On July 25, 2023, the University of Santo Tomas feted forty-three (43) teaching and non-teaching academic staff who either reached the mandatory retirement age of 65 years old or availed of optional retirement through a Testimonial. The event will start with a Eucharistic Celebration officiated by the Rev. fr. Pablo T. Tiong, O.P., Vice-Rector for Religious Affairs.
University officials led by the Rector, the Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Cheryl R. Peralta, DrPH, and academic unit heads joined the event to confer the recognitions upon this year’s retirees, namely:
Accountancy
Inst. Rosalina L. Erece, MS – 8 years of service
Asst. Prof. Shirley C. Ireneo, MA – 39.5 years of service
Architecture
Assoc. Prof. Leah P. dela Rosa, PhD – 28 years of service
Arts and Letters
Asst. Prof. Jocelyn A. Amongo, MEd – 26 years of service
Prof. Arlen A. Ancheta, PhD – 42.5 years of service
Asst. Prof. Zenaida L. de Luna, MEd – 25.5 years of service
Asst. Prof. Gonzalo R. Malihan, PhD – 16 years of service
Prof. Felicidad E. Pereña, EdD – 22 years of service
Asst. Prof. Josephine A. Placido, MA – 41.5 years of service
Civil Law
Prof. Philip A. Aguinaldo, Ll. B. – 40 years of service
Counseling and Career Center
Assoc. Counselor Monica Sophia D.L. Tuason, PhD – 20 years of service
Engineering
Assoc. Prof. Josefin S. de Alban, Jr., MS, Ll. B. – 44 years of service
Fine Arts and Design
Inst. Guia Concepcion A. Sarte – 6 years of service
Medicine and Surgery
Asst. Prof. German Jose T. Albano, MD – 28 years of service
Asst. Prof. Jolinda V. Almazan, MD – 30 years of service
Prof. Mary Jocylyn S. Bautista, MD – 32 years of service
Prof. Remedios D. Chan, MD – 36 years of service
Assoc. Prof. Nilo C. delos Santos, MD – 32 years of service
Assoc. Prof. Alejandro Bimbo F. Diaz, MD – 36 years of service
Prof. Maria Honolina S. Gomez, MD – 29.5 years of service
Assoc. Prof. Lerrie D. Gutierrez, MD – 26 years of service
Prof. Albert E. Ismael, MD – 30 years of service
Assoc. Prof. Iluminada M. Lerma, MD – 30.5 years of service
Prof. Norberto V. Martinez, MD – 34 years of service
Prof. Alejandro Jr. V. Pineda, MD – 32 years of service
Prof. Raymond L. Rosales, MD – 35 years of service
Assoc. Prof. Josefino I. Sanchez, MD – 30 years of service
Assoc. Prof. Marie Michelle Y. So, MD – 30 years of service
Prof. Anniela Y. Soliven, MD – 32.5 years of service
Assoc. Prof. Ma. Irene B. Tangco, MD – 30 years of service
Nursing
Assoc. Prof. Eden I. Beltran, MA – 34 years of service
Asst. Prof. Cecilia P. Buenaflor, MA – 34 years of service
Asst. Prof. Margaret M. Natividad, MA – 39 years of service
Pharmacy
Prof. Ma. Cristina C. Doria, PhD – 42 years of service
Asst. Prof. Andrea G. Vargas, MS – 30 years of service
Religion
Prof. Noel G. Asiones, PhD – 40 years of service
Asst. Prof. Jose Carlos, MA
Asst. Prof. Catalina M. Lituañas, MA – 40 years of service
Asst. Prof. Claudita O. Yaranon, MA – 36 years of service
Science
Asst. Prof. Catherine C. Carson, MS – 28.5 years of service
Assoc. Prof. Alicia Ely J. Pagulayan, MS – 39.5 years of service
Asst. Prof. Ma. Victoria B. Pangilinan, MS – 26.5 years of service
Asst. Prof. Marites D. Saludares, EdD – 34 years of service
Prof. Marie Antonette S. Vargas, PhD – 30 years of service
A life of great service
In his homily, fr. Tiong, on the occasion of the Feast of St. James the Apostle, thanked the retirees for their many years of service, “one of the central themes of the day’s Gospel.” “This [gratitude] is really something that comes from the heart of the University…because…you have graced the University by your presence, by your very person,” fr. Tiong said in his homily.
During the testimonial, Prof. Peralta lauded the retirees for molding their students’ character and empowering them to contribute positive changes in the world through education. “As you step into the next chapter of your lives in retirement, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of you for selflessly dedicating yourselves to molding young minds, motivating discouraged hearts, and uplifting dampened spirits that allowed Thomasian students, alumni, and university staff reach what they are today,” Peralta said.
In his message, fr. Ang stated that seasoned teachers have fulfilled their roles when students finally develop their own moral compass to guide them in life and extend their learnings beyond the classroom, as well as getting remembered for acknowledging and treating them well. “They will remember how well you treated them, how they felt valued and cared for, and how you recognized their unique gifts and talents,” fr. Ang said.
Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Josefin de Alban, Jr. delivered his acceptance speech on behalf of the retirees, emphasizing that the University they served for years will always be their home. “Retiring faculty members shall never leave UST. We shall never forget,” de Alban said. “UST is our home and we always wanted to be in this beloved Pontifical University whenever we are away from her,” he added.
