The Varsitarian

FATHER Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P. is set to return to the scene of his greatest personal and professional achievement—the rectorship of UST. But even before he became rector during his first stint in the position in 1990, he had already been an “achiever,” according to Fr. Virgilio Ojoy, OP, a former UST vice rector who was De la Rosa’s companion during his days as a Dominican seminarian and as a postgraduate student in Louvain, Belgium.

During their philosophical studies at the Dominican House of Studies (DHS) and their theological studies in UST, De la Rosa passed his exams with flying colors and collected honors replete with the usual arcane but high-sounding Latin phrases (magna cum laude in theology and summa cum laude in Master’s in Higher Religious Studies).

“His brilliant scholastic achievements prefigured his rise as rector of Asia’s oldest higher education institution,” Ojoy said.  read more »

THE PAST IBP elections stimulated once more the political itch in students. Ever since the proclamation of Martial Law, student disturbance motivated by politics was conspicuously absent. Except the not-so-spectacular emergence of the KB and the other extra-curricular activities, students remained quiet in their proper pale­­ ­­­­­­– study.

Now almost five years of political quiescence, they suddenly sneaked into the scene again, surfacing like snails out of hibernation. They swarmed all over either as campaigners, rallyists, poll watchers, sympathizers, etc.

This current phenomenon is as expected. Students have always been responsive to political and social issues. Their political sympathies have often stimulated unrest and catalyzed changes. Considered as the “incipient elite” of society because of the education they receive, students have always played a crucial role in political and social upheavals.  read more »

THE SELECTION of a new rector has always been one of the most awaited events throughout the University’s history. However, beyond the pomp and gaiety of welcoming UST’s chief executive is a long and carefully organized process of nominating candidates, which has evolved along with the University’s 397 years of existence.

The process depends on the institutions that were added or removed during the course of history.

According to Fr. Fidel Villarroel, O.P. the University archivist, the process of selecting a new rector during the early years of the University occurred during the elective chapters meetings composed by the different superiors of the Dominican houses in the Philippines. These meetings are convened every two years. On the other hand, provincial chapters are convened every four years in order to discuss internal matters among the Dominicans including the selection of the members of the elective chapters.  read more »

UNIVERSITY officials have one fervent wish for the “comeback Rector”: good health so that he would be able to fulfill the demanding job of head of Asia’s oldest university.

Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P. will have his hands full as he assumes the Rectorship anew, with college deans and other administrators proposing an ambitious agenda to keep UST’s place as one of the region’s top institutions of higher learning.

“As I look at Father de la Rosa’s job, it seems to be a gigantic task since there are many expectations from different colleges, so I really wish him good health so he can be able to do his job,” newly installed Alfredo M. Velayo-College of Accountancy Dean Minerva Cruz said.

In a statement to the Varsitarian, College of Education Dean Clotilde Arcangel also wished De la Rosa “continuous good health, peace of mind, and prosperity.”  read more »

NATURAL calamities, absurd executive orders, coup threats, holiday economics and school occasions aside, a classmate once asked me: what is the most “convenient” and “effective” student-initiated recourse to prevent a regular class from unfolding at the professor’s expense?  read more »

I DON’T know if it’s going to be an advantage for me, having graduated already. But I guess it’s premature to make a generalization.

I am trying to analyze the overhauling of the nursing education curriculum. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has already released a memorandum making changes to the nursing education curriculum a month before the opening of classes.

Under the CHED memorandum circular no. 5, or the enhanced Four-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, another 33 units will be added to the present nursing curriculum’s 169 units, adding three summer classes to the present eight-semester course. The number of hours for practicum will also be increased to 2,499 from the present 2,142-hour requirement.  read more »

SENATOR Miriam Defensor Santiago has protested a report by abscbnNEWS.com/Newsbreak that described her nomination in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) as an uphill climb. She accused the network of political blackmail since she is chair of the National Power Commission that is investigating Meralco for the high costs of power distribution. The electricity firm is managed by the Lopez family that also owns the network.

In the report, certain sectors raised questions about Santiago’s chances of making it to the ICJ. Questions were also raised about her qualifications and her close connection with President Macapagal-Arroyo, who has reportedly vowed to put Philippine support behind the nomination.

Network news bosses have denied they were “blackmailing” Santiago. We’rejust doing their job, they said.  read more »

UMAANDAR na naman ang ugali nating “ningas-cogon”

Dumaan lamang ang mga buwan ay may mga panibago nang usapin na bumabagabag sa ating bayan. Ito ay sa kabila ng hindi pa pagkaresolba ng mga nauna nang isyu.

Isang halimbawa na lang ng mga isyung ito ay ang ZTE scandal. Kung ating magugunita, naging laman ito ng mga balita noong unang tatlong buwan ng taong ito. Muling dumalas ang mga rally na tumutuligsa sa katiwalian, na naging madalang na mula nang pumutok ang tangkang kudeta noong 2006. Nagpatawag pa ang Senado ng mga hearing upang imbestigahan ang mga detalye ng naunsyaming kontrata sa pagitan ng gibyerno at ng isang kompanyang Tsino.  read more »

WITH A stubborn crew tenaciously hanging on their coattails, the UST Tigresses felt a resiliency check was needed.

The defending champion Tigresses thus stamped their composure on both ends of the floor at crunch time, extinguishing one fiery De La Salle University uprising after the other to sew up a finals-clinching 54-46 victory in the 2008 Nike Summer League last June 4 at the Far Eastern University gym.

“I know my players are confident and capable of winning coming into this game,” coach Peque Tan told the Varsitarian. “But they should not be overconfident because the finals is a much tougher assignment.”

Season 70 Mythical Five member Marichu Bacaro hit a cold-blooded trey at the 1:29-minute mark of the fourth quarter that gave UST a commanding 54-43 lead which the Lady Archers – despite nailing a counter triple from hotshot Anjeli Gloriani with 30 seconds left in the game – failed to surmount as time expired.  read more »