The distinguished guest of honor was the Hon. Ma. Esperanza Christina Garcia Frasco, the Secretary of the Department of Tourism, accompanied by key officials from the DOT: USEc. Maria Rica C. Bueno, Undersecretary for Tourism Standards, Regulations, and Human Capital Development; ASec. Judilyn S. Quiachon, Assistant Secretary for Tourism Regulation, Coordination, and Convergence; ASec. Sharlene Zabala-Batin, Assistant Secretary for Tourism Digitalization and Resource Generation and the Regional Director of DOT National Capital Region; ASec. Ronald P. Conopio, Assistant Secretary for Protocol and Engagement; and Atty. Glenn Albert M. Ocampo, Director of the Office of Special Concerns.

The forum emphasized the critical role of women within the tourism sector, celebrating their contributions and achievements. Among the notable female speakers were Ms. Kach Medina Umandap, recognized as the first and youngest Filipina traveler to visit 195 United Nations countries with a Philippine passport; Ms. Kimberly Dionisio, First Officer for Airbus 320 at PAL Express; Ms. Mary Ann Ong, a consultant for Bridges Travel; and Ms. Anna Marie Almazan, Senior Sales Manager at The Bellevue Hotels and Resorts, Bohol.

Students and academic staff from the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management attended this forum, gaining insights into career opportunities, challenges, and advancements pertaining to gender diversity in the tourism industry.

The participation and co-sponsorship of the University aligned with Sustainable Development Goals No. 4 (Quality Education), 5 (Gender Equality), 8 (Descent Work and Economic Growth), 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), 10 (reduced Inequalities), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and 17 (Partnership with the Goals).

Secretary Frasco and her team received a warm welcome from the 九色 administrators and officials, including Rev. Fr. Louie R. Coronel, O.P., EHL, Secretary-General of the Office of the Secretary-General; Ms. Michaella O. Lagniton, MA, Director of the Office of Public Affairs; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atty. Gezzez Giezi G. Granado, Dean of the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management; Rev. Fr. Dr. Ferdinand L. Bautista, O.P., Regent; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Evangeline E. Timbang, Assistant Dean; Asst. Prof. Maria Margarita P. Cruz-Ireneo, College Secretary; Asst. Prof. Christine Concepcion C. Fajardo, Chairperson of the Department of Tourism Management; and Dr. Fhamela F. Sarmiento, Chairperson of the Department of Hospitality Management.

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The research entitled 鈥淪ustainable 九色-based Tourism Potential and Development of Barangay San Miguel, Echague, Isabela鈥� assessed the potential of Barangay San Miguel in Echague, Isabela for sustainable community-based tourism in the post-COVID-19 era. It examined the barangay鈥檚 current tourism development, identified challenges and opportunities, and gathered stakeholder perspectives on sustainability in tourism. The study recommends a Sustainable Tourism and Strategic Development Plan, integrating community contributions to economic, socio-cultural, environmental, and political priorities. This plan aims to guide future tourism development and ensure sustainability in Barangay San Miguel鈥檚 tourism industry.

The project is part of the first batch of the NRCP Policy-funded Research in 2021. #TeamKomunidad is headed by Asst. Prof. Jame Monren T. Mercado with its members, Asst. Prof. Dr. Avi Ben P. Andalecio, Dr. Fhamela F. Sarmiento, Asst. Prof. Maria Concepcion A. Ang, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Evangeline E. Timbang, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atty. Gezzez Giezi G. Granado. The project is in partnership with the House of Representatives Office of Hon. Faustino 鈥淚nno鈥� A. Dy V of the 6th District of Isabela and the Municipal Government of Echague, Isabela.

The participation of the project team aligned with the SDGs 4 (Quality Education), 5 (Gender Equality), 8 (Descent Work and Economic Growth), 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), 13 (Climate Action), 14 (Life Below Water), 15 (Life on Land), 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

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The discussion, moderated by Professor Linfa Wang of Duke-National University of Singapore Medical School and Dr. Lee Fok Kay of Temasek Foundation, Singapore, delved into what it takes to be ready for the next pandemic. Bergantin and her co-panelists stressed the importance of convincing governments and leaders of the ASEAN groups that the knowledge base gained during the COVID-19 pandemic is a vital resource worth sharing to the general public. Bergantin recalled the collaboration between the government and professional associations during the pandemic. A case in point was the preparation of COVID-19 guidelines prepared by the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, whose inputs helped craft policies during the onslaught of the dreaded virus.

The panel included Indonesia鈥檚 Dr. Darmawali Handoko, Medical Services Deputy Director Prof. Derrick Heng, Thailand鈥檚 Mahidol University Prof. Prassert Auewarakul, and Malaysia鈥檚 Tropical Diseases Research and Education Center Executive Director Prof. Dr. Sazaly bin Abu Bakar.

Bergantin also added that a sound pandemic preparedness policy requires the participation of not just scientists and government leaders, but also economists, vulnerable groups, and community members. In an interview with the Communications Bureau, Bergantin said that: 鈥淚 am just thankful that aside from teaching, I have been included in various clinical practice guideline creation and health technology assessment thus I have first hand experience in policy-making (recommendation), which I have just realized when I was asked to join the panel. I may not hold a degree in public health but working for the Filipinos in my capacity from the academe, together with other specialists from UST who are regularly consulted by the government based on their expertise, the Thomasian spirit of competence, compassion and commitment truly burns bright.鈥�

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Bergantin joined fellow doctors and healthcare professionals in the UST Hospital to save lives amidst the strictest of mobility restrictions. Look at her COVID-19-focused interview with the Communications Bureau here: 

The congress drew over 300 onsite participants and was supported by Temasek Foundation, Singapore.

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Called “i-25: The i-Witness Talks,” the seasoned documentarists Howie Severino, Kara David, Atom Araullo, Mav Gonzales, and John Consulta shared their experiences as journalists as well as lessons they learned during some of their most memorable documentaries.

i-Witness first premiered in 1999 and featured some of the finest journalists in Philippine media such as Jessica Soho, Vicky Morales, Cheche Lazaro, Luchi-Cruz Valdes, and the late Mike Enriquez. The long-running series has been a staple in educational settings and well-known not just in FIlipino households, but abroad. The program has earned awards and accolades including two George Foster Peabody Awards, multiple New York Festivals world medals, Asian TV Awards, Asia-Pacific Child Rights Awards, and finalist status at the Emmy Awards, and many more.

UST Secretary-General Rev. Fr. Louie R. Coronel, O.P., EHL, in his welcome remarks, commended I-Witness鈥� contributions to the educational landscape and the discourse around societal issues, saying 鈥淟et us acknowledge the courage it takes to bring important issues to the forefront, the dedication to uncover stories, and the commitment to make a difference.鈥�

Atom Araullo was the first journalist to talk. In his seven years with I-Witness, he currently has over 50 documentaries that aired, which broadened his experiences as they sometimes involved a range of circumstances, from danger and hunger, to thrills and fulfillment.

鈥淓xperience is more precious than gold. Experience becomes stories, and stories are very powerful,鈥� shared Araullo, who won the 鈥楳ost Trusted Field Reporter Award鈥� from the Platinum Stallion Media Awards in 2015, as well as the Student Leaders Choice for TV Personality from the USTv Awards in the same year.

鈥淚t is our sacred duty to bear witness to history,鈥� emphasized Araullo, who has shone light on incidents of violence, calamity, tragedy, not just in the country, but also globally, including the plight of the Rohingya people in Myanmar.

Mav Gonzales followed up by sharing lessons she has learned from exploring new stories. Having been a reporter since 2012, she is one of the most recent hosts to join the series as she began her stint in I-Witness in 2023.

鈥淭here are so many stories to tell, you just have to find your angle,鈥� advised Gonzales in Filipino. She has done documentaries ranging from the labor of children who collect mud for planting frog grass, to the use of cadavers as silent mentors in the medical education field.

鈥淚f possible, make documentaries with concrete impacts in society,鈥� she shared.

Multi-awarded veteran journalist Howie Severino, meanwhile, shared his tale and love for storytelling. Having been active in the journalism field since 1985, the self-confessed 鈥榓nalog native鈥� has led over 200 documentaries and highlighted that to document is to record for history.

鈥溾�淭here are a lot of truths in our world that happen without anyone noticing, and documentarists can capture those moments for posterity,鈥� Severino emphasized, adding that documentaries make people think about what is important, gather evidence, create records, make life more interesting and let the journalists telling the tale know more about themselves. They are also curated products that can be avenues for community-building and an educational tool.

鈥淚f I really wanted to get to know our country, our people, then I really needed to become a journalist,鈥� shared Severino, who has been to almost every province in the Philippines in the course of his career.

鈥淛ournalists are trained to highlight not just what you (viewers) want to know, but what you need to know. It鈥檚 an educational tool, and one of the beautiful things about I-Witness is that many of our documentaries are shown in classrooms.鈥�

John Consulta, a journalist who has spent over 10 years in the law enforcement beat, shared his insights on the power of storytelling and how it can be a way to serve. He highlighted his encounter with Bonita Baran, a domestic helper who was being mistreated by her employers.

Justice was served by her abusers being jailed, and a law protecting kasambahays was then passed months after the story aired.

鈥淚t鈥檚 possible that there are stories around you that you do not notice. All it takes is a little time and attention. Listen. Observe. If you want to be a good storyteller, be a good listener first,鈥� advised Consulta.

Documentaries can serve as bridges to amplify the voices who need to be heard or give platforms to those who need it, to shed light and bring awareness to relevant and timely issues, and bring meaningful change to the lives and communities that they show or affect, shared Consulta.

Consulta also acknowledged the efforts of each team member who supports the documentarists behind the camera, saying, 鈥淥ur show is named 鈥業鈥�-witness, but it鈥檚 always been a team effort. We (documentarists) may be in front, but this would not be possible without them. I believe in the meaning of TEAM: Together Efforts Are Multiplied.鈥�

Kara David, a journalist for almost 30 years who also serves as chair of the Department of Journalism at the UP Diliman College of Mass Communication, capped the event with her talk, which emphasized the need to tell stories that are both new and changebringing (bago at nakakapagpabago).

David urged future documentarists to remember that 鈥淵ou are not the story. You are the storyteller. [Documentaries can] be the microphones for those who have not yet been heard, be mirrors of truth, and be bridges for those whom society cannot reach.鈥�

In her travels in pursuit of these stories, she has told the tales of children who have experienced dire circumstances and led harsh lives. This led her to set up her foundation “Project Malasakit,” which funds scholarship projects.

She also cautioned budding journalists to get into the practice of sharing complete stories and to carefully discern their chosen angle.

鈥淭ell stories that uplift the poor, uplift their dignity, not just stories that generate pity. So when we [filmed Ambulansyang de Paa], my team and I were conscious of not just focusing the story on the lack of access to healthcare, services, and medical facilities. We did not just focus on an angle that showed their poverty, but rather highlighted their efforts that, despite this situation, the Mangyan families had community-driven initiatives to mitigate the lack of government support.鈥�

David also shared a lesson she has taken to heart, which she learned from the Mangyan community and their collective approach to community care. 鈥�Ang mabigat ay gumagaan kapag marami ang pumapasan (The heavy load is made lighter when many are bearing the weight).鈥�

In its milestone year, I-Witness will air a special documentary series featuring powerful and uncommon stories of community heroism and selfless people on a mission. With their respective teams, the five program hosts Kara David, Howie Severino, Atom Araullo, John Consulta, and Mav Gonzales venture from Mindoro to Sulu to tell various stories that will air on Saturdays, beginning September 14 until October 12, 2024 at 10:15PM.

Storyteller鈥檚 Spotlight

An offshoot of the partnership among GMA Network, GMA Public Affairs and the UST Office of Public Affairs for I-Witness鈥� 25th anniversary was an inaugural activity titled 鈥淪toryteller鈥檚 Spotlight,鈥� which brings media personalities and journalists of different beats closer to Thomasians who want to become writers.

鈥淲e invite you to immerse yourselves in this exploration of storytelling鈥檚 enduring legacy and its vital role in our shared human experience. On behalf of the Father Rector Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., thank you for your continued commitment to the power of storytelling. I hope that all of us Thomasians may say that I believe, I hope, I love, I witness,鈥� said Fr. Coronel, who also congratulated the documentary series on its 25th anniversary.

The first featured guest was Mr. Atom Araullo, who presented practical tips for becoming a responsible journalist based on his extensive experience. After his talk, he answered queries from student participants in a forum moderated by the Assistant to the Director for Publication Ms. Katherine Patrice B. Sibug on August 19, 2024, at the Bl. Frassati Auditorium.

Students from the Senior and Junior High School departments were very eager to converse with the featured speaker as they tackled various topics during the open forum. Questions ranging from how documentaries are made, to the most unforgettable project were graciously answered by Mr. Araullo.

All in all, the first Storyteller鈥檚 Spotlight proved to be an effective way to provide students with an opportunity to interact with practitioners鈥攁n effective way to bridge the real world to the classroom.

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Under the Department of Occupational Therapy, eight student interns participated in the Global Initiatives Summer Occupational Therapy Immersion (SOTI) Program of the University of Southern California Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy from July 1 to 31.

Onsite participants were Regina Lianne Castro and Noel Remi Pineda while Danielle Josephine Ang, Geordee de Guzman, Frances Therese Ureta, Mariella Sofia Palo, Keiana Louise Lazaro, and Mary Catherine Anne Olegario participated in the same program online.

This program aims to facilitate the development of a more global perspective of occupational therapy, health, and wellness.

Meanwhile, the Department of Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) contributed to the row of internationalization efforts by initiating a partnership with the Hanen Centre to bring certification and workshops to the Philippines. Several of the academic staff, clinical supervisors,  and alumni from SLP have successfully completed the More Than Words Certification Program from July 22 to 24. 

The Hanen Centre is a charitable organization geared towards helping professionals, parents, caregivers and educators to have the skills to promote the best possible language, social and literacy skills in young children including those that are differently abled. Specifically, the program offered focuses on empowering parents of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder to improve their social communication skills.

Among the academic staff who participated were Mr. Paul William D. Jacinto, MRS-RSLP, Ms. Mary Ann Gisselle O. Esguerra, MHPEd, RSLP, and Mr. Daniel Ymmanual E. Puri, RSLP. UST Communication Sciences Center clinical supervisors Mr. Lord Andre Arde帽a, RSLP, Ms. Jana Maitina Ysabelle Batoy, RSLP, and Mr. Ian Francis Peralta, RSLP also joined the workshop.

Lastly, CRS also welcomed Lect. Supatida Sorasak Siangchin, Ms. Hudasamila Da-Oh, and Mr. Peerayut Saardaiam of Mahidol University as they participated in a month-long Global Immersion Program (GIE). 

Lect. Siangchin had an academic encounter with occupational therapy interns where she shared with them her study titled, “Experiences of Thai older adults regarding smartphone usage in daily activities” during their pre-internship activity.

Siangchin, Da-Oh, and Saardaiam also paid a courtesy visit to the UST Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Prof. Cheryl Peralta, DrPH, and UST Office of International Relations and Programs Director Prof. Lilian Sison, Ph.D., during which other possible collaborations were discussed.

These internationalization efforts display the commitment of the college in improving the overall academic experience of both students and academic staff.

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The seminar workshop’s primary objective was to enhance participants’ knowledge of cultural mapping and equip them with the skills to apply it in their communities. This comprehensive approach aimed to create a detailed inventory of cultural assets, assess their significance, and identify their potential for community development, including enhancing tourism, education, and economic growth.

The seminar also introduced cultural planning as a strategic framework for integrating cultural assets into broader sustainable development efforts, addressing community needs and objectives. Additionally, it emphasized heritage utilization, which leverages cultural mapping and planning outcomes to benefit the community through tourism, education, and local economic development.

The event included not only lectures but also hands-on workshops. Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member Dexter Galit, a committed advocate for cultural development, welcomed the guest speakers and participants. Ms. Beverly Macayan-Bautista, the Officer-in-charge of CCCPET, who took the helm of conceptualizing the Pamanaraan program, shared a lecture on ‘Cultural Mapping: Laws, Process, and Utilization’ and facilitated a workshop on cultural mapping. Assistant Professor Jame Monren Mercado, academic staff from the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management and Coordinator of Sentro Turismo, shared his insights on ‘Cultural Development Planning’ and led the workshop on cultural planning.

The final part of the workshop, focusing on heritage utilization and the creation of a museum, was led by Dr. Eric B. Zerrudo, Executive Director of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

The seminar-workshop underscores the Provincial Government’s unwavering commitment, under the leadership of Governor Edwin Ongchuan, to preserving Northern Samar’s rich history, culture, and heritage, including the establishment of the Ibabao Museum of Northern Samar, the envisioned provincial museum of Nortehanon.

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Ms. Laurence Blattmer, the Dominicans for Justice and Peace Program Coordinator, emphasized the necessity of providing educators with sufficient resources and training when she said that 鈥淓ducators can inspire and empower students to become proactive global citizens by understanding the deeply intertwined nature of climate change and human rights.”

The General Promoter of Justice and Peace and Permanent Delegate to the United Nations Rev. Fr. Aniedi Okure, O.P., in his welcome remarks, emphasized the importance of humanity鈥檚 future and the instigation of awareness and the call for immediate action against climate change and its impact on human rights. He also highlighted caring for the environment and being stewards of God鈥檚 creation. 鈥淲e who are alive now, we do not inherit land from our ancestors, but borrow it from the future; if you are given land, you are obliged to take care of it,鈥� he said.

The launch featured insights from human rights advocates, climate change activists, policymakers, and academics, who all emphasized the role of educators as change agents in creating awareness on social issues such as climate change and human rights in the classroom. Attendees were also engaged in a four-day workshop that was held at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Bataan on July 16 to July 19. This workshop served as the venue for the discussion on the integration of human rights and climate change into the Matatag curriculum.

With the assistance of the SIMBAHAYAN 九色 Development Office as represented by its Assistant Director Asst. Prof. Christian Rey D. Rimando, MSPT and the Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services (IDEALS) coordinator Genalyn G. Aquino-Arcayera, Ph.D., the trainees were able to immerse themselves during the four-day workshop as they took a deep dive into the nuances and needs that must be met in order to adhere to the conditions set by both the Matatag Curriculum and the published handbook. Teachers were able to exchange ideas and consult coordinators regarding the subject, with the creation of workable strategies that apply the material of the handbook to their teaching during interactive classes.

Initiatives such as this event are vital now more than ever as the world struggles with the combined issues of climate change and human rights. The Dominicans for Justice and Peace is enabling educators to strengthen the next generation of leaders who are prepared to take on these challenges head-on by fostering  knowledge and innovation.

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The plan aimed to assess the potential of Barangay San Miguel in Echague, Isabela, for sustainable community-based tourism in the new and next normal. It also determined the current situation of the barangay, specifically its community-based tourism industry development, analyzed different related issues, constraints, and opportunities of the barangay for community-based tourism industry development, assessed the perspectives and views of different stakeholders on the sustainability and development of the barangay鈥檚 tourism resources, assessed tourism development impacts, specifically on the barangay鈥檚 economic, socio-cultural, and environmental aspects, and developed a sustainable community-based tourism strategic development framework and sustainability indicators for Barangay San Miguel, Echague, Isabela.

The Office of Hon. Faustino 鈥淚nno鈥� A. Dy V of the 6^th District of Isabela initiated the project and was supported by the Municipal Government of Echague, Isabela. The turnover activity was conducted at the Blessed Jane of Aza Lounge, Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Building.

Mr. Louie Simbe, the Municipal Tourism, Culture, and Arts Officer of the Municipality, and Ms. Claire Santiago, the Political Affairs Assistant under the Office of Cong. Inno officially received the plan. Officials from the DOST NRCP also attended the event. It was headed by Dr. Aimee Lynn Barrion-Dupo (President) and Dr. Bernardo N. Sepeda (Executive Director). While RCSSEd was represented by its Director, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jeremaiah M. Opiniano.

#TeamKomunidad of the UST CTHM and Sentro Turismo spearheaded the project under the leadership of Asst. Prof. Jame Monren T. Mercado, MACHS, with the team members, Asst. Prof. Dr. Avi Ben P. Andalecio, Dr. Fhamela F. Sarmiento, Asst. Prof. Maria Concepcion A. Ang, Assistant Dean Assoc. Prof. Dr. Evangeline E. Timbang, and Dean Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atty. Gezzez Giezi G. Granado.

The plan was an output of the project entitled 鈥淪ustainable 九色-based Tourism Potential and Development of Barangay San Miguel, Echague, Isabela in the New/Next Normal.鈥� The project was also part of the 1^st batch of the Policy-funded Research Projects under the National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP) of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

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As an expert on the issues surrounding the West Philippine Sea, Justice Carpio discussed how the Philippine territories in the area are determined and clarified some misconceptions. He explained that if we are to look at the map from the Treaty of Paris, we can see the Philippines and the lines that denote its territory鈥攕upposedly with all of its islands鈥攁nd yet, we do not see the islands that are at the center of the dispute between China and the Philippines, namely the Kalayaan Group of Islands (Spratly Island), and the Scarborough Shoal (Bajo de Masinloc). Such a map is the one being used by the Chinese and some Filipinos to point out that we do not have the rights to the Kalayaan Groups of islands and the Scarborough Shoal. According to Justice Carpio, this is wrong.

Carpio further explains that according to Wang Yi, the territory of the Philippines has been defined through three treaties; the 1898 Treaty of Paris, the 1900 Treaty of Washington, and the 1930 Convention between the United States and Great Britain. The Philippine claim to these islands existed all the way since 1734 through the Murillo Velarde map, an official map from Spanish royale that included the Island of Panacot (Scarborough Shoal), and Los Bajos de Paragua (the shoals of Palawan) also known as the Spratly Islands.

According to Carpio, the Philippine claim to the Spratly islands had not been challenged until 1933 by the French, but it was not pursued. Later in 1939, Japan occupied the islands but renounced it after WWII, and finally in 1947 China asserted that they have a claim to the Spratly Islands through the nine-dash line, as well as the Scarborough Shoal which they left unnamed then, but also acknowledged, that the Philippines had claimed the Spratly. This last part is particularly important, as it indicates China鈥檚 acknowledgment of an existing claim of the Philippines over Spratly, as well as the critical date of the case where the facts that can only be used in the case are those from that date and before it.

Justice Carpio argues that aside from the mother of all Philippine maps, that is the Murillo Map, there were also other Spanish maps that proved Philippine claim to the islands such as the 1792 chart of Alessandro Malaspina鈥檚 route of navigation which included the Scarborough Shoal, and the 1875 Carta General del Archipelago that included both Scarborough Shoal and Thitu (Pagasa) Island of the Spratly Island groups.

The 1875 map was later adopted by the US and issued four editions that then also included the Itu Aba and Loiata islands. These official maps by Spain outlined the territory of the Philippines and our claim’s historicity towards the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal. It is important to note that during the 1898 Treaty of Paris forging, the Americans used the 1875 map that included the Spratly Islands, as well as Scarborough Shoal.

With the precedent cases such as the Islas Palinas case, Clipperton Island case, and the Eastern Greenland case, Spratly Islands as uninhabitable is not an issue to retain sovereignty due to its uninhabitable nature, and is shown to be within the Philippine territory under the 1875 Carta General del Archipelago and the 1900 Treaty of Washington. Therefore, with all the evidence, Justice Carpio argues that the Scarborough Shoal and the Spratly Islands belong to the Philippines. Moreover, the presented facts by Justice Carpio promote our country鈥檚 foreign policies to a credible level for the welfare of the Filipino people and peace in the region towards legal rights on the Philippine Island Territories in the West Philippine Sea.

The invocation and opening message were delivered by UST Purchasing Office Director and  Faculty of Arts and Letters Regent Rev. Fr. George Phe Mang, O.P., while the USTGS Political Science Program Lead Prof. Belen L. Tangco, O.P., Ph.D., gave the welcome remarks, which was immediately followed by the opening remarks by USTGS academic staff Judge Charito Sawali, D.C.L. 

The panel of reactors was led by USTGS Coordinator for Internationalization Prof. Lino Baron, Ph.D. The other members of the panel were USTGS Public Administration Program Lead Prof. Noel Lansang, Ph.D., and Ph.D. graduate student of the Political Science Program Ms. Jennylyn Cabbuag.

The St. Antoninus of Florence Annual Lecture 2024 ended with the closing statement of the UST Graduate School Dean Prof. Michael Anthony C. Vasco, Ph.D.

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Four community sessions were held in four different sites: Catbalogan, Calbayog, Hinabangan, and Gandara. Selected faculty members from IR facilitated the group discussions. Also part of the team in charge of module development are IR Assistant Director Assoc. Prof. Allan A. Basas, S.Th.D. and Mr. Ivan Efreaim A. Gozum.  Joining them are Prof. Eric Zerrudo, Ph.D., and Ms. Beverly Bautista of CCCPET. Among those who participated in the sessions include representatives from the youth, national agencies, educators, entrepreneurs, interreligious representatives, security forces, professionals, farmers, and fisherfolks.

The One Values Project is a pioneering endeavor focused on the values formation of young people in Samar. It is guided by the seven commitments of the Global Compact on Education, a framework championed by Pope Francis, and follows the innovative matrix of Dominican-Thomistic Education by Design, a signature pedagogy of IR. The project’s ultimate goal is to develop a series of research-based, highly interactive values formation modules that will have a profound impact on the youth of Samar province.

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