The Varsitarian

THE UNIVERSITY will lead a multi-sectoral movement to lobby for the abolition of the scandal-ridden Reserve Officers Training Corps when the 12th Congress opens on July 23.

The campaign came after hundreds of Thomasians led a nationwide weekly boycott of ROTC classes beginning last June 24.

To prevent the regular walkouts, UST officials urged angry cadets to instead ask Congress to repeal the law that established the student military program.  read more »

School and travel do not make a pretty pair. Often they conflict and steal time from each other as they vie for your sole attention. And, typical of love triangles, you can’t help but concentrate on one because you can’t have both at the same time. Alertness is imperative because sooner or later the ignored party starts to get back at you. If it’s not a low quiz score, it’s mould on a good book. I am one person who would hate to see either of these.  read more »

FOUR years in the University and I still have yet to experience a taste of the UST Growling Tigers fever. The pride of being a Thomasian with your school’s varsity team playing all out in the championship game in the country’s number one collegiate league is now a far-fetched reality.

Looking back two years ago, I now painfully regret the time when I was not able to watch the game three of the finals against the Green Archers. Now, I have accepted the excruciating truth that UST during my stay never won any championship.  read more »

READING the newspapers everyday can be toxic. Just looking at the headlines can cause a heavy feeling at the start of the day. It’s not only because the Abu Sayaff kidnappings have again filled the front pages of major dailies, but because there’s so much power struggle going on and nobody seems to be winning the struggle.  read more »

KATATAWANAN.

Sa gitna ng pambubulabog ni Kadaffi Janjalani sa Kamindanawan, pagsisimula ng kasong “The People vs Joseph Ejercito Estrada” (aba, pelikulang epic proportion ang dating, ha.), at nakasusuyang tonong monotone ng Pangulong Macapagal sa telebisyon at radyo, mayroon at mayroon talagang “suwang” na mga isyu na biglang magiging usap-usapan.

Kagaya na lang marahil ng kahindik-hindik na reaksyon ng konseho ng Lungsod ng General Santos, Timog Cotabato, sa katawa-tawang TV ad ng Joy bathroom tissue.  read more »

SOME words should not be left unsaid. Miscommunication breeds misinformation, misunderstanding, and mistrust.

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Students are confused. Though UST released a very strong statement calling for the abolition of the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), freshmen and sophomore male students still found themselves enrolling in the course for this semester.  read more »

“GROWTH that adds volume without improving productivity is FAT. Growth that diminishes productivity is CANCER.” - Peter F. Druker

Sadly but true, education remains a privilege in the Philippines. Many would have wanted to go to school or in such cases, continue, but because of the rising cost of education they can’t.  read more »

The University has formed the Disaster Preparedness Committee (DPC) to respond immediately and effectively to such emergencies as typhoons, floods, fires, and earthquakes.

In a meeting last July 31 at the Rizal Conference Hall, DPC chairperson and UST Vice Rector for Finance Fr. Roberto Pinto, O.P., presented the safety guidelines to cope with emergencies.

According to DPC member Dr. Lito Maranan, each building in the University has an assigned evacuation area, where students, faculty members, and administrators will stay during emergencies and drills.  read more »

ON SEPTEMBER 5, 1992, the then newly-elected Master of the Order, Rev. Fr. Timothy Radcliffe, O.P., arrived at the curia of the Dominicans. An unassuming 36-year-old Argentinean welcomed him at the corridors and led him to his room. As they walked along the corridors, they passed by a beautiful gallery that featured the portraits of all the previous Masters of the Order. Earlier, the young Argentinean mischievously hung Radcliffe’s tiny-framed photo next to the full-sized portrait of his predecessor Rev. Fr. Damian Byrne, O.P.  read more »

A THOMASIAN topped this year’s Pharmacist Licensure Examinations with a 92.27 percent score, leading five other Thomasians in the Top 20.

Cum laude graduate Andrea Chua never expected to land first in the board and only wished to be in the top 10.

“(It was) unexpected. Masaya ako because I was able to bring glory to the University,” she said.

Pharmacy Assistant Dean Priscilla Torres said Chua and the other honor graduates were really expected to land in the top 20.  read more »