Varsitarian

The Varsitarian

In its Constitution, The Varsitarian, the official student publication of the University of Santo Tomas, the Catholic University of the Philippines, commits itself to the “formation of the social, intellectual, spiritual, and artistic consciousness of the Thomasian studentry as well as the community at large by providing free rein to creative expressions that follow journalistic and aesthetic tenets and uphold universal human values.”

Founded in 1928 by students led by Jose Villa Panganiban, the first director of the National Language Institute, the Varsitarian became a fortnightly publication with a monthly magazine. The paper’s sections include news, opinion, sports, special reports, features, literary, Filipino, religion (“Witness”), science and technology, and lifestyle, culture and the arts (“Circle”).

The Varsitarian is among the co-founders of the College Editors’ Guild of the Philippines and was the only campus paper cited in the premiere edition of the Encyclopedia of the Arts of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

In 2000, the Varsitarian website was launched to reach out to alumni here and abroad, as well as to the general public. A digital-first strategy adopted in 2015 eased the pressure on the print edition, with most content uploaded first on the website, www.varsitarian.net, and distributed through the Varsitarian’s widely followed social media accounts.

The Varsitarian has become one of the country’s influential campus papers because of its news coverage and fiery opinion pieces. Aside from being a paper for the Thomasian community and a chronicler of campus events, it covers important national events and the Church. The late University historian, Fr. Fidel Villarroel, O.P., considers the Varsitarian, along with Unitas and Boletin Eclesiastico de Filipinas, one of the “Tria Haec” (“These Three”) of University publications, “contemporaneous to the theological virtues carved in stone” on top of the UST Main Building and “as healthy, vigorous and durable” as the earthquake-proof structure of Fr. Roque Ruaño, O.P.

Staff

JOSELITO B. ZULUETA
Publications Adviser

FELIPE F. SALVOSA, II
Assistant Publications Adviser

CHRISTIAN V. ESGUERRA
Assistant Publications Adviser

JOHN EZEKIEL J. HIRRO
Editor in Chief

KATRINA ISABEL C. GONZALES
Associate Editor

In the Beginning

It took more than three centuries since its foundation before UST came up with its own official school paper. It needed the resourcefulness and courage of Jose Villa Panganiban (who later became the head of the National Language Institute) and the other founding fathers before the wish of having “something to write on” was realized. Indeed, putting up a school paper then was next to the impossible – financially and administratively.

One day in September 1927, a group of young Thomasians under the leadership of Panganiban, gathered at the University restaurant. The group drafted a petition addressed to the Rector, Rev. Fr. Serapio Tamayo, O.P., calling for the establishment of an official student organ in UST. The idea, however, became an unhappy victim of the Filipino ningas cogon. Instead, the UST Literary Club was organized. It received official sanction from the Father Rector in December of the same year.

Despite the pessimism of everyone, of even some of the initiators themselves, about the feasibility of a student paper in the University, the club, under the presidency of Pablo Anido (a junior medical student), revived the original plan of putting up a college paper.

At the same time, Panganiban, who was then working as a hotcake cook in the University restaurant, wrote a letter to the Father Rector and presented his views about the matter: “There are 2,000 students in Santo Tomas. Let us admit that 1,000 of these are slackers, but we still have 1,000 students to help us in the undertaking. At [a] 50-centavo subscription from each of the latter, we can publish a college paper that will live until March 1928 at least. Besides, there is income from the advertisements, and this will help a great deal.”

Prof. John Jefferson Siler of the English department and one of the moderators of the Literary Club admitted that the suppositions of the hotcake man were really convincing. So after a series of correspondences and conferences with the Father Rector and University authorities, and with the support of Professor Siler, the Father Rector gave his approval.

Consequently, on the morning of January 16, 1928, the maiden issue of the Varsitarian came off the press. Anido became the first editor in chief of the Varsitarian, with Panganiban, the hotcake man and fondly dubbed the “Father of the Varsitarian,” as the associate editor, business manager and editor of the Alumni and Humor sections. Rev. Fr. Juan Labrador, O.P. (Dean of Liberal Arts) and Professor Siler became the first moderators.

Surviving turmoil

World War II

UST became an internment camp for about 3,000 to 4,000 civilians during the war, from January 1942 to February 1945. Consequently, the war interrupted the Varsitarian’s publication for three years.

Hundreds of internees inside UST celebrate their release in 1945.

The education building (currently the UST hospital building) during the World War II

Independence and literary writing

The ‘V’ marked the country’s independence from American rule on July 4, 1946 with a special issue.

The Varsitarian resumes publication in 1945 with an obvious preference for literary writing.

The monthly Varsitarian magazine became a total literary magazine when Francisco Sionil Jose, who later became National Artist for Literature, became editor in chief.

Upholding campus press freedom

Under Martial Law

The Varsitarian kept the fire burning and urged Thomasians to resist the Marcos regime. The Varsitarian continued publication during the Martial Law even when most national newspapers were shut down. UST officials cautioned the official student publication against publishing anti-Marcos sentiments, but the V continued to urge Thomasians to resist the repression of the Marcos dictatorship.

Snap Elections

The Varsitarian volunteered to be part of the National Citizen’s Movement for Free Elections (Namfrel) to guard against fraud during the snap elections of 1986.

People Power

The Varsitarian recorded history during the Edsa People Power revolution in 1986, which saw the collapse of dictatorship and the restoration of democracy.

ROTC Abolition

A V special report in 2001, titled “Struggle against the System,” exposed corruption in the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program and led to the killing of Mark Welson Chua, an engineering student and an ROTC cadet. Chua was the source of the V’s investigative report. His death resulted in the abolition of mandatory ROTC in the college level.

Papal Visits

The Varsitarian has chronicled four papal visits: the first by the Blessed Paul VI in 1970, the second and third by Saint John Paul II in 1981 and 1995, and the latest by Pope Francis in 2015.

The Varsitarian released a special issue on John Paul II’s visit in 1981, which saw the first beatification rites (of Lorenzo Ruiz) outside the Vatican.

In 1995, another special issue was published for the John Paul II’s visit and the country’s hosting of World Youth Day. The V called the Holy Father’s visit the “most unforgettable 11 days in the history of UST.”

Ten years later, upon the death of John Paul II, the V paid tribute to the saint-pope’s legacy of faithfulness and service to the Church.

For Pope Francis’ visit, the Varsitarian released a special issue titled “Learn how to Love: Francis in UST, The Fourth Papal Visit,” recounting the Holy Father’s memorable encounters with Thomasians.

Notable ‘V’ Alumni
Legends of the arts and letters

Paz M. Latorena

F. Sionil Jose

Adoracion Trinidad-Gamalinda

Ophelia Alcantara-Dimalanta

Paz M. Latorena

Known as a contemporary storyteller and a literary giant to generations of Filipino English writers, Paz Latorena joined the Varsitarian and became literary editor in the 1930s after transferring to UST from the University of the Philippines-Manila to pursue her education degree. Latorena became a professor in the former Faculty of Philosophy and Letters where she became a mentor to other ‘V’ alumni and titans in Philippine letters such as F. Sionil Jose, Ophelia Dimalanta and Alice Colet-Villadolid.

F. Sionil Jose

Former ‘V’ editor and National Artist for Literature, F. Sionil Jose, is the country’s best bet for the Nobel Prize. Jose is known for his Rosales Saga, a series of novels on the Philippines’s history from the colonial period to the onset of Martial Law. The novel is rivaled only by Jose Rizal’s literary works, according to Time magazine.

Adoracion Trinidad-Gamalinda

Adoracion “Doris” Trinidad-Gamalinda was Varsitarian literary editor and wrote for the Manila Times before it closed during Martial Law. She eventually became associate editor of Focus Magazine. Gamalinda also became the publications head of the National Media Production Center, an editor of the People’s Magazine and Woman’s Home Companion Magazine. Her son, Eric Gamalinda, became ‘V’ literary editor.

Ophelia Alcantara-Dimalanta

Lady Polyester and Love Woman were titles ascribed to Ophelia Dimalanta by her students. She was literary editor of the Varsitarian who became the the University’s beacon of literary excellence. Dimalanta founded the UST Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies.

Cirilo Bautista

Bienvenido Lumbera

Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo

Jeremias Elizalde Navarro

Rogelio Sikat

Cirilo Bautista

Cirilo Bautista, a poet laureate and National Artist for Literature was a ‘V’ literary editor. He has won multiple accolades in the Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for poetry, fiction and essays in Filipino and English. Bautista was also the only Filipino to receive an honorary degree from the University of Iowa.

Bienvenido Lumbera

A poet, master critic, librettist and literary talisman of sorts, Bienvenido Lumbera was hailed as National Artist for Literature in 2006. Lumbera was a literary editor of the ‘V’ and graduated cum laude from UST’s journalism program. He received his M.A. from the same University and obtained his Ph.D. in comparative literature from Indiana University. He is Professor Emeritus at the University of the Philippines College of Liberal Arts.

Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo

Cristina Hidalgo, who was editor in chief from 1964 to 1965, is one of the country’s foremost writers of fiction and creative non-fiction. A scholar and critic, she is the director of the UST Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies and a Professor Emeritus of the University of the Philippines, where she served as vice president for public affairs and director of the UP Press.

Jeremias Elizalde Navarro

Visual artist and art critic Jeremias Elizalde Navarro once graced the Varsitarian’s staff box when he became the publication’s art editor. Navarro was hailed National Artist for the Visual Arts in 1999. Navarro was a sculptor and painter.

Rogelio Sikat

Rogelio Sikat was a novelist, playwright and author of the renowned and award-winning short story, “Impeng Negro,” which had a film adaptation. He was ‘V’ literary editor and was one of the pioneers of modern Filipino literature.

Notable Alumni

Gloria Garchitorena-Goloy

Jose Burgos, Jr

Vicente J.A. Rosales, Sr.

Francisco Tatad

Gloria Garchitorena-Goloy

Gloria Goloy became literary editor and associate editor of the ‘V’. She took up journalism and graduated cum laude in 1950. Goloy went on to make a name for herself in journalism, including in sports coverage. She worked for different publications including Philcross Magazine, Manila Times Annual Yearbook, Weekly Women’s Magazine, Sunday Times Magazine, The Manila Times, and Express Sports Magazine. Her literary works were published in some of the country’s most influential magazines, such as the Philippine Free Press

Jose Burgos, Jr

Press freedom icon Jose “Joe” Burgos, Jr., joined the Varsitarian in the mid-1960s. He was a stalwart of the “mosquito press” that exposed controversies about the Marcos dictatorship during Martial Law. Burgos put up the broadsheet Malaya. He was tagged by the International Press Institute as one of the world’s “Press Freedom Heroes of the Century” in 2000.

Vicente J.A. Rosales, Sr.

Vicente Rosales Sr. served as ‘V’ editor in chief in 1952, 1953 and 1954 to 1955 and senior associate editor in 1953 to 1954 and 1955 to 1956. He topped the medical board exams in 1956 and headed the Philippine Medical Association. He also became publications adviser. He passed away at the age of 80 on June 18, 2012. His son, Vicente “Bambi” Rosales, Jr., also became editor in chief of the ‘V’.

Francisco Tatad

Francisco “Kit” Tatad, literary editor in 1960, became a journalist for Agence France-Presse, Manila Bulletin and several other agencies before entering politics. He was appointed by former president Ferdinand Marcos as Minister of Public Information. Tatad served as senator from 1997 to 2001.

Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P.

Arsenio H. Lacson

Emmanuel Pelaez

Artemio Casas

Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P.

‘Quadricentennial Rector’ Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P. was the V’s witness editor in the late 1970s. He first served as University rector for two terms, from 1990 to 1998. He was appointed chairman of the Commission on Higher Education in 2004. De la Rosa was re-elected to another term as UST Rector, from 2008 to 2012, leading the University on its 400^th year.

Arsenio H. Lacson

Arsenio Lacson, UST law alumnus and former Varsitarian staffer, was believed to be the best president the country never had aside from Benigno Aquino Jr. Lacson was a journalist before shifting to a political career. He was a congressman under the Nacionalista Party and served as Manila mayor from 1952 to 1962.

Emmanuel Pelaez

Emmanuel Pelaez, Vice President of the Philippines from 1961 to 1965, was a staffer of the ‘V’. He was appointed Philippine ambassador to the United States in 1986 by President Corazon Aquino. Pelaez topped the bar examinations in 1938 and became a legislator. He died in 2003.

Artemio Casas

Artemio Casas was appointed the first bishop of Imus, Cavite in 1961. He studied at the UST Central Seminary and San Juan de Letran College. In 1968, he became auxiliary bishop of Manila. He became archbishop of Jaro in 1974 and served until 1989.

Editors in Chief

Pablo T. Anido
January – March 1928

Jose Villa Panganiban
1928 – 1930

Ricardo C. Dulay
1930 – 19318

Efren C. Peña
1931 – 1932

Virgilio Floresca
April – June 1932

Rafael David Jr.
July 1932 – 1934

Virgilio Pobre-Yñigo 1934 – 1935

Teodoro F. Valencia 1935 – 1936

Pedro A. Revilla 1936 – 1937

Rufino R. Pascual June – October 1937

Juan T. Ataviado
November 1937 – June 1938 (Board of Editors)

Zacarias P. Nuguid, Jr. November 1937 – June 1938 (Board of Editors)

Jose L. Guevara November 1937 – June 1938 (Board of Editors)

Dion Castillo-Yñigo
December 1938 – June 1939

Andres E. Francia
1939 – 1940

Bonifacio B. Bondoc
1940 – 1941

Miguel V. Casals
April – May 1941

Francisco de Leon
June – December 1941 (Board of Editors)

Manuel Salak Jr.
June – December 1941 (Board of Editors); 1947

Antonio M. Molina
June – December 1945

Eleno Mencias
December 1945 – 1946

Santiago Artiaga Jr.
1946 – 1947

Francisco Sionil Jose
1948 – 1949

Constante C. Roldan
1949 – 1950

Gloria C. Garchitorena
April – May 1950 (Board of Editors)

Eric C. Giron
April – May 1950 (Board of Editors)

Antonio R. Infante
April – May 1950 (Board of Editors)

Ramon J. Lopez
1951 – 1952

Vicente J.A. Rosales, Sr.
1952 – 1953; 1954 – 1955

Benjamin E. Agarao
1953 – 1954

Julio S. Macaranas
1955 – 1957

Bienvenido M. Cube
1957 – 1958

Herminigildo A. Azarcon
1958 – 1960

Jose T. Flores
1960 – 1962

Virginia Jean M. Pope
1962 – 1964

Ma. Cristina L. Pantoja
1964 – 1965

Aurelio G. Pangilinan
June – December 1965

Bernardo C. Bernardo
1966 – 1967

Alfredo Marquez
1967 – 1968

Hernando A. Masangkay
1968 – 1969

Hernando V. Gonzales II
1969 – 1970

Rosalinda M. de Leon
June – December 1970

Josefina D. Dawatis December 1970 – July 1971 (Board of Editors)

Carolina A. Nuñez
December 1970 – July 1971 (Board of Editors); July – October 1971; December 1971 – 1972

Ricardo R. Santi
December 1970 – July 1971 (Board of Editors); October – December 1971 (Board of Editors)

Socorro E. Fuentecilla
1971 (Board of Editors)

Concepcion M. Alano
1971 (Board of Editors)

Ma. Corazon S. Evangelista 1972 – 1973

Gloria S. Castro
1974 – 1975

Regina B. Jimenez
1975 – 1976

Jesselynn Garcia
1976 – 1977

Oscar F. Picazo
1977 – 1978

Maria Angelica S. Bautista
1978 – 1979

Eugenio Jose F. Ramos
1979 – 1980

Saturnino P. Javier
1980 – July 1981

Benjamin G. Co
August 1981 – 1982 (Board of Editors)

Vicente G. Rosales, Jr.
August 1981 – 1982 (Board of Editors

Anniela R. Yu
August 1981 – 1982 (Board of Editors)

Maria Regina S. Bautista
1984 – 1985

Julius Caesar J. Dalupang
1985 – 1986

Noel Martin S. Bautista
1986 – 1987

Victor Emmanuel “Vim” Carmelo Nadera, Jr.
1987 – 1988

Robin S. Sarlabus
1988 – 1989

Andres B. Saracho
May 1989

Lea Marie C. Yap
1989 – 1990

Caesar R. Certeza
1990 – 1991

Ulpiano B. Dulguime
1991 – 1992

Karina D. Torralba
1992 – 1995

Don Robespierre C. Reyes 1995 – 1997 (Board of Editors)

Elizabeth B. Mapula
1996 – 1997 (Board of Editors)

Joseph Arisreed A. Marquez
1996 – 1997 (Board of Editors)

Henry Barrameda
April – May 1997, 1997 – 1998 (Board of Editors)

Christian V. Esguerra
1998 – 2000

Felipe F. Salvosa II
2000 – 2001

Reyann V. Kong
2001 – 2002

Marlon M. Castor
2002 – 2003

John Ferdinand T. Buen (Editorial Board)
2003 – 2004

Joanne G. Fernardo (Editorial Board)
2003 – 2004

Dexter R. Matilla (Editorial Board)
2003 to 2004

Eldric Paul A. Peredo
2004 – 2006

Nicolo F. Bernardo
2006 – 2007

Andrew Isiah P. Bonifacio
2007 – 2008 (Executive Editor)

Anthony Andrew G. Divinagracia
2007 – 2008; 2008

Emil Karlo A. Dela Cruz
2009 – 2010

Cliff Harvey C. Venzon
2010 – 2011

Alexis Ailex C. Villamor, Jr. 2011 – 2012

Rafael L. Antonio
2012 – 2013

Lorenzo Luigi T. Gayya
2013 – 2014

Ralph Joshua D.R. Hernandez
2014 – 2015 (Editorial Board); May 2015

Gracelyn A. Simon
2014 – 2015 (Editorial Board)

Sarah Mae Jenna A. Ramos
2014 – 2015 (Editorial Board)

Lord Bien G. Lelay
2015 – 2016

Kathryn V. Baylon
2016 – 2017

Amierielle Anne A. Bulan
2017 – 2018

Christian Delano M. Deiparine
2018 – 2019

Eugene Dominic V. Aboy
2019-2020

John Ezekiel J. Hirro
2020-2021

Supplements and Special Issues

V’s first Lampoon issue: Pancitarian

The Varsitarian released its first lampoon issue, “The Pancitarian” in March 1928 with Arca la Monta as the cartoonist. It was the predecessor of the more popular “Vuisitarian,” which began in 1970.

The Vuisitarian

The UST administration, headed by Rector Fr. Leonardo Z. Legaspi, was not pleased after the Varsitarian published its controversial lampoon issue, The Vuisitarian. It was released on Oct. 14, 1970. Twenty-one staffers were expelled from UST, and an internal problem became a national issue. Only six staffers were able to return

327th UST Day Number: First magazine (1938)

In celebration of the 328th UST Day, the Varsitarian released its first magazine on Nov. 10 1938.

UST toward its fifth century

The Varsitarian showcased the year-long festivities during UST’s Quadricentennial year and entry into its fifth new century by releasing the Quadricentennial and Neo-centennial supplement magazines.

Montage, the V’s literary magazine

Known as a training ground for literary legends, the Varsitarian has been releasing literary supplement magazines regularly. It was renamed ‘Montage’ in honor of poetess Ophelia Dimalanta in 1998.

Breaktime

The Varsitarian’s feature magazine showcased inspiring stories of well-known Thomasian personalities in television, film, music, business, art, architecture and other fields.

Tomasino Magazine

The Varsitarian released its profile magazine, “Tomasino Magazine” in 2010. It highlighted thriving Thomasians during their years in the University such as Cannes Film Best Director Brillante Mendoza, Television Host Alejandro “Kuya Kim” Atienza and Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, among others.

Sports Supplements

With UST as the home of budding sports stars, The Varsitarian has produced special issues highlighting the University’s notable sports personalities and champion teams.

Heaven’s Kitchen

In 2002, The Varsitarian released a book of prayer reflections, “Heaven’s Kitchen,” to help strengthen the faith of Thomasian readers.

Botomasino: covering the UST student elections

The Varsitarian aids Thomasians in voting wisely for student council bets in the UST Central Student Council through its special supplement “Botomasino.”

Extra-Editorial Activities

Creative Writing Workshop

The Varsitarian’s Creative Writing Workshop is an annual seminar-fellowship conducted by some of the country’s leading litarary figures before a pool of Thomasian student-writers. The former Fiction Writing Workshop started in 2004. The new name was adopted in 2013. The three-day workshop involves extensive discussions on the writers’ pieces from Fiction, Katha, Poetry, and Tula categories

UST National Campus Journalism Awards

The Varsitarian launched the first UST journalism awards in 2015 for campus publications in the Philippines to give recognition to student journalists who have written exemplary works in the feature writing, in-depth news, and editorial categories.

Inkblots

As part of its outreach, the Varsitarian holds Inkblots, the UST national campus journalism fellowship, annually. The three-day seminar workshop on the basics of journalism began in 1999 under the Varsitarian editor in chief, Christian Esguerra.

Gawad Ustetika

The roots of the UST’s most prestigious literary derby, Ustetika, can be traced back to 1946 when the Varsitarian first organized a literary contest as a Christmas offering to the Thomasian community. Seeking to revive the Varsitarian’s defunct literary tilt, editor in chief Victor Emmanuel Carmelo Nadera, Jr. founded Gawad Ustetika (combination of words “UST” and “aesthetics”) in 1985. Since then, the Ustetika became the breeding grounds of versatile Thomasian writers who would later become big names in the country’s literary scene.

Rector’s Literary Award

The Rector’s Literary Award is bestowed by the Rector Magnificus himself to Gawad Ustetika winning writers whose works best exemplify Christian values. Award-winning playwright Rodolfo “Jun” Lana Jr. was the first to win this said award in 1991.

Parangal Hagbong

Launched in 1997 during the 13th Ustetika, the first Parangal Hagbong feted two great Thomasian writers and former Varsitarian staff members, Roland Tinio and Rogelio Sikat. The event later became a fixture in the annual Ustetika. It has since been awarded to Cirilo Bautista, Bella Abangan, Nick Joaquin, F. Sionil Jose, and Bienvenido Lumbera. The name of the award was based on the Tagalog term Hagbong, a crown of leaves given to those who excelled in the arts and letters. It was founded by Ro-Charmaine Pidal, news editor and chairperson of the 13th Ustetika.

Pautakan

Pautakan is the annual UST intercollegiate quiz contest. Founded in 1977 under editor in chief Jesselyn Garcia-de la Cruz, the intercollegiate competition pits the faculties and colleges of UST against each other in a day-long battle of the brains. The contest was officially renamed “Pautakan” in 1982.

Limelight

First Varsitarian comic strip

Josefino Dacanay drew the first Varsitarian comic strip in the second issue on Feb 1, 1928. It was a four-frame illustration depicting campus life, titled “Who said we don’t have UST spirit? Or a story without words?”

The Limelight Section

In 1948, art director and National Artist for Visual Arts Jeremias Elizalde Navarro introduced “Varsitilaffs,” predecessor of the present-day Limelight section. It was a one-box illustration with a catchy caption ridiculing University life.

In 1954, the “V” staffers published caricatures of staffers in the annual Christmas edition, a tradition that has remained today.

Tomas U. Santos

In more than nine decades of campus life, Tomas U. Santos has stood the test of time and continues to bring laughter to every reader. Tomas U. Santos is a happy-go-lucky architecture student juggling his school and social life. This 27-year-old character was introduced in 1986 by Michael Marbella. He portrays the daily life of an ordinary Thomasian.

V’s online presence

While the “V” keeps its traditional masthead in the website, it used a more modern font for its social media pages in its 2016 rebranding.

The ‘V’ has extended its reach to more than 150,000 Facebook followers and 85,000 Twitter followers.

In 2016, the ‘V’ website was rebranded and now features a user-friendly and aesthetically engaging interface. The rebranded website was launched in 2016 during the 18th Inkblots.

Facebook’s development has also maximized the Varsitarian’s multimedia coverage through Facebook live, and periodically uploaded content such as the weekly news segment titled News Wrap and informative short videos featuring the history of the UST Museum, among others.

Both Facebook and Twitter pages carry weekly creative material such as TomaSalitaan, which features definitions of Filipino words and TomaSining, which fetes pieces of former Gawad Ustetika nominees paired with artwork from the Varsitarian’s art team.

Awards

Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA)

41st CMMA (2019) – Best School Organ – College Level
38th CMMA (2016) – Best School Organ – College Level
37th CMMA Special Citation (2015) – Pope Francis’ Apostolic and State Visit Magazine and Coverage
1st Student CMMA (2001) – Best Student Photojournalist

Catholic Social Media Awards

2017 Finalist, Best Twitter Account
2016 Best Twitter Account

UST Student Awards

Benavides Outstanding Achievement Award (2019)
St. Dominic de Guzman Award for Outstanding Teamwork (2018)
Benavides Outstanding Achievement Award (2018)
Benavides Outstanding Achievement Award (2016)
Benavides Outstanding Achievement Award (2012)
St. Dominic de Guzman Award for Outstanding Teamwork (2011)
St. Dominic de Guzman Award for Outstanding Teamwork (2007)
St. Dominic de Guzman Award for Outstanding Teamwork (2006)
St. Dominic de Guzman Award for Outstanding Teamwork (2004)
St. Dominic de Guzman Award for Outstanding Teamwork (2003)
Pope Leo XIII Communitarian Award (2001)
Pope Leo XIII Communitarian Award (2000)
Pope Leo XIII Communitarian Award (1995)
Pope Leo XIII Communitarian Award (1984)
Pope Leo XIII Communitarian Award (1979)
Certificate of Appreciation from the Office of Student Affairs (1979)
Certificate of Appreciation from UST (1979)

Manila Times Campus Press Awards

2019

Best Editorial: Award to ‘Mocha’ a libel on UST
Best News Story: Deliver us from evil — within: Philippine bishops to update guidelines on protection of minors
Best Column by a College Student: CSC, Pope Francis abetting divorce in the Philippines
Best College News Website

Philippine Student Quill Awards (International Association of Business Communicators – Philippines)

2018

Award of Excellence: The Varsitarian – Editorial: Award to ‘Mocha,’ libel on UST
Award of Excellence: The 4th UST National Campus Journalism Awards
Award of Excellence: The Varsitarian – Remembering Horacio Interactive Website
Award of Merit: The Varsitarian – V Exclusives
Award of Merit: The Varsitarian – Editorial: Murder of PH languages, identity
Award of Merit: The Varsitarian News Wrap
Award of Merit: The Varsitarian – The Official Student Publication of the University of Santo Tomas
Award of Merit: The 14th Creative Writing Workshop
Award of Merit: The Varsitarian – BOTOmasino Supplement

2017

Award of Excellence: The Varsitarian Short Videos
Award of Excellence: The Varsitarian Publicity Materials
Award of Excellence: 19th Inkblots: The Campus Press in Times of Conflict
Award of Excellence: The Varsitarian – Editorial: Hazing Tragedy-Culture of Death is alive and well in and out of UST
Award of Excellence: The Varsitarian – Botomasino 2017: Special Coverage of UST Student Elections
Award of Excellence: The Varsitarian – Court upholds graft raps vs CHEd chief
Award of Merit: The Varsitarian Sports Infographics
Award of Merit: The Varsitarian Interactive Website
Award of Merit: The Varsitarian V Exclusives
Award of Merit: The Varsitarian Week-in-photos
Award of Merit: The Varsitarian – 2017 Botomasino Special Supplement
Award of Merit: The Varsitarian – Dedicated crisis management office needed, says emergency official

2016

Award of Excellence: The Varsitarian: The Official Student Publication of the University of Santo Tomas
Award of Excellence: The Varsitarian – Website
Award of Excellence: The Varsitarian – Jubilee 800 Supplement
Award of Excellence: The Varsitarian – “Supreme Court, Supreme Hokum”
Award of Excellence: Botomasino: A Special Coverage of the UST Student Council Elections
Award of Excellence: The Varsitarian – Botomasino Special Supplement
Award of Excellence: The Varsitarian – Short Videos
Award of Excellence: “Thou Shalt not Kill”: An Editorial
Award of Excellence: Inkblots 2016 – Campus Press as Engine of Democracy
Award of Merit: The Varsitarian Facebook Page
Award of Merit: The Varsitarian – News Wrap

2015

Award of Excellence: The Varsitarian: The Official Student Publication of the University of Santo Tomas
Award of Excellence: The Varsitarian – Botomasino Special Supplement
Award of Excellence: 16th Inkblots – The UST Annual Nat’l Campus Journalism Fellowship
Award of Excellence: The Varsitarian – Papal Visit Infographics
Award of Excellence: The Varsitarian – Special Supplement for Papal Visit
Award of Excellence: The Varsitarian – Botomasino Special Coverage of the UST Student Council Elections
Award of Merit: The Varsitarian- Papal Visit
Award of Merit: “Aquino’s Last SONA: Presidential, Philistine, Bitter”

2014

Award of Excellence: The Varsitarian: The Official Student Publication of the University of Santo Tomas
Award of Merit: UAAP Season 77 Infographics
Award of Merit: “Typhoon Glenda Devastates UST Campus”
Award of Merit: “Mindanao Campus to Rise Soon”

Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (Umpil Awards)

2011 Gawad Pedro Bucaneg

PressPlay Awards

2018

Best in Photojournalism
Best in Campus Journalism Innovation
Best News Stories

Other awards and citations

Truth Awards: The Fund for Investigative Journalism (2001)
Plaque of Excellence, 3rd Runner-Up for Best Alternative Campus Newspaper 1987-1988 (College Editor’s Guild of the Philippines)
3rd Runner-Up, Cultural Page Writing (National Commission for Culture and the Arts, 2009)
Citation, National Movement for Free Elections (2001)

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Categories

The Varsitarian

The Varsitarian

Staff

In the Beginning

Surviving turmoil

World War II

Independence and literary writing

Upholding campus press freedom

Under Martial Law

Snap Elections

People Power

ROTC Abolition

Papal Visits

Notable ‘V’ Alumni Legends of the arts and letters

Paz M. Latorena

F. Sionil Jose

Adoracion Trinidad-Gamalinda

Ophelia Alcantara-Dimalanta

Paz M. Latorena

F. Sionil Jose

Adoracion Trinidad-Gamalinda

Ophelia Alcantara-Dimalanta

Cirilo Bautista

Bienvenido Lumbera

Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo

Jeremias Elizalde Navarro

Rogelio Sikat

Cirilo Bautista

Bienvenido Lumbera

Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo

Jeremias Elizalde Navarro

Rogelio Sikat

Notable Alumni

Gloria Garchitorena-Goloy

Jose Burgos, Jr

Vicente J.A. Rosales, Sr.

Francisco Tatad

Gloria Garchitorena-Goloy

Jose Burgos, Jr

Vicente J.A. Rosales, Sr.

Francisco Tatad

Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P.

Arsenio H. Lacson

Emmanuel Pelaez

Artemio Casas

Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P.

Arsenio H. Lacson

Emmanuel Pelaez

Artemio Casas

Editors in Chief

Supplements and Special Issues

Extra-Editorial Activities

Limelight

First Varsitarian comic strip

The Limelight Section

Tomas U. Santos

V’s online presence

Awards

Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA)

Catholic Social Media Awards

UST Student Awards

Manila Times Campus Press Awards

Philippine Student Quill Awards (International Association of Business Communicators – Philippines)

Unyon ng mga Manunulat sa Pilipinas (Umpil Awards)

PressPlay Awards

Other awards and citations

Contact Information

Office Address

Telephone Numbers

Online

Office Address

Telephone Numbers

Online

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Notable ‘V’ Alumni
Legends of the arts and letters