Thomasian Engineer Newsletter Volume 10 Issue No. 1 - A.Y. 2023-2024

UST Faculty of Engineering (FoE) consecutively records the highest number of enrollees for the first term of the Academic Year (A.Y.) 2023 to 2024, having 4,259 students out of the University’s 41,554 enrollees.

Despite a nearly 5-percent dip in the number of enrolled freshmen students in the University, FoE was still one of the faculties that had the most freshmen students with 1,241 out of all the 4,259 enrollees.

Other year levels of the Faculty had 1,104, 942, and 972 students enrolled in the second, third, and fourth years, respectively, topping the number of enrollees in every year level.

The Civil Engineering (CE) Department had the highest number of enrollees, with 1,250 students. Following this, the Mechanical Engineering (ME) Department had 783 enrolled students.

The Electronics Engineering (ECE) Department, the Industrial Engineering (IE) Department, the Chemical Engineering (ChE) Department, and the Electrical Engineering (EE) Department had 649, 541, 526, and 510 students enrolled this semester, respectively.

MBA, PIE, highlighted their department’s plan to create an ‘IDEA Lab,’ an IE laboratory for reinforcing Biomechanics and Ergonomics courses.

She noted that all IE Department faculty have diverse work expertise in the industry, helping students prepare for professional work after graduation.

“The numbers we have right now are just about right, but with the increasing number of students, definitely, we need additional faculty as well,” Engr. Ocampo added on the current faculty-to-student ratio of their department.

Although the equipment across the six engineering departments already met the requirements prescribed by CHED, CE Department Chair Asst. Prof. Rajiv Eldon E. Abdullah, MEng, noted that “New acquisitions and maintenance of current assets are prioritized by the Faculty.”

UST FACULTY OF ENGINEERING GEARS UP FOR LIMITED FACE-TO-FACE CLASSES

WRITTEN BY: SZARINA DELA PAZ

Highlighting the ChE Department’s tripartite structure, encompassing the Academic Staff, Students, and Alumni—Asst. Prof. Pacia says this structure is a “symbiotic collaboration that significantly contributes to realizing the vision and mission of the Department, Faculty, and University,” making it the department’s best aspect.

Asst. Prof. Carlito M. Gutierrez, Electrical Engineering (EE) Department Chair, also identified the best aspect of his department, which he believes is the performance of the graduates in the Registered Electrical Engineer exam. The most recent passing rate was 83.33-percent, against the national passing rate of 57.86-percent, with results from previous exams also consistently higher than the national passing rate.

Furthermore, Asst. Prof. Gutierrez noted that increasing the number of full-time academic teaching staff will boost the department’s performance. “The EE Department has continuously and consistently been performing excellently in the licensure exam despite the changes in the curriculum and the modality of learning. It would benefit the department if the number of fulltime academic teaching staff would be increased, given that a number have opted for early retirement for various reasons,” he stated.

“I think malaking responsibility ‘yan sa side ng department na mas maging excellent ‘yong performance. ‘Yon naman actually ang goal—makapag-deliver ng mataas na performance in terms of academics, ” Engr. Eisson M. Marcelo, MSc, ME Department Chair, said in an interview. He added that the industry opportunities the ME program offers are its selling point to students.

The UST Faculty of Engineering intends to implement limited face-to-face classes by the first quarter of 2022 after nearly two years of virtual learning. Each of the faculty’s departments have prepared plans for the implementation of limited face-to-face classes: Chemical Engineering (ChE), Civil Engineering (CE), Electrical Engineering (EE), Electronics Engineering (ECE), Industrial Engineering (IE), and Mechanical Engineering (ME).

Aligned with other departments’ opinions with the FoE having the highest number of enrollees, Asst. Prof. Rose Mardie P. Pacia, MSc, ChE Department Chair, also believed that the figure suggests a strong interest and demand for Engineering education, to which she added, “The [Faculty’s] popularity may reflect a broader societal emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.

Engr. Marcelo and Assoc. Prof. Roxas both believe that the facilities and the current faculty-to-student ratio are sufficient with the current enrollment rate. Both emphasized the need to continuously improve and upgrade the faculty profile due to the demands of more students. The former added that some facilities are undergoing renovation and continuous improvement in laboratory equipment is in place.

This is in accordance with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED)’s memorandum that gave a go signal to educational institutions to hold limited face-to-face classes

Industrial Engineering (IE) Department Chair Engr. Ninna S. Ocampo,

Aware of ChE’s rapidly evolving field, Asst. Prof. Pacia acknowledged the need for improvements in the integration of cutting-edge technologies and contemporary industry practices into the curriculum. “Staying abreast of the latest advancements is crucial for graduates to be competitive in the workforce. Ensuring that the curriculum reflects current technological trends, emerging processes, and sustainable practices would better equip students with the skills and knowledge needed in today’s dynamic industrial landscape,” she added.

“I believe in our product—[in] our educational system because I am faithful to how we implement outcome-based education (OBE). [...] It’s a very tedious process, from the design of the curriculum to the implementation of the curriculum, and how to improve the curriculum, that is a continuous cycle of improvement,” Prof. Angelo R. dela Cruz, Ph.D., PECE, Engineering Dean, remarked on the Faculty’s educational system.

for non-medicine programs, including engineering, following the successful execution of limited face-to-face classes for medicine programs.

survey was sent out to 2nd to 4th year CE students soliciting their opinions and other concerns regarding the planned implementation.

Prof. dela Cruz, mentioned that the University is already prominent in the country—making the Faculty’s international recognition the next goal.

“Consultative meetings with students and academic staff are continuously done by each department and by the Faculty of Engineering in general, given the constantly changing policies from the National Government,” UST Faculty of Engineering Acting Dean, Prof. Angelo R. dela Cruz, PhD, PECE, stated.

Moreover, Assoc. Prof. Roxas highlighted the research output of the UST ECE department as it remains on the right track and continuously improves, allowing students to win at different international conferences.

“We’re on the right track,” he added, noting the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) has already accredited the six engineering programs offered by the University, making the Faculty on par with international universities recognized by ABET. “The goal is to be thrust in the international arena, where the University’s quality education in the Engineering profession can be seen.”

ECE Department Chair Engr. Edison A. Roxas, PhD, PECE, narrated that the department released a survey reporting the health and wellness of the academic staff, support staff, ECE students and their families. This survey was updated to include questions about their vaccination status and comments (including their willingness) to possible face-toface classes upon the incoming term.

The University began its regular classes on August 9 and continued accepting enrollees until August 14 for the first semester’s hybrid learning setup.

As for each department’s plans, CE Department Chair Engr. Rajiv Eldon E. Abdullah, MEngg, said that an online

Despite experiencing a dip in the number of students in the second term, FoE was still consistent in garnering the highest number of enrollees in the University for the said new term.

“[Iyong] best aspect ng department siguro [ay] ‘yong mga laboratories namin kasi we are continuously upgrading our [laboratories], and mayro’n tayong mga partnership with our alumni na presidente ng iba’t-ibang kumpanya. They are also offering us good internship, training, [...] and immersion din sa mga faculty [members] natin. [...] And, just recently, may mga donations tayo na nakukuha na mga high-end equipment na pwede nating gamitin for our laboratories,” Assoc. Prof. Roxas said when asked about the best aspect of

Thomasian Engineer Researchers Bag Awards in Asia Symposium

WRITTEN BY : Eunice Abayon

PWRITTEN BY: CARL TRISTAN GILE

rofessors and alumni researchers from the Faculty of Engineering were recognized in the Nagoya City University (NCU) Contact Points in Asia Symposium held virtually last August 25 to 26, 2021.

When speaking up is ridden by guilt and the desire to fit in, purpose-driven activism can be overshadowed and, worse, fails to make an imagined transformative impact and only fosters a fallacious sense of power.

The symposium, with the theme “Think about SDGs - Designing Healthy Work Environment,” showcased various research topics related to the “Hub for Work Environment Design” of the NCU.

The Industrial Engineering (IE) Department exhibited two studies in the event.

Winning the Excellence Poster Award (Audience Choice) is the research, entitled “A Comparative Study on the Human preference and the Nutritional Value between Mung Bean Chips and Common Commercial Snack Food” by IE alumni Adonis Clet, David Lorenz Dometita, Fredric Go, and Ericson Niones. The

Now more than ever, people have, thankfully, become more engaged in sociopolitical issues. If the previous generations worried about passive individuals, it is safe to say that the present generation did a full-180, with how everyone—from young to old—seemed to have been so involved in online discussions since the birth of countless social media platforms like Facebook, X (previously known as Twitter), Instagram, and even TikTok. Granted with the power of expression, nearly anyone is given the liberty to articulate their views on a wide array of social and political issues that challenge today’s time. As soon as an issue becomes the topic of debate or mere gossip, expect a notable number of netizens to hop in and instantly share their sentiments—or, at the very least, be the quickest to repost other people’s viral takes and take on some hashtag trends.

Suddenly, people have found their way to a profound passion for sociopolitical activism. This goes from the renowned case of George Floyd and the #BLM, ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, and #StopAsianHate to the long recurring calls for efforts for #ClimateChange and, if locally, the #SaveMaryJane to the now trending topics of #FreePalestine and #JusticeForKillua, among many others. Not just hashtags, though, as this could even be seen in the form of changing profile pictures or icons to the famous pink ribbon, rainbow-colored frames, alongside many petitions, some of which are Save the Turtles, Stop Animal Cruelty, and pretty much anything from Change. org.

team’s adviser, Assoc. Prof. Carlos Ignacio P. Lugay, Jr, PhD, PIE, ASEAN Eng., presented the said research.

Meanwhile, the study, entitled “Establishing a Procurement Model in Philippine Barangay Health Centers using Integer Linear Programming” by IE alumni Glenn Gerald Castañeda, Keziah Marella Cueto, Clara Franchesca Mendoza, and Angeline Nicole Regalado, was presented by their adviser, Engr. Gabriel C. Bucu, CIE, AAE, and won fourth place for the Excellence Poster Award.

Engr. Angelito A. Silverio, PhD of the Electronics Engineering (ECE) Department, also participated in the poster session and garnered second place in the Best Poster Award.

People across the globe, including Filipinos, have undoubtedly found a way to voice their opinions without taking them to the streets and risking lives as much as traditional activists do. While it could have been done with the best of intentions, this form of activism, termed “slacktivism,” quickly gained a questionable reputation. Hailed to be a complete contradictio in terminis, the term is a portmanteau of the words “slacker” and “activism,” which translates to “lazy activism,” in which support is provided through social networks in a manner where little time and effort is required. As the United Nations defines it, it is when people “support a cause by performing simple measures” but “are not truly engaged or devoted to making a change.” Critics have actually long argued that this form of activism fails to spark change and, if anything, only leads to the oversimplification of global issues—that people could sign a petition or repost something as easily as disengaging themselves from the cause in a hot minute.

ASIA SYMPOSIUM AWARDS→ PAGE 4

Frankly, social media has become a powerful tool since its introduction to the populace. It has paved the way for many discussions that attracted certain individuals and, without a doubt, sparked the most intriguing social discussions of all time. However, the ease of this engagement comes with a cause: people equating one like or repost to a sense of power. To give more context, this is akin to someone thinking, “Done! I no longer have to be involved. I already shared it on my Facebook wall and did my part.”

he annual Engineering Recruitment Fair once again kicked off as different organizations from the Faculty of Engineering highlighted the one-week fair with their promotional videos and posters from September 23 to 30, The fair was organized by the UST Engineering Student Council (UST-ESC) and started with an opening program presenting the

PHOTO BY: CHRISTIAN MUNGCAL

the ECE Department.

PHOTO BY : Ronielle Angela Rey

WRITTEN BY : Aryzza Antonette Aperocho & Mark Rafael Santos

UST FOE LAUNCHES FIRST POST-COVID ME PLANT VISIT

WRITTEN

BY :

Aaron Villajin & Faye Ramos

For the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the UST Faculty of Engineering (FoE) revived its annual plant visit for Mechanical Engineering (ME) students from November 19, 2023, until November 25, 2023, held in Cebu and Bohol.

“The plant visit course allows our students to see that gap from classroom to the field and hopefully give them an idea of what skill to learn or what trade they should be in,” said Engr. Ralph Norman Malana, MBA, UST ME faculty member, emphasizing the relevance of this course to prepare students for the demands of their future careers.

Students participating in the offsite activity visited nine plants from diverse industries. While on the excursion, students could interact with engineers, ask them questions about their daily life in their workplace, and thus have a better overall immersion should they decide to pursue a similar career.

Furthermore, Engr. Malana highlighted how the visit aligns with the FoE and the University’s dedication to providing high-quality education through diverse mediums, including immersive off-campus excursions. He believes that this activity can also help the participating faculty members from the FoE be up-to-date, build rapport with industry leaders, and develop partnerships that promote possible on-the-job/internship opportunities for engineering students.

UST Mechanical Engineering Club (MEC) President James de Castro, discussed the purpose and outcomes of the visit to various industrial plants, a crucial component of the course “ME2630: Power Plant Visit.” He clarified that the visit aimed to fulfill course requirements, where students submit a comprehensive technical report on the trip. A committee comprising MEC and class representatives oversaw plant selection and availability in industries like pharmaceuticals, food production, shipbuilding, and construction.

All ME2630 students were mandated to participate, including those who missed prior visits due to COVID-19 restrictions. Those unable to join had an alternative assignment involving visiting substitute plants and submitting equivalent proof.

The plant visit is one of the alternative learning opportunities offered to undergraduate students by the Faculty. “These alternative modes of learning offer students a realistic perspective on the challenges they will face, the complexities they will need to navigate, and, significantly, the value they can contribute to various industries,” added Engr. Malana.

UST-ChE Alumni

Congress

UST Chemical Engineering (ChE) faculty members and selected UST Chemical Engineering Society (ChES) Executive Board members attended the five-day joint conference of the 20th Asian Pacific Confederation of Chemical Engineering (APCChE) Congress and the 84th Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers (PIChE) National Convention at the SMX Convention Center Manila last September 4-9, 2023.

With the theme, “Revitalizing Global Partnerships for Sustainable Development,” the conference aimed to open a platform of discourse and exchange of ideas between students and professionals in the field of Chemical Engineering, sharing their latest discoveries and innovations in various industries of chemical engineering through themed sessions.

UST embraces first cohort of USTET passers since pandemic onset

Over 9,000 freshmen, including 980 from the Faculty of Engineering (FoE), celebrated the traditional ROARientation and Welcome Walk with the theme “Dream with UST” last August 5, 2023, as the first batch of enrollees since the return of the UST Entrance Test (USTET) last year.

The Onboarding event for Engineering freshmen commenced with activities and games prepared by each department’s mother organization in collaboration with the UST Engineering Student Council (ESC) as part of EXCITE 2023 held at the Fr. Roque Ruaño O.P. Building.

“Ferocious like the Thomasian tiger”

In his homily during the Welcome Mass for the afternoon batch, UST Vice-Rector Rev. Fr. Isaias D. Tiongco, O.P., JCD, encouraged the freshmen to “push the boundaries” of their comfort zone and to remember that “the only limits that exist are the ones that you set for yourself.”

“We encourage you to make the most of your time at the University: Be curious, be creative, and be courageous, be ferocious— in the correct way—like the Thomasian tiger,” Rev. Fr. Tiongco told students.

Traditional ROARientation, Welcome Walk

Following the mass was ROARientation 2023’s grand opening performance from the performing arts organizations of the University: UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe, UST Sinag Ballroom Dance Company, UST PRIME, UST Nursing Dance Troupe, UST Psychology Dance Troupe: Archetypes, UST Pharmacy Dance Troupe, UST Yellow Jackets, UST Pharmacy Glee Club, Coro Tomasino, UST Commerce Dance Troupe, BA Dauncén, and UST Engineering Dance Troupe, as well as a play by Teatro Tomasino.

Students from the FoE, Graduate School of Law, Ecclesiastical Faculties, Institute of Physical Education and Athletics, Faculty of Civil Law, UST Graduate School, College of Education, College of Architecture, College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, College of Commerce and Business Administration, and College of Science partook in the afternoon session of the welcoming rites.

Electronics Engineering (ECE) freshman Stephen Garcia shared that prior to the Welcome Walk ceremony they are already “excited” to meet more people from other academic units of the University and are looking forward to witnessing the Thomasian Welcome Party later that night.

“ ‘Yung mga known events po like Paskuhan and siyempre nilolook forward ko po ‘yung maraming gawain [...] parang mas masaya po kasi if nacha-challenge po—doon mo na-strengthen yung skills mo and doon mo po makikita ‘yung mga pagkukulang mo and ‘yung need mo i-improve,” a Civil Engineering (CE) freshman, Danielle Vispo, commented after the batch’s entry to the historical arch.

To cap off the day-long welcoming celebration for new Thomasians, UST Tiger TV hosted the Thomasian Welcome Party headlined by rising Pinoy pop (P-pop) groups BINI and BGYO, who performed their hit songs during the two-hour-long event. Homegrown Thomasian music artists Anton “Stefano” Acosta, JC Herrero, and Jonathan Detreza also brought their music to the stage during the party.

The event came two days later than its original date as the Local Government Unit of Manila declared a citywide class suspension due to inclement weather conditions, which interrupted the celebration on August 3, 2023.

UST confers honoris causa to Wilcon Depot Founder William Belo

UST Electronics Engineering (ECE) Batch 1973 alumnus and founder of the Wilcon Builder’s Foundation Inc., Mr. William T. Belo, was conferred the degree Doctor of Commerce, honoris causa, in the Solemn Investiture at the Buenaventura G. Paredes, O.P. (BGPOP) Building last September 28, 2023.

Prof. Michael Anthony C. Vasco, Ph.D., Dean of the UST Graduate School, described Belo as a selfless person who offered himself in the sympathetic notion while carrying the Thomasian core values, competence, compassion, and commitment in the address of petition.

UST Rector Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., PhD, assisted by the University Registrar, Inst. Cesar M. Velasco Jr., MBA headed the imposition of the hood to Belo, read the formula for the conferment of the degree, imposition of the Doctoral Cap, and the presentation and imposition of the ring and medallion, respectively.

Very Rev. Fr. Ang applauded Belo for opening opportunities for innovation and progress of the society’s economy while carrying the Thomasian Excellence.

“The legacy of our honorary as the alchemist of home improvements will live on in our hearts and memories,” Rev. Fr. Ang quoted in his address of concession.

Afterward, Former Dean of the UST College of Commerce and Business Administration (CCBA), Assoc. Prof. Leonardo M. Canoy, Jr., Ph.D and Vice-Grand Chancellor of the University, Very Rev. Fr. Filemon I. Dela Cruz, Jr., O.P., SThL, led the reading and awarding of the Doctor of Commerce honoris causa bestowed to Belo.

Belo pointed out his three learnings in his career: The importance of value-driven vision, the value of hard work in building meaningful relationships, and the sense of fulfillment in service in giving back.

“What I am and where I am today is to and will extend to my Thomasian Education,” Belo quoted in his address of acceptance. Belo began his entrepreneurial journey with a small hardware store in Quezon Avenue in 1977 and later founded Wilcon Builders Depot and Wilcon Home Essentials—Wilcon Corporation’s two-store format. In 2022, Belo received The Outstanding Thomasian Alumni Award (TOTAL) for Accountancy, Business, and Management 2022–an award for Thomasian alumni who exemplify the core values of UST in their field of expertise.

WRITTEN BY : Marc Ivan Dilla, Lance Campano, and Kate Vicente

PHOTOS BY : Ray Baltazar Alunen and Ronielle Angela Rey

WRITTEN BY : Nicole Nadela

PHOTOS BY : Jeff Ronald Canlas and Lianne Nicole Estavillo

WRITTEN BY : Kim Dator & Nicole Nadela

PHOTOS COURTESY OF : UST Chemical Engineering Society

WRITTEN BY : Szarina Silva, Doroteo Prudenciano II, Mark Rafael Santos, Marc Dilla, Justine Urban, & Aaron Villajin

In the most-awaited time of the academic year, the University launched its month-long traditional Paskuhan festivities on December 2, 2023, as Super Mario-themed Christmas lights adorned the Manila campus.

UST Vice-Rector for Finance and Faculty of Engineering (FoE) Regent Rev. Fr. Roberto L. Luanzon, Jr., O.P. S.Th.D., led the ‘Rite of Blessing of the Christmas Tree and Christmas Ornaments,’ where, afterward, UST Rector Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., PhD., assisted by Assoc. Prof. Maria Liza A. Lopez-Rosario, DCL, Inaugural Dean of the UST Graduate School of Law, and Ms. May Richelle Cestina Parsons, College of Nursing alumna, officially declared the opening of the “Paskuhan Season”.

A Christmas Concert Gala at the Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P., (BGPOP) Building, was subsequently held on the same day, with the theme, “Witnessing the Joy of Christmas through Christ’s Birth.” The concert established a festive atmosphere with its various music performances from UST Coro Tomasino, Liturgikon Vocal Ensemble, UST Symphony Orchestra, UST Jazz Band, UST Singers, Aeta Children from Sitio Buok, and Parent Advocate for Visually Impaired Children (PAVIC).

Two days after, the UST Tiger Media Network (TMN) launched the first-ever Paskuhan Pop-Up Village at the UST Quadricentennial Park, which operated from its opening up to December 15, 2023.

Meanwhile, the Paskuhan Grand Concert on December 21, 2023 was met with mixed emotions from students as final examinations coincided with the most-awaited Paskuhan celebration, along with abrupt gate closures for the “safety and security of the Paskuhan attendees inside the campus.”

The Thomasian-exclusive concert welcomed performances from OPM artists, such as Cup of Joe, Oh Stella!, Hey JACE, and LILY, with Adie and Lola Amour returning for their second consecutive year of being part of the Paskuhan line up. Janine Berdin also graced the stage to perform her collaboration song with Adie titled, “Mahika.” Meanwhile, P-Pop girl group BINI was the concert’s finale, headlining this year’s Paskuhan on

UST ECE Dept, ADI solidifies commitment to academic excellence

WRITTEN BY : Andrea Nicole Llanera

Solidifying its commitment to fostering educational excellence within the UST Faculty of Engineering (FoE), Analog Devices Inc. (ADI) signed a Professional Chair Award Donation Memorandum of Agreement with the Faculty last September 12, 2023, at ADI - Bonifacio Global City.

The welcome for partnership was extended to the University by Engr. Miles Ramirez, UST Electronics Engineering (ECE) Batch 1999 Alumnus and Country Manager of ADI Philippines.

The event was attended by Rev. Fr. Roberto L. Luanzon Jr., O.P., Vice-Rector for Finance and Faculty Regent; Prof. Angelo R. dela Cruz, Ph.D., PECE, Faculty Dean and Board Member of UST Research and Endowment Foundation, Inc. (REFI); Asst. Prof. Cristina E. Tiangco, Ph.D., Faculty Assistant Dean; Asst. Prof. Ma. Luisa T. Asilo, MEng, PECE, Faculty Secretary; Asst. Prof. Edison A. Roxas, Ph.D., UST Electronics Engineering (ECE) Department Chair; Engr. Ma. Sharlene L. Insigne, MS., UST Engineering Industry Government Academe and Alumni Relations Program (IGAARP) Representative; and Engr. Gabriel Rodnei M. Geslani, M.Sc., Physics Laboratory Supervisor.

The Office of Grants, Endowments, and Partnerships (OGEP) in Higher Education was represented by Rev. Fr. Maximo P. Gatela, O.P., PhL, OGEP Director, Mr. Levine Andro H. Lao, PhL-MA, Executive Assistant, and Mr. Christian L. Naval, UST-REFI Networking and Liaison Officer.

The signing of the memorandum that marked the inception of the ADI Professorial Chair Award Donation program was part of ADI-UST Synergy: “Creating Tomorrow’s Possibilities.”

their first appearance.

Winners of the recently concluded Tunog Tomasino, Kler, Benchfly, and Mimosa also joined the line up. People’s Choice awardee, Mimosa, performed a cover of Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida,” and “Paano Na Kaya,” an original song. The last song performance of Mimosa was cut short with them having no prior knowledge.

The University drew flak when the gates closed at 7:00 PM for the “safety and security of the Paskuhan attendees inside the campus,” said in an announcement posted at 7:45 PM in the X (formerly Twitter) account of the UST Central Student Council (CSC), almost an hour past the gates were closed, denying access to those still in line hoping to attend the concert.

The decision was made by the Security Office on the day of the event, not being included in the official guidelines of the Grand Paskuhan Concert posted days prior to the festivity. Even those with wristbands—those allowed re-entry to the University, according to the official guidelines, were not permitted to go inside given the University’s abrupt cut-off.

“Marami pong students na nagpapakita ng proof na wala pong announcement regarding sa pagsara ng gates [...] nakaka-disappoint lang din po kasi nagpakita na [kami] ng proof and all tapos wala pong action,” Siapoc expressed her disappointment in not being able to re-enter the venue on her first ever Paskuhan.

A seven-minute pyromusical display accompanied by Super Mario theme songs transitioning to anti-war songs—Imagine by John Lennon and Heal the World by Michael Jackson, dazzled the sky and the traditional festivity-ender of the annual Paskuhan Concert celebration with 39,638 attendees this year.

Due to the recent shift to Enriched Virtual Mode (EVM) last December 14 and 15 in light of the held transport strike, final exams were held on a later date, coinciding with this year’s Grand Paskuhan celebration, with some exams concluding at 4:00 PM. This stirred the emotions of some students as the concert started at 2:00 PM.

COURTESY OF :

Prof.

and

The donation program aims to enhance the activities of the said Faculty, particularly, in the fields of research and professorial chair lectures for the next five years.

ADI has a longstanding partnership with the Faculty and its ECE Department, providing valuable training to students and faculty members, offering faculty immersion programs, and awarding MSECE scholarships while donating high-performance computational devices.

Engineering Recruitment Fair kicks off as Onsite Event after Three-Year Halt

WRITTEN BY : Kateleen Vicente and Jose

Miguel Ballecer

After three academic years in a pandemic, the UST Faculty of Engineering (FoE) held its first onsite recruitment week last September 28-30, 2023 with the theme “EN ROUTE: The Engineering Recruitment Fair 2023,” at the Quadrangle of the Fr. Roque Ruaño, O.P., Building.

Spearheaded by the UST Engineering Student Council (ESC), the recruitment fair allowed engineering students to register onsite at the booths of the Faculty’s different organizations.

To start the program, Marc Vincent U. Distor, UST ESC President, gave his opening speech, expressing his gratitude for an in-person recruitment fair after three years of it being online due to the pandemic.

Following this, an Audio Visual Presentation (AVP) was played, introducing the Faculty’s mother organizations: UST As-

sociation of Civil Engineering Students (ACES), UST Mechanical Engineering Club (MEC), UST Chemical Engineering Society (ChES), UST Electrical Engineering Circuit (EEC), UST Network of Electronics Engineering Students (NECES), and UST Industrial Engineering Circle (IEC).

UST Cisco Networking Academy Gateway Engineering (CNAG) was presented after a short ice breaker while the introduction of UST One Voice Engineering Chorale (OV) was cut short due to heavy rainfall.

Despite the sudden downpour, the event continued after a break, with all booths lined up along the hallways of the first floor of the building instead of its original placement at the Ruaño Quadrangle.

The program proceeded with the introduction of the remaining interest organizations, which are UST Engineering Dance Troupe (UST-EDT), UST Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (UST-IEEE), Operations Research Society of the Philippines - UST Branch (ORSP-UST), American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-conditioning Engineering - UST Branch (ASHRAE-UST), and UST Pax Romana - Engineering Unit. Engineering students from all departments could scour the booths until 6 PM for the duration of the Recruitment Fair.

Furthermore, during the talent showcase of involved student organizations, Former Creatives Director For Special Events at the Tiger Media Network (TMN), Keanni Lae Baylon, Former ChES President, Marianne Angel Gadiana, and Hannah Mae Quiñones were introduced as the judges as well as the decision-makers for the title-holders of Best Booth, Best Poster, Best AVP, Most Recruited Members, and Best Performance.

Afterward, the following organizations were awarded: UST Pax Romana - Engineering Unit for Best Booth, ChES for Best AVP, ASHRAE for Best Poster, CNAG for Most Recruited Members, and ACES for Best Performance.

“Being a returning organization with limited resources, we had to work with what we had and surrender the rest to the Lord, and perhaps, the judges saw something beyond our booth design,” Larie Andre Lansangan, President of UST Pax Romana - Engineering Unit, expresses after being awarded for Best Booth.

PHOTOS BY : Ronielle Angela Rey & Jose Miguel Ballecer

PHOTOS BY : Jeff Ronald Canlas and Jonel Umbal

PHOTOS

Asst.

Ma. Luisa T. Asilo, MEng, PECE,

Engr. Gabriel Rodnei M. Geslani, M.Sc.

UST-ChE in the 20th APCChE Congress

WRITTEN BY : Kim Dator & Nicole Nadela

Asst. Prof. Rose Mardie P. Pacia, MSc, ChE Department Chair, and Assoc. Prof. Cristina E. Tiango, PhD, UST Faculty of Engineering (FoE) Assistant Dean, together with ChE faculty members that are PIChE - Metro Manila Academe Chapter (PIChE-MMAC) officers, organized the PIChE National Student Congress Undergraduate Research Competition (co-chaired by Assoc. Prof. Tiangco) and the APPChE Quiz Bowl (chaired by Asst. Prof. Pacia).

For Fiscal Years (F.Y.) 2019-2023, Asst. Prof. Pacia held the position of Public Relations Officer (PRO) while Assoc. Prof. Tiangco served as the 1st Vice President for the PIChEMMAC. For the present F.Y. 2023-2025, Asst. Prof. Pacia has assumed the role of secretary for the organization.

“For me, mas excited sana ako doon sa students na [nag-]attend kasi first time nilang lalabas [sa] University […] para makapag-network, to learn more about the other universities, and to learn more about chemical engineering,” Asst. Prof. Pacia said, highlighting the event’s significance for ChE students.

Moreover, ChE alumni Batch 2023, Ann Bernadeth Nicerio, Kristian Delos Santos, and Hanah Paulin Cruz, presented their undergraduate thesis titled ‘Utilization of pectin extracted from calamansi (Citrus microcarpa) peels as a bioremediation agent for phosphate removal from industrial wastewater,” addressing the challenges in wastewater management.

“Speaking in front was such an honor na…it’s something to be proud of talaga,” Nicerio quoted, as their group was the only representative of the University in the congress.

More importantly, Nicero stated that their presentation aims to encourage the Thomasian community to impart their knowledge and experience whenever an opportunity comes.

The present ChE faculty members were Engr. Aldrin Lorrenz A. Chan, MS, MES, ChES Adviser; Engr. Divine Angela G. Sumalinog, PhD, and Asst. Prof. Noel S. Sabarillo, MSc, Chemical Engineering and Chemistry Laboratory Supervisors, respectively; Asst. Prof. Basil James S. Santos, MSc.; Prof. Michael D. Benjamin, PhD, faculty council; Asst. Prof. Beatriz A. Belmonte, FoE Library Coordinator; and Prof. Maria Natalia R. Dimaano, PhD, PIChE-MMAC Adviser and PIChE College of Fellows (COF) member.

The relevant topics of the simultaneous discussions included multifaceted roles of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in chemical engineering, the relevance of the ChE Board Examinations on one’s career and professional development, sustainable green technologies for future development, and chemical plant designing.

FoE partners with ZTE Philippines, DITO Telecommunications for greater opportunities

WRITTEN BY : Szarina Silva

The UST Faculty of Engineering (FoE), through the UST Engineering Industry Government Academe and Alumni Relations Program (IGAARP), led the UST x ZTE Philippines/DITO Telecommunications Donation Ceremony last August 18, 2023, at the Fr. Roque Ruaño, O.P., Building.

The Faculty was represented by Faculty Dean, Prof. Angelo R. Dela Cruz, PhD, PECE; Assistant Faculty Dean, Assoc. Prof. Cristina E. Tiangco, PhD; Faculty Secretary, Asst. Prof. Ma. Luisa T. Asilo, MEng, PECE; and UST Electronics Engineering (ECE) Chair, Assoc. Prof. Edison A. Roxas, PhD, PECE.

Engr. Charlie A. Marquez, Officer-in-Charge of UST Eng’g IGAARP, Ms. Joyce Te, Business Support Manager of ZTE Philippines, and Mr. Mar Louie Zabarte, Account Manager of DITO Telecommunity, were the main participants of the said event, joined by representatives from ZTE and DITO.

Mr. Chen Hao, First Consultant of DITO Telecommunity, also graced the ceremony.

Outstanding alumni honored in 2023

UST Eng’g Conference, General Assembly

Aiming to nurture knowledge and collaboration in the engineering alumni community, the UST Faculty of Engineering (FoE) and the UST Engineering Alumni Association, Inc. (USTEAAI) held its 2023 UST Engineering Alumni Conference and General Assembly at the Dr. Robert C. Sy Grand Ballroom, Buenaventura G. Paredes, O.P., (BGPOP) Building last October 7, 2023.

With the theme “Engineering Alumni Excellence: Redefining Boundaries and Redesigning Solutions for a Sustainable World,” the event featured talks from Engr. Rolando R. Evangelista, San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corporation - Deputy General Manager, (BSME 1980) and Engr. Leilani G. Kanapi, Arthaland Corporation - Vice President for Procurement, Philippine Green Building Council (PGBC) - Board of Trustee, (BSCE 1997) about integrating principles of sustainability into engineering solutions for real-world problems.

Engr. Mario Rommel A. Dino was inaugurated as the new USTEAAI President for AY 2023-2025, succeeding Engr. Jason L. Ong who was the USTEAAI President for AY 2019-2023.

The general assembly also facilitated the formal induction ceremony led by Faculty Regent Rev. Fr. Roberto L. Luanzon Jr., O.P, SThD, DL, UST Vice-Rector for Finance, of the newly-elected Board of Trustees for the individual Department Alumni Associations (USTCEAA, USTCHEAA, USTMEAA, USTEEAA, USTECEAA, USTIEAA) of the USTEAAI.

The induction into and unveiling of markers for the Thoma-

Academic

Accolades:

sian Engineering Hall of Fame at the lobby of the Fr. Roque Ruaño, O.P. Building for Engr. Rolando R. Evangelista (BSME 1980) and Engr. Juanito P. Rosales (BSME 1966) was also commemorated with a live video feed, underscoring the event shown to guests at the BGPOP Building.

In attendance during the alumni general assembly was honoris causa recipient Dr. William T. Belo, Wilcon Depot, Inc.Founder (BSECE 1973), who was also recognized during the event.

Former USTEAAI President Engr. Jason L. Ong also awarded USTEAAI Presidential Awards to Engr. Jose Efren P. Bagamasbad (BSChE 1979) for International Master Title Championship in Asian Seniors Chess - 65-and-over Category and Engr. Mark Elson C. Lucio (BSCE 2003) for being elected as President of the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP), 2023-2024. Awardees for the “2023 Outstanding Thomasian Engineers” — Assoc. Prof. Josefin S. de Alban, Jr., MA, LI. B. (BSCE 1979), Engr. Jose L. De Jesus (BSChE 1977), Engr. John Paul D.P. Pe (BSCE 1987), and Engr. Jonathan P. San Juan (BSME 1983), were also honored during the event.

USTEAAI’s Public Relations Officer (PRO) for AY 2019-2023 Engr. Monina Evangelista presented to guests the organization’s new slate of 15 engineering student-scholars for AY 2023-2024. The event formally concluded with the recently-inaugurated USTEAAI President Engr. Dino’s inaugural speech and closing remarks.

Remarkable Achievements in UST Engineering

WRITTEN BY : Faye Ramos, Szarina Silva, Justine Moises, Miguel Ballecer, Kim Dator, and Nicole Nadela

Two UST Faculty of Engineering (FoE) members were recognized for their outstanding contributions in their respective fields while three faculty members were voted into the Board of Directors in engineering academe organizations.

On July 10, 2023, Prof. Maria Natalia R. Dimaano, PhD, a faculty member of the UST Chemical Engineering (ChE) Department, was named among the 12 finalists from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states for the prestigious 2023 Underwriters Laboratories-ASEAN-United States (U.S.) Science Prize for Women in the Senior Scientist Category, representing the Philippines. Her selection recognizes remarkable contributions in the field of Electrification, particularly for her innovative utilization of renewable or clean energy sources for electricity generation.

Additionally, Prof. Dimaano was recognized as the 2023 Dangal ng Lipi Awardee in the field of Science & Technology (Obando) from the Dangal ng Bulacan Foundation, Inc. last September 12, 2023, at The Pavilion, Hiyas ng Bulacan Convention Center. The award, started in 1974, is awarded to Bulakenyos with outstanding contributions to their respective fields. It is an honor conferred by the Provincial Government of Bulacan during the annual celebration of Linggo ng Bulacan.

In a similar vein of recognition, Prof. Michael Francis D. Benjamin, PhD, ChE faculty member, received the distinguished 2023 Dr. Michael Purvis Award for Sustainability Research last September 22, 2023. The award ceremony during the 72nd National Convention of the Philippine Association for the Advancement of Science and Technology (PhilAAST) at the Manila Hotel honored his outstanding contributions

to sustainability research. The Dr. Michael Purvis Award for Sustainability Research is one of PhilAAST’s Annual Awards, an organization founded in 1951, comprising scientists and technologists dedicated to advocating for the prominence of science in the community.

Moreover, Engr. Mark Elson C. Lucio, MSCE, a faculty member from the UST Civil Engineering (CE) Department was inaugurated as the new President of the Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines (ASEP) last June 29, 2023. His election, held during the association’s gathering at the AIC 2023: ASEP 21st International Convention from May 28-30, underscores his substantial contributions. Notably, Engr. Mark Lucio also served as the overall chairman of the convention, showcasing his leadership and organizational skills. Before assuming the role of President, he served as the Vice-President of the association from 2022 to 2023.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Institute of Chemical Engineers - Metro Manila Academe Chapter (PIChE-MMAC) welcomed two ChE faculty members to its Board of Directors for the fiscal years 2023-2025. Asst. Prof. Noel S. Sabarillo, MSc, Chemistry Lab Supervisor, and Asst. Prof. Rose Mardie P. Pacia, MSc, ChE Chair, were respectively elected as the 2nd Vice-President and Secretary of the chapter. The election was held during the PIChE-MMAC General Assembly and Leadership and Academic Forum at the Technological Institute of the Philippines - P. Casal Campus last October 22, 2023. The assembly was attended by UST ChE faculty members, representatives from member schools, various PIChE chapters, and newly registered members.

WRITTEN BY : Marc Ivan Dilla & Justine Urban

PHOTOS COURTESY OF : Asst. Prof. Ma. Luisa T. Asilo, MEng, PECE, and Engr. Gabriel Rodnei M. Geslani, M.Sc.

PHOTO BY : Daxia Rigor

UST ECE, ChE yield topnotchers in 2023 Engineering Licensure Examinations

WRITTEN BY : Doroteo Prudenciano II

Two UST Electronics Engineering (ECE) and two UST Chemical Engineering (ChE) alumni placed a spot in the ‘Top 10 highest scorers’ in the 2023 ChE Licensure and ECE Licensure Examinations last October and November, respectively.

Jose Paolo Nicolas ranked 9th (86.90) in the ECE Licensure Examination (ECELE), while Warren Denzel Cheng ranked 3rd (93.0) in the Electronics Technicians (ECT) Licensure Examination. On the other hand, Charlene Mendoza and Justin Robert Tolentino, both placed 9th (84.8) in the ChE Licensure Exam (ChELE).

‘I think one just needs to find the perfect routine’ - Cheng

“I think one just needs to find the perfect routine, even though it may seem imperfect,” Cheng said on how he juggled commitments, personal life, and exam preparation.

He added that spending time doing his hobbies for the day, including playing games, was the best way to motivate himself and prepare his mind, which in turn, allowed him to absorb more of what he was studying.

“As of now, I’m enjoying the downtime that I have. As for my future, I’m not the type to worry about it, but whatever life brings me, I’ll just accept it and do what I can to make it work,” he quoted on what his future plans are after passing the board exam.

“Board exam preparation, nutrition and exercise, and social life: Three pillars of my success” - Nicolas Nicolas shared that a holistic approach to learning, studying the fundamentals, and managing not just their time but also their energy is the advice he can give to students who will be taking their licensure examinations. He also emphasized that sleeping and resting could be as productive.

“Going too hard to study and staying up all night is counterproductive. Resting can take many forms for different individuals, it can be sleeping, talking to your friends, exercising, walking, or any activity that helps clear your mind,” he shared.

Nicolas plans to dedicate himself to understanding how large language models like ChatGPT and Bard work and are built due to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI).

“After understanding the underlying technology and the theory behind them, I will discover ways to practically apply them for the betterment of society and the country. I want to start this endeavor by having a career as a Data Scientist,” he concluded.

‘It’s not over until it’s over’ - Mendoza

For Mendoza, securing a placement in the ChE Licensure exam has always been a plan. She said in an interview, “I was aiming for Top 1, but they gave me the Top 9. It’s fine, and I’m still super happy. It was my first time to have happy tears when I found out I was in the Top 9.”

She added, “Many people trusted me and believed in me. They even prayed for me. So many people trust you, so why don’t you trust yourself? That’s what earned me confidence. It’s not over until it’s over.”

For her career, she wants to pursue something related to environmental or pharmaceuticals. “I want something that will help a lot of people, so I’m aiming for something related to the environment or pharmaceuticals. But I’m open to any industry,” Mendoza said.

‘Strong foundation and mastery of the basic concepts’ - Tolentino

Tolentino said, “ Having finished my degree in UST, with the guidance and help of the Chemical Engineering Department of the Faculty of Engineering, I was able to establish and set up the foundation that I needed in preparing for the exam.”

“For ChE students, have a good grasp on how you can utilize the resources you can use during the exam, such as the Periodic Table, Perry’s Handbook, scientific calculator, and test questionnaire,” he said when asked for tips for the board exam.

After succeeding in the licensure examination, Tolentino has yet to discover the field he wants to specialize in and is open to trying out the opportunities that may come to him.

“I plan to first have enough experience in a certain field and to expand, later on, my knowledge and understanding of other areas of chemical engineering,” he quoted.

While the two departments of the Faculty produced four topnotchers, the remaining departments also produced newly licensed engineers from the Civil, Electrical, and Mechanical departments.

In the August 2023 Mechanical Engineer (ME) Licensure Examination, the University recorded an overall passing rate of 50-percent (37/14), with 66.71-percent (24/36) for first takers while 34.21-percent (13/38) for repeaters.

Moreover, in the September 2023 Electrical Engineer (EE) Licensure Examination, the University obtained a 76.95-percent (60.79) overall passing rate with 77.73-percent (58/75) for first takers while 50-percent (2/4) for repeaters. The University also tallied a 100-percent passing rate (2/2) for the Master Electrician Board Examination.

The University posted a 77.22-percent (61/79) overall passing rate for ChELE with 79.10-percent (53/67) for first takers while 66.67-percent (8/12) for repeaters.

For the ECELE, the University produced a 42.75-percent (56/131) overall passing rate with 40.95-percent (43/105) for first takers while 50-percent (13/26) for repeaters. In addition, the University was 3rd top performing school in ECT Board Exam with 93.88-percent passing rate (92/98).

In the November 2023 Civil Engineer (CE) Licensure Examination, the University marked a 75.19-percent (197/262) overall passing rate with 79.46-percent (178/224) for first takers while 50-percent (19/38) for repeaters.

Yoshida Survey and Design Co. solidifies partnership with FoE

The University welcomed Yoshida Survey and Design Co. Ltd. President Naoto Yoshida and his son, Fuuto Yoshida for a courtesy visit at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) last September 6, 2023.

According to UST Civil Engineering (CE) Department Chair Engr. Rajiv Eldon E. Abdullah, M.Eng., the Yoshida representatives, along with Engr. Jose Froilan Layese and UST Electronics Engineering (ECE) Department faculty member Engr. Cristine Jin D.S. Estrada, Ph.D., met with Engr. Abdullah to formalize the company’s partnership with UST, specifically with the CE Department.

After their meeting, President Yoshida was toured inside the UST Manila Campus by former UST Office of Public Affairs (OPA) Director and now UST Office of Alumni Relations (OAR) Acting Director, Asst. Prof. Joreen T. Rocamora, Ph.D. In an interview, Engr. Abdullah mentioned that the partnership focuses on the internship opportunities for the students of the Faculty of Engineering (FoE) with the company. The partnership, academic by nature, officially started after the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement. Besides the student internships, FoE faculty members are also given the opportunity to engage in research and development activities.

FoE welcomes SHS students at UST Expo 2023

The UST Faculty of Engineering (FoE) welcomed aspiring Thomasian engineering students in-campus through a career booth equipped with games, prizes, and facilities tours during the University Expo 2023 last September 27-29, 2023.

In collaboration with the public presence committee of the Faculty and the Thomasian Engineer (TE) publication, the UST Engineering Student Council (ESC) led this year’s Engineering Career Expo with the theme “Gearing Up, GeneratENG Your Future.”

The Faculty’s booth, which stood at the Plaza Mayor, provided information and insights about its academic offerings to visiting students.

A series of logical and engineering-related games was featured in the said booth, where participants proceeded with solving a ten-item anagram related to the Faculty. Subsequently, the ESC organized a game where participants had to guess the number of figures presented. While the last activity, Iron Man, involved balancing multiple knots using sticks.

Depending on the game they have completed, prizes such

as a lightsaber toy, UST notebook, and UST t-shirt, among others, were rewarded to those who successfully achieved the tasks.

The facilities tour highlighted the laboratories of the six departments of the faculty: Industrial Engineering (IE) department and the Chemical Engineering (ChE) department were shown on the first day, the departments of Electrical Engineering (EE) and Electronics Engineering (ECE) on the second day, and the departments of Civil Engineering (CE) and Mechanical Engineering (ME) on the third day.

“[Since] we want to show as ESC hindi lang puro paghihirap, computations; mayroong community, [a] family within the building of Ruaño, may mga bonding and friendships din,” Joshua Bas, an ESC Presidential Executive and an organizer of the FoE booth, said in an interview.

Other colleges and faculties’ booths also attracted visiting students through their own gimmicks, such as their college mascots and stands of Korean Pop (KPop) idols dressed in their respective college uniforms.

WRITTEN BY : Lance Tristan Aquino

WRITTEN BY : Lance Andrei Campano, Aaron Villajin, and Justine Urban

PHOTOS BY : Daxia Jennaya Rigor, Alliyah Neri Barlaan, and Sebastian Gauce

PHOTOS COURTESY OF : UST Office of Public Affairs

EDITORIAL

The Death of UST PoliticsCampus Foretold

Student governments are held in high regard, but this may not be the case at the University of Santo Tomas (UST). For several years, UST student councils (SCs) have become the embodiment of mediocrity—barely functioning, just mere puppets and publicity agencies of the University. On top of this, the campus suffers from the incessant lack of political participation among Thomasians. The administration even perpetuates this mess, causing the rest of the student body to grow complacent and passive. Overtime, this indifference and silence will bear the absolute death of UST campus politics and extinguish whatever is left of our voice as the student body.

Currently, there are no major political parties in the University, and to date, most of those who run for office are independent candidates—standing unopposed at that. The UST Central Student Council (UST-CSC), the highest student government in the University, is not an exception to this, arriving at a worse situation. As of March 22, all running candidates have withdrawn, leaving the rest of the studentry with a blank slate amidst the nearing elections.

On multiple occasions and in multiple colleges and faculties, the ongoing problem of low voter turnout is another proof of the deficient political engagement among the University’s students. All these problems indicate a particular notion: that Thomasians are indifferent to the University’s political functions—even one supposedly made to represent them. Why did the student body grow apathetic?

Without any significant change, electing these officers is merely an act of compliance—both for the candidates and the student body. The absence of competition frees the candidates from having to substantiate their qualifications to prove themselves worthy of a vote. For students, knowing the complacent and substandard nature of these councils, the consequence that comes from whether one votes or not is disregarded. While we continue to ignore this issue, we fail to catch sight of its repercussions. Now, the political atmosphere in UST reeks of mediocrity, underserved students and organizations, and power abuse committed by the administration.

Across several terms, the student body has treated the elections as a trivial act of replacing those in office without considering the duty associated with the position. There is a pattern to this: voters elect the sole contender, not knowing their name or any pertinent background of political expertise. The term ends, and a new election period comes around; a new face and name peddle for the position, while the success or failure of the past council go unnoticed. By viewing these councils with unimportance, we are pushing for a persistent cycle of mediocrity with no demand for accountability.

In truth, even our local SCs cannot properly carry out their obligations. One would think that a smaller college or faculty would be easier to handle, but this is debunked by certain fiascos, such as AB Month 2024. The supposed month-long commemoration ended with UST Artlets expressing their severe disappointment with the underwhelming events, claiming that the UST Artlets Student Council (ABSC) fell short on its promise of improvement after receiving the same response from last year’s celebration.

Nonetheless, this is not an isolated case, with Science Week

A Page Unturned

WRITTEN BY : Szarina Julia Silva

In between piles of problem sets, plates, and laboratory reports, finding the time to do anything beyond academics is a challenge a college student faces daily, and lucky are those who find it. Despite the academic load, some students find a way to make time to participate in student organizations, some in more than one, some even holding a post on its board, and most of the time, these students wholeheartedly dedicate themselves and their time to their organizations. Some could argue that these students pay more attention to their organizations than their academic program, bestowing onto them the title of BS Org.

To be a student of the BS Org program, the following criteria must be met: (a) be a bonafide member of one (or more, no limit really) of any student organization; (b) be an active member of that organiza-

2024 and CICS Week 2024 arriving at the same fate. The former has earned several complaints, with students calling it a nuisance due to the messy arrangement of Palarong Agham and miscommunication between council members. Meanwhile, the latter, though a testament to the College’s 10th founding year, is being criticized for the obvious unpreparedness displayed by its respective council, as it mostly consists of seminars and lectures after the cancellation of the initial lineup of events.

Evidently, student governments do more than just organize events. Their most important function, one that we often forget, is their duty to advocate for student rights. With UST-CSC’s inability to properly represent the student body before the administration, it also cannot protect our organizations and publications that want to impel for certain movements or publicize injustices, to a point where the studentry now suffers from censorship and red tagging, as proven by the ongoing issue between the Office for Student Affairs (OSA) and TomasinoWeb, the premier digital media organization of the University.

Also, there have been cases where the Council operated as the University’s publicity committee, silencing students by prohibiting them from making a statement on specific issues. During Paskuhan 2023, the abrupt and initially unannounced gate closure plagued the UST-CSC as they failed to resolve appeals raised by the students and simply amplified the command made by the Security Office. Amid controversies, the Council has remained quiet.

Even with various cases displaying the incompetence of the Council and how its stakeholders have suffered as the ramifications, it does not seem enough to scare us out of our detached demeanor. UST is small, so small that an act of injustice to a single organization is enough to create a clamor heard by the whole student body. Just how much are we willing to tolerate before we break? If we allow a debilitated system to breed in the University, it is not far from the immediate reality that we allow such a system to exist in society.

As expressed, these problems are borne out of negligent studentry and a docile council. Though, it must be said that a higher office also has its share of faults with the current political state, or lack thereof, in the University. On March 23, the UST-CSC released a document addressing concerns and discussing the general status of the Council.

In this report, the Council confirms that multiple acts of repression have been rampant at the University. “Because even the UST-CSC Executive Board is also one of those who have, as individuals and as a council, been repressed under the guise of guidance,” they wrote, revealing their true circumstances. In relation to this, the Council also suffers from isolation, intimidation, and a lack of support from its adviser.

At this juncture, one begins to question the events that led to this. The OSA, as indicated in the UST Student Handbook, was established to guide and supervise student-led and student-related initiatives, councils, and organizations. At its core, the OSA functions as a medium that allows students to converse with the administration. Still, on numerous occasions and given the current issue, the OSA seems biased towards the principles and morals that built UST—the same principles that brand it ‘too traditional’ and the same morals that repress its students. As

tion; and (c) have org-work on their mind 24/7.

But being a BS Org student, besides lessening the time allotted for academics, also affects the amount of participation in group work. In most cases, these types of students respond late to messages since they are preoccupied with organizational work; rarely do they also attend synchronous classes, given their dedication to their tasks. So, if being a BS Org student can negatively impact one’s academics, why do students insist on pursuing such?

Studies show that keeping a busy lifestyle increases productivity, producing endorphins, known as the ‘happy hormones.’ This can also make the person feel empowered and confident, creating a positive momentum. In this view, doing more or keeping busy creates a sense of self-fulfillment–positively boosting the person’s morale. Or perhaps keeping a busy lifestyle strays a person from difficult emotions where they ignore hard truths rather than face them.

Either way, picking a busy lifestyle can bring something to the table. Negative impacts of being a BS Org person, although common, do not necessarily apply in all cases, there are students who can manage their time well and be active in both their organizations and academics–with flying colors even. The positive boost of a busy lifestyle can outweigh its negative impacts, creating a “can-do attitude,” allowing a student to flourish in general.

Choosing to dive into the world of BS Org can be an option for one to escape, flee the realm of mountains of academic requirements, and free fall into a different realm full of creativity, expression, and

a direct consequence, campus life is just as suffocating, to the point where grievances and foulness are left suppressed or altered for damage control.

Aside from an abusive administration, the Council’s inadequacy may be attributed to its inability to establish a relationship with the student body. In Section IV of the same document, the UST-CSC listed project accomplishment rates of 62.50%, 47.46%, and 59.26% for A.Y. 2021-2022, A.Y. 2022-2023, and A.Y. 2023-2024, respectively. Though these statistics prove that initiatives are being taken by the Council, the ongoing problem with student rapport is an unnoticed menace that inhibits the Council’s effectiveness as student representatives.

As it stands, the current political landscape in UST is caused by a disengaged student body, a defective student council, and a self-preserving administration. As significant members of this institution, the studentry must actively demand a proper Council—one that builds a harmonious relationship with the students and is fit to stand before the administration. In addition, political participation programs must be done across the University, focusing on the student’s rights as stakeholders, responsibilities as voters, and privileges as a Thomasian in the institution. Of equal importance, the new OSA Director should be a fit middleman that equally represents both parties, setting aside any prejudice or bigotry going forward.

With its grave repercussions on the table, being tone-deaf will only permit this vicious loop of autocracy to continue. Undeniably, if all three parties have played a hand in this predicament, then restoring it requires them all to contribute. After all, campus politics is participatory democracy in practice, a mimicry of society’s mutualistic nature. Hence, a two-way effort is fundamental for it to function—one encompassing an administration that listens and a student body that learns when to speak up and take a stand.

On the topic of the nearing elections, the UST-CSC has no running candidates. Though the intention behind the withdrawals is acknowledged, we must recall the reason behind the Council—to serve as the voice of the student body. At present, we barely have any semblance of a council or any authority over our educational experience at the University. Still, without any proper representation, we are giving in to possible cronyism and fully submitting to the hands of the administration.

UST has maintained its relevance and prominence for 400 years, but this is often followed by its notoriety for being conservative. Yet, staying passive is an irresponsible response, knowing full well how they have enabled the damage that ruins the political landscape at the University. It is high time that we elect officers that truly represent the students, our beliefs, our morals, and our rights—ones that can brave through and break us free from our current circumstances.

A competent and committed Thomasian is nothing if they are not compassionate—if they still adhere to silence amidst the threatening face of abuse and discrimination. As harsh as it may seem, a Thomasian whose thinking remains unchallenged is only meant to contribute—if not worsen—the campus politics in UST that reeks of nothing but inadequate representation and mediocrity—and if it remains unresolved, then, its death.

freedom. It may be a way to break free from the four stressful corners of the classroom and be the outlet of their potential, transforming into a vast space of endless possibilities.

Being in student organizations can also allow students to discover other fields, different from their program, opposite even, and immerse themselves into experiences they could never get in touch with first hand. An engineering student can host an event, direct a short film, perform on stage, or write a script–things they could never do in the engineering field; providing an avenue for escapism, to a realm of endless opportunities. It could also be the window of an alternative future. A ‘what-if’ path, if there ever was one, if you did not take up your current program and the other path was taken. With questions to ponder: Would I have been happier? Would my passion have been enough? Should I have taken the risk?

Nevertheless, it cannot be easily determined why some students choose to bury themselves in piles of organizational responsibilities. May it be to escape, explore, or experience, an answer cannot be simply defined. But one thing is for sure, by entering organizations, some form of fulfillment is achieved, and a glance at a succeeding page of a book is made possible. A page about the other road, a page about a fleeting feeling, a page about emotions left unsaid, or an empty page waiting to be written.

For sure, threading the path of a BS Org student is a choice, but maybe, possibly, it is a peek at a page unturned.

WRITTEN

BY

Instant Engineers

: Justine Keith Moises

Society is the aggregate of man living together in a more or less ordered community. Therefore, man is society and society is man. But why does focusing more on man rather than machinery makes Industrial Engineers less of an engineer? Does the absence of licensure examination demerit their credibility as true-blooded engineers? Is it really an unnecessary degree—a program close to other engineering programs but will never be as good as each claim to be?

Are they merely business people with an undeserved honorific ‘Engr.’?

Industrial engineers are long-hated for their lack of deep technical expertise. In college, they took the ‘easiest’ major—shameful enjoyers of the bragging rights of pursuing an engineering degree. They took a free pass on the most challenging mathematical and scientific theories and computations. While other engineering students are endlessly solving complex trusses, circuits, and chemical equations, they are ‘just’ there— in their stationary bikes and treadmills doing not-so-engineering things in the name of that thing called Ergonomics… They are merely a bunch of nosy people with self-diagnosed OCD who nitpick on everything—and without even saying anything, they have already criticized the incorrect bending angle of your neck, the unnecessary adduction of your arms, the extreme twisting of your trunk, and the wrong distance between your eye and your working desk because they know that when the movement of your eyes and hands are frequent, it should be 10-30 cm below eye height. They even have the guts to find fault on the wind speed of your air conditioner. And you know what’s worse? They freak out dramatically over a 0.05-second delay…

Unlike Civil Engineers who specialize in infrastructure building, Chemical Engineers in chemical processes, Electrical Engineers in electricity, Electronics Engineers in electrical systems, and Mechanical Engineers in machines, IEs are only vaguely knowledgeable about everything in the aforementioned fields. “Jack of all trades, master of none,” as they say.

Since 1977, the University of Santo Tomas has been offering the Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering (IE) program. As described by the University’s website, the program is designed to prepare the student for professional work in the design, improvement, installation, and maintenance of integrated systems of people, materials, information, equipment,

ON PAGE 11

What Truly Belongs to the Streets

WRITTEN BY : Eunice Abayon

Backed up by studies, scholars have found that so-called slacktivists “forego online political activity” and believe that “online activity is a viable substitute” for in-person protesting and even voting. In contrast, mainstream activists do not see such effectiveness in social media campaigning, especially when such “real world” advocacy is at stake. As the study further cites, it encapsulates the idea that “people click, but don’t come out.” More than this, this creates an illusion wherein people believe that their political activity creates supreme impact and thus significant political outcomes. In reality, critics suggest that symbolic gestures done on social media platforms may not be able to completely persuade others to truly join the cause, or if they do, it is on a mere surface level. In honesty, the trend that this creates only leaves room for more pressure, not in a healthy and mobilizing way, but rather one that pressures an individual to fit in and does proceed with posting or reposting sentiments that are not within their genuine aspirations or standpoint.

This is nowhere far from people who call themselves righteous for joining the hashtag #JusticeForKillua, when they know in themselves that they are among the thousands of Filipinos who treat Aspins and stray animals at large less, even to the extent of neglecting and hurting them; or people who constantly share informative-yet-alarming posts about #ClimateChange but still do not care to transition to more sustainable ways of living and be among the top contributors to carbon footprint and pollution. In some cases, they may even be those that share inspirational quotes about inclusivity, when in reality, all they do is blatantly discriminate against minority groups such as women, the LGBTQIA+ community, and other marginalized people that fail to fit to their liking; people who nearly-everyday post inspirational quotes about embracing all types of beauty but proceed with making fun of those who still battle with their insecurities; or worse, people who advocate for peace, but in their very own space, are perpetrators of conflict and neglect among those that are in dire need.

Empowered by self-proclaimed sense of power and an ideal view of their morals, these people often perpetuate a constantly draining, pressuring, and unhealthy digital space. Taking the call for boycotting certain brands in light of the #FreePalestine movement, for instance, some people who advocate for this often go to the extent of immediately attacking other people that, for whatever reason, fail to adhere to the movement. Instead of truly committing themselves to the cause by educating other people, it is with so much dismay that they proceed without the lack of understanding of the circumstances that could have been behind such—that the person must not have been informed or well-educated about the issue. If anything, people of this kind have become so quick to judge other people’s standpoints for the sole reason that they do not align with their own.

The desire to fit into the narrative, or the constant rise of people being eager to make it their own content, unfortunately results in ignorance. For example, since the announcement of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement listing McDonald’s as one of the big

Stuck in the Abyss

WRITTEN BY : Jose Miguel Ballecer

We live in a society where it is free to dream. Filipinos are often praised for finding ways to survive, for finding the means to get through any struggle. But when it has gotten to a point where it is the sole reason how we get by, we can only come to question: is this something to be really proud of? Should a system forcing an average Filipino to barely get by be praised?

To say that a Filipino dreams is an understatement. A Filipino does more than dream, it finds itself atop the ideologies it has set for itself, hoping that one day they become a reality. Economist Gerardo Sicat describes that an average Filipino dreams of security, and living a good life, a dream that is similar to that of other nations. Surely, this is an achievable dream, but for an average Pinoy? The capacity to dream is just another dream.

Studies show that an average Filipino earns around Php 18,423/ month, while the average cost of living in 2021 in Metro Manila is said to be Php 28,800/month, excluding rent. From this alone, it is evident that an average Filipino, at least based on their salary, does not have the capacity to meet the minimum standards of living in the capital of the country. In this middle-income country, it sure is challenging to lead an average life—difficult enough that one barely gets by on a day-to-day basis with no time to ponder your what-ifs and dreams when the essential cost of living is already pulling Filipinos down. Surely, with the average Filipino barely being able to dream, how worse could it be for those who live in poverty?

The country has progressed from times past; the paths of today have gone through so much. Within Southeast Asia, the Philippines has the 4th largest economy out of the eleven parts of the region, which is indeed a commendable feat. In 2013, under the regime of former President Benigno “PNoy” Aquino III, the World Bank referred to the archipelago as ‘Asia’s Rising Tiger.’ In 2023, however, the Philippines faced an 8.6-percent inflation rate in the first quarter of the year, far beyond Southeast Asia’s country with the largest economy, Indonesia, which recorded an inflation rate of around 4.33-percent. Albeit an indication of economic growth, high inflation rates, in the long run, impede economic growth, hence stopping the Filipinos’ capacity to dream. Delving deeper into it, the country recorded 22.4-per

brands to boycott for their link to the Gaza genocide for funding Israel, Filipinos have instantly joined the trend without completely doing research, and it shows. Unlike many other franchises like McDonald’s Malaysia, McDonald’s Philippines is independently and 100% Filipino-owned, hence, there lies no direct affiliation with Israel or the said entity, although there could be franchise fees at the very least. This has been reiterated by other franchisees, saying that McDonald’s Israel’s actions are “individual and private acts.” Not completely knowing this, it is a common thing to see Filipinos ridiculing others for having their goto McDonald’s meal, which, in some cases, they still do themselves—in real life. As long as their online persona joins the movement, it is a common belief or perhaps the pinnacle of hypocrisy, that tells them that they no longer have to practice it in real life, which reeks of virtue signaling that most Filipinos subscribe to. Simply put, boycotting efforts done in the area of conflict is different from that of the Philippines— and what most people fail to think about is its possible repercussions on the workers who, in reality, would care more about the income they would get to feed their families than think about an international conflict. This is not to dismiss the inhumane situation happening; just a sad reality for a third world country who grapples to survive and even feed itself. To be frank, these relentlessly judging individuals are those who remain silent in actual meaningful conversations, for example, about fellow Filipinos who were kidnapped in the Gaza Strip and the like. Harsh, but the truth is that it is just simply performative at this point for most people.

Of course, this is not to discredit the power of social media. There is no point in lying and acknowledging that social media has allowed for various movements to even foster and become its starting point. There are many studies that have come to prove that social media has been a viable tool in mobilizing; for example, it was used to mobilize voters to support campaigns for a populist candidate, which can be likened to the momentous campaign for the Leni-Kiko tandem during the 2022 elections.

However, the main argument lies in the fallacious belief that civic responsibility, such as being engaged in social and political issues, stops the moment one participates in online discussions and trends and thus provides them with the entitlement to attack other people who are yet to be educated or simply oppose their beliefs. While putting issues into the mainstream seems astounding as this opens more opportunities for being heard and seen, empirical research has shown that low-impact political activity, which includes liking or reposting and signing online petitions, is among the factors that reduce motivation to participate in higher-impact political activity, which in contrast includes actual efforts to volunteer, get membership, and join protests. The problem now is how some people fail to acknowledge the fact that social media is just a platform; that it needs humans and actual efforts for it to work—for change to be mobilized and organized. And if one’s intentions are truly aligned with the cause, an opposing claim or stance would still be treated with respect or would come with the understanding of the lack of proper education and thus the urge to respond to it with nothing but pure intentions and intellect.

Newsflash, simply and hypocritically liking or reposting will not stop a war, feed a hungry child or miraculously eradicate pollution or discrimination. Although this could make noise and gain online momentum, it cannot be denied that efforts beyond the screens are vital to catalyze change that has been imagined prior to every click.

But who actually cares where change started, right? Activism, whether practiced online or offline, as long as it is rooted in truly making change—from within to the rest of society—is to be deemed equally important and vital in upholding sociopolitical equality. After all, it has to start somewhere, and if it happens to be on the screens where social media lies, then there is no issue so long as there is a collective effort to eventually bring it where it truly belongs.

ART BY:

CRIS JEFFERSON JUAN

Whispers of Silent Yearning

WRITTEN BY:

JANNA LOUISE ONG

Different shades of midnight blues Paint over the cotton in the skies.

Done is the day, as darkness ensues.

My eyes wait for the moon to rise.

Like city lights that spark only in the evening, the burning stars to whom I wish upon have come from where they’re hiding. Where could the morning have gone?

Shying away, it dives below the horizon. The coldness that it brings wraps around. A warm hug that I hope carries on despite the endless unknowns and doubts.

Within my grasp is a moment of respite. At last, my silent but constant yearning whispers through the wind, out of my wit. Will my hope be futile if I keep fighting?

Every 11:11 pm, I plead the diamonds in sight for the hands of the clock to stop ticking, even if it’s for more than a second tonight. Will my fantasy end if I keep dreaming?

No, how can it be when it’s beyond me?

Then, all I ask of the heavens, who linger above, is a haven where I can be in solace against the chaos breaking through.

SILENT WISHES

ART BY: MAUI MARAMAG

WRITTEN BY: MAYCHIE ORTEGA

The sun smiles

While I ran for miles.

As the trials that I faced, Felt like a complete waste

That the words thrown Sounded like a disorganized tone.

Then the darkness came, But I still hear the words, “What a shame.”

A night full of clouds, A silent whisper full of doubts. I longed for peace and joy, But will it ensue without a ploy?

ART FEATURE:

Philippine Eagle

ILLUSTRATED BY: DANNELLA FAITH FERRER

Nighttime Solitude

As the day comes to an end, and it should be time for bed, something is messing with my head—

Not the shining lights, not the crickets outside It’s the wishes I only say at night

I often think about where I am currently

Did I really become who I envisioned before? The dark makes me think of what I could have been

It’s like I could have achieved so much more

I was careless back then I thought I could get away with everything

And when my misfortunes started to happen, it was too late to do something

My dreams came crashing down, but I know I have to put up a fight

Now is the time to turn my fate around

It’s my chance to make things right

WRITTEN

BY:

JONAH CRUZ

ART BY: KHIANNA FLOR LAO

While the night is getting even later, I realize that it isn’t too late to start over

In this time of darkness, I found the light with the solitude of the wishes I only say at night

The clouds start to move,

The stars start to groove; I am in the dark,

But the stars light up my part. A silent wish was made upon, I hope it can start tomorrow by dawn.

I start with the usual night, I hope it finally results in what is right. “A new beginning

Where I would start the day grinning; War is over Is what I hoped for with peace and order.”

But as I rolled my tongue, I felt something had sprung. A firefly burning brightly, Urging me to take things lightly. Warmth filled the empty heart, “I hope I find things beautiful like art.”

As the stars continued to smile, Hope began to pile.

A lullaby was silently sung

As the trees finally swung.

“Tonight was a good night,” I assessed I hoped for sweet dreams as I lay to rest.

ART BY: GWEN STEFANI LORENO

One Day I’ll Fly

WRITTEN BY: ENZO QUIAMBAO

From my window, I look into the darkness. My muscles are aching from a hard day’s work. Yet, I sit on the windowsill before I get some rest, Waiting for a bird to return to its nest.

I hear the familiar humming of its wings; flying backward, the hummingbird sings. What’s fascinating about this little bird of mine, It shouldn’t even be able to fly.

Something I never say aloud, Is how much I envy this songbird. Into the night sky, I announced, “Oh, to be able to fly untethered!”

Alas, I’m stuck in this sad little life, Working until my hands bleed dry.

Alas, I’m stuck in this sad little cage of mine, Forever chained down and unable to even attempt to fly.

But if, by some miracle, this hummingbird can fly, I owe it, and I myself will try. For if this bird can somehow soar in the sky, In this tiresome life, I will not die.

I won’t spend my life stuck in this situation. The cause of my exhausting days and nights, I only now begin to question.

There’s so much beauty in the world that, before, I thought was just fiction. The fruit of my hard work and effort will finally be put into action.

So, I look up to the heavens, To the stars dazzling the night sky. From my lips, a wish is spoken, One day, I, too, shall fly.

Three Questions

Wishes are impractical, they said

So before I sleep, they tell me to pray instead

Yet, at night, yearning for you becomes my religion

Pardon me if I start with a question

Would you be mad?

If I choose to remember,

If I wish for Morpheus to put me in eternal slumber,

Maybe by then, I’d hear your gentle utterance

Hushing my woes, filling me with trance

Would you forgive me?

If I refuse to live this reality,

If I wish that your picture wasn’t on the table beside me,

WRITTEN

BY:

ALECKS JIANNA RAVAL

Maybe the orchids in the backyard would still bloom, Eyes not scarlet, songs always in tune

Would it be okay?

If I’m not strong enough

If I wish that mornings weren’t a wildfire cough

Maybe I’m still fifteen, and this is all a dream My shouts weren’t with sobs but gleam

They tell me to think of a memory or an apology

Would it be bad if I wished to hold my report card, not a eulogy,

But my wishes aren’t enough to bring back your embrace

So I lay my dreams, six feet under beside your face E N G I N E E R I N G C R O S S W O R D

Prepared by: Dannella Ferrer

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

ENCIRCLE THE OBJECTS, ON THE RIGHT ILLUSTRATION, THAT ARE DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER.

Test your wits and answer these puzzles, Engineers!

Prepared by: Jehoram Navarro

At the height of World War II, in 1942, U.S. Army Colonel Leslie Groves recruited a quantum physics professor named J. Robert Oppenheimer to be a part of the “Manhattan Project”—a clandestine operation dedicated to developing the first atomic bomb before the Germans did. More than 130,000 workers were also recruited in a race against time to build it and end the war. Needless to say, on July 16, 1945, at precisely 05:29:45 in the morning, the first atomic bomb was successfully detonated at a test site in New Mexico, heralding a new era of scientific progress and nuclear warfare. Since that exact second, any conflict or war in recent history and at any given point in the future have been and may now be on the brink of mass destruction. At that exact second, not only did Oppenheimer and his “luminaries” change the course of history, but they had also created the means to end it.

Of the 130,000 involved in the project, from security, administration, and construction, more than six thousand were scientists and engineers (as of 1944); six thousand who willingly took part in a project to end the war and save millions of American soldiers at the cost of several hundred thousand lives.

No specific data could be found regarding the exact number of scientists and engineers, but it is without a doubt how much the latter also took part in the creation of such a planet-killing weapon. They helped manufacture the parts, aided in tailoring its design efficiently in conjunction with each part and its function, and assisted in solving problems that may have arisen. The engineers were the ones who turned scientists’ theories and ideas into a functioning, tangible, and terrifying reality.

Engineers have been among those at the forefront of innovation and advancement, determining mundane to complicated problems and drumming up solutions one would have been surprised they had not thought of in the first place. Feeding humanity’s constant hunger to improve our condition, engineers share their knowledge and enthusiasm in our unending quest for perfection. Those who fought in the American Civil War have witnessed weapons go from muzzle-loaded rifle muskets barely making a dent in a cast iron vest to nuclear bombs capable of decimating entire cities in less than a century.

But like in the case of the Manhattan Project, engineers are often faced with moral and ethical dilemmas in the projects they work on. They finally found a solution to their problem, except that it was the only solution and could endanger human life and reap severe consequences. These dilemmas concern safety, envi-

WRITTEN BY : Jose Miguel Ballecer

cent of Filipinos below the poverty line of 13,797 pesos/month. Though lower than in the pandemic years, a fifth of the population is forced to live in substandard conditions, with none to heed their dreams and barely anything to keep their hearts beating. Filipinos are known around the world to be hardworking, working any chance they get, but in spite of this, why is it that around 20-percent of the population lives in poverty? Filipinos lack the opportunities to escape from the death grip poverty has over them, and in this flawed system, more often than not, kung pinanganak kang mahirap, mamamatay kang mahirap.

Despite seeing a rise in job opportunities, 1.97million Filipinos or 2.6-percent of the household population 15 years old and older, were overseas Filipino workers in 2020, the Philippine Statistics Authority stated. Backed up by the fact that the Philippines is the 10th highest emigration country, just behind Ukraine and Pakistan, this captures the idea that despite dreaming of finding a good life here, Filipinos are forced to pursue a life outside its borders for the sake of surviving. With barely any opportunity for change here, Filipinos will opt to migrate for better opportunities, albeit initially wanting to plant their roots in their homeland. Indeed, the emigration of these citizens represents one thing—the failure of their Filipino dreams or

ronment, privacy, abuse, and, at times, other’s self-interest. Well, how does one define morals and ethics? We can easily define these as doing “the right thing.” In the field of engineering, it is natural to prioritize good welfare for all, or “utilitarianism,” ensuring the majority will benefit from your project and maximize the overall good while taking into account those who might be affected.

However, some projects adhere to the virtue of “consequentialism,” or “how the end justifies the means.” What matters is the result, regardless of how it was achieved, whether it was the right thing or not.

Engineers could be tasked with drawing up plans to tear down a part of the valley to construct a dam that would power an entire city, displacing animals and tribes residing there. Like a judge and jury, who are both prosecutor and defendant as well, they are forced to weigh their moral principles with the whims of their boss or the practicality of the project, its moral implications notwithstanding, and ultimately decide on a sentence and verdict.

Another recent incident was the fiasco faced by the aviation industry, when the engineering issues of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft model led to the crashes of Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, killing all those aboard. This string of unfortunate events resulted from design flaws the company concealed from pilots and regulators to quickly get their planes in the market and up in the air. What’s with the rush that it should merit skipping past safety and design concerns and the deaths of 346 individuals? The reason: to immediately compete with the growing success of their European rival company, Airbus.

Years before the crash, a Boeing engineer and several employees had already raised concerns regarding the MAX 8’s flight-control system that lacked sufficient safeguards, essentially one of the several factors attributed to the subsequent tragedies. Yet corporate self-interest prevailed, hastening the plane’s production for the sake of profit, leaving its engineers to turn a blind eye and follow suit. Besides, they had already played their part, and their obstinate bosses would be the ones left to blame for letting such an error go.

But what could you have felt if you were one of the engineers who built an aircraft responsible for the death of more than a hundred human lives? At the time, perhaps no simple engineer in his overalls would have had the power to implore his corporate bosses to halt or extend production of the aircraft, in fear of a reduction in his wages (considering their company is losing contracts to Air-

the realization that dreaming is a foreign concept as much as living comfortably is. At this point, Filipinos’ dreaming and hard work will result in their despair as long as those whom we seek accountability from- the administration—will not take the first step in the change that is required to happen in a society that forces its countrymen away from their home.

Economist Gerardo Sicat described the government as the guardian of the dream, ensuring that a nation can realize its dreams. Being public servants, surely this should hold. The government maintains the ability to steer a country, and we can only hope for it to be steered towards improvement. The administration delves into formulating the different policies that serve as the mechanism of our country, two of which are Fiscal Policies and Labor Market Regulations, which deal with mainly causing movement within the financial and employment sectors within the country. Despite seeing a rise in employment, around 1.8 million Filipinos faced unemployment in February 2024, translating to roughly 3.5-percent unemployment rates. What’s more concerning, however, is that though there was a decrease in unemployment and an increase in employment, the underemployment rate remains above 10 percent in 2024. Underemployment refers to being employed at a job requiring less skill level than you can. Given this, though their efforts regarding providing more opportunities can be applauded, the lazy work of simply providing without understanding the nation’s plight is much more concerning. The problem doesn’t require some band-aid solution; it requires a deeper understanding of why Filipinos choose to leave and why they are removed of their will - the guardians they lean on remain deaf to their plight.

Despite seeing that the country has undoubtedly improved from the past, is this improvement enough to call these so-calledguardians capable? Is this growth in the economy enough to match that of an average Filipino? When faced with our Southeast Asian neighbors, the Filipinos’ state of living pales in comparison to theirs. We are given breadcrumbs to live on, and as of now, it seems that though administrations seek to serve the public, they have fostered

bus) or losing a job. The fault may lie in the company’s management (whose CEO was reportedly since fired during the crisis), but knowing you were an accessory to a crime you had the chance, if not control, to stop might still leave you with a guilty conscience. In a world ruled by corporate and political bureaucracies, some still stuck to their principles and engineering know-how despite the strong opposition they received. Such was the case of Allan McDonald, an American engineer who bravely and desperately tried to prevent what would become the Challenger Space Shuttle disaster of 1986. The day before the scheduled launch, he and his fellow engineers vehemently refused to approve the launch after discovering factors such as the freezing temperature that could heavily damage the shuttle. Their warnings were eventually overridden by the senior management at NASA. Long story short, the following day, less than two minutes after the launch, the shuttle disintegrated and erupted into a great ball of fire, killing all seven astronauts aboard.

The story of Allan McDonald and his brave team of engineers is a prime example of how to handle moral and ethical quandaries engineers, and future engineers may face, despite the consequences awaiting them. We should have gotten another Allan McDonald with the Boeing 737 MAX 8 debacle or someone who managed to prevent such a crisis completely. Unfortunately, until a name comes up, we can only thank those who knew what they were doing and did the best they could.

Several other engineering failures, thanks in no small part to poor judgment or a weak conscience of those involved, have occurred throughout history, from the sinking of the Titanic to the Chernobyl or the Hindenburg disaster or other potential mishaps such as the implications of artificial intelligence (or AI) or the CRISPR gene editing technology, have left us questioning humanity’s moral and ethical choices with regards to our creations, especially those who have the capability to make and break them. As an engineer, what should govern one’s principles and draw the line between morally wrong and necessary evil?

In the National Society of Professional Engineers’ Code of Ethics for Engineers, the first canon states that engineers should “hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public.” That being said, any engineer in their right mind would never foster the development of humanity at its own expense. However, there are still instances when, like the Manhattan Project, a couple hundred innocent lives are needed to save millions more. Or, as the movies exalted, “for the greater good.”

Whether the building of the bomb (or using it) was necessary has been the subject of debate for many years, with those in support saying it expedited the end of the war while those against it believed Japan was bound to surrender anyway, rendering its use unnecessary. As it was built during the war, a time when morals were boiled down to “kill or be killed,” it’s difficult to point fingers and name names quickly.

The rich tapestry of man’s creation was the cause of someone wanting to solve a problem and make life easier. It was never intended to add to life’s suffering or to end it. As engineers, no job title, money figure, or other worldly material could replace the cost of human lives, no matter the benefits or opportunities wasted. Their background in math and the sciences is pointless should they not use it to improve lives. For the most intelligent being on earth, as Albert Einstein said, “Mankind invented the atomic bomb, but no mouse would ever construct a mousetrap.”

And to our would-be engineers, our planet already has enough problems and it would only be ironic for someone who is meant to solve them to contribute and add more. To possess reason and knowledge can both be a gift and a curse. However, we are also gifted with a conscience that can mediate between our decisions and choices. Never consider the suffering you might inflict on a small group of people, but the effect it would have on humankind as a whole.

a system that pits one to lose for another to gain, a survival of the fittest as it may seem. Sure, the system is welcoming of dreams, but by no means does it bring its citizens towards the realization of them; it draws them farther, if one might dare say so. Despite their efforts, hard work may never be enough to survive here, as long as the situation remains stagnant. Filipinos, for as long as they live, will always fall victim to the country’s ignorant system.

More so, it is high time to realize that although the times have changed, the realization of one’s dreams is still mainly available to the privileged—only accessible to them. The general population seeks to find the time when the same will be said about them—to find the means that enable them to dream beyond surviving. Filipinos know how to dream; most even fight for it, they are just deprived of a platform. Rallies ensue due to these dreams. Yet, they also do not remain silenced; for so many years, for so long as history has been repeating itself, Filipinos fight for their aspirations; take EDSA and PUV Phase Out as examples. It is just that circumstances prevent them from doing so, only filling their lives with problems.

This is not, by any means, to tell anyone that a Filipino does not have a dream, nor is it to state that a Filipino cannot dream. In fact, Filipinos have the grit to dream and believe, but by no means does the capacity to dream enable us to do so in this flawed society. Despite this, Filipinos never lost one thing: hope. From time on, our countrymen always found hope in everything, finding the silver lining to fuel their dreams despite their position within society. A nation full of hope has translated to their cries; although some fall over deaf ears, these cries will continue until they are heard and will never be one devoid of hope.

In all this, the hopefuls, the less fortunate, continue to dream that dreaming will be possible for them. The realization of dreams is available for some, but for the greater population, it is still a farfetched tale. We live in a society that forces us into a system of hustling and bustling to survive. Dreams, for an average Filipino, will remain a foreign idea for as long as nothing changes.

For so long, ang hirap maging Pilipino.

WRITTEN BY : Manuel Eugenio Allam LAYOUT BY : Princess Diana

Stuck in the Abyss

Wherever you may be at the moment, take a look around and try to find an object that was not created by human hands and thought of by a human mind. Unless you are currently in a barren wasteland or a remote island, the chances of naming a single inventor-less object are pretty much zero. Everything we see or use has been imagined, drafted, discussed, invented, utilized, and refined throughout the years by someone or a group of someones. Of everything we have and desire to have, which of them do you think is the greatest invention of all time—one that would immensely transform every aspect of our lives and the world as we know it, the kind of change we prefer to never even imagine, should it cease to exist?

It was a question I pondered for a short while when it was first presented to me many years ago in fourth grade. Our teacher asked the same question (although with much less bravado), prompting different answers among my classmates, with the lightbulb as the most common of them all (widely regarded to be invented by Thomas Edison in 1879). Nobody got the answer our teacher was hoping for, which turned out to be quite unexpected. I tried to think of a better one, but the answer soon made sense and was rather poignant enough for me to remember it almost a decade later.

I hope you pondered long enough to realize that the greatest invention of all time is not an object at all. It was not conjured by an engineer or a doctor, an academic, or a budding businessman, but rather by a group of farmers in southern Mesopotamia way back 3500 BC. It is the reason I could write this article. It is both the reason you could chat with someone you are smitten with deep into the night or start writing that research due the following day (which still qualifies as a late-night endeavor). It is the reason you could read the words “the greatest invention of all time.” Because the greatest invention of all time is the writing system—the alphabet.

Many inventions would not exist without the alphabet. It became the foundation and start of the innovation of man, allowing

thoughts to be made and ideas to be shared. For instance, before the invention of light, Edison had to naturally develop a diagram or schematic to map out its creation and ensure its success, which most likely contained the alphabet. Before that, he had to conduct research through books or academic journals, which definitely contained the alphabet. Along with this, he had to seek advice or discuss among his peers how he could accomplish this feat or the consequences of such an invention, which would not have been possible had the alphabet never been made. If you are still not convinced, then try and read the same paragraph and substitute “light” with every invention ever and “Edison” with every inventor ever.

Truth be told, there was no single inventor of the alphabet. It was an invention that evolved spanning centuries depending on the region and culture. There is the Latin alphabet (which is the standard script of many languages, including English), the Devanagari, Arabic script, Kanji, Hanja, Hangul, and many more.

As of January 2022, there are believed to be exactly 293 alphabetic writing systems in the world. However, the first form of an alphabet dates way back to 3500 BC, when it was devised by Sumerian farmers around the Middle Eastern region of modern-day Iraq. Cuneiform, as it was called, was designed to keep records of specific amounts of livestock, monetary exchanges, and other farming commodities. The earliest recording was found to be inscribed in a clay tablet, which roughly translated to “29,086 measures barley 37 months Kushim.” It could be interpreted as a text written by someone named Kushim, who accumulated 29,086 measures of barley for over 37 months. It is unclear whether Kushim is the name of an individual, an institution, or a title, but many regard “Kushim” as the world’s first recorded name.

One might say that perhaps language could just as easily be the greatest invention of all time as well, yet what good is a beautiful sunset if no one is around to paint a picture or capture it in a camera? The beauty of each and every language has been recorded through written scripts or the alphabet used to represent

BY : Patricia Valdecañas

Manifesting—a word we hear, read, or even use on a daily basis. To manifest is to set your sights on your desire and persevere until you have it. It is the notion that you can do anything you set your mind to.

As the end of the first term is fast approaching, most students have undoubtedly been manifesting their own hopes and wishes more often; may it be for getting high grades, defending their thesis, passing quizzes and exams, or even having a Paskuhan date. Posts and expressions like “Manifesting high grades!”, “Paskuhan date cutie ��,” or any other phrases along these lines has been present everywhere. For CARATs, they say, “Boo Seungkwan Boo

Instant Engineers

WRITTEN BY : Justine Keith Moises

methods, and energy. With much emphasis on ‘improvement’, IEs do not create; they improve the existing to provide producers a competitive advantage in terms of efficiency and effectiveness. They strive to maximize profit while reducing costs. They engineer complex processes and operations, consisting not only of machines but also humans in order to produce significantly more output than the processed available input.

Them knowing ‘less’ is their advantage. IEs understanding a little bit of everything allows them to see the bigger picture of the production. They manage the WHOLE process; not just a section of it.

Seungkwan Boo Seungkwan��” to manifest things they fancy about For us Thomasians, ringing the bell placed in the Main Building lobby to make a wish is our way of manifesting, while some individuals use manifesting emoji circles!

Unconsciously or not, it seems like manifesting has been a part of our daily routine. Despite the lack of solid scientific evidence, many people still believe and do it. And one may ask, why?

Even though it may not work for everyone, it actually works for many. In Filipino popular culture, putting “cutie” at the end of our wish is a well-known manifestation phrase. This alludes to a 2013 tweet by Main Medoza, who is now widely recognized. She

Recognizing the general purpose and routine of each segment allows them to strategize as to where and how each would achieve its optimal state. They do not manage the machine itself, but what they do focus on is the succession of goods and its operators—the man that keeps the machine running. As such, they set a time motion study. They study each movement that the operator or the workers make as detailed as possible. Any delay is recorded and resolved. No matter how small it is, a combination of hundreds or thousands of half-asecond delays could cost the company millions of dollars of losses. Any extra movement is diminished and every long-cut is optimized. They are everywhere. Due to their expertise in lean principles, human factors, optimization, and statistical control, they are offered a vast number of career opportunities in the production field such as manufacturing technician, Quality assurance inspector, Industrial mechanic, Industrial electrician, Industrial designer, Manufacturing production supervisor, Supply chain analyst, and Energy efficiency engineer. But they are not enclosed in this field. IEs also serve in healthcare, aviation, and service industries—-basically, wherever innovation is needed.

They care about the workers, not just their work. IEs do not sacrifice the welfare of the workers for the sake of productivity and profitability. In college, they take courses such as Ergonomics and Occupational Safety and Health to understand the proper allocation of tasks to workers based on their innate capabilities to avoid incurring injuries and health-related problems. They do not merely

them. These are recorded on paper instead of being flimsily passed around orally. It enabled us to write tax books, history books, poetry, novels, love letters, mathematical equations, and so much more. Texts written centuries or millennia ago could be easily read by someone wearing a onesie and a pair of AirPods. Moreover, with the advent of the Internet, reading texts from Shakespeare, the Mahabharata, the Iliad, or the Epic of Gilgamesh is now one click away.

But just as humans are capable of mass destruction, words also have a deadly effect. A piece of document ordering the death of millions or an open letter announcing a break-up, the alphabet is one of humanity’s inventions that can be utterly bewitching when used appropriately and downright horrendous when used otherwise. An action may leave an external wound, but words will leave scars directly in our hearts. The alphabet could drive one to anger and cause a revolution, the same way Dr. Jose Rizal did when he wrote “Noli Me Tangere” and “El Filibusterismo,” but never without its consequence, the same way it ultimately cost Rizal his life.

The alphabet is just one of the many inventions that proved the advancement of humanity, from a common forager artificially creating a small fire with sticks and stones to a towering animal capable of artificially creating life itself. Humanity has always had a constant desire for improvement, never settling for less and always hankering for something more and better; from gilded manse to skyscrapers, from steam locomotives to bullet trains, and from a record of barleys to stirring poetry and full-length novels. Yet we have seen time and again how artistic and destructive writing can be, and it only portends what we can become and what we are truly capable of. It is up to us to put to good use the immense power we now hold. If Kushim, with his barley and clay tablets, were asked to imagine what the world would be like in the future, he certainly would not have the capacity to imagine a world like ours (much less know the word “imagine”).

Likewise, only time will tell if another engineer, doctor, or pioneer come up with a new invention that could surpass the brilliance of the alphabet. Until then, let it be known that that fateful creation would be made possible, thanks to the farmers of old. Without them and their nature as humans seeking an easier alternative, no one knows how the phrase and the concept of the greatest invention of all time might come to be. No one knows how it could have shaped the world we live in today, and how we could have heard from the past generations and the future generations from ours. Because the greatest invention of all time should be one that is used by everyone, no matter where and when they came from. It should be one that contributes dialogue and to a body of knowledge while offering a window to one’s deepest thoughts and desires, may it be a confession of love, an article about alphabets, or an account of barleys acquired.

once wrote, “Arjo cutie ” while gushing over Arjo Atayde Who would have thought they would officially become a couple six years from then? Another proof that manifestations work is when supermodel Kelsey Merrit manifested her way into the catwalk. But the catch is that this was not just any runway; it was the 2019 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show! “Mark this tweet. Makakapag VS din ako balang araw,” she tweeted in two years prior.

But then, it all boils down to the fact that it doesn’t hurt to try, and that manifesting brings no harm to anyone. Some may argue that people only manifest things to get what they want the easy way; but actually, it’s not. People use manifestations to attract what they desire—the law of attraction, as some may say. And for sure, just because one expressed their manifestation, doesn’t mean they would get their desires in the blink of an eye. Manifesting attracts one’s desires, but getting it also means having to work and make an effort for it.

Success doesn’t come with just manifesting. It still runs down on what we do to make our manifestations manifest. Even if we say “Papasa ako sa calculus.” a hundred times and do absolutely nothing, it won’t attract the same positive energy you have with your mantra.

Believing in manifestations and the law of attraction isn’t damaging to anyone. All that’s required is a shift in your mental pattern to direct your actions toward whatever goal you are mentally fixated on. And so, if you are still skeptical about these things, give it a shot! Who knows? That long-desired Paskuhan date may possibly come your way.

focus on the physical body, but rather on their mental and emotional health as well. Through key courses such as ergonomics, they are taught to devise improvements on the working environment to prevent the workers from developing work-related anxiety, depression, uneasiness, and demotivation. As far as they can, they strive to deeply understand each and every worker as they firmly believe that the most important asset of a company is its workers.

Industrial Engineers have steeled its profession in the name of giving producers and consumers a better life. They improve the efficacy of productions to help producers conserve resources and to provide consumers quality products that are truly usable and effective. They strive to improve, even the most unnoticeable aspects such as long queue, unsystematic application of government assistance, long waiting time in fast foods, inefficient hospital scheduling systems, and improper allocation of relief goods during calamities.

Industrial Engineers work at the heart of transforming the world. They do not fix machines, but they fix societies. Understanding man more than machines should not make them less of an engineer. Because society is the aggregate of man living together in a more or less ordered community. Therefore, man is society and society is man.

Let us all embrace the power of understanding man—of understanding ourselves. Industrial Engineers are not “Instant Engineers.” They are true-blooded engineers.

WRITTEN BY : Manuel Eugenio Allam

LAYOUT BY : Zhanieah Ramiro

WRITTEN

LAYOUT BY : Neil Kristoffer Ganaden

WRITTEN BY : John Uldrick Rio LAYOUT BY : Reinehard Aytona

The Philippines is no stranger to heavy rainfall and typhoons. With an average of 20 typhoons annually entering the country’s area of responsibility, adequate flood control infrastructure has become increasingly imperative. The University of Santo Tomas (UST) has risen to the occasion, providing a robust flood control system to mitigate the long-standing flooding issue in the España area.

The university’s flood control project, initiated in 2018, involves revamping the drainage system to channel rainwater away from high-traffic zones, allaying the flooding threats. It also incorporates detention facilities under the campus roads, providing ample capacity to contain floodwaters. These efforts replaced the outdated drainage lines that caused the seemingly unsinkable floods.

The flood drainage system operates through channels and

CE Dept represents University in GEOMATE

2023

pipes designed to redirect excess water away from vulnerable areas. When flooding occurs, gravity facilitates water flow towards the strategically placed drains. These drains, equipped with grates and filters, prevent debris from clogging the system. The collected water is then directed through a series of underground pipes, ultimately leading to designated discharge points such as rivers or reservoirs. This ensures the rapid removal of excess water, minimizing the risk of urban flooding and water-related damage.

Complementing the enhanced drainage network, UST has invested in permeable pavements at critical locations on campus. These specialized pavements allow rainwater to permeate the surface, reducing runoff and mitigating the likelihood of flooding. In an article, the University explains that the entire flood control system, including detention facilities beneath campus roads, can

Six papers from the Civil Engineering department and four Faculty members took the stage in the 13th International Conference on Geotechnique, Construction Materials and Environment (GEOMATE 2023) last November 14-15, 2023. Four of the six presented papers were student-led, while the remaining two papers were faculty-led. The presented student-led papers and their authors are as follows: A GISbased Approach to Assess the Probability of Road Interruption Caused by Rainfall-induced Landslides on Kennon Road, Philippines (Nikki Faereolin S. Acierda, Leanna Mae T. Alarilla, Thomas Eladio David A. Cansino, Dave Lemuel H. Pagdonsolan and Rajiv Eldon E. Abdullah), Characterization of Physical and Bending Properties of the Bamboo Species Bambusa Philippinensis (Marielle Angelique Bayangos, Kenneth De Leon, Toby Miguel Orduña, Angelica Trisha Panganiban, Shikara Poblete and Carlo Joseph Cacanando), Preliminary Evaluation of the Viability of Single-use Face Mask as a Substitute Nonwoven Geotextile (Ella Jotojot, Donn Caryl Cabase, Chester Piolo Cruz, Marvin Lester Chu and Ryan Ramirez), and Effectiveness of Peanut Oil as a Corrosion Inhibitor for Mild Steel (Gabriel N. Malabag, Mariah Angelique S. Malabanan, Kaela B. Aningat, Alex Jean Marx Arcilla, Carl Tristan D. Gile and Kyra Kamille A. Toledo).

Meanwhile, the faculty-led papers and its authors are: At-site Flood Frequency Analysis of Ban Bang Luang Station in Chao Phraya River Basin (Christabel Jane P. Rubio, Florence

WHEN &

Rossette S. Dimagiba, Kate Andrei B. Salamat, Karl Richard M. Sorongon and John William C. Vedeja), and Remote Monitoring and Hydraulic Analysis of Irrigation Systems: Jalaur River Multipurpose Project II (Mark Paulo S.D. Alcala).

Engr. Kyra Kamille A. Toledo, MSc, Asst. Prof. Rajiv Eldon E. Abdullah, M.Eng., Engr. Mark Paulo S. Alcala, and Engr. Ryan A. Ramirez, PhD, served as chair in four different parallel sessions over the conference period.

In an interview with the publication, Dr. Ramirez shared that all selected papers received positive evaluation upon assessment prior to submission to the conference proper. All submitted papers tackled innovative solutions to engineering issues present within the country. Included are addressing the loss caused by natural disasters, and addressing water shortage among others.

“All these papers and the ongoing research works allow us, faculty members and undergraduate students in the Department of Civil Engineering, to push our limits in search of sustainable and innovative engineering solutions and technologies for the benefit of the country or at least the professional community we serve,” Dr. Ramirez shared over the discourse.

Dr. Ramirez believes that the presence of the department in the international conference is a testament in its efforts in improving the state of research within the Faculty. He also believes that this effort is indicative of the commitment to the research endeavours of the Faculty of Engineering.

Sustainability Aesthetic Meet

Several industries are adopting a more sustainable environment due to the steady decline in the availability of nonrenewable energy sources. This transition is facilitated by efficient advancements in renewable energy, mainly via solar power. Nonetheless, sectors like lodging, theme parks, museums, and historical sites must consider aesthetics when designing their infrastructure. Therefore, integrating solar panels may take much work to achieve the desired aesthetic.

With aesthetics and sustainability in mind, solar roof tiles are born. These solar roof tiles closely resemble standard roof tiles and are integrated into the roof itself, in contrast to conventional solar panels mounted on pre-existing roofs. This improves its aesthetic appeal and enables architects to consider them without compromising the building’s appearance.

Building integrated photovoltaics, or BIPV, are thin photovoltaic (PV) sheets that can be installed on top of pre-exist-

ing roofing materials. Similar to conventional solar panels, solar roof tiles collect sunlight and use it to generate power. Moreover, solar roof tiles are composed of thin PV sheets, so they can be utilized in locations where installing PV panels is difficult. Likewise, because the design of solar roof tiles doesn’t obstruct wind movement, they can withstand strong cyclonic winds.

Removing portions of a roof to install solar tiles is the biggest drawback for older buildings. In addition, their cost is higher than that of traditional solar panels. Solar tiles, however, can be less expensive than the total of solar panels plus a regular roof when a new roof is to be constructed. Nevertheless, solar tiles are an intriguing new technology that has the ability to change a community into a sustainable one.

accommodate a volume of rainwater equivalent to four-and-a-half Olympic-sized swimming pools.

The University’s proactive approach in addressing the persistent flooding issue underscores its dedication to the safety and well-being of its community. The newly introduced flood control measures would not only shield against the challenges presented by the Philippines’ weather conditions but also instill hope for a brighter future among the current Thomasians and generations yet to come.

The locale still patiently awaits sufficient rainfall to facilitate a meticulous analysis of the improvements in the flood situation. Even so, the innovation is anticipated to provide positive effects that enhance the region’s drainage duration, marking a significant step towards resilience in the face of such adversities.

UST, CCC Partners Up for Six-Year Cooperation Agreement

The University of Santo Tomas signed a six-year cooperation agreement with the Philippines’s Climate Change Commission (CCC) to show their commitment and initiative to mitigate climate change last October 17, 2023, at the University’s Manila Campus.

Through the collaboration, it aims to maximize the research initiatives of the University at the Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences and the DOST-TOMASInno Innovation Center Technology Business Incubator that help promote and advance environmental preservation while strengthening local communities’ climate resilience. Employing knowledge exchange and capacity development, the partnership seeks to enhance climate literacy among the youth to raise awareness and enable them to take action in creating a sustainable future.

Additionally, it allows the University’s organizations, such as the UST Simbahayan Community Development Office and Research Center for Social Sciences and Education, to participate in the endeavor since the partnership aims to align efforts for local resiliency building. The deployed projects will be focused on the Manila campus’s Thomas Aquinas Research Complex and the UST Santa Rosa Extension Campus’s Dr. Tony Tan Caktiong Innovation Center.

Attending the agreement sealing was the Rector, the Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, and Vice-Chairperson of the Climate Change Commission Sec. Robert E.A Borje. UST officials who attended in- clude the Vice-Rector for Research and Innovation, fr. Jannel N. Abogado, O.P., DTPS, Asst. to the Rector for UST Sta. Rosa Philipina A. Marcelo, PhD, UST Sta. Rosa Executive Assistant Siegfred V. Prado, College of Science Dean Rey Donne S. Papa, PhD, Research Center for Social Sciences and Education Director Jeremaiah M. Opiniano, PhD, TOMASINNO Center Manager Raymond Mar - quez, and Assistant Manager Celso Noel Aban, and Simbahayan Community Development Office Director Froilan A. Alipao. Present with Sec. Borje consisted of CCC Deputy Executive Director Atty. Rommel Antonio O. Cuenca, Strategic Partnership Division Chief Alexis D. Lapiz, Legal Services Division Atty. Carlos M. Borja, Jr., and Chief of Staff Rhea Kristine Sy.

The Climate Change Commission (CCC) of the Philippines develops and implements evidence-based mitigation strategies to ensure the safety and development of climate-resilient communities in response to the pressing need to address and mitigate the consequences of climate change in the nation.

WRITTEN BY : Miguel Ballecer PHOTO COURTESY OF : UST CE Dep’t FB page

WRITTEN BY : Yitzhak Osei Bumanlag

WRITTEN BY : Patricia Valdecañas

You are bound to hear this at any seminar: “Work hard,” “work smart,” “seize the opportunity,” “take the risk,” etc. Many resource speakers are bound to input at least one of these messages into their presentations. For more engineering-related symposiums or motivational posts, there’s often a list of traits that all engineers must possess, from problem-solving to collaboration to analytic skills.

They are all excellent adages to live by, but at some point, it devolves into white noise. Many people aren’t going to suddenly turn around a new leaf and fulfill these broad requirements. We, as future engineers, and as much as our profession binds us to create unique solutions to any sort of problem, still yearn for a particular kind of motivation and rhetoric so that not only are we able to jumpstart ourselves but sustain that growth over time.

Because you see, as certain teachers pointed out, it is easy to provide generic messaging like this, saying it is the easy part. We want to be successful, we want to develop, and we want to grow as engineers. But messaging like this just doesn’t work for me. It merely begs the question, “How do you grow as an engineer?” “How do you grow as a person?”...

INSIDE RUANO

There is a point to be made as to how all of us should adjust to the college lifestyle - from academics to extracurricular activities to organizational work. Things get hectic, and we all have to step up and take the mantle at some point. But what differs among us is our approach.

We cannot just broadly point to the sky and say we will be engineers. That’s already a given. We cannot just create broad analogies like a high flight of stairs for improvement and success or a race for the pace we take during our journey as Thomasian engineers.

That rhetoric must also be complemented with specific teachings on internalizing the key concepts and solutions to the various subjects we take, especially the ones we struggle with. How can we

be able to memorize these loads of concepts and terms? What parameters should we consider when analyzing specific devices and schematics? What techniques can we use in solving mathematical problems so that we don’t have to sit on our chairs and sulk at the exams for two hours?

These more specific questions hold what can be called the most incredible gift someone like us can get: feedback. Especially when we do not understand the topic, feedback from professors, professionals, peers, and friends can help us recognize what we did right or, most importantly, wrong. It helps us know what to do in the future and what to avoid or excel at in each question. These can be given to all students in a class or specifically to one individual, who can then input it with their quirks and specialties in tackling certain questions - be it in questions during discussions, e-mails, visits or consultations with professors, etc. They’re no longer just some directionless quotes but raw and honest truths that we ought to live with from now on.

OUTSIDE RUANO

Of course, learning doesn’t stop within the four walls of our classroom. There’s no question about it; what we have is based on general attributes we should possess. Of course, these traits are not bonkers; it’s just how we teach them in our daily lives.

The most commonly said traits an engineer should possess include problem-solving, curiosity, diligence, ambition, intuitiveness, observation, optimism, creativity, attention to detail, analysis, teamwork, leadership, honesty, reliability, communication skills, and everything in between.

At one point or another, all of these will be something someone in the engineering field will say is the most essential trait we must possess. The question is, how do we develop all of them? Even if advice meant for public viewing can help, it is still much better if it will be heard from someone they are meant to trust.

An even more profound thought is how we inadvertently develop these traits as we live. In every dilemma, relationship, stroke

of luck, and other force of nature, we develop our principles and take the time to do things we thought we could never do. We develop ways to tinker with our surroundings. We muster the courage to speak up about something or against someone. We notice previously trivial things in objects we take for granted. We all grow up to be better and wiser individuals.

WITHIN ALL OF US

No one is dumb. It is just that sometimes we don’t recognize where our abilities really lie. Anyone can come here, yearning to be an engineer. And we will be engineers at the end of this. That’s the plight of this sentiment - all generic messaging is broadly true, but did it really matter to you personally?

We are bound by life to be better. Even if we adopt the nihilist perspective that everyone dies anyway, it’s not often the end that we focus on, but rather the present. We signed up for this; thus, we must finish it. This article is even a harsh reminder to myself to finish what I have started.

The point I am making here is that, at the end of the day, even with these messages, the onus of our growth as engineers is within ourselves. Anyone can help you with a specific thing, but they can only help you with some things. We all have our own routines, schedules, and commitments, and we have to somehow juggle all that with whatever things God wants to give us as strong soldiers. It feels counterintuitive to send a sentiment about the nuances and dilutions of generic mindset messages by giving my own generic mindset message. I will try not to share something you may have heard of somewhere. However, the best thing I could say is to find your own set of rules. If you are thinking about where to start thinking about it, start now. Start somewhere trivial, even. It will cascade to more fruitful endeavors regardless. Even then, with whatever happens, we will still be full-on Thomasian engineers in God’s name, no matter how often we put ourselves in a situation where we must ask why nothing doesn’t work for us.

There is no question about the Philippines’ vulnerability to natural disasters. There is also no question that the country has developed strong mechanisms to mitigate the damages and vulnerabilities caused by these disasters. The NDRRMC is the main agency for disaster preparedness and relief, and is supported by the regional and local disaster risk reduction and management organizations (DRRMOs), multiple sources of funding, and other agencies such as DOST, PAGASA, LGUs and media outlets for information.

However, despite that and Filipinos themselves being acutely aware of the dangers, many of us do not or cannot invest in emergency supplies and house strengthening due to financial constraints. Despite extensive efforts for emergency preparedness, only a third of Filipinos said they gained new knowledge. Despite infrastructure, emergency protocols by government services, and overall reach of media outlets in disseminating information, many Filipinos weren’t able to evacuate, and had to watch their homes get destroyed and lose their loved ones. Why is disaster response still a huge problem in the Philippines despite the advances we have? And what are the relatively small fixes and innovations that the country can adapt in order to at least mitigate the damages on the ground?

The Problem on the Ground

The Philippines is a diverse archipelago situated along tectonic plate borders, the Pacific Ring of Fire, and the typhoon belt. It also suffers from massive deforestation, destruction of natural habitats, and underdevelopment. Adding to it, a political climate rife with corruption, politicking, and myopic policy making, exacerbates the already vulnerable state of the country when it comes to natural disasters.

The NDRRMC has also been flagged in the past for a lack of technological capacity and coordination with local organizations, problems in governance and enforcement of disaster management policies, and difficulties in accessing specialized data and information, especially in localities. This has manifested gravely

during times of great natural

Granted, there have been significant improvements in recent years, with innovations to end-to-end hazard monitoring with PAGASA and DOST and the modernization of the Rapid Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis (RDANA) for more timely and accurate reporting, among others. However, there is still room for improvement, not the least of which involves the consistent implementation of their activities involving disaster preparedness and response and the development of newer technologies that can withstand extreme circumstances while in the middle of a natural disaster.

The Patches for the Problems

There are certain technologies that the country can develop and integrate in order to at least mitigate the potential damages to future calamities. These methods involve more efficient deployment of resources in order for rescuers to identify and save stranded people more effectively.

Some of these technologies involve better communication with citizens, rescuers, and officials in disasters. For one, our phones have provided more immediate access to 911 and our emergency contacts. However, the technology can be upgraded so that there is no need for a load or even a SIM card to access them. This is in order to relieve any interruption whenever communication lines break down. Certain features, such as allowing for multiple types of media to be directly sent to dispatchers via 911, can be added as well in order for rescuers to have a glimpse of what is going on the ground.

Another innovation that can be looked up to is an emergency communication app that can more effectively communicate necessary information to the public, especially the ones affected by calamity. The app developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency of the United States can provide weather reports, local emergency shelters, and registrations of disaster aid towards

at-risk populations.

Other innovations can involve location technologies, be it up above or on the ground. These can positively impact the identification of hazards and the predictive and estimation data relative to them. These include geographic information systems (GIS) that can identify specific hazard locations and their affected population and suggest what response can be done. Intelligent street lamps, which can be equipped with environmental sensors like rising water levels, strong winds, high temperatures, and lethal gas, and live 180-degree cameras, can gather essential information regarding the threats and damages in that area.

These are some of the numerous disaster innovations that the country can utilize for its own benefit when it comes to disaster mitigation. But, of course, innovation has not left the minds of some of the country’s leaders. DOST once hosted a Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Expo in 2022, showcasing innovations for early warning systems, food security, human-built infrastructure, etc.

These include a Tsunami Alerting System and Disaster Early Warning, Damaged Building Detection, Ceramic Water Filter, DoIt-Yourself Bamboo Shelter, Water Ambulance, Mobile Command Post, Mobile and Pop-Up Homes, and many other technologies. The ones that are mentioned may be the most intuitive to understand, however, all of them can help rescuers and DRRM personnel provide resources and needs more effectively to people stranded and struggling through turbulent times.

We have unique challenges in our disaster risk reduction and management, given our geography, leadership, and technical capability. Innovation has not and should not leave the minds of the people sitting atop the governmental chart and those working and tinkering with resources around them. The Philippines has made strides when it comes to DRRM innovation, however, there is still more to go. Even if these are small patches to the overarching problem, for what it’s worth, they can help more than we give it focus and thought.

disasters, from typhoons to earthquakes to volcanic eruptions, the most devastating of all being that of Typhoon Yolanda in 2013.

WRITTEN BY : Lance Kasel Lasam LAYOUT BY : Reinehard Aytona

WRITTEN BY : Lance Kasel Lasam LAYOUT BY : Reinehard Aytona

BY : Althea Alejandrino and Axel Adame

A dream of most student-athletes, from tears to sweat to medal, Thomasian student-athletes vying to reclaim the top spot of UAAP season 86. From losses to wins, the tradition remains the same: to play with pride and with the Thomasian community.

Streaking The Winning Tradition, Tiger Paddlers Remain Spotless

Starting the season aiming to rebuild the four-peat achieved last 2002-2005, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Tiger Paddlers proved they are still the kings of the UAAP men’s table tennis.

The Tiger Paddlers opened the season with a dominant 3-0 record. Although started slowly with the former Most Valuable Player (MVP) Alvin Sevilla falling short against Adamson University’s (AdU) Jed Villaviray, Tiger Paddler veterans John Castro with rookie Paul Antivo, Al J Sanchez, and season 85 rookie of the year Eljay Tormis sealed the first victory of the UST.

Controlling the game and despite the tight matches against their rival Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU), De La Salle University (DLSU), and University of the East (UE), the Tiger Paddlers showed their complete dominance, ending the first round with a high note, 6-0.

Continuing their business in a second-round opener strengthened their standing with a complete sweep against the AdU, DLSU, ADMU, and UP, showing their unblemished record of 10-0 that made them advance to the final four.

Tiger Paddler’s dominance did not stop there as they dominated the elimination round of the UAAP season 86 men’s table tennis after beating the UE and FEU, making this the fourth time UST has swept the elimination round.

Headed straight to the finals round with an undefeated record, UST has entered the finals every season since season 78 and tallied five championships, including this season.

UST Tiger Paddlers faced off against the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the best-of-three finals round, proving they are still the kings of men’s table tennis, claiming their fourth straight championship.

In their final year of eligibility, veterans Alvin Sevilla and

John Michael Castro orchestrated the team to a lead in Game 2, with the duo made of Paul Antivo and Ruiz Marcelino securing UST’s four-peat.

John Castro, season 81 rookie of the year, bagged this season’s MVP.

Their win in game 2 of the finals series marked the team’s 30th winning streak, which started in game 2 of the best-of-three finals against the National University (NU) Bulldogs on November 20, 2019.

However, the Tiger Paddlers’ winning streak is different from this other Tiger team. Will the Growling Tigers reclaim their winning tradition in the next season of the UAAP?

Finding Solution, Growling Tigers’ Roster Overhaul

With their campaign last season, this season of the UST Growling Tigers was all about improvement. From a win in season 85, the Growling Tigers ended this season with a 2-12 win-loss record.

After heartbreaking losses in their games during the first round, the Growling Tigers ended their 19-game losing streak with a win against the FEU Tamaraws, 68-62, to end round one of the tournament.

Nicael Cabañero huddled the team’s first win this season with 23 points and six rebounds, while Christian Manaytay tallied 10 points and 11 rebounds.

After their first round, Adama Faye left UST and decided to return to Senegal to undergo recovery from his nagging back injury. It took seven games to claim their second tournament win against the FEU Tamaraws, 57-53.

With their second win, Christian Manaytay led the Growling Tigers with 12 points and nine rebounds, while Miguel Pangilinan contributed 10 points and five rebounds.

After this season’s run, Head Coach Pido Jarencio said the team would undergo a significant roster overhaul and plan to participate in pre-season tournaments before Season 87.

España Dynasty Lives On

The UST Tiger Sands defended their UAAP Beach Volleyball Championship reign as they powered through their sixth and fifth straight titles in the women’s and men’s division last November 28, 2023, at the SM Sands by the Bay.

UST faced the National University (NU) Bulldogs, their Season 85 Finals foe, showcasing identical results for both divisions, leaving NU with two consecutive seasons of First Runners Up finish.

In the Women’s play, the rookie-senior tandem capped the season with a 21-10, 21-17 championship victory.

Sofiah Pagara tallied 14 big points in the second set and copped the Rookie of the Year award. Her senior Gen Eslapor bagged the coveted season’s MVP title.

In the men’s division, UST’s Rancel Varga and Alche Gupiteo served the Bulldogs their only defeat with a knockout finals win of 21-15 and 24-22.

The Tiger Sands absorbed their first loss of the season as they faltered against the NU Bulldogs, 20-22, 17-21, in the eliminations round, giving NU a 7-0 win-loss record.

On the other hand, the FEU Lady Tamaraws paused UST’s 38 game-winning-streak at the UAAP Season 86 Beach Volleyball opener with a three-set thriller, 21-18, 19-21, 16-18.

Thomasians will roar for another volleyball action as the UAAP Season 86 Indoor Volleyball games commence this February.

WRITTEN BY : Ady Advincula

Starting the month of June 2023, Ernest Obiena joined the pole vault’s six-meter club in Bergen. The 27-year-old cleared his former personal best of 5.94m after clearing 6.00m in his second attempt in Bergen, putting him ahead of United States’ KC Lightfoot on countback and winning against Lightfoot after both athletes failed to clear the 6.06-meter mark in three attempts. Obiena entered the competition at 5.53m and required two attempts to clear the opening height. He then passed at 5.68m and cleared 5.76m and 5.82m on his first try.

The world-renowned pole vaulter continued his momentum by breaking championship records at Bangkok’s Supachalasai National Stadium. Obiena also improved his championship record by 20 centimeters to 5.91m before finishing with three unsuccessful attempts at 6.02m. Obiena was one of 12 athletes to set a championship record over the five-day competition. Meanwhile, six individual competitors and two relay teams successfully de-

fended their championships from the previous edition, held four years prior.

In August, EJ Obiena advanced to the men’s pole vault final in Budapest, Hungary, putting him on pace for back-to-back podium finishes at the World Athletics Championships. Obiena advanced to the medal round alongside Sweden’s Armand Duplantis and the United States’ Chris Nilsen, setting up a tense title fight amongst the world’s top three pole vaulters. Obiena only jumped twice, clearing 5.55m and 5.75m in a single attempt, before 13 pole vaulters were selected finalists.

Obiena’s following month was exciting, as he competed in three critical competitions. His first stop was Germany, where he vied for the top spot in ISTAF Berlin. The Filipino pole vaulter won the gold medal with a 5.92-meter clearance. Obiena led the 12-man field as he returned to form after losing his medal streak to a shocking 10th-place result, his first trip off the podium in the current outdoor season, in the Weltklasse Zurich in Switzerland three days earlier. The next event scheduled for the country’s top

pole vaulter was the NetAachen Domspringen in Germany. Obiena won his second consecutive gold medal with a clearance of 5.92 meters. making up for a surprising 10th-place performance in the Weltklasse Zurich in Switzerland less than a week ago. Finally, Obiena cleared the 5.82-meter mark in the Diamond Discipline, marking a strong close for his month of redemption after falling short in Switzerland in the previous month.

Obiena then proceeded to compete in the Asian Games in October. The Filipino Vaulter required only three attempts to hit gold with a Games record of 5.75 meters. He improved it to 5.90m before attempting to break his Asian mark of 6.00m, but his three daring efforts at 6.02m were met with a distance too high.

“I didn’t want to stop at 5.90m. I’m excited to take this medal and put it on a shelf, but I would have liked to hit a record in front of an Asian crowd. That would have been amazing,” he told reporters. “Unfortunately, I didn’t have it in me, but this is one of the biggest stadiums I’ve been in and one of the most amazing crowds. I felt so welcomed here.

LAYOUT BY : Micah Polintan

WRITTEN

LAYOUT BY : Zhanieah Ramiro

LAYOUT BY : Reinehard Aytona

WRITTEN BY : Miguel Ballecer

Finishing with 684 points to their Blackpink-themed performance, España’s Dance Troupe placed 2nd runner-up, falling behind NU Pep Squad’s 697 points, and Cheerdance Season 86 Champion, FEU Cheering Squad’s 702.5 points, retaining its 2nd runner-up spot from last season’s CDC.

Roaring the crowds with their remix of Blackpink hit songs with Boombayah, Lovesick Girls, and How You Like That among it, the troupe incurred a 15-point deduction, the largest in the season’s CDC, after failing to successfully form a pyramid in the last stretch of their performance, leading to their fall to 2nd runner-ups in the season’s CDC.

However, coach Mark Chaiwalla described their com-

petition run as close to perfect and though the deduction cost their potential 1st-runner up podium place, safety was top priority for the troupe.

Salinggawi took the top spot in the dance category with 374 points while it settled for second in tosses with 81.5 points. The troupe placed third for both the stunts and tosses with 79.5 and 83 points, respectively. It took the fourth spot out of eight competing schools for the tumbling category with 81 points.

Meanwhile, FEU Cheering Squad’s Super Mario-themed performance claimed the top spot in this season’s CDC, a spot higher from last year’s 1st runner-up place. The cheer-

ing squad hailing from Morayta bagged all the event’s special awards.

Salinggawi previously showcased a Lady Gaga-themed performance last season, simultaneously ending their 5-year drought in the competition. The University last held a back-to-back podium finish in 2014-2015 where it placed 2nd and 1st runner-up, respectively.

The University’s dance troupe is currently headed by its coach, Mark Chaiwalla, its president, Germain Geneta, and Captain (Cheer), Richard Lajorda.

A Closer Look at Alpad’s ISBC Performance

WRITTEN BY : Genesis Hernandez

The roar of the tigers was heard globally as Thomasians across various faculties and colleges represented the UST Tiger Radio and successfully wrapped up the first-ever International Student Broadcasting Competition (ISBC) with six major awards. Sophomore Civil Engineering student Rasheed Abdel Alpad was one of those who competed internationally and brought home an honor.

The competition was launched last October 2023 by Australian media company Ramp Media, and competitors were university radio stations, including the University of Iowa, the University of Manchester, the University of Pretoria Tuks, The State University of New York, and the University of Cape Town. Among these universities, Alpad said that their approach to storytelling is the key element that allowed UST Tiger Radio to stand out. The stories they presented were diverse and gave universal messages that allowed the panels to resonate with the content.

Behind the triumph are the challenges they confront. Alpad revealed that time was the primary hurdle, for they had to accomplish and broadcast their entries within the undas break.

WRITTEN BY : Yitzhak Osei Bumanlag

Taekwondo is often regarded as a dynamic and vigorous sport, imparting its practitioners a stronger physical and mental fortitude, a way of self-defense and protection, and enriched moral values. For Legolas Peñaredondo of the Civil Engineering Department, taekwondo showed that one should embrace their defeats and use this opportunity to bounce back stronger.

Legolas described his weak physical constitution at a young age due to an illness in his lungs. For this reason, his doctor recommended engaging him in sports. During which, his parents discovered a taekwondo club, leading to the start of his student-athlete journey back in 2010.

Despite the time constraints, the University’s radio station managed to deliver quality outputs for the international panel. Additionally, the Best Sports Presenter awardee admitted that he has a limited background in sports analysis or sports play-by-play commentary. However, with the help of Tiger TV Sports, he successfully recorded a post-game analysis of the UST Growling Tigers, making it his winning entry in the competition.

He emphasized that without the collaboration and support of Tiger TV Sports, he wouldn’t have secured the award. “I’m just happy that everyone was willing to help and be able to maximize the opportunity to be known internationally,” Alpad added.

The Civil Engineering student shared some of his proud moments in the competition, one of which was creating the post-game analysis. He mentioned that he brought a notebook with drawings of the court and the play of the team, studied the moves of the players, and observed the coach’s system.

“I think that’s the best part of the ISBC. You get to be appreciated. Kasi for me, it doesn’t matter with the recognition

part, I think appreciation is much more better, and I think I felt that with the community of ISBC as well as TMN right after the awarding,” Alpad shared that he felt grateful for the kind words and appreciation given to him.

Looking ahead to future competitions, Alpad emphasized the need for content created to be adaptive to our generation as the way of storytelling through media is evolving; shifting to newer platforms such as TikTok can reach new audiences and be heard by the whole Thomasian community because some shows are weak despite its promising content. He also said to be more interactive with executive producers.

Abdel, who was also the recipient of the Best Content/Program Director, revealed his decision to leave Tiger Radio this term and concentrate on Tiger TV Sports. He advised students who want to join Tiger Radio to adopt a growth-oriented mindset, emphasizing that newcomers may not possess the best skills initially, but leaving the organization would significantly shape an individual, 80-90% better than before, as evidenced by alumni testimonies. Lastly, he said that do the work for the love of radio, not entirely for recognition.

BREAKING THROUGH THE DEFENSES

In 2019, he participated in the selection for the national team, where he was one of the chosen candidates. Then, after a few months, he was scouted by Coach Dindo Simpao, the Head Coach for the National Taekwondo Team and the UST Taekwondo Team, and offered a scholarship to which his parents were reluctant since he was still young. However, his parents had a change of heart during his SHS years and decided to let him grab the opportunity to be a representative of the UST Taekwondo Team. Dreaming of becoming an engineer like his father also led to his decision to pursue a course in civil engineering at the university.

The 19-year-old civil engineering student, representing in the UAAP Season 86 Men’s Taekwondo Kyorugi, managed to clinch the gold medal for the bantamweight division and was dubbed as rookie of the year. From the rigorous programs and training given to them to mentally preparing themselves and changing their mindsets, the young athlete describes how their team prepared and readied themselves for the tournament proper.

Peñaredondo shared that given it was his first UAAP Tournament, the cheering crowd gave him a bit of uneasiness prior to the competition; however, after stepping inside the sparring ring and facing his opponent, the athlete expressed that all the noise from the crowd faded. It is a sensation he felt until his last match, now mixed with exhaustion.

“Sobrang saya lalo na sa first year kasi sobrang laking achievement noon para sakin, sulit po lahat ng sacrifices” he stated.

In terms of balancing his sports and academics, the lack of sleep is one of the struggles that he has experienced since it is unavoidable due to having a busy and conflicting schedule. He emphasizes that time management is essential, so he plans his task out for the day to avoid wasting time. In his free time, Legolas engages in musical instruments, basketball, and online games.

To those who are taking an interest in sports, Legolas shared that there will always be challenges and adversities along the way, which is why it is critical to continue striving for greatness, loving what you do, trusting each process, and finding balance.

LEGOLAS PEÑAREDONDO

Breaking through the Defenses

ENGINEERING CLINCHES IN VOLLEYBALL GOODWILL GAMES 2023, BRONZE

BORROMEO NAMED AS BEST DIGGER

Resuming from a 3-year period halt due to the pandemic, Engineering finished 3rd in the men’s volleyball division in the Thomasian Goodwill Games (TGG) with Gene Russel Borromeo as the tournament’s best digger.

Both Engineering teams remain unscathed for the elimination round, besting Architecture and Tourism, and College of Information and Computing Sciences among others.

However, the dominance over the court was cut short for the women’s team as Accountancy WVT toppled the engineers in the 3-set game with a final score of 25-20, 16-25, 24-26. Despite the headstrong offense of the Faculty, the team was outclassed and outmatched and was handed their first loss in the tournament.

“It went wrong after our first defeat because the team’s confidence went down. Before the quarter-finals, the team didn’t have sufficient training since most players were busy with other engagements,” EWVT captain Regine Enclona shared. Despite this, the fourth-year Electronics Engineering student also highlighted the influence of the team’s coaches, sharing that their biggest influence was on teaching the stu-

dents how to discipline themselves, and aiding in forming a bond between the team.

In a final attempt to secure a semi-final spot in TGG Vol leyball women’s division, the team was faced with a net high er than they can conquer, going on to record a second-straight loss against Commerce WVT (22-25, 14-25) fully eliminating the team for contention for a podium finish.

“It was bittersweet since it was the last time we’d play together. We bonded as a team during the season and became good friends inside and outside the court. We were all just grateful to be part of the team and gave our best despite the loss,” Enclona shared.

Over the men’s side of the court, the team went on an un answered rally up till the semi-finals bracket of the tourna ment. Despite the unprecedented dominance over the court, the team failed to secure a championship spot in the tourna ment after losing against Pharmacy MVT, the team’s sole loss in the season. Although the team lost their chance at a cham pionship contention, Engineering displayed dominance over College of Rehabilitation Sciences MVT in a battle for third,

WRITTEN BY : Lance Tristan Aquino

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) officially started “Fueling the Future” as they held the UAAP Season 86 Kickoff Party last September 27, 2023, in support of the Thomasian student-athletes and coaches.

Hosted by Baileys Acot, Denisse Valdesancho, Paul Nucum, and Madelene Cristobal, the entrance of every UST sports team commenced the kickoff party, followed by the opening remarks of UST Rector Very Rev. Fr. Richard Ang, O.P., who gave words of encouragement to the student-athletes to showcase the indomitable Thomasian spirit and bring the crown back to España.

Moreover, the UST Taekwondo Team brought home the Best Performance Award, with the UST Swimming Team and UST Track and Field Team achieving 1st and 2nd runners up, respectively.

“Syempre ‘yung mga ganitong activities ay nakaka-boost ng confidence namin and pinapalakas nila ang loob namin na may goal kaming maging champion. Grabe ang support ng Thomasian community sa’min.” said Legolas Peñaredondo, a member of the

UST Taekwondo Team from the Civil Engineering Department.

Rev. Fr. Rodel Cansancio, O.P., Director and Regent of the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics (IPEA), delivered the closing remarks, emphasizing that no athlete shall be left behind, winning and losing as one. The party was succeeded by a parade of the student-athletes around the University campus.

UAAP Season 86 began last September 30, 2023, with the UST Growling Tigers opening the basketball tournament against the host University of the East (UE).