The University of Santo Tomas Manila Annex (UST MAx) at Santa Rosa City, Laguna, topped off the second building in its rising campus. Bearing the name of Thomasian alumnus and founder of premier home improvement and construction retailer Wilcon Builders Foundation, Inc., the UST-Dr. William T. Belo Interdisciplinary Research Institute (WiTBIRIn) had its solemn topping off ceremony on May 8, 2025. This is a builder’s tradition that highlights the placement of the final beam on top of the structure.
The WiTBIRIn will provide research work stations and collaboration spaces for researchers in six interdisciplinary research areas, namely, (1) food security and safety, (2) health and wellbeing, (3) clean energy, (4) environmental sustainability, (5) information, communications, and emerging intelligent systems and technologies, and (6) advanced materials, engineering design, and product innovation. It has three floors with a penthouse and a service deck.
The ceremony began with the Entrustment to the Blessed Virgin Mary, led by the Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Prof. Cheryl R. Peralta, DrPH.
The UST Rector Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., Ph.D., marked this momentous occasion in the developing history of the rising annex at Santa Rosa City with a message.
In WiTBIRIn, “We see the embodiment of our commitment to nurturing the future generations of Thomasian academics, entrepreneurs, researchers, and students,” said Father Ang.
The Father Rector also expressed gratitude toward the alumnus after whom the structure is named, saying that “His commitment to giving back to UST has been instrumental in turning our shared vision into reality. Through his generosity and belief in the value of education, collaboration, and community building, he has played a vital role in bringing this vision to life. We want to convey our deepest gratitude to Dr. William T. Belo and to Wilcon Foundation for partnering with us to construct the Interdisciplinary Research Institute.”
With a degree in BS Electronics and Communications Engineering (BS-ECE) from the UST Faculty of Engineering, William Belo began as an entrepreneur and owner of a small hardware store along Quezon Avenue in 1977, and eventually, Wilcon Depot opened its 100th store in 2024. He was conferred the Doctor of Commerce degree, honoris causa, on September 28, 2023, in recognition of his lifelong work and philanthropy.
Delivering a message on behalf of Dr. William T. Belo was his representative, Ms. Mary Jean G. Alger, the Vice President for Investor Relations of Wilcon Depot, who said “We are one step forward towards the realization of our vision to have a place that will foster a robust research culture where great ideas are explored and developed–ideas which surely will have a positive, tangible impact on society and elevate the quality of our lives. This indeed will be a building for learning, growing, and shaping the future, and soon, it will be filled with eager researchers and students.”
Also speaking were Vice Rector Rev. Fr. Isaias D. Tiongco, O.P., JCD, the Assistant to the Rector for UST Santa Rosa Prof. Philipina A. Marcelo, Ph.D., who presented the overview of the project, and representatives from JSLA Architects who shared a video on the construction and design process, and the Vice Rector for Research and Innovation Rev. Fr. Jannel N. Abogado, O.P., DThPatSc..
The UST Vice Rector for Finance Rev. Fr. Roberto L. Luanzon, Jr., O.P., SThD, DL, presided over the Topping Off Rites.
The University of Santo Tomas Manila Annex in Santa Rosa City, Laguna, is being developed as a venue for the Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship (RIE) Programs of the University. The UST-Dr. William T. Belo Interdisciplinary Research Institute is the second structure in the Annex. WiTBIRIn, which broke ground in January 2024, “represents the future of research at UST, a future where collaboration across diverse fields addresses present social issues guided by our institutional mission, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and the teachings of Pope Francis’ encyclical letter Laudato Si’,” said UST Vice Rector Rev. Fr. Isaias D. Tiongco, O.P., in his welcome remarks.
“Interdisciplinary research plays a crucial role in UST’s bid to increase institutional visibility, impact, and innovation through research,” said Father Ang, who added, “We hope that you will be inspired by our efforts so that you will not lose faith in the vision of UST. We share a common vision of dreaming boldly for UST, preserving her proud legacy while continuing to raise the bar of excellence for generations to come. It is true that UST is one of the oldest universities in the Asia Pacific, but it always reinvigorates itself.”