The Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., Ph.D., was installed for his second term as the University Rector in solemn investiture rites that were held on September 9, 2024, at the Santíssimo Rosario Parish Church (UST Chapel).
Prior to the installation, the Res Ceremoniales (Latin for ‘and all other things needed for the ceremony’) were brought into the Chapel led by the University Registrar Mr. Cesar Velasco and carried by seminarians of the UST Central Seminary. The Res Ceremoniales are part of the installation traditions, and are normally housed in the UST Museum.
As part of the rites, the Prior of the Dominican Province of the Philippines Very Rev. Fr. Filemon Dela Cruz, Jr., O.P., and the UST Central Seminary Rector Rev. Fr. Quirico Pedregosa, Jr., O.P., conferred upon Fr. Ang the Rector’s Collar, which symbolizes the authority vested upon him by the Vatican and the Philippine Government. It is the mantle of the supreme teaching authority of the Rector as a professor of the University.
The Res Ceremoniales also include the Rector’s Maces, which symbolize the weight of the authority and responsibility of the Office of the Rector. They were entrusted to Fr. Ang by the Vice Rector Rev. Fr. Isaias D. Tiongco, O.P., JCD, and the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Prof. Cheryl Peralta, DrPH.
Also part of the Res Ceremoniales are the Book of the Holy Gospel and the Statues of the University, the text of the Profession of Faith and the Oath of Office, the Appointment Decree, and pen.
The rites were witnessed by the Thomasian community in Manila and General Santos, with several guests including the Apostolic Nuncio His Excellency Most Rev. Charles John Brown, Wilcon Depot Founder Mr. William Belo, SM Foundation Executive Director and Trustee Ms. Deborah Sy, and Century Pacific Food Inc. President Mr. Teodoro Po, Manila Bulletin Chairman Mr. Basilio Yap and News Editor Ms. Isabel de Leon, JSLA Architects Founders Ar. Jose Siao Ling and Ar. Ana Mangalino Ling, among others..
“As I begin my second term, I am energized and inspired by your overwhelming trust and confidence. This is a testament to our shared vision for the University. This trust that you gave me reinvigorated my resolve to serve with integrity, dedication, and commitment to the University mission and vision,” said Fr. Ang in his address of acceptance.
“The new mandate fills me with a renewed sense of stewardship, and therefore, I commit to build on the foundation that we have made together and to steer the University toward even greater heights. The journey ahead is one that I am eager to take with all of you by my side,” he shared.
Fr. Ang’s six-point agenda titled “Vision 2028” will serve as the roadmap for his second term, with a focus on enriching research productivity, sustaining development beyond the Manila campus, optimizing the UST Hospital, enhancing student services, developing more partnerships and collaborations in government and industry sectors, and strengthening public presence. This adds to his seven-point agenda in his first term in 2021.
The first Chinese-Filipino Rector expressed how grateful he was, saying “As I look back and reflect on my first term as Rector, I can say that God has blessed UST with so many favors and guided our path toward success. We pushed boundaries and achieved several milestones. I do not take sole credit for these milestones. They were made possible through our collective efforts.”
Fr. Ang has emphasized synergy through clear communications, decisive actions, and constant coordination as the core.
“For the next four years, we will strongly encourage the academic units to review and update their respective programs and curricula, incorporating emerging fields and technologies and looking into the possibility of interdisciplinary approaches. We will also motivate the units to develop more niche programs in the various disciplines, aligning with PILOs and CILOs with community development programs to raise social responsibility,” remarked Fr. Ang.
The 97th Rector also seeks to explore ways to increase publications and research funding from external stakeholders. “These efforts aim to inspire high-quality research in areas with significant impact to the world. We will continue to uphold the UN Sustainable Development Goals as we continue to cultivate a culture of research.”
“UST is the oldest existing university in Asia, but it is not sufficient to be the oldest. It should also be one of the most innovative universities in this part of the world,” said Fr. Ang, who is pushing to enhance the promotion of UST’s brand of quality Catholic education.
The Rector, a bona fide Thomasian, obtained his Doctor of Philosophy degree, Summa cum Laude, in 2010; Licentiate in Sacred Theology and a Master of Arts degree in Religious Studies, Magna cum Laude, in 1999; a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sacred Theology, Summa cum Laude, in 1997; a Licentiate in Philosophy, Magna cum Laude, in 1994; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, cum Laude, in 1990, all from the University of Santo Tomas. He was obtained to the priesthood in 1998.
Steering the University through the unprecedented health emergency brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, Fr. Ang’s term has seen UST’s expansion initiatives bear fruit, particularly the inauguration of the UST-Dr. Tony Tan Caktiong Innovation Center in April 2023, the groundbreaking of the UST-Dr. William T. Bello Interdisciplinary Institute in January 2024, the inauguration of UST General Santos and the groundbreaking of the UST-Dr. Ricardo S. Po, Sr. Integrated Innovation and Research Laboratories at UST General Santos in April 2024, and the inauguration of the Henry Sy, Sr. Hall later this month.
Under his term, UST became the first Philippine HEI to achieve a 5-star QS rating in 2021. The University also secured a ranking in the Times Higher Education Asia Rankings for the first time in 11 years, and maintained its top 4 position among the nation’s universities in the QS Rankings. Recently, UST was also named one of the top five Philippine comprehensive universities in research productivity, based on a study by the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II).
