The Thomasians who were awarded in the event, organized by the Supreme Court of the Philippines, were Judge Charito Manalo Macalintal-Sawali of Branch 4, RTC and Judge Remiebel Unica Mondia of Branch 45, Metropolitan Trial Court, Pasay City.

Mondia was recently appointed Presiding Judge of Branch 110, RTC, Pasay City.

The 2025 HerStory Board of Judges included SC Associate Justices Lazaro-Javier and Maria Filomena D. Singh, Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Maria Theresa V. Mendoza-Arcega, Commission on Human Rights Commissioner Faydah Maniri Dumarpa, and Philippine Commission on Women Chairperson Ermelita V. Valdeavilla.

The event celebrated the inspiring journeys of female judges who have triumphed over personal and professional challenges. Through the sharing of their stories, the award honors their resilience and aims to inspire others鈥攔egardless of gender identity.

First reported in the Supreme Court of the Philippines website.

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As UST-CCBA anticipates its centenary, the college launches intensive mentorship programs that connect students with Thomasian luminaries, who are at the helm of some of the country鈥檚 largest corporations.

This homecoming event marks the beginning of a series of engagements between Mr. Co and CCBA students鈥攆ostering inspiration, mentorship, and meaningful collaboration as one Thomasian community.

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Spanning 65 volumes consisting of 152 issues and 24,232 pages, the digitized student-edited publication contained a prolific pool of scholarship such as case studies, commentaries, and book reviews that discussed and addressed pressing legal issues. The contributors of his journal were law professors, members of the judiciary, as well as the editorial board. The digitization project hereby preserved decades of legal scholarship, and at the same time aimed to share the light of knowledge to scholars and readers alike.

UST Law Review Editor-in-Chief Cindel Ong shared that the publication evolved as a medium for discussion of pressing legal issues and aimed to serve as a vessel to chart new territories of the law. “Since its foundation, the UST Law review paved the way for enriching legal and scholarly discourse among the members of the Faculty,” Ong said.

In his message, Faculty of Civil Law Dean Atty. Nilo Divina, JD, the digitization project was an homage and commitment to its forbearers to preserve and share their legacy and insights written in each volume. “The Law Review was both a guide and a mystery, teaching us how to read critically, think deeply, and respect those who came before us,” Dean Divina shared.

Junior Librarian Symon Lagao, RL, LPT, MALIS, Assistant Head Librarian for Digitization of the Antonio Vivencio del Rosario – UST Heritage Library, shared the overview of UST Law Reviews’ digitization project.

Lagao recalled that the project, proposed by its editorial board, commenced in March 2021 as part of the publication’s modernization efforts. “At its core, digitization is truly a labor of love, demanding not just time and effort, but also a commitment to preserving knowledge for future generations.” Lagao said.
Browse through the website鈥檚 URL at , or the library website at .

The event also opened its retrospective exhibit in celebration of its 75th year, showcasing the contributions of the journal in the long history of the Faculty of Civil Law. it will run until May 30, 2025.

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Published in the Journal of Religion and Health, a Q1 Scopus-indexed journal under Springer Nature, the paper titled delves into the medical potential and moral considerations of gene editing technologies like CRISPR-Cas9. These tools offer promising treatment avenues for rare conditions prevalent in the Philippines, such as Hereditary Tyrosinemia Type I, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and Hunter Syndrome.

Authored by Dr. Mary Anne Chiong (Faculty of Medicine and Surgery) and Dr. Allan Basas (Institute of Religion), the study begins with a clear and accessible overview of gene editing, presenting its transformative capabilities in combating these genetic disorders. The researchers used the three aforementioned diseases as case studies to highlight the real-world implications of scientific innovation in a local context.

But the paper goes beyond biology. Rooted in the Catholic doctrine of Imago Dei鈥攖he belief that every human is made in the image of God鈥攖he authors explore the ethical and theological implications of gene editing. They draw a firm distinction between somatic gene editing, which targets individual patients for therapeutic purposes, and germline editing, which alters DNA in a way that can be passed to future generations鈥攔aising complex moral questions.

Utilizing the See-Judge-Act framework, a staple of Catholic social teaching, the study provides a structured ethical evaluation of gene editing in light of Church doctrine on human dignity. It calls for thoughtful application of science that not only heals but honors the sacredness of life. The authors emphasize that while gene editing holds immense medical promise, it also carries a profound ethical duty. Science, they argue, must always remain grounded in faith and directed toward the service of human dignity and the common good.

In a nation where disparities in healthcare are significant and religion plays a central societal role, the study calls for a united effort among government leaders, healthcare professionals, and faith communities. Strengthening the implementation of the Rare Disease Act and ethically guided investments in gene therapy could revolutionize care for the most vulnerable members of society. Ultimately, this paper is more than a scientific exploration鈥攊t鈥檚 a moral call to action. It asks us to consider how we care for those most in need, with compassion, justice, and an unwavering commitment to life.

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The event was organized by the Department of Modern Languages, in partnership with the UST Office of Public Affairs and in collaboration with Goethe-Institut Philippinen. Through this collaboration, the University was able to screen a film that featured an exciting and whimsical treasure hunt to life, where the main character Cleo encounters iconic personalities from the past, offering sage advice amidst the bustling streets of Berlin.

The morning kicked off with a warm welcome from the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Letters, Prof. Melanie D. Turingan, Ph.D., who expressed gratitude to everyone in attendance for supporting the department’s cultural initiative. Following the Dean鈥檚 message, the Chair of the Department of Modern Languages, Mr. Royce Randall G. Lim, MPH, MIS, gave the opening remarks, where he highlighted the importance of diverse international films to the Thomasian community and promoting cross-cultural appreciation, as this year’s Cultural Wednesday theme focuses on European cinema.

Ms. Barbara Pauli, the Manager for Educational Cooperation of the Goethe Institut-Philippinen, provided a brief overview of the Goethe-Institut, which has played a crucial role in promoting the German language and culture globally. She also shared an engaging overview of 鈥淐leo鈥�, setting the stage for the film’s screening.

Adding to the overall experience of the event were the talented performers from the student volunteers who delivered entertaining song numbers. Overall, the screening of 鈥淐leo鈥� was met with enthusiasm, leaving the audience captivated by its compelling narrative.

Also present during the event were the Director of the UST Office of Public Affairs, Ms. Michaella O. Lagniton, M.A., Rev. Fr. Felix delos Reyes, O.P. PhL., Asst. Prof. John Manuel R. Kliatchko, Ph.D, Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Letters, and other academic staff from the Department of Modern Languages.

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The UST Department of Modern Languages held the “Concurso de canto en espa帽ol鈥� (Singing Contest in Spanish) at the UST Central Laboratory Auditorium on February 27, 2025. This Singing Contest was done in partnership with the UST Office of Public Affairs.
A celebration of artistry through Spanish songs, the event showcased the talents of 14 students from different programs. The contest began with the opening remarks of the Department of Modern Languages Chair, Mr. Royce Randall G. Lim, M.P.H., M.I.S. Contestants then gave their own rendition of Spanish songs in front of a panel of judges.
Journalism student Ma. Kristianna Fantine D. Trinidad won First Place for her performance of 鈥淪olamente Una Vez鈥�; Slanny M. Alvarado, a Political Science student, won second place for her performance of 鈥淪abor a mi鈥�; and Communication Arts student Jessica I. Abe placed third for her performance of 鈥淐ielito Lindo鈥�. The special award for Best in Pronunciation in Spanish was given to Stephen Roi Lacostales, a Political Science student, and the Audience Impact award went to Paolo Dominic G. Orijola, a History major, for his performance of 鈥淟a Bamba鈥�.
Thomasian talent was also featured through the song and dance numbers performed by various student groups during the contest鈥檚 program.
Along with the Dean of Faculty of Arts and Letters, Prof. Melanie Turingan, Ph.D., the event was honored by the presence of several distinguished guests. Among them were Consul Bryan Ang of the Honorary Consulate of Peru in Manila; Education Advisor of the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines Ms. Beatriz Jimeno; the Cultural Attach茅 of the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines Mr. 脕lvaro Garcia; the Administrator of the Instituto Cervantes Manila Mr. Ignacio Urquijo and Manager of the Philippine-Italian Association & Societ脿 Dante Alighieri Manila Mr. Giunell Flores. Their collective presence made the event a truly memorable occasion, emphasizing the importance of language, culture, and international collaboration.

The contest is part of the year-long celebration of the 60th Founding Anniversary of the Faculty of Arts and Letters. More than 250 attendees were at the event and enjoyed the fantastic performances of the 14 contestants, who showcased their talents in singing in Spanish. 

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Beginning with the crisis response

With the mobility restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, community-based rehabilitation (CBR) services also had to shift modality. The paper 鈥溇派�-based rehabilitation in the time of pandemic: Experiences of parents of children with disability鈥� (co-authored by BS Occupational Therapy students Balangue, Chua, Ilagan, Juan, Labaco, and Noh, and academic staff Asst. Prof. Karen S. Sagun) conducted focus groups with parents whose children received CBR and found that they saw the potential of telecoaching to continue availing services, provided that the digital divide and initial doubt on technology can be overcome.

Building on the previous year鈥檚 focus groups, a second study was conducted a year later, focused this time on access of low-income households to community-based telerehabilitation. The paper 鈥淓xploring the accessibility of community-based telerehabilitation for children with disabilities from low-income households鈥� was co-authored by BSOT students Ryanne Nicole H. Alava, Kristine Therese S. Cablay, Katelyn A. Dagdag, Francis Rowelle P. Lagman, Kvaern Edgar S. Nocos, Jamela Y. Quidilla, Nina Mari M. Tan, along with Sagun. It was recently published in the International Journal of Telerehabilitation (Volume 16, Issue 2).

The second study found the need to provide a comprehensive approach to helping low-income households overcome access issues. In particular, affordable technology, family support, and policy advocacy must be provided by a combination of stakeholders: healthcare professionals, policy makers, and family beneficiaries. If the needed support is provided, technological competency and service delivery flexibility as well as telerehabiltation sustainability may be attained.

Transitioning to the blended modality

It was not only classes that transitioned to the blended delivery, as CBR for indigent children with disabilities (CWD) also eventually adopted the blended mode. Dubbed Flexicoaching, the QC Kabahagi Center鈥檚 CBR program was tested for its effectiveness using a quasi-experimental research design that delved into retrospective records review. This the third study conducted by Thomasian researchers, this time by Sagun, along with students Balloon, Defi帽o, Guerrero, Managuelod, Oliva, and Ri帽oza in 2024. The paper, entitled 鈥淓xamining the caregiver鈥檚 perception of occupational performance and satisfaction in community-based rehabilitation using blended online and onsite therapy,鈥� found primary caregivers鈥� perceived occupation performance and CWDs鈥� satisfaction were positive in a blended modality. The program enhanced 鈥渟ocial and educational participation, validating its potential as a sustainable service delivery model for children with disabilities in urban poor communities.鈥�

Scaling the efforts

The fourth paper, entitled 鈥淓ffectiveness of community-based flexicoaching from low socioeconomic background using goal attainment scaling, used pre-test and post-design for the quasi-experimental study alongside the Goal Attainment Scale to measure intervention success for CWDs. The Flexicoaching program was found potentially valuable not just for occupational therapists, but also for physical therapists, and speech therapists, after validating remarkable effectiveness among 88.67% of the participants, who were part of the 406 cases reviewed.

According to QC Kabahagi Center Director and Department of Occupational Therapy academic staff Asst. Prof. Karen S. Sagun, MSOT, MRS, 鈥渢he partnership between UST and QC Government through the Kabahagi Center exemplifies how academe-government collaboration can advance multiple Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in health, education, and reducing inequalities.鈥� The findings of the four studies provided informed evidence-based rehabilitation services that have been made accessible to urban poor communities and thus addressed social disparities.

Sagun added that while the collaboration began as a crisis response by BS Occupational Therapy students to see the effectiveness of Flexicoaching, the partnership has now shown 鈥渃ontinuous development of community-tailored rehabilitation approaches.鈥�

The GCARSIH award, which looked into Filipino-developed programs that targeted an identified priority health need of a community, fetes transformative partnerships that help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals through integrated local governance, health innovation, and academic excellence. Among the selection criteria used were degree of innovativeness, significance, potential for further research and scale, inclusiveness, effectiveness, affordability, and participatory and co-owned nature.

Sagun acknowledged the invaluable support of Quezon City Mayor Hon. Ma. Josefina Belmonte, the QC Kabahagi center staff, UST College of Rehabilitation Sciences Dean Anne Marie C. Asron and Faculty of Medicine and Surgery Dean Ma. Lourdes D. Maglinao, along with the units鈥� officials, academic staff, researchers, and students. Sagun added: 鈥淭his recognition honors the power of collective innovation in healthcare delivery. From dedicated frontline workers of the government to academic partners and the participatory leadership of the city, each stakeholder has contributed to building a sustainable model of inclusive, community-based rehabilitation services. The partnership has become a launchpad for healthcare innovations while nurturing generations of professionals deeply committed to serving vulnerable communities.鈥�

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The discovery of the new species was a result of using 鈥渁n integrative approach of morphological, biogeographic, and molecular biology techniques to describe a tarantula species.鈥� The technique likewise succeeded in resolving 鈥渢axonomic issues on the genera Selenobrachys and Chilocosmia, which were synonymized under the genus Orphnaecus.

With the discovery, the group continues its work on discovering bioactive components that may have therapeutic potential from spider venom. The research program is funded by the Department of Science and Technology and has been named GAGAMBA – Gamot mule sa Gagamba at Mananaliksik ng Bayan.

Authoring the paper were Thomasian researchers Darrell C. Acu帽a, Maria Mikaela U. Dumbrique, Lorenz Rheum P. Ragasa, Charles Nylxon C. Noriega, Assoc. Prof. Myla R. Santiago-Bautista, PhD, Asst. Prof. Leonardo A. Guevarra, Jr., MSc, and Asst. Prof. Maricel C. Ra帽ido, PhD. They were joined by Anna Beatriz R. Mayor, Gregorio Antonio Florendo Jr., and Mary Jane A. Fadri of Romblon State University, and Volker von Wirth of Theraphosid Research Team – Eitting, Germany.

Santiago-Bautista, Guevarra, and Ra帽ido are academic staff of the Department of Biochemistry of the Faculty of Pharmacy. They are academic researchers at the Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences.

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The speakers for the event were Atty. Enrique “Buko” V. Dela Cruz, Jr. of the UST Faculty of Civil Law and Atty. Aison A. Garcia of DLSU College of Law.

Atty. Buko shared a primer on the International Criminal Court, from its formation in 1994 to its effectiveness in 2002, its members and qualified crimes under its jurisdiction, and the Philippines’ membership. He then delved into the president’s capabilities, on their own, to terminate/withdraw from the treaty.

He belongs to the Top Lawyers in the Philippines in 2020, 2021, 2022. He is DivinaLaw’s Senior Partner and Data Protection Officer.

Atty. Garcia tackled International Human Rights in his talk, delving into the Universal Declaration’s history, its salient provisions, the human rights it protects, and how one can file a complaint/report in its violation.

Through community legal empowerment, Atty. Garcia advocates for the rights of farmers, fisherfolks, and indigenous peoples. He was a Humphrey fellow from 2023-2024 and

The moderator of this event was 2016-2017 Humphrey fellow Judge James T. Sy of the Regional Trial Court Branch 187.

Meanwhile, GS Law was represented in the forum by Dean Atty. Jacqueline O. Lopez-Kaw, DCL; Faculty Secretary Leidy May G. Alnajes, LPT, MA, and Ms. Mari-Len M. Tuangco.

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Mary Christ R. Pascua claimed the top rank, followed by King Benedict M. Sabido at #4, and lastly, Kobie Andrei C. Giray occupied the #9 rank.

The exams, conducted from Nov. 23-24, 2024, covered six subject areas: Marketing Management; Sales and Sales Management; Services Marketing; Advertising: Integrated Marketing Communication; Brand Management; and E-Marketing.

The Junior Achievement of the Philippines, Incorporated (JAPI) organized the program in partnership with the Chartered Association of Marketing and Business Professionals (CAMBP).

The RMP Certification Program is a certification examination developed by top industry practitioners and reputable academic partners, Pearson Higher Education, and McGraw Hill Education.

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