The nine PRC-awarded Thomasians are - ARCHITECTURE ...

The nine PRC-awarded Thomasians are: Antonio A. Abola,
Outstanding Civil Engineer, BS Civil Engineering, Batch 1956,
President, Factor A, Inc.; Ma. Theresa Carandang-Cayton,
Outstanding Chemist, BS Chemistry, Batch 1975; Jocelyn
Francisco-Agcaoili, Outstanding Physical Therapist, BS Physical
Therapy, Batch 1979, Dean, College of Rehabilitation Sciences,
UST; Paz Inocencio-Lucido, Outstanding Professional Teacher,
BS Education, Batch 1963, Dean, School of Education, CEU;
Purita Regino-Tuazon, Outstanding Pharmacist, BS Pharmacy,
Batch 1949; Luisito M. Reyes, Outstanding Mechanical
Engineer, BS Mechanical Engineering, Batch 1953; Yolanda
D. Reyes, Outstanding Architect, BS Architecture, Batch 1975;
Principal Architect, YDR Design & Planning Consultants; Aurora
A. Rubio, Outstanding Electronics & Communications Engineer,
Regional Director, International Telecommunications Union;
and Ferdinand A. Tumpalan, Outstanding Chemical Engineer,
BS Chemical Engineering, Batch 1982, Division President, San
Miguel Packaging Specialists, Inc.
Two other Thomasians, earlier honored in Malacañang
Palace on June 11, 2008 for being two of the top 50 Men and
TOTAL AWARDEES IN A ROW. From left: Col. Nelia B. Buenaflor,
Government/Public Service; Dr. Leila Monserrat-Florento, Health
Allied; Mr. Carlos Lugay (representing Dr. Federico M. Macaranas),
Humanitarian Service; Mercedes Berenguer-Topacio, Interior Design;
Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Diosdado M. Peralta, Law and
Justice; Lourdes Bautista (representing Ma. Regina Bautista-Navarrete),
Management; Atty. Jose C. Sison, Media; Gloria Dizon-Coronel,
Performing Arts; Dr. Trinidad Palad-Trinidad, Science; Ronaldo
Jose Remandaban (representing Joel Christopher Remandaban),
Technology; and Jose F. Datuin, Visual Arts.
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TOTAL AWARDEE FOR ACCOUNTING. Carlos R. Alindada, TOTAL
Awardee for Accounting (second from left) is flanked by UST officials
and peers. From left: Fr. de la Rosa, Rector; Alindada; Laura Suarez-
Acuzar, President, UST Alumni Association, Inc.; Asst. Prof. Minerva
O. Cruz, Dean, AMV College of Accountancy; Rev. Fr. Isaias Tiongco.
O.P., Regent, AMV College of Accountancy; and Pedro Cruz, President,
Accountancy Alumni Association.
Women of Science, were acclaimed again at the TOTAL Awards
Night. They are: Dr. Fortunato Sevilla, III, former Dean of the
College of Sciences at UST, and Dr. Carmela R. Centeno of the
UST Faculty of Engineering.
The TOTAL Awards night is a joint project of the UST Alumni
Association, Inc., headed by Laura Suarez-Acuzar, president, and
the UST Office of Alumni Relations led by Dr. Evelyn A. Songco,
director. For its part, the Outstanding Professional Awards is
a joint project with the Philippine Association of Professional
Regulatory Board Members, Inc., the Foundation for Outstanding
Professionals, Inc., and the Philippine Federation of Professional
Associations, Inc. Meanwhile, the 50 Men and Women of Science
Awards is a project of the Department of Science as part of its
50 th anniversary celebrations.
According to Fr. Rector de la Rosa, the TOTAL awardees bring
to the fore the excellence of the Thomasian alumni in various
fields of endeavor. “They are a tribute to the university’s eminence
as a formator of professionals who contribute remarkably to the
development of the nation,” he said. JIR
The Academia • September 2008 11

Roque of Medicine Gets Rizal Trophy
as Filipino Physician of Distinction
PROF. ROSENDO R. ROQUE of the UST Faculty of Medicine
and Surgery received the Dr. Jose Rizal Trophy of Honor
as the 2008 Filipino Physician of Distinction in Clinical
Practice during the Annual Convention of the Philippine Medical
Association May 22, 2008 at the Manila Hotel.
His selection capped a rigorous screening of nominees from
all over the country for the prestigious award, given to those
“whose life and works embody the ideals of excellence”.
He graduated cum laude from UST Medicine in 1969, placed
5 th in the physicians’ licensure exam that same year, and went for
residency training in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the Brooklyn
Cumberland Medical Center in New York.
On his return to the Philippines, he joined the consulting
staffs of UST Hospital, Mary Chiles General, and San Juan de
Dios.
Dr. Roque became chairman of the Department of Obstetrics
and Gynecology of the San Juan de Dios Hospital (SJDH) from
1983 to 1987, then its Medical Director from 1988 to 1992. This
June, he starts a new term as Department Chairman, again at
SJDH.
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Medicine & Surgery Holds
Faculty Dev’t Meet in HK
THE top administrators, department chairs, and directors
of units of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery convened
in a Teambuilding and Leadership Development Seminar
in Hong Kong from June 12 to 15 2008. The second in a series
of team-building modules since March 2007, this undertaking
was spearheaded by the Dean, Ma. Graciela G. Gonzaga, M.D.,
with the support of the Regent of the Faculty, Fr. Winston F.
Cabading, O.P., Assistant Dean Dr. Emelita A. Gan, and Faculty
Secretary Dr. Imelda A. Dakis.
Held at the Rosaryhill School in Wan Chai, Hong Kong
the 24-hour seminar-workshop was designed to address how
to be more effective at meeting the academe’s challenges. In
addition, it served to integrate the behaviors and practices
of the leader in the promotion of the desired culture to the
mission and vision of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery.
Specifically, the objectives of the training program were as
follows: 1. Appreciate the new realities and challenges of
leadership in today’s academe, 2. Enumerate the significant
roles that a Thomasian leader must play in order to be effective,
3. Get feedback on, and gain practice of, the prescribed leader
behaviors, skills, and attitudes underlying each role, 4. Identify
areas of personal strength and areas for improvement, and 5.
Commit to a plan of action to improve oneself as a leader and
apply learning back at work.
The Academia • September 2008
He joined the medicine Dr. Roque
faculty of UST as instructor
for the Department of Ob-
Gyn in 1977 and had become
full Professor since 1988. He
has served as Department
Secretary and alternately Chief
of Section of Obstetrics and of
Gynecology. He held the Ramon
and Isabel Perez Professorial
Chair at the USTFMS from
1986 to 1989, and the Fr. Juan
Labrador Professorial Chair in
1993.
He also worked with various committees of the Philippine
Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS), eventually
becoming Chairman of the Philippine Board of Ob-Gyn in 1990
and POGS president in 2004. He established the nationwide Buntis
Day celebration, obtaining an executive order from President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for its observance on March 10 of every
year; the Adolescent Health Initiative Program, an educational
program on adolescent Reproductive Health which POGS brings
to private and public schools throughout the country; and the
local course on Advances in Labor and Risk Management which
updates proficiency skills of obstetricians and midwives.LBC
MEDICINE & SURGERY FACULTY DEVELOPMENT. Ma. Graciela G. Gonzaga,
M.D. Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, front row, fourth from left, poses
with other officials of the faculty in Hong Kong for its faculty development
program.
Conducted by human resource consultants, Ms. Cristina
Bonifacio and Ms. Vicky Romero, the program brought
together the FMS officials into a more cohesive team.IAD

Spanish Consul in UST
for Academic Exchanges
HIS EXCELLENCY, Jose Ignacio Bidon, the Philippine
Honorary Consul-designate from Seville, Spain, visited
the University of Santo Tomas recently to discuss the
implementation of exchange programs between Spanish
institutions and UST for the issuance of grants to support student
and faculty exchanges.
Bidon was accompanied to UST by Jesus Valbuena Garcia, a
corporate communications manager of Gruppo Ferrovial, during
his visit made last July 7, 2008.
On hand to welcome the Spanish visitors were: UST’s Father
Rector, Rev. Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P.; Office of the Vice Rector
for Academic Affairs (OVRAA) Executive Assistant Dr. Mafel
Ysrael; Director of Public Affairs, Assoc. Prof. Giovanna Fontanilla;
Prefect of Libraries, Rev. Fr. Angel A. Aparicio; and Faculty of Arts
and Letters Asst. Dean Narcisa Tabirara, and Assoc. Prof. Josefina
Gonzalez.
The visit was made to follow through existing academic
agreements with Universidad Pablo de Olavide (UPO) and
Universidad De Alcala (UA), which were both signed by UST and
the parties in November 2006.
Hon. Consul Bidon (Left) discusses the Memorandum of
Agreement with Fr. de la Rosa.
Señor Bidon receives a token from the Fr. de la Rosa, Rector.
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The Spanish visitors explained that the specific agreement of
implementation could likewise be extended to other institutions
in Spain.
As a former law professor of UPO, Señor Bidon represented
UPO in proposing the implementation of its agreement with UST.
The meeting of the Spanish Consul with Fr. De La Rosa and some
of the UST academic officials focused on details of the student
and faculty exchanges between the two universities.
According to Señor Bidon, scholarships will be made
available to enhance the teaching competencies of faculty
members handling Spanish courses in UST. In addition, UPO
is willing to accept students to be trained in certain technical
skills.
UPO and UST faculty members may also collaborate in
research areas of common interest to both institutions. To begin
with, the rich historical and cultural link between the Philippines
and Spain may provide fertile ground for research collaboration
between the two institutions.MCY
The Academia • September 2008 13

Orientation Seminar Held for
Newly-Hired Faculty Members
THE OFFICE OF THE VICE RECTOR for Academic Affairs
(OVRAA), through its Office for Faculty Evaluation and
Development (OFED), held an orientation seminar for
newly-hired faculty members last June 5-6, 2008 at the AMV
College of Accountancy Multipurpose Hall. The faculty members
who were appointed to teach for the first time in the second
semester of the academic year 2007-2008 and first semester of
the current academic year 2008-2009 participated in the event.
The two-day activity opened with welcome remarks by Dr.
Clarita D.L. Carillo, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs. This was
followed by an inspiring message from Rev. Fr. Rolando V. de la
Rosa, O.P., Rector of the University.
A total of 99 newly-hired faculty members from the different
academic units participated. The participating academic units
and their number of newly hired-faculty members are as follows:
Accountancy (8), Architecture (5), Commerce (11), Education
(9), Engineering (8), Fine Arts and Design (3), Guidance and
Counseling (6), High School (4), Tourism and Hospitality
Management (12), Library (3), Medicine (3), Nursing (5), Pharmacy
(5), Physical Education and Athletics (4), Rehabilitation Sciences
(5), Religion (5) and Science (3).
The orientation seminar is an annual OVRAA-OFED
activity aimed at enabling the newly-hired faculty members
to: 1) appreciate the philosophies of St. Thomas Aquinas and
St. Dominic de Guzman as translated into the Mission-Vision of
UST; 2) be oriented with the nature of the Thomasian educator
as a professional; 3) become familiar with the university’s
organizational structure; 4) know their roles, responsibilities,
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The Academia • September 2008
Dr. Carillo welcomes the participants.
benefits, privileges, and development opportunities; 5) know
the various models of instruction applicable to tertiary level
education; and 6) get acquainted with the available resources
and services offered by the university in facilitating learning.
In keeping with the objectives of the seminar, Rev. Fr. Gerard
Timoner, O.P., Rector of the UST Central Seminary, talked on “An
Appreciation of St. Dominic de Guzman and St. Thomas Aquinas”.
Prof. Mafel C. Ysrael, the Executive Assistant to the Vice Rector
for Academic Affairs, introduced the structural organization of
the university. For her part, Dr. Carillo, discussed the “Threefold
Functions of the University”. Asst. Prof. Shirley C. Ireneo,
A faculty member raises a question. Other faculty members engage in an activity.

the Internal Auditor of the university, presented the economic
benefits available to faculty members, while Prof. Editha A.
Fernandez, the Director for Faculty Evaluation and Development,
explained the guidelines and policies for competencies and
comprehensive evaluation, as well as the bases for faculty
promotion.
The speakers for the second day of the seminar were: Assoc.
Prof. Ma. Ninia I. Calaca, Ed -Tech Director; Angelica Frances M.
Cruz and Maria Czarina D. Lopez, librarians; Assoc. Prof. Marishirl
P. Tropicales, Principal of the Education High School; and Prof.
Allan De Guzman, professor from the College of Education and
former Director of the Center for Educational Research and
Development.
Assoc. Prof. Calaca, focused her lecture on the “Integration
of Educational Technology in Instruction.” She introduced the
online learning system “Blackboard” and explained how this
can be used to enhance instructional methodologies. This was
followed by a joint presentation by librarians Cruz and Lopez,
who pointed out the various university library resources available
to faculty members.
Assoc. Prof. Tropicales talked about “Testing and
Measurement”. She explained the various means of assessing
students and the standards for grading them. Dr. de Guzman
shared his expertise on the different “Models of Instruction.” To
exemplify these models, Prof. De Guzman engaged the faculty
members in group dynamic exercises.
Michael Angelo E. Malicsi, an English teacher at the UST
High School and currently the Executive Secretary of the Father
Rector, moderated the two-day interactive event. MCY
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Rev. Fr. Timoner lectures on the teachings of
St. Dominic and St. Thomas Aquinas.
Rev. Fr. De La Rosa gives an
inspirational message.
The Academia • September 2008 15

Academic, Admin
Officials Get
CBA Orientation
T
HE UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS gathered the academic
and administrative officials recently to orient them on the
significance of complying with provisions of the Collective
Bargaining Agreement (CBA).
Fr. Pablo T. Tiong, O.P., Vice Rector, opened the forum held
at the A.M. Velayo Multipurpose Hall, August 20, 2008, with the
advice that implementation of the contract should embody
compassion and, always, within the umbrella of UST’s mission
and vision.
Aside from the rice benefits in kind, there is now an additional
rice benefit in monetary form, too. The clothing allowance has
been increased to PhP2,000 per semester for tenured, full time
faculty members.
These and other economic benefits are some of the
enhancements in the University of Santo Tomas-Faculty Union
CBA for 2006-2011 that was recently signed, and for which
the orientation was given. More significant than economic
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The Academia • September 2008
benefits, however, are provisions for faculty development and
promotions.
About 200 administrative and academic officials of the
university attended the orientation meeting.
Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P., Rector, encouraged the
university officials to use the agreement in a positive way,
where faculty members act with responsibility, accountability,
and mutual cooperation, so as not to convert the CBA into an
instrument for turning campus education into a factory model.
This Collective Bargaining Agreement will be operational until
the Quadricentennial Year in 2011.
Other speakers were Dr. Pilar I. Romero, Asst. to the Rector
for Administration, who gave the awards for the contract
negotiation participants, and Dr. Clarita D. L. Carillo, Vice Rector
for Academic Affairs, who discussed many aspects of the
CBA, including Teaching Loads, Academic Freedom, Faculty
Classification, Classroom Standards, and Tenure.
Chairman of the UST Panel and Dean of the Faculty of Arts
and Letters, Dr. Armando F. de Jesus, discussed the issues of
CBA inclusions, Grievance Machinery, Sanctions, and Faculty
Recognition.
For his part, UST Comptroller, Diomedes R. Yadao, focused
on Economic Benefits for Faculty, Compensation, Hospitalization,
and Medical Benefits. Registrar Rodolfo N. Clavio talked about
the Permanent University-Union Committee (PUUC) and the
Committee for the Faculty Socio-Welfare. JIR
Rev. Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P., Rector, addresses the Administrative and
Academic officials of UST during the orientation on the CBA for 2006-2011.

5-Country Group of Catholic
Universities Meet at UST
THE INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF CATHOLIC
UNIVERSITIES (IFCU) had five of its Asian
countries hold its meeting of directors in
UST recently. With its meeting theme, ”University
and Drugs Use/Abuse: Local Studies in Asia,” the
gathering was held at the Thomas Aquinas Research
Complex last July 14-15, 2008.
Aside from the University of Santo Tomas
(Philippines), the meeting was attended by
representatives of other Catholic universities,
including: Assumption University (Thailand), Stella
Maris College (India), Atma Jaya Catholic University
(Indonesia), and Université Saint Joseph (Lebanon).
The highlights of the gathering were the presentation
of research findings and critical self-evaluation of the
project for each participating country.
In the forum, IFCU administrators discussed the
publication plans of the project’s results and the
direction and agenda for future research.
Rev. Fr. Rolando V. dela Rosa, O.P., UST Rector,
warmly welcomed the participants led by its
convenor, Prof. Msgr. Guy-réal Thivierge, IFCU
Secretary- General, and Sociologist Pedro Nel Medina
Varon, Director of the Center for Coordination of
Research (CCR), in a dinner at the Rector’s Hall.
The world-acclaimed UST Singers provided the
entertainment for the affair.
The IFCU-UST team was headed by Armando F.
de Jesus, Ph.D, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Letters.
His members included Arlen A. Ancheta, Ph.D,
Chairman of the Department of Humanities of the
Faculty of Arts and Letters; Crescencio M. Doma, Jr.,
Coordinator for Sociology and AB-BSE of the Faculty
of Arts and Letters; Aguedo Florence A. Jalin, Jr., of
the Institute of Religion; and Frederick I. Rey of the
College of Science. Ma. Carmelita F. Santos, SRC staff,
was the team’s research and administrative assistant.
CFS
news
Shown in photo (seated) at the reception are Dr. Thivierge (left) and Rev. Fr. de la
Rosa, O.P. with the participants
(From Left) Dr. Alvin P. Ang, Acting Director, Research Cluster for Culture, Education
and Social Issues; Dr. Armando F. de Jesus, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Letters; Rev. Fr.
Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P., Rector, University of Santo Tomas; Prof. Msgr. Guy-real
Thivierge, Secretary-General of the International Federation of Catholic Universities;
and Dr. Jirawat Wongswadiwat of the Assumption University, Thailand.
The Academia • September 2008 17

UST is Center of
Excellence for
Teacher Education
AFTER A STRINGENT evaluation made by the Commission on Higher
Education (ChEd), UST’s College of Education is now a Center of
Excellence in teacher education in the Philippines.
It is the fifth college in the university to receive such status. Earlier
recognized for the same honors are the UST College of Architecture,
Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, College of Nursing, and the Conservatory
of Music.
Likewise, UST is now a Center of Development for Biology, Business
Administration, and Chemical, Civil, Electrical, Industrial, and Mechanical
Engineering.
According to Education Dean Clotilde Arcangel, the Center of
Excellence classification was awarded after completion of the scrutiny
done by the ChEd on the College of Education’s “faculty and graduate
profiles, curriculum, and the passing rate for licensure exams for the past
three years.” She said the College of Education exceeded the minimum 85
percent passing score.
In the April 2008 licensure examinations for high school teachers, two
Thomasians entered the Top Ten ranks. Maria Editha Lim placed second
with 90 percent, and Rebecca Barbo placed fifth with 88.60 percent. UST
also took the second spot among top-performing schools with 10 to 99
examinees, registering a 95 percent passing rate (39 examinees passed
out of 41). The national passing rate is only 25.05 percent.
In the area of Nutrition and Dietetics, which is under the supervision
of the College of Education, five graduates of the college earned Top Ten
spots, including first place, in the July 2008 Nutrition and Dietetics Board
Examinations. UST has a 94 percent passing rate (46 out of 49 examinees
passed), where the national average was only 52 percent. The top UST
nutrition professionals are: Frederich Christian S. Tan, first place, 85.10
percent; Enrico N. Cembrano, third place, 84.65 percent; Manelie V. Cruz,
fourth place, 84.10 percent; Venus Perpetua P. Laforteza, fifth place, 83.40
percent; and Leah L. Espiritu, seventh place, 83.30 percent.JLA
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Educ Faculty Members Sign
MOA on Textbook Evaluation
THE NATIONAL BOOK DEVELOPMENT BOARD (NBDB), has tapped the UST College of Education to evaluate specific textbooks
to ensure quality and affordability of books used by both public and private schools. The criteria for evaluation included the
following: grammatical correctness and textual clarity; factual and conceptual clarity; logical and rhetorical flow of ideas; and
appropriateness to the educational level of the target learners.
Five faculty members from the College of Education have signed a memorandum of agreement with the NBDB last June
2008. Prof. Jose Dakila N. Espiritu, Ph.D. and Asst. Prof. Myra P. De Leon were assigned as evaluators of an undisclosed textbook
in Filipino. On the other hand, Prof. Evelyn A. Songco, Ph.D., Director of the Office for Alumni Relations; Assoc. Prof. Marielyn C.
Quintana, Assistant to the Director for Non-Formal Education; and Asst. Prof. Ma. Venice M. Picadizo; Supervising Teacher for Social
Science, were designated evaluators of a high school textbook in Philippine History.
The Academia • September 2008
Dean Arcangel receives a Certificate of Recognition from Hon. Jesli
Lapus, DepEd Secretary, during the Orientation Conference held in
Tagaytay City.

College of Rehab Sciences Signs MOU
with Hong Kong Polytechnic University
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING: Signing the Memorandum of
Understanding for academic and research cooperation are, seated from left:
Dr. Clarita DL. Carillo, UST Vice Rector for Academic Affairs; Prof. Chetwyn
Chan of the Hongkong Polytechnic University; and Assoc. Prof. Jocelyn F.
Agcaoili, Dean of the College of Rehabilitation Sciences. Standing, from left
are: Rev. Fr. Fausto B. Gomez, O.P., Regent of the College of Rehabilitation
Sciences, and Ms. Debra O. Tagle.
Guidance Dep’t Wins 1st Place
in National Poster Competition
THE UST GUIDANCE DEPARTMENT won first place in
a national poster exhibit competition sponsored by
the Philippine Guidance and Counseling Association
during its 44th Annual Convention and Workshops. This was
held last May 14 , 2008 at the Century Park Hotel.
The poster presentation was conceptualized and
prepared by the following guidance counselors: Lynmarie
Therese A. Cabaron, M.A.; Mariglo V. Camero, M.A.; RGC,
Stephanie Anne C. Cruz, Carolyn C. Quiba; and Christine
Quita, M.A. This project was under the supervision of Rev. Fr.
Dionisio G. Cabezon, O.P. and Dr. Lucila O. Bance, Director,
Guidance and Counseling Office. Around 1,200 guidance
counselors and psychologists participated in the convention.
Dr. Rosalito de Guzman, Chairman of the Psychology
Department, Dr. Bance and Assoc. Prof. Lourdes Medina,
Consultant of the Psychotrauma Clinic of the Graduate
School, served as the workshop facilitators.
Dr. de Guzman gave a workshop presentation on
“Bibliotheraphy on Enhancing Academic Achievement,” while
Dr. Bance spoke on “Meridian Therapy for Bio-Psychosocial
Wellness.” Ms. Medina discussed “EMDR: A Breakthrough
Therapy for Psychotrauma.”LOB
news
THE COLLEGE OF REHABILITATION SCIENCES signed a
Memorandum of Understanding with the Hong Kong
Polytechnic University last May 21, 2008 for academic
and research cooperation at the Office of the Vice-Rector for
Academic Affairs. The agreement was signed by Dr. Clarita DL.
Carillo, UST Vice Rector for Academic Affairs; Prof. Chetwyn
Chan for the Hong Kong Polytechnic University; and Assoc. Prof.
Jocelyn F. Agcaoili, Dean of the College of Rehabilitation Sciences.
The agreement is designed to develop academic and research
cooperation between the two universities, while promoting
mutual collaboration in the various areas of education.
The scope of the agreement are: Exchange of academic
and administrative staff; Exchange of undergraduate and
postgraduate students; Research Collaboration and Exchange
of academic materials, publications and other scientific
information.
Student and faculty exchanges have already been ongoing for
the past three years. LVV
Dr. Lucila Bance, second from left, Director of the Guidance and Counseling Office,
with the Guidance Team and the winning poster presentation
The Academia • September 2008 19

UST Conductor is Member of
International Coralfest Jury
Prof. Fidel Calalang Jr. (in black barong, center) with other members of
the International jury from Poland, Czech Republic,USA, and Russia at the
International Festival for Academic Choirs (IFAS) Competition in Pardubice,
Czech Republic.
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The Academia • September 2008
PROF. FIDEL GENER CALALANG, JR., a multi-awarded
Filipino composer and conductor of the world-renowned
University of Santo Tomas Singers (UST Singers), sat as
member of the international jury during the 20th International
Festival of Academic Choirs’ Competition (IFAS) in Pardubice,
Czech Republic. The coralfest ran from July 1 to 8, 2008.
The competition, held every two years, is the largest
gathering of outstanding university and academic choirs from
all over the world. Calalang was joined by other members of the
jury from the Czech Republic, Russia, Slovakia, Poland, and the
United States.
Calalang is the chairman of the UST Conservatory of Music
Conducting Department, where he is also a professor in Piano.
He is the founder and conductor of the UST Singers that has
won 45 top prizes from choral competitions around the world,
including the 1995 Choir of the World grand prize in the United
Kingdom; the 1998 Gran Premio Citta di Gorizia in Italy; and the
historic First Prizes with five 100% scores in all categories at the
2002 Festa Musicale in Olomouc, Czech Republic.
He conducted the UST Singers during its 13th International
Concert Tour dubbed as “Festival Europe.” Traveling over Spain
and France in August, while the singers are now representing the
Philippines in four international choral festivals in September
and October 2008.
Awarded Most Outstanding Alumnus of the University of
Santo Tomas for Performing Arts, Calalang has been a member
of the First National Choral Competition for Welsh Choirs in the
United Kingdom. He has also won the Best Conductor Prize at the
2002 Tonen International Choral Competition in The Netherlands,
and the First Prize at the International Composers Competition
in Ojai, California, USA in 1999. Calalang will be mentioned in the
Marquis’ “Who’s Who in the World 2009,” which will be published
in the United States in November 2008.RVB