Seven Dominican priests and veteran educators of the Ecclesiastical Faculties were conferred the title of Professor Emeritus in a solemn investiture on January 31, 2025, at the Dr. Robert Sy Grand Ballroom.
Endorsed by the Faculty Council of the Faculty of Theology and approved by the Rector of the University to hold the title of Professor Emeritus were:
Rev. Fr. Rodel E. Aligan, O.P., S.Th.D., who has dedicated over four decades to the pursuit of theological excellence and moral guidance. He has demonstrated commitment to academic and pastoral growth as Dean of the Faculty of Sacred Theology for a total of nine years (2008-2011; 2011-2014; 2016-2023), as Vice Rector for Religious Affairs (2008-2011), Secretary-General (1995-2001), Regent of the Faculty of Arts and Letters (1991-1995; 2015-2021); and Conventual Prior of Priory of St. Thomas Aquinas (2001-2008; 2018-2021; 2024-present). Fr. Aligan also has over 20 published works in various publications;
Rev. Fr. Angel A. Aparicio, O.P., a pillar of the UST Library for 37 years, who has served as Prefect of Libraries since 1992 and Assistant Prefect of Ecclesiastical Libraries from 1987 to 1992. He has also been a devoted educator at the Ecclesiastical Faculties for 45 years and served as Faculty Secretary from 1980 to 1982. He has written over 40 articles including contributions to the Life Today magazine, the Library News in Print, and the Lumina Pandit. He was also the editor of over 11 books including the Honora Medicum, and translated into English the ‘Ensayo de una sintesis de los trabajos realizados por las Corporaciones religiosas Españolas’ (Essay of a synthesis of the works accomplished by the Spanish religious corporations in the Philippines by Fr. Valentin Morales Marin, O.P.);
Rev. Fr. Norberto A. Castillo, O.P., Ph.D., who displayed his dedication and expertise in his service as the 91st Rector of the University of Santo Tomas for two consecutive terms (1982-1986; 1986-1990) and as the Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy in the same university (1994-1996; 2008-2012). He has actively contributed to the advancement of philosophy, science, and theology as a Research Grantee in Philosophy of Science at the Catholic University of Leuven on 1990, and a Research Grantee in Philosophy of Science and the Classics at the Katholischer Akademischer Ausländer-Dienst (1991);
Rev. Fr. Rolando V. De La Rosa, O.P., Ph.D., who served three distinguished terms as Rector of the University of Santo Tomas (1990-1994; 1994-1998; 2008-2012) with visionary leadership and unwavering dedication, including steering the University of Santo Tomas through the celebration of the University’s Quadricentennial Anniversary in 2011. His prolific writing and scholarly achievements have been widely recognized, earning him prestigious honors such as the National Book Award in History (1992), Catholic Authors Award (1997), and Outstanding Manilan Award in Ministry and Spirituality (2010). He has also been internationally lauded with accolades like the Medal of Highest Honor from Kyung Hee University in Korea (1996) and the Outstanding CEO Award in Education (2012), while his weekly column in the broadsheet Manila Bulletin has won multiple times in the Catholic Mass Media Awards.
Fr. De La Rosa was also President of the International Council of the Universities of St. Thomas Aquinas (ICUSTA) (1996 to 1998; 2009 to 2011), Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) (2004-2005), President of the Association of Catholic Universities of the Philippines (ACUP), Vice President of the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) (1997 to 1999) and founding president of the Network of Dominican Schools, Colleges, and Universities in the Philippines (DOMNET) in 1995;
Rev. Fr. Fausto B. Gomez, O.P., S.Th.D., who has been assigned to UST since 1965 and taught Fundamental Moral Theology, Grace, Virtues, Justice, Social Doctrine of the Church, and Bioethics for almost 60 years. He generously served the University in various capacities as Secretary-General (1966-1977), Director of the Office of Public Affairs (1975-1977), Dean of the Faculty of Sacred Theology (1979-1985; 1998-2004), Director of the Social Research Center (1979-1991), Regent of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery (1988-1998) and the College of Rehabilitation Sciences (1989-1994; 2004-2009), and founding chair of the Department of Bioethics (1991-2001). His many books and exemplary contributions have been recognized globally, with the conferment of the Gran cruz de Caballero de Isabela la Católica (Royal Order of Isabella the Catholic), knighthood first class in 1974 and the Outstanding Catholic Author award by the Asian Catholic Book Fair in 1989;
Rev. Fr. Javier I. González, O.P., J.C.D., who demonstrated his dedication through his service as Regent of the Faculty of Engineering (1995-2003), Faculty of Civil Law (2003-2005) and the College of Commerce (2005-2006). He has also served as Dean of the Faculty of Canon Law (1997-2006). Aside from being a long-serving professor, he imparted valuable knowledge while advancing the study of Church law and served as an editor for publications such as Philippiniana Sacra (1991-2008), Philippine Canonical Forum (1999-2009), and The CLSP Gazette, ensuring the proper dissemination of vital scholarly works. Fr. Gonzales was a Master of Students at the Convento de la Santa Cruz in San Juan, Metro Manila, as a Prior Provincial of the Province of the Holy Rosary (2009-2013), and is currently the newly-elected Prior of the Priory of Saint Dominic in Macau (2024); and
Rev. Fr. Jose Ma. B. Tinoko, O.P., J.C.D., who exhibited his steadfast dedication to academic and ecclesiastical service with his roles as Dean of the Faculty of Canon Law, Regent of the Conservatory of Music, Faculty Secretary of the Ecclesiastical Faculties (1973-1975), and Vice Rector of the University of Santo Tomas (1982-1988). He has also contributed to the study and practice of Canon Law as Editor of the Boletín Eclesiástico de Filipinas (1969-1970), and as a Member of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines’ Commission on Canon Law Experts.
