The University of Santo Tomas (UST) honored 27 faculty members who retired from teaching at the end of AY 2020-2021. The traditional annual program for faculty retirees was held online as a video tribute that was presented through the official Facebook page of the University on June 11, 2021.
UST Rector Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., Ph.D., extended his gratitude and commended the lasting legacy of the veteran mentors through a video message.
“When you look back at the years you have spent in UST, I’m sure you will remember the many students who have been under your care for the past years. You have seen them grow and become successful, and they have learned so much from you. They will carry a part of you wherever they go. The University of Santo Tomas is proud to have in its fold, teachers who devoted more than just time, but their lives and energies, to mold the hearts and minds of the young. When you look at all you have accomplished in all those years and decades, you will see that the mark you have made as a teacher is not just a mere memory, but a milestone,” said the Father Rector.
Out of the 27 retirees, the Office of Public Affairs Acting Director and former Faculty of Engineering Secretary Asst. Prof. Virginia A. Sembrano from the Faculty of Arts and Letters, and former Faculty of Engineering Languages and Humanities Coordinator Asst. Prof. Carminia C. Paulino from the College of Education, have taught the longest with 44 years of dedicated service to their names.
In the same group are former Laboratory Equipment and Supplies Office Administrator Assoc. Prof. Rodolfo R. Rabor, who has taught for 43.5 years; former multi-term Faculty of Engineering Assistant Dean and 2019 Asian Scientist 100 member Assoc. Prof. Ricardo S. Balog and former Chemical Engineering Department Chair Assoc. Prof. Bernadette M. Duran, who have both served for 41 years, respectively.
Assoc. Prof. Balog delivered the response on behalf of the retirees and profusely expressed gratitude for the memorable experiences. He said, “Today, we begin a new — and hopefully — happy chapter of our lives. On behalf of my co-faculty retirees, I would like to thank the University of Santo Tomas for the trust it gave us, for those who journeyed with us: our students, colleagues, and superiors. Thank you to our respective families who motivated us to be better versions of ourselves, and to the Lord God Almighty. Thank you for this unending grace.”
The tribute video may be viewed through this link.
The full list of retirees for 2021 is as follows:
(Accountancy) Asst. Prof. Leoncia C. San Andres (18 years); (Arts and Letters) Asst. Prof. Virginia A. Sembrano (44 years); (Commerce and Business Administration) Asst. Prof. Robert U. Lao (13 years);
(Education) Prof. Imelda P. De Castro, Ph.D., (16 years), Asst. Prof. Rosario S. Cabusao (22 years)
Asst. Prof. Carminia C. Paulino (44 years); (Engineering) Assoc. Prof. Ricardo S. Balog (41 years),
Assoc. Prof. Bernadette M. Duran (41 years); (Fine Arts and Design) Asst. Prof. Rodolfo S. Olaso (37 years); (Medicine and Surgery) Dr. Leilani B. Mercado – Asis (29 years), Dr. Manuel Martin L. Barnes (34 years), Dr. Priscilla B. Caguioa (33 years), Dr. Marlyn T. Dee (33 years), Dr. Marissa D. Dizon (31 years), Dr. Alex A. Erasmo (32 years), Dr. Gil S. Gonzalez (33 years), Dr. Isaias A. Lanzona (30 years), Dr. George G. Lim (32 years), Dr. Wilhelmina A. Mercado (33 years), Dr. Hermogenes R. Regal, Jr. (27.5 years), Dr. Clara R. Rivera (35 years), and Dr. Ivan N. Villespin (29 years); (Nursing) Asst. Prof. Thelma S. Abelardo (27.5 years); (Pharmacy) Asst. Prof. Felicitas E. Ponciano (33 years), Assoc. Prof. Rodolfo R. Rabor (43.5 years); (Religion) Assoc. Prof. Celso M. Nierra (39 years); (Science) Asst. Prof. Josefino R. Castillo (19 years).
