A team led by Biological Sciences Professor Cecilia I. Banag-Moran, Dr. rer. nat. developed digital and print learning materials for children, whose schools now adopt the tools. In an announcement by the NRCP, the funding agency announced that the Department of Education – Schools Division of Siargao approved the use of the materials to “strengthen literacy and promote environmental education for young learners.”

The materials include a printed workbook, the Siargao Flora & Fauna Puzzle mobile game, and twenty-one (21) animated videos focusing on what comprise Siargao’s famed biodiversity. The materials have a focus on mangrove research areas.

Banag-Moran’s team is composed of the following academic staff: Inst. Jorge Anton D. Ordas, MSc, Inst. Genea Nichole Cortez (content writer for the workbook), MSc, Asst. Prof. Mae Lowe L. Diesmos, MSc, Academician Mudjekeewis Santos, PhD (Graduate School), and Academician Arvin Diesmos, PhD.

The project was based on a 2019-2020 study entitled “Assessment, Inventory, and Biological Field Survey of Flora and Fauna of the Mangrove Forests in Del Carmen, Siargao Island.” The team worked closely with Del Carmen Mayor Hon. Alfredo Coro, Jr. and his team for the endeavor.

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Academic researchers Prof. Agnes Llamasares-Castillo, PhD, Prof. Ross D. Vasquez, PhD, Assoc. Prof. Oliver B. Villaflores, PhD, all from the Faculty of Pharmacy and the Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences, joined co-researchers from Singapore’s DELIGHTEX PTE LTD., namely Yutaka Kuroki, Aya Wada, Xinyi Zhu, and UST research assistants Kyle Andrei Cabatit, Jonah Joshua Garcia, and Janelan Martin.

The researchers were able to find thirty-nine plants with sleep-enhancing activities, such as Lactuca sativa, Nelumbo nucifera, and Ziziphus jujuba. The authors found that these plants “demonstrated consistent efficacy in improving sleep quality through interactions with the GABAergic system.” Though thirty-nine plants were identified in the reviewed studies, the researchers caution that “most studies are still preliminary, with the molecular mechanisms behind their sleep-enhancing effects remaining inconclusive.”

The researchers published on February 27, 2025 the review entitled “” in Phytomedicine Plus, indexed in Elsevier. The study is in line with phase 1 of the project funded by Singapore’s DELIGHTEX PTE LTD.

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The authors indicated that occupational therapy in the Philippine has usually revolved around the four previously mentioned areas. Using cases personally witnessed by the authors, the authors pointed out the “drivers that have influenced (and that continue to influence) the current state and future direction of occupational therapy practice in these practice areas.” The authors concluded with mitigation measures to address the threats.

Uy and Guerrero are among the early faculty members of the Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy program in UST, which first offered it in the late 1990s. Her research interests include occupational therapy education and older adult patients. Meanwhile, Espino is among the early graduates of UST’s BS OT program in 2003. She is also among the first graduates of the new research-focused Doctor of Philosophy in Health Research program of the UST Graduate School. Her area of expertise is on child well-being, screen time, and play.

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In a social media post, Manahan dedicated the award to his “family for their unwavering support and to my students, who inspire me to improve my teaching. Most importantly, I thank Almighty God, the source of all blessings. I offer back to you the gift you have given me.”

A seasoned medical technology educator, Manahan has served as Chair of the UST Faculty of Pharmacy’s Department of Medical Technology. Under his term, the Department secured its international certification from the ASEAN University Network Quality Assurance. When UST General Santos opened its BS Pharmacy and BS Medical Technology programs in 2024, Manahan was named the inaugural Director of the School of Health Sciences.

The PFPA Distinction Award was first conferred in 2005 to recognize “the outstanding achievements and contributions of Filipino professionals to their respective professions, either locally or abroad.” Manahan was endorsed by the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists, Inc. (PAMET).

Among Thomasian awardees in past conferment rites is Psychology Professor Marc Eric S. Reyes, PhD.

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Tarrayo, an academic researcher of the Research Center for Social Sciences and Education and an academic staff of the Faculty of Arts and Letters and the Graduate School, highlighted that challenges to intersectionality included resistance, institutional barriers, teacher preparation, and emotional labor. Tarrayo recommended addressing these to achieve the ultimate aim of equity and inclusion in language teacher education. The review covered identities pertaining to race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, linguistic, and professional and cultural. The new is found in the journal Language, Culture, and Curriculum.

Among Tarrayo’s related works are “Gendered Word (Or World): Sexism in Philippine Preschool English Language Textbooks” (Journal on English Language Teaching) and “Exploring the gender perspective in English language teaching (ELT): Voices from ELT practitioners in Philippine Higher Education Institutions” (with Rafaella Potestades and Mark Ulla, in the journal Sexuality & Culture).

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Africa will serve from January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2028. In a Facebook post, Africa stated that he is “excited to contribute to the program’s roadmap, responsive and relevant to the needs of the institutions I will be working with, all the other music institutions, and my beloved alma mater, UST Conservatory of Music.”

UST’s Conservatory of Music, which celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, is a recognized Center of Excellence by CHED. Under Africa’s leadership, the Conservatory was able to steer through the pandemic while also offering new programs and specializations, such as Music Technology. To date, the Conservatory community accumulates recognitions here and abroad.

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The study, entitled “Regional and institutional trends in assessment for academic promotion,” was co-authored by Prof. Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz, Dr. rer. nat., a full professor of the Department of Biological Sciences and Member of the country’s Teacher Education Council.

Surveying a total of 314 policies pertaining to full professorship, the study acknowledged the “assessment as research performance [as a] vital tool in upholding the highest standards of quality, with selection and competition believed to drive progress.” The study covered a total of 121 countries, with 32 from the Global North and 89 from the Global South. While there were marked differences between Global North and Global South, as well institutional and national policies, the study found that this diversity was less present across disciplines—despite the inherent uniqueness of each.

The provided strategic implications for researchers, research managers, and national governments.

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UST carries the Centers of Excellence badge for teacher education programs, as extended by the Teacher Education-Center of Excellence (TE-COE) on November 27, 2024. This latest rankings edition ranked the University at #2 among Philippine schools nationwide.

The University was required to publish at least 1,000 publications within the covered period, and the education studies field must contribute 100 publications. Relatedly, the University’s Medicine program also claimed its spot in the rankings in the medical and health category.

THE World University Rankings by Subject graded the schools’ performance in each field based on teaching (29.5%), research environment (29%), research quality (30%), international outlook (7.5%), and industry (4%).

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Beginning with a discussion of a continuum of QA system implementation, i.e. compliance (doing to follow), commitment (doing to cooperate), and culture (doing to contribute), Carillo presented her “Preparing for C.H.A.N.G.E.” Framework which builds on the following elements: 1) clarity of purpose; 2) habit formation; 3) agility; 4) nurturing environment; 5) governance support; and 6) ethics-based principles. 

Carillo was invited by the conference organizers to join the panel “Strategies for Future-Proofing Quality Culture in ASEAN Higher Education” along with Consulting Director Dr. Karen Treolar, Mahidol University’s Acting Vice-President for Quality Development and Social Engagement Assoc. Prof. Sompop Pathanturarug, and Institut Teknologi Bandung Rector Prof. Reini Wirahadikusumah.

Carillo, the immediate past Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, was instrumental in making quality assurance initiatives a common goal in UST. She led a university-wide push for units to subject themselves to external scrutiny by undergoing accreditation visits, eventually leading to the Institutional Accreditation of UST. She also initiated the AUN-QA assessment of academic programs and led the University-wide effort to secure an AUN-QA Institutional Assessment Certification in 2019. 

At present, Carillo serves as a  coach/trainer for the AUN-QA Tier 1 Training on assessment at programme level and as chief/lead assessor in assessments at programme level. She is also part of the Institutional Sustainability Assessment (ISA) team of the Commission on Higher Education.

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Within various technical panels are Thomasian academics and researchers, namely:

ACCOUNTANCY

1. Prof. Patricia M. Empleo, PhD

BIOLOGY, Molecular Biology, and Microbiology

1. Prof. Thomas Edison E. dela Cruz, Dr. rer. Nat.
2. Prof. Rey Donne S. Papa, PhD
3. Prof. John Donnie A. Ramos, PhD

CHEMISTRY

1. Academician Professor Emeritus Maribel G. Nonato, PhD
2. Assoc. Prof. Oliver B. Villaflores, PhD

FINE ARTS

1. Assoc. Prof. Eric B. Zerrudo, PhD

FOREIGN LANGUAGES

1. Prof. Marilu R. Madrunio, PhD (Chair)
2. Prof. Camilla D.J. Vizconde, PhD

GRADUATE TEACHER EDUCATION

1. Prof. Camilla D.J. Vizconde, PhD

LITERATURE

1. Prof. John Jack G. Wigley, PhD

MARINE SCIENCE

1. Prof. Mary Beth B. Maningas, PhD

MATHEMATICS

1. Prof. Ma. Carlota B. Decena, PhD

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

1. Prof. Ma. Freida Z. Hapan, PhD

MEDICINE

1. Prof. Ma. Minerva P. Calimag, MD, PhD

MUSIC

1. Assoc. Prof. Dolores T. Andres, PhD

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

1. Asst. Prof. Kathlene Anne V. Hernandez, MHPEd

OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING

1. Assoc. Prof. Ma. Ninia I. Calaca, MA, MAPhl
2. Prof. Belen L. Tangco, PhD

PHARMACY

1. Prof. Aleth Therese L. Dacanay, PhD (Chair)

PHILOSOPHY

1. Prof. Robert A. Montaña, PhD

PHYSICAL THERAPY

1. Prof. Cheryl R. Peralta, DrPH

PHYSICS

1. Assoc. Prof. Angelita Silverio, MS (ret.)

REAL ESTATE

1. Prof. Eduardo G. Ong, PhD

SOCIOLOGY

1. Prof. Clarence M. Batan, PhD
2. Asst. Prof. Louie Benedict R. Ignacio, PhD

SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY

1. Inst. Elinor Bautista
2. Asst. Prof. Judith S. Damian, MS (ret.)

The newly reconstituted technical panels will have a four-year term beginning on January 1, 2025 and ending on December 31, 2028.

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