The Varsitarian

Feb. 10, 7:25 p.m. - THE UST administration plans to hike tuition by P72 per unit next academic year (AY), in what would be the highest rate of increase in five years.

Under the proposed schedule of fees released by the Office of the Vice Rector for Finance last week, tuition will amount to P1,279 per unit for AY 2012-2013 – a six-percent increase from the previous P1,207 per unit.

If approved, this will be the highest rate of increase since 2007, when tuition went up by 6.2 percent. The administration imposed four-percent and three-percent hikes in AY 2010-2011 and AY 2011-2012, respectively, to P1,172 and P1,207 per unit.  read more »

Feb. 5, 10:39 p.m. - THE UST Lady Spikers blitzed past a hapless National University with a lopsided three-set sweep, 25-19, 25-15, 25-15, at the Arena in San Juan today.

Maika Ortiz led UST with 18 markers, while Judy Caballejo, Maru Banaticla, and Carmela Tunay collectively tossed 30 points.

UST is now tied with Adamson University at third spot in the UAAP volleyball tournament, with identical 8-5 win-loss slates.

“We had some adjustments in our service ... Also, all the players, even the reserves, delivered for the team,” coach Odjie Mamon said. “I’m confident that we can beat Adamson next week and go all the way to the semifinals.”  read more »

Feb. 5, 7:15 p.m. - THE UST Tennisters faltered in their respective matches at the Rizal Memorial Tennis Center this afternoon.

The Male Tennisters lost to De La Salle University, 2-3, and are now at third place.

Team captain Ralph Barte was the lone dominant force for UST after dominating La Salle's Michael Basco, 6-0, 7-5.

The tandem of Arn Procianos and Bernadine Bering survived a first-set thriller and blasted Ed Amor and Fidel Regis of La Salle in three sets, 5-7, 6-2, 6-3.

The Female Tennisters' efforts in the last two matches were not enough against La Salle as they remained at third place with a 2-3 win-loss card.  read more »

Feb. 5, 6:06 p.m. - THE UST Golden Sox repulsed Adamson University in a hard-earned 10-9 victory at the Rizal Baseball Stadium early this afternoon.

Despite an identical 3-5 win-loss record with Adamson, UST ascended to fourth spot via win-over-the-other rule.

“We still need to win the games against Ateneo and UP [to secure the berth],” said coach Jeffrey Santiago. “Masaya ako at nakaka-connect na kahit paunti-unti palo natin.”

With the bases loaded by Jovanni Ona, Julian Teves, and Carlo Conge in the last inning, Season 73 rookie of the year Arvin Plaza walked to first base via hit-by-pitch to grant UST an easy run en route to the victory.  read more »

Feb. 5, 3:24 p.m. - THE UST Tiger Spikers breezed past cellar dwellers UE Red Spikers, 25-16, 25-22, 25-22, at the UAAP volleyball tournament at The Arena in San Juan this morning.

Sophomore Mark Gil Alfafara exploded with 15 points for UST, while team captain Jayson Ramos and John Depante chipped in 14 and 11 markers, respectively. Angelo Soria and Homer Lauresta combined for 17 points for the winless Red Spikers.

In the third set, UST easily notched a big lead at 9-4 as Alfafara, Ramos, and Romnick Rico scored off-the-block kills and quick attacks. But UE bounced back and snatched the lead, 20-22.  read more »

Feb. 4, 12:56 p.m. - UST improved its performance in this year’s licensure exam for architects, but missed the chance to be named a top-performing school.

The University recorded a 79.15 percent passing rate with 186 Thomasian passers out 235 examinees. The College of Architecture’s mark in the January exam was slightly higher than last year’s 74.66 percent (165 passers out of 221 Thomasian examinees) and 2010’s 77 percent.

No school made it to the list of top-performing schools for 2012. The Professional Regulation Commission requires a minimum 80-percent passing rate and at least 50 examinees to be included on the list. read more »

Updated Feb. 1, 12:21 p.m. - THERE'S only one presidential candidate in this year's Central Student Council (CSC) polls, after the party of the incumbent president was unable to field a bet for the top post.

But Lakas Tomasino Coalition (LTC) standard-bearer Rubi Anne Dauan of the Faculty of Engineering is not a shoo-in for the post as the rules require a “50 percent plus one” voter turnout for her to win the highest position in the student government.

Lakas ng Diwang Tomasino (Lakasdiwa), the political group of current CSC president Lorraine Taguiam, has yet to explain why it did not field a candidate in this year’s presidential race.  read more »

Jan. 29, 7:26 p.m. - THE Lady Spikers were swept by defending champions De La Salle University in three sets, 20-25, 22-25, 13-25, at The Arena in San Juan this afternoon.

La Salle’s solid blocking limited UST’s frontline led by Maruja Banaticla, who only had eight points. Judy Caballejo and Maika Ortiz were limited to nine and five points, respectively. read more »

Jan. 29, 3:19 p.m. - THE UST Tiger Spikers drubbed the University of the Philippines, 26-24, 25-18, 23-25, and 25-23, turning the tables in their second battle at the Arena in San Juan this morning.

Tiger Spiker John Depante stepped up with 15 points, while Mark Gil Alfafara and Christian Arbasto sizzled with 14 markers apiece. read more »

Jan. 28, 8:31 p.m. - THOMASIAN celebrities and artists graced the center stage to welcome UST’s fifth century at the Neo-Centennial show last night.

Despite technical glitches during the five-hour event, the crowd cheered performances by alumni Ciara Sotto, Jamie Rivera, John Lapus, Nonoy Zuñiga, and Sarah Geronimo.

Side A band performed the hit single “Forevermore,” with Thomasians Joey Generoso as lead vocalist and Naldy Gonzales at the piano. “[Ang] gustung-gusto ko sa UST, ‘pag Thomasian ka, walang mahirap, walang mayaman. Lahat pantay-pantay,” Generoso said.  read more »