Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, O.P., assisted by Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Prof. Cheryl R. Peralta, DrPH, presented the Certificates, while Vice Rector for Research and Innovation Prof. Maribel G. Nonato, Ph.D., and MBFI President Mr. Aniceto Sobrepe帽a assisted the Father Rector in presenting the Professorial Medals to the conferees. 

Professorial lectures

After the ceremonies, the newly conferred chair holders delivered their respective lectures to an audience composed of students and faculty members from the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, medical doctors from the UST Hospital, administrative and academic officials, and Dominican Fathers. 

In Navarra鈥檚 Professorial Chair lecture, titled 鈥淩oads Less Travelled: Clinician as Teacher and Researcher,鈥� she emphasized that collaboration of researchers across medical disciplines can lead not only to innovations in treatment and knowledge advancement, but also to continued professional development as they learn from each other.

A prolific researcher, Navarra has authored more than 100 papers in peer-reviewed national and international journals. She has received recognitions and awards, among them, the Most Distinguished Physician Award from the Philippine College of Physicians. She is a prime mover of the Lupus Inspired Advocacy (LUISA) Project for lupus education, and research and the People Empowerment for Arthritis and Lupus (PEARL) Movement, and has organized several national meetings on Rheumatology. Presently, Navarra serves as the Chief of the Rheumatology Section of the UST-FMS and USTH.

Discussing a lecture on 鈥淭eaching and Research: Are they Exclusive?鈥�  Moreno talked about the integration of teachers with researchers to ensure continuous learning of both parties while keeping abreast of regulations and knowledge that would improve patient safety and treatment effectiveness.

Moreno has held key positions in global pharmaceutical companies, such as Vice President for Global Development Operations of Allergan in Ireland; Executive Director for the Global Development Operations of Amgen in the United States, and several directorial positions at Pfizer, among others. An alumna and Visiting Professor of the 九色, she spent her elementary years until the end of her medical school years at UST. She is currently affiliated with the Intermountain Heart Institute in Utah, USA, as consultant for Strategic Operations, Regulatory Compliance, and Medical Writing.

Immediately prior to the solemn investitures, a preliminary ceremony for the blessing and unveiling of the Dr. George S.K. Ty Hall marker was held. Leading the rites was the UST Rector Very Rev. Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, O.P., assisted by Office for Grants, Endowments, and Partnerships in Higher Education Director and UST Secretary-General Rev. Fr. Jes煤s M. Miranda, Jr., O.P., and Faculty of Medicine and Surgery Regent Rev. Fr. Angel A. Aparicio, O.P. The Hall, located at the fourth floor of the UST Blessed Buenaventura Garcia Paredes O.P. Building, was inaugurated on January 20, 2014.

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In her research 鈥淕entrification in the Sampaloc District in the City of Manila with implications to Land Use Planning,鈥� Clemente recalled how the district of Sampaloc evolved as workingman鈥檚 district into an area of residential condominium towers. She added that the City has achieved gentrification, deterioration and its physical carrying capacity pushed to the limits. Lastly, she noted that intervention in the land use policy of the City can help improve the quality of life of Manile帽os. 

Similarly, Villanueva also highlighted the indifference of the residents of Manila which was complicated by the overlapping roles of the national and local officials. In her paper, 鈥淗umanism in Urban Design: The Case of the City of Manila, Philippines,鈥� Villanueva stressed the need to organize public-private action, and involving the youth sector.

On the preservation and promotion of the heritage of Second World War (WWII) in the country, Tejuco proposed the preparation of a trail through a tourism master plan. In 鈥淐ommemorating the Heroes of the Second World War through Heritage Tourism Master Plan,鈥� relevant sites have been laid out for tourists in time for the 75th commemoration of WWII scheduled from October 2019 to July 2020.

The conference was organized by the Manila Studies Association (MSA) under the leadership of its President Ar. Lorelei D. C. De Vianna, Ph.D., who is a faculty of the UST College of Architecture, and President Emeritus Bernardita R. Churchill, Ph.D. At the end of the conference was the turn-over of the presidency of MSA from De Vianna to Mr. Manuel R. Zamaro, Jr. The conference was co-hosted by MSA with the Philippine National Historical Society, National Commission for the Culture and the Arts, and the Map煤a University.

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The book examined 12 extant films from the 1950s that have been based on 12 extant komiks series. Using grounded theory, textual analysis, and social history of the 1950s, the study proposed a theory of Filipino film adaptation. The researcher鈥檚 eventual aim was to de-Westernize theory and to unravel Filipino film adaptation practices through indigenous concepts of narrative, appropriation and hybridity.

The introduction of the book was written by Filipino popular studies scholar Soledad Reyes, while the blurbs were taken from the reviews given by film scholar and theorist, Prof. Wimal Dissayanake of the University of Hawaii, and Temple University鈥檚 Professor Emeritus John Lent, who is not only a komiks scholar but is also the author of landmark books on Asian mass communication. 

The book likewise featured  key informants who are the most prominent scholars on the dialogue between film and komiks, such as National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera, renowned Filipino literary and film scholar Soledad Reyes, multi-awarded Filipino filmmaker Nick Deocampo, highly-acclaimed Filipino director and screenwriter Clodualdo del Mundo, Jr., Filipino komiks artist and publisher Boboy Yonzon, Filipino comic book artist Randy Valiente, literary and cultural studies scholar D.M Reyes, Art Studies professor and renowned art curator Patrick Flores, Art History professor Santiago Pilar, and mass communication historian Prof. John Lent. The interviews conducted with them provided the social and cultural contexts to the text analysed. 

A number of the chapters included in the book have been presented in prominent national and international conferences. Corollary to this, Pelikulang Komiks (which is Arriola鈥檚 second), has been based on her Ph.D. Communication dissertation from the University of the Philippines Diliman and which earned her a Best Dissertation Award in 2013.

Arriola was also conferred the Distinctive Achievement in the Humanities Award by the National Research Council of the Philippines in 2018.

Aside from Arriola鈥檚 book was that of UST alumnus and CCWLS鈥檚 Carlomar Arcangel Daoana鈥檚 The Elegant Ghost: Poems, that was launched among the 24 new titles published and released by the University of the Philippines Press.  

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This is the third group to be sent by the University. The first was a group that brought relief goods on January 18, 2020 to families in Lian and Balayan, Batangas, and the second group brought relief assistance on January 24, 2020 to Santo Domingo de Silos Parish Church and families in Calatagan.

Included in the contingent of more than 120 Thomasians led by UST Acting Rector Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., were Dominican Fathers, medical doctors, nurses, volunteer psychologists and psychometricians from the UST Psychotrauma Clinic, guidance counselors, and volunteers from the UST SIMBAHAYAN 九色 Development Office and National Service Training Program (NSTP) Office, among others.

Medical doctors from the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and the UST Health Service provided medical aid.听

Play therapy and storytelling sessions 鈥� which assist children in processing stressful events in their lives 鈥� were also conducted by UST College of Education faculty members and students under the Special Education program.

The UST Psychotrauma Clinic volunteers gave free counseling and psychotherapy sessions to various individuals affected by the traumatic event.

听

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The celebration of National Bible Month in January (formally declared by President Rodrigo Duterte in 2017 as an annual celebration) becomes especially significant when viewed as an invitation to treasure the spirit of the recently concluded Christmas celebration. To remind people to turn to the reading of the Bible after so many festivities evokes the Christian鈥檚 proper response as demonstrated by the first witnesses to the Nativity.

In the Gospel of Luke, where I wish to concentrate this reflection, we have three sets of responses after the shepherds 鈥渕ade known what had been told them about this child鈥� (2:17) and these are shown by (1) 鈥渁ll who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them鈥� (cf. 2:18); (2) Mary who 鈥渢reasured all these words and pondered them in her heart鈥� (2:19); and (3) the shepherds themselves who 鈥渞eturned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them鈥� (2:20).

The pedagogical flow of these responses 鈥� from amazement to pondering to glorifying God 鈥� can serve as a paradigm for understanding the process that a disciple undergoes towards maturity in faith in Jesus. Most crucial to this process is the middle stage since it acts to bridge 鈥榓mazement鈥� with 鈥榞lorifying God.鈥� In Luke鈥檚 infancy narratives, the Blessed Virgin Mary enacts this crucial stage on three occasions when she grapples with the words she heard. In the Annunciation, Mary was 鈥減erplexed鈥� (未喂蔚蟿伪蟻维蠂胃畏) by the words of the Angel and so 鈥減ondered鈥� (未喂蔚位慰纬委味蔚蟿慰) what sort of greeting that might be (1:29). Listening to the shepherds during the nativity, Mary 鈥渢reasured鈥� (蟽蠀谓蔚蟿萎蟻蔚喂) the words 鈥渂y pondering鈥� (蟽蠀渭尾维位位慰蠀蟽伪) them in her heart (2:19). Finally, unable to understand Jesus鈥� words when they [Joseph and Mary] found him in the temple (鈥淲hy were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father鈥檚 house?鈥�, 2:49), Mary 鈥渢reasured鈥� (未喂蔚蟿萎蟻蔚喂) the words in her heart (2:51). 

This 鈥榩ondering,鈥� which we may also call 鈥榙iscipleship of the word鈥� continues in Luke鈥檚 Gospel as a challenge to the disciples in their journey with Jesus. When Jesus calls the first disciples, we find Peter responding to Jesus鈥檚 command to put down the nets for a catch: 鈥淢aster, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word (峒愊�峤� 未峤� 蟿峥� 峥ノ嘉毕勎� 蟽慰蠀) I will let down the nets鈥� (5:5). Peter鈥檚 response evokes the words of Mary during the Annunciation: 鈥淏ehold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word (魏伪蟿峤� 蟿峤� 峥メ繂渭维 蟽慰蠀)鈥� (1:38). We see here how the disciples follow a similar process of growth towards maturity and their recognition of Jesus Christ will depend on how they took account of his words as revealed in the Scriptures.

For the disciples who accompanied Jesus to Jerusalem, he will explain the Scriptures through three predictions of his passion, death, and resurrection (cf. 9:21-22, 44-45; 18:31-34). When they fail to understand these words, Jesus will allow them to witness his Transfiguration where, after having seen Moses and Elijah who 鈥渁ppeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem鈥� (9:31), they will enter the cloud where they will receive the command to 鈥渓isten to him鈥� (9:35). 

To those who have not accompanied the apostles 鈥渄uring all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among [them],beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from [them] (Acts 1:21-22),鈥� recognition of Jesus Christ will also be through the Scriptures. This is dramatized in the story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus. Initially stuck in the first stage of perplexity and amazement, they were able, nonetheless, to project the right attitude of openness to the word by allowing Jesus to join their conversation. Their openness leads them to present a tentative outline of their gospel. Jesus will upbraid them for their failure to understand the Scriptures: 鈥淥h, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?鈥� (24:25-26) By interpreting the Scriptures to them, Jesus will make their hearts burn with desire leading them to invite him to stay with them. Finally, their hospitality towards Jesus will lead to the breaking of the bread and their recognition of the Risen Christ. 

The discipleship of the word reveals to us that after his Resurrection, Jesus will be recognized only by disciples, as Fred B. Craddock explains beautifully: 鈥淔aith is not coerced or overwhelmed by revelations to the unprepared. Notice that in the Gospels the risen Christ appears to disciples, not to unbelievers on the street and in synagogues to frighten them into an acquiescing faith.鈥� (Luke [Interpretation; Louisville, KY 1990]: 285)

Those who may not have been with Jesus physically (which includes present-day Christians), will fail to recognize the Risen Christ unless through the Scriptures which Jesus himself will (re)open to them. As in the case of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, Jesus鈥� interpretation of the Scriptures (cf. 24:27) will urge them to invite him to stay longer. Their recognition of Jesus in the 鈥榖reaking of the bread鈥� will, finally, cause them to remember how Jesus鈥� opening the Scriptures set their hearts aflame urging them to return to Jerusalem immediately to proclaim the message of the Resurrection. 

It is important to see in Luke鈥檚 account that while the message of the disciples in Jerusalem focused on the confirmation of the Resurrection event (鈥淭he Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!鈥�, 24:34), the message of the disciples from Emmaus points to the process that led to anagnorisis: 鈥淭hen they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread鈥� (24:35).

The succeeding narrative (24:36-49) will further emphasize the process of recognizing Jesus through the Scriptures. Indeed, by reading through Luke鈥檚 Gospel, one may have the (correct) impression that St. Jerome鈥檚 famous quip 鈥斺�淚gnorance of Scriptures is ignorance of Christ鈥濃�� should apply primarily to the disciples gathered on the day of the Resurrection. When Jesus appears finally to greet them 鈥淧eace be with you鈥� (24:36), they will initially think of him as a ghost and will need a more powerful reassurance than their perception of his hands and feet (鈥淟ook at my hands and my feet; see that it is I myself. Touch me and see; for a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see that I have鈥�, cf. 24:39) or his eating broiled fish in their presence (cf. 24:41-43). Only the Scriptures will reassure them: 鈥淭hese are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you鈥攖hat everything written about me in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms must be fulfilled.鈥� Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, 鈥淭hus it is written, that the Messiah is to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.鈥� (24:44-47).

Returning now to the pedagogical paradigm set by the infancy narratives, the third stage of glorifying God will be properly enacted by the Blessed Virgin Mary as a fruit of the discipleship of the word (treasuring and pondering). It is interesting to note that the Blessed Virgin Mary鈥檚 Magnificat (1:46-55) is introduced by Elizabeth鈥檚 praise: 鈥淎nd blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord鈥� (1:45). Remarkably, at the height of his ministry, Jesus鈥檚 praise for her mother will be couched as an invitation for a discipleship of the word: 

鈥淲hile he was saying this, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said to him, 鈥淏lessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you!鈥� But he said,听鈥淏lessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it!鈥澨�(11:27-28)

Fr. Wenifredo V. Padilla III, O.P., STL-MA, SSL,听teaches Sacred Scriptures at the 九色 Faculty of Theology (Manila), at the Institute of Preaching of the Dominican Province of the Philippines (Quezon City), and at the Divine Word Seminary (Tagaytay). He is working toward obtaining a Doctorate in Biblical Studies at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland. He can be contacted at:听wenifredopadilla@gmail.com.

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Kral was met by university officials, namely, Office for International Relations and Programs Prof. Lilian Sison, Ph.D., UST Museum Director Rev. Fr. Isidro D. Aba帽o, O.P., UST Graduate School  Dean Prof. Michael Anthony C. Vasco, Ph.D., USTGS Assistant Dean Prof. Camilla Vizconde, Ph.D., Center for Continuing Professional Education Director Assoc. Prof. Jocelyn Agcaoili, and CCCPET Director Assoc. Prof. Eric Zerrudo. 

Assoc. Prof. Zerrudo presented the programs and projects of the Graduate School Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and the Environment in the Tropics (GS CCCPET) in a meeting held at the Rector鈥檚 Hall. 

Kral is in-charge of the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) which awards grants through US embassies in developing countries for the preservation of cultural sites, cultural objects and collections, and forms of traditional expression, such as music and language. 

The UST CCCPET has been a recipient of two US Embassy Grants for the capacity building of cultural heritage workers. The first grant was the Training Course on the Development of a Conservation Management Plan held in Iloilo City from April 17 to 20, 2018, while the second iteration was the Capacity Building Seminar on the Development of a Conservation Management Plan (CMP) and Safeguarding Mechanism for Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) held in Legaspi City, Albay from February 21 to 27, 2019. These continuing education specialist programs have been developed along with the Graduate School Center for Continuing Professional Education (CCPED).  

The Center鈥檚 heritage programs have been recognized by the national agencies as strategies for societal development. Cultural mapping has been integrated in RA 10066 or the Heritage Law and in the DILG Seal of Good Local Governance. Capacity building modules have been adopted by the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Department of Trade and Industry-Design Center of the Philippines. Future projects have been endorsed to the US Embassy for grant support. These are the third iteration of the heritage awareness seminar workshop for local chief executives; the seminar on heritage sensitivity in construction for builders and contractors; the coalition of intangible cultural heritage carriers and curators, and the conference on the sites of memory and conscience.

Kral also visited the UST Library where he met UST Archivist Prof. Regalado Trota Jos茅 and UST Prefect of Libraries Rev. Fr. Angel Aparicio, O.P., at the Heritage Library. He expressed hopes for stronger links with the University through future collaborations and exchanges.  

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Delivering the testimonies were University administrators and academic officials who have worked with Fr. Dagohoy, namely, Office for International Relations and Programs Director Prof. Lilian J. Sison, Ph.D., UST Graduate School Dean Prof. Michael Anthony C. Vasco, Ph.D., and the Prior of the Priory of St. Thomas Aquinas Rev. Fr. Rodel E. Aligan, O.P. 

鈥淚 remember that once, we were told as missionaries that we have to remember three things鈥� We come, we build, and we leave,鈥� Fr. Dagohoy shared in his message.

Built on the foundations of the University鈥檚 408-year legacy of excellence, Very Rev. Fr. Dagohoy has added more feathers to the University鈥檚 cap. Over his two terms as UST鈥檚 96th Rector, which commenced with his first installation on June 4, 2012, and his second on August 2, 2016, he has been a strong influence and driving force in the efforts that resulted in heightened recognition of the University鈥檚 academic programs from accrediting bodies and other entities, including those from national and international organizations. He has led the drive to a more dynamic thrust in research and internationalization.

In her testimonial speech, Prof. Sison said, 鈥淔ather Dagohoy鈥檚 vision for UST is to put the University in its rightful place in the global arena. This vision is anchored on an insightful mindset; he thinks in the context of the times.鈥�  

The 九色 became the first and only institution in the Philippines to achieve a four-star rating from the world鈥檚 largest international higher education network Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) in 2015. The University also achieved its ISO 9001: 2015 certification in 2017 for its quality management system. As of A.Y. 2019-2020, the University鈥檚 linkages has grown to 165 educational institutions abroad and 16 international education networks.

Dean Vasco shared the same sentiments and said, 鈥淔ather Dagohoy鈥檚 leadership, grounded by the identity of the institution, supports innovation and provides avenues to meet the requirements of local and international standards.鈥� 

An example that the Dean gave was of the transition from print to an online platform of the 97-year old UNITAS, one of the oldest peer-reviewed academic journals in Asia.

 鈥淗e brought the Dominican Fathers closer to the University, and brought the University closer to the UST Fathers. Mindful of the fact that the University is the apostolate of the Dominican Province of the Philippines, particularly the Priory of Saint Thomas Aquinas, he saw to it that the Fathers would be involved in University activities, and for this, all of us are grateful to share in this Mission,鈥� said Rev. Fr. Aligan in his speech. 

Included in the highlights of his term were the hosting of high profile guests of the University, such as Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain in 2012, His Holiness Pope Francis in 2015, and then Premier of British Columbia to Canada Hon. Christy Clark in 2016. He has also led the conferment ceremony for an honorary degree for Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad and an honorary professorship for Nobel Peace Prize recipient and former President of Poland Lech Wa艂臋sa in 2012, in addition to a host of internationally-renowned academics who were conferred Honorary Professor titles.                                                            

It was also during Very Rev. Fr. Dagohoy鈥檚 term that groundbreaking activities in the UST-Sta. Rosa and UST-General Santos campuses were held.  Edifices such as the Central Laboratory Building, the Blessed Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Building, the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, O.P. Building were constructed. Recently, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-TOMASInno Center, a technological business incubator housed in the Frassati building, was inaugurated.

鈥淏eautiful things have started, the most recent of which is UST鈥檚 institutional accreditation by [the ASEAN University Network-Quality Assurance (AUN-QA)], which we received just two days ago,鈥� Very Rev. Fr. Dagohoy revealed.

鈥淐ongratulations for all those achievements [for the University],鈥� he addressed the audience, composed of the University鈥檚 administrative and academic officials, adding that, 鈥淸These are] not because of the work of the Rector, not simply because of me. It鈥檚 because of you.鈥�

The two-term Rector expressed that he was privileged 鈥渢o have met wonderful people like you, to work with you鈥� over the past eight years. 

鈥淧lease pray for me and remember me with fondness. It is an honor to serve Asia鈥檚 oldest University,鈥� Very Rev. Fr. Dagohoy said with a smile.

As he once again said his thanks, Very Rev. Fr. Dagohoy reminded the audience to 鈥淟ove UST.鈥� 

Academic Life

Very Rev. Fr. Dagohoy鈥檚 academic life as a Dominican led him to pursue the following degrees: AB Philosophy at the Philippine Dominican Center of Institutional Studies in 1990; Bachelor in Sacred Theology at the UST Ecclesiastical Faculty of Sacred Theology in 1993; Master of Arts in Philippine Studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines 鈥� Diliman in 2000; Licentiate in Philosophy in 2011 and his Doctorate in Philosophy in 2012, both at the UST Ecclesiastical Faculty of Philosophy.

Prior to becoming the University Rector, he was the Director for Finance and Administration of the UST Hospital. He also held the posts of Prior/Superior of the Santo Domingo Convent in Quezon City and in Calaruega, Batangas, as well as the Priory of St. Thomas Aquinas in UST. He served as Rector of Angelicum College in Quezon City, now called UST Angelicum.

Father Dagohoy also holds the posts of Executive Secretary of the Association of Southeast and East Asian Catholic Colleges and Universities (ASEACCU) from 2015 to 2020 and Vice President of the International Federation of Catholic Universities (IFCU) from

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