The distinguished guest of honor was the Hon. Ma. Esperanza Christina Garcia Frasco, the Secretary of the Department of Tourism, accompanied by key officials from the DOT: USEc. Maria Rica C. Bueno, Undersecretary for Tourism Standards, Regulations, and Human Capital Development; ASec. Judilyn S. Quiachon, Assistant Secretary for Tourism Regulation, Coordination, and Convergence; ASec. Sharlene Zabala-Batin, Assistant Secretary for Tourism Digitalization and Resource Generation and the Regional Director of DOT National Capital Region; ASec. Ronald P. Conopio, Assistant Secretary for Protocol and Engagement; and Atty. Glenn Albert M. Ocampo, Director of the Office of Special Concerns.

The forum emphasized the critical role of women within the tourism sector, celebrating their contributions and achievements. Among the notable female speakers were Ms. Kach Medina Umandap, recognized as the first and youngest Filipina traveler to visit 195 United Nations countries with a Philippine passport; Ms. Kimberly Dionisio, First Officer for Airbus 320 at PAL Express; Ms. Mary Ann Ong, a consultant for Bridges Travel; and Ms. Anna Marie Almazan, Senior Sales Manager at The Bellevue Hotels and Resorts, Bohol.

Students and academic staff from the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management attended this forum, gaining insights into career opportunities, challenges, and advancements pertaining to gender diversity in the tourism industry.

The participation and co-sponsorship of the University aligned with Sustainable Development Goals No. 4 (Quality Education), 5 (Gender Equality), 8 (Descent Work and Economic Growth), 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), 10 (reduced Inequalities), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and 17 (Partnership with the Goals).

Secretary Frasco and her team received a warm welcome from the 九色 administrators and officials, including Rev. Fr. Louie R. Coronel, O.P., EHL, Secretary-General of the Office of the Secretary-General; Ms. Michaella O. Lagniton, MA, Director of the Office of Public Affairs; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atty. Gezzez Giezi G. Granado, Dean of the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management; Rev. Fr. Dr. Ferdinand L. Bautista, O.P., Regent; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Evangeline E. Timbang, Assistant Dean; Asst. Prof. Maria Margarita P. Cruz-Ireneo, College Secretary; Asst. Prof. Christine Concepcion C. Fajardo, Chairperson of the Department of Tourism Management; and Dr. Fhamela F. Sarmiento, Chairperson of the Department of Hospitality Management.

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The research entitled 鈥淪ustainable 九色-based Tourism Potential and Development of Barangay San Miguel, Echague, Isabela鈥� assessed the potential of Barangay San Miguel in Echague, Isabela for sustainable community-based tourism in the post-COVID-19 era. It examined the barangay鈥檚 current tourism development, identified challenges and opportunities, and gathered stakeholder perspectives on sustainability in tourism. The study recommends a Sustainable Tourism and Strategic Development Plan, integrating community contributions to economic, socio-cultural, environmental, and political priorities. This plan aims to guide future tourism development and ensure sustainability in Barangay San Miguel鈥檚 tourism industry.

The project is part of the first batch of the NRCP Policy-funded Research in 2021. #TeamKomunidad is headed by Asst. Prof. Jame Monren T. Mercado with its members, Asst. Prof. Dr. Avi Ben P. Andalecio, Dr. Fhamela F. Sarmiento, Asst. Prof. Maria Concepcion A. Ang, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Evangeline E. Timbang, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Atty. Gezzez Giezi G. Granado. The project is in partnership with the House of Representatives Office of Hon. Faustino 鈥淚nno鈥� A. Dy V of the 6th District of Isabela and the Municipal Government of Echague, Isabela.

The participation of the project team aligned with the SDGs 4 (Quality Education), 5 (Gender Equality), 8 (Descent Work and Economic Growth), 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), 10 (Reduced Inequalities), 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), 13 (Climate Action), 14 (Life Below Water), 15 (Life on Land), 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

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Agriculture in the Philippines and neighboring ASEAN countries faces a critical challenge: the annual decline in farm labor availability, estimated at 1.5%. Younger generations are increasingly uninterested in farming, leaving an aging workforce with an average age of 55 to 60 years. This trend could affect our food sustainability within the next 5 to 10 years.

Addressing this pressing issue, AGROTIS transforms conventional hand tractors into fully autonomous machines. The system uses a GPS module for precision navigation and a compass module to determine the robot鈥檚 orientation. With this technology, farmers can control multiple hand tractors simultaneously, increasing efficiency and reducing manual labor. Safety is also prioritized with an emergency shutoff feature installed in the system.

Funded by the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), the AGROTIS system was developed in collaboration with the Philippine Rice Research Institute (PhilRice), the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), and UST鈥檚 own technology business incubator, the TOMASInno Center (TIC). Its modular design can be extended to other machinery like rice harvesters and transplanters. Tested by Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center (AMTEC), AGROTIS has demonstrated 80% field efficiency and 20 hours-per-hectare field capacity compared to traditional methods, significantly enhancing productivity.

The team plans to deploy AGROTIS through rental models for rice cooperatives and direct sales to farmers, while also seeking collaborations with international tractor manufacturers. With a vision to expand into ASEAN markets, the system is a step toward modernizing agriculture and ensuring food sustainability.

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The student group, together with CTHM academic staff Mr. Wyett White T. Lee and Ms. Katherine Camille Nagal, together with the Hospitality Management Department Chairperson, Dr. Fhamela F. Sarmiento and CTHM Dean, Atty. Gezzez Giezi G. Granado, arrived in Hong Kong with their first stop at the Philippine Consulate where they met with Consul General Atty. Germinia V. Aguilar-Usudan, a Thomasian alumna, as well as two other CTHM graduates currently employed at the consulate.

As part of the students鈥� internship experience, they were introduced to Ritz-Carlton’s renowned service culture having the chance to work in different departments and experience management styles from diverse supervisors and managers.

As the biggest delegation of interns leaving the University for international internship since the pandemic, the partnership between CTHM and The Ritz-Carlton is a promising endeavor for future Thomasian Tourism and Hospitality Professionals.

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Bennett delivered a lecture entitled 鈥淥omycetes in Philippine freshwater ecosystems鈥�, highlighting current research developments in taxonomy and potential utilization of oomycetes (aquatic fungi) for aquaculture as natural food source due to its potential for mass propagation and fatty acid content. Meanwhile, Papa updated the audience on 鈥淢ethane Dynamics and Limnological Monitoring in Tropical East Asia: The Case of Lake Yambo鈥�, which emphasized on the importance of routine limnological monitoring for water quality and methane concentrations in tropical lakes such as Lake Yambo as these are closely linked to eutrophication, especially in tropical lake ecosystems, especially those heavily utilized for aquaculture.

Papa and Bennett joined speakers from Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Turkiye, and Vietnam in giving lectures on the ecology and life history of economically important aquatic organisms, aquaculture, and fisheries, including topics on conservation, management, climate change adaptation and sustainability.

Chonnam National University holds the distinction of having the first and oldest fisheries and marine educational institution in South Korea and is known for receiving the most research funding among Korean universities.

Its College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences maintains two research vessels, including the 96.45m ship Sae Dong Baek which was launched in 2019. Symposium speakers were given the opportunity to visit and inspect the research facilities of their two research vessels, which routinely conducts research cruises around the Korean peninsula.  A best research poster competition was also held during the symposium where graduate students and researchers of Chonnam National University showcased their latest research findings.

The event was organized by the CNU College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences in cooperation with the Korea Fishery Resource Management Research Institute and the Institute of Fishing Village and Aquaculture.

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The AGROTIS Navigation System, funded by the Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCAARRD), can operate autonomously through GPS-guided navigation or be manually controlled via radio frequency. Developed in collaboration with the Philippine Rice Research Institute and the International Rice Research Institute, it is equipped with a robust safety system and offers versatile solutions for various tractor types. The technology is incubated at the UST TOMASInno Center, the University鈥檚 Technology-based Business Incubator (TBI) and aims to directly benefit local farmers by enhancing rice field land preparation.

During an interview held at the UST-Dr. Tony Tan Caktiong Innovation Center in UST鈥檚 research complex in Santa Rosa City, Bautista discussed the inspiration behind AGROTIS and its positive impact on farming operations. The Agricultural Machinery Testing and Evaluation Center (AMTEC) tested the system, which demonstrated significant improvements, reducing the field capacity of hand tractors from 31.25 hours per hectare to 20 hours per hectare, and increasing field efficiency from 60% to 80%. Additionally, a customer validation survey showed a 90% acceptability rate among local farmers.

Game-changing innovations like the AGROTIS Navigation System are among the thrusts of the recently opened UST-Dr. Tony Tan Caktiong Innovation Center鈥� to develop technologies that address local challenges and enhance the nation鈥檚 technological landscape, ultimately bringing significant benefits to the Filipino people.

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With the theme 鈥淗arnessing synergy towards sustainability鈥�, the forum included an overview of historical milestones of UST鈥檚 Energy Management System (EnMS), a discussion of the guideline format of the working manual and tools, and a presentation of ongoing and new initiatives for saving energy within the campus including POWERWISE (person-oriented energy savings campaign) and Luntiang Tomasino.

Engr. Oliver Gagarin, author of the UST Sustainable Energy Management Systems Manual, introduced GRT-76, which refers to 鈥淕o! Renewable Time鈥� and the solar power harvest from 7 AM to 6 PM on selected building rooftops via the installation of solar panels.

As of 2024, solar panel installation has begun on top of the Albertus Magnus building, with the Fathers鈥� Residence compound, the UST Hospital Pope John Paul II Building, and the St. Raymund de Pe帽afort Building to follow next year. Steady work is planned for an eventual in-campus, independent, and renewable power supply through GRT-76.

Engr. Gagarin shared that 鈥渟mall appliances鈥� drew the highest load consumption. He also cautioned against the 鈥減hantom load鈥� or any electronics that remain plugged into the university power supply that still uses electricity or 鈥渟tandby power鈥� even when turned off.

This year, the USTH Clinical Division, the Main Building, and the Benavides Building had the most energy savings among the 27 EACs, while the USTH St. John Paul II Building, the Quadricentennial Pavilion, and the Frassati Building consumed the most power. The unprecedented recent heat index was also a contributing cause to the power consumption of the structures.

Assistant to the Rector for Information and Communications Technology Asst. Prof. Jerralyn Padua discussed how to help each energy accounting center (EAC) identify saving and conservation measures through the working manual and tools, namely, the operational guide, process map, work instruction, log sheet, and calculation sheet.

She also presented ongoing plans for an Energy Online Dashboard that can predict and visualize energy consumption among the 27 EACs, which is planned to be incorporated into the official portal dashboard.

This University initiative aligns with SDG 7 which calls for affordable and clean energy. The programs and activities discussed in the Energy Forum underscores the University鈥檚 goal to achieve energy efficiency (SDG 7.3) among all energy accounting centers.

In attendance were academic and administrative officials, academic staff, and support staff. The opening remarks were delivered by USTH Director for Administration Prof. Analin E. Porto, DEM, while UST Office for Grants, Endowments and Partnerships in Higher Education Director Rev. Fr. Maximo Gatela, O.P. gave the closing remarks.

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Four community sessions were held in four different sites: Catbalogan, Calbayog, Hinabangan, and Gandara. Selected faculty members from IR facilitated the group discussions. Also part of the team in charge of module development are IR Assistant Director Assoc. Prof. Allan A. Basas, S.Th.D. and Mr. Ivan Efreaim A. Gozum.  Joining them are Prof. Eric Zerrudo, Ph.D., and Ms. Beverly Bautista of CCCPET. Among those who participated in the sessions include representatives from the youth, national agencies, educators, entrepreneurs, interreligious representatives, security forces, professionals, farmers, and fisherfolks.

The One Values Project is a pioneering endeavor focused on the values formation of young people in Samar. It is guided by the seven commitments of the Global Compact on Education, a framework championed by Pope Francis, and follows the innovative matrix of Dominican-Thomistic Education by Design, a signature pedagogy of IR. The project’s ultimate goal is to develop a series of research-based, highly interactive values formation modules that will have a profound impact on the youth of Samar province.

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The award seeks to honor two stalwarts who have contributed significantly to developing the country’s intellectual property system. Usec. Gepty was recognized for his invaluable contribution during his stint as the Deputy Director General and Officer-in-charge of IPOPHL. During his term, the GS Law faculty member reinforced and developed the said government unit’s advocacy, policy-making functions, international relations, and programs.

The theme of the event was “IP and the SDGS: Building our common future with innovation and creativity” and caps the National IP Month.

IPOPHL is the government agency mandated to administer and implement State policies on intellectual property.

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Ancheta, a researcher and advocate of zero waste gave engaging lectures to Taiwanese students on solid waste management in the ASEAN context using Philippine cities which have been the loci of her research projects in partnership with environmental NGOs such as the Mother Earth Foundation and the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA).

This partnership is in line with the current standing Memorandum of Agreement of international academic partnership between UST and NCCU. 

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