The donation, which was held on the occasion of Molina’s 100th birth anniversary, comprised over 1,000 books that were housed in the family’s homes in Madrid and the Philippines.

The books are “home”
In his remarks, UST Rector Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, O.P., PhD represented the Thomasian community in memorializing the legacy of Dean Molina, who was one of the last lay Secretaries-General of the University. “To be the Secretary-General of the University is something remarkable for a lay person, and we thank Dean Molina for his love, loyalty, and service to UST,” Fr. Dagohoy said.

In the same message, the Rector thanked the kin of Dean Molina for choosing the UST Miguel de Benavides Library as the recipient of the personal collection. “With boldness, I can say, the books are ‘home,’” Fr. Dagohoy added.

Someone to look up to
Faculty of Civil Law Dean Atty. Nilo T. Divina, Ll. B. heaped praises on his predecessor, saying that with Dean Molina’s accolades, he is, indeed, someone whom Thomasian lawyers can look up to.

Quoting former Civil Law Dean Augusto K. Aligada, Divina called Molina a “man of this world, for he was a cultured man who loved learning.” Divina pledged that a memorial lecture will be held by the Faculty of Civil Law in Molina’s honor.

Our father’s affection for UST
The Molina family was represented by Ms. Carmen G.A. Molina, who said the event was “steeped in wonderful memories.” Paying tribute to UST, where all the Molina children were born and whose halls the children frequented on days when they waited for Dean Molina to finish work, Molina explained why UST was chosen as the beneficiary for the collection.

“My father’s deep affection for UST as well as his commitment to scholarly work and quality education [are the reason why] my siblings and I donate his personal library to UST,” Molina said. “We hope that his books will be an enduring and tangible expression of our father’s devotion to UST.

“The books in my father’s personal library are reflections of man.” she said.

The life of Dean Molina on exhibit
The Miguel de Benavides Library also mounted an exhibit in Molina’s honor, showcasing the many facets of the well-lived life of the former Dean. The exhibit will be open to Thomasians until May 15. It contains some of the books that have been donated, as well as personal memorabilia like the UST Professorial Medal and the Presidential Medal given to Molina by former President Corazon Aquino. The exhibition showcased Molina’s formative years as a Thomasian historian, writer, educator, administrator, and diplomat.

Molina, born 1918, earned his Law degree from UST in 1940, and returned six years later to begin what will be a twenty-four-year career in UST, where he was also Director of the Institute of History and Vice-Rector for External Affairs from 1968-1970.

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The aggregation enables the Institute to grant, through the 91��Ϣ��, an academic degree canonically recognized by the Catholic Church, particularly the Licentiate in Canon Law. The University in turn commits to safeguard and maintain the academic standards of the Institute and mentor its continued growth, as part of its service and educational leadership in the wider Catholic Church. In conveying the decision of the Congregation to the Master of the Order of Preachers Very Rev. Fr. Bruno Cadoré, O.P., Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi celebrated the fact that the Canon Law Institute, in effect, becomes “the first Ecclesiastical Higher Education Institution in Korea,” highlighting this important milestone in the history of Catholicism in the Korean Peninsula.

During his visit to the 91��Ϣ�� on April 11 and 12, 2019, Fr. Han communicated to the Rector Very Rev. Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, O.P., the gratitude and joy of the Cardinal-Archbishop of Seoul, Andrew Yeom Soo-Jung, at the granting of the aggregation. He also met with the officials of the Faculty of Canon Law, headed by its Dean, Rev. Fr. Isaias D. Tiongco, O.P., to discuss the particulars of the aggregation.

Catholic Institute of Sydney explores possible aggregation with UST Canon Law

Two distinguished visitors from the Catholic Institute of Sydney (CIS), CIS Vice President Dr. Rohan Curnow, and the Judicial Vicar for the Province of Sydney and the Archdiocese of Canberra Rev. Fr. Julian Wellspring, visited the 91��Ϣ�� on April 29, 2019, to explore a possible aggregation with the UST Faculty of Canon Law. Aggregation enables an Institute to grant ecclesiastical degrees under the auspices of a Pontifical Faculty, such as the UST Faculty of Canon Law. The visit was a follow-up of the September 13, 2018 visit of Prof. Isabell Naumann, ISSM, who is president of CIS.

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The Thomasian foresight embraced these emerging issues on heritage by establishing the Graduate Certificate for Cultural Heritage Studies in 2000, which eventually became the Master of Arts Program in 2012. The groundbreaking program eventually led to the establishment of the Center for Conservation for Cultural Property and the Environment in the Tropics (CCCPET) in 2003. Complementary to this effort was the enthusiasm and escalation towards the quadri-centennial celebration of the University of Santo Tomas in 2011. UST Museum Director Rev. Fr. Isidro C. Abaño, O.P., developed a triad framework that institutionalized the cultural heritage conservation advocacy and program of the University. The framework composed of the Museum, the Graduate Course and the CCCPET synergized to balance the theoretical/philosophical foundation of heritage studies, the on-site conservation training in the museum and the off-site capacity building in communities. Within the Cultural Heritage Management course of the Graduate School, cultural heritage mapping was a staple exercise, a research tool prescribed to holistically understand and systematically analyze the cultural fabric of every community.                    

In early 2000, there were sporadic cultural heritage mapping orientations and experiments that were apprehensively done. These were conducted in Bohol with the Diocese of Tagbilaran; in Cebu with former Governor Gwen Garcia for the municipal mayors; and in Ilocos Norte with former Governor Bongbong Marcos for the content development of the Museo Ilocos Norte. The first full blown cultural heritage mapping project was with the World Heritage City of Vigan in 2006. The Vigan case rotated full cycle and ramified to educational programs, tourism promotion, environmental conservation, legislative promulgation and other developmental strategies. This regenerative case was presented in the International Conference of the Memory of the World in Australia and published in the authoritative textbook on cultural mapping entitled “A Contemporary Guide to Cultural Mapping: An ASEAN-Australia Perspective” (Cook & Taylor, 2013). This experience catapulted CCCPET’s popular lecture titled “Heritage Makakain Ba Yan?” among local government units, which foregrounded the paradigm on heritage conservation and sustainable development.  

CCCPET’s lecture series on heritage and development caught the attention of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA). Enthusiastically, the Center made the rounds to curious provinces, cities and municipalities. Appreciative of the framework, NCCA developed a cultural mapping program which was integrated in the Heritage Law of 2009 or Republic Act 10066. It required cultural mapping as the fundamental course in the Philippine Cultural Education Program – Graduate Diploma for Cultural Education (GDCE) for public school teachers. In 2015, the NCCA endorsed to the Department of the Interior and Local Government DILG) cultural mapping, as a requisite for the coveted Seal of Good Local Governance (SGLG) award to facilitate and ensure the enrichment of the Philippine Registry of Cultural Property (PRECUP) program. Beyond this national government effort, other universities also embarked on their own cultural mapping approaches and techniques.

Cultural heritage mapping became the flagship program niche of the CCCPET. Beyond expectations, it spun off to new trajectories and territories. It rectified local histories and led to new discoveries- Bataan history was clarified and foundation day was rectified; a Calatagan (Batangas) fortification was identified in the context of Galleon Trade route. It deepened heritage appreciation- the intramuros of Polillo Island (Quezon), the languages of Romblon and the short history of Quezon City. It conditioned local cultural revolution- the Malay (Aklan) cultural campaign with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Salinbago Product Design Entrepreneurship program with the Department of Trade and Industry-Design Center Philippines (DTI-DCP) that involved 12 Schools of Living Tradition (SLTs) all over the country.

Cultural heritage mapping surfaced social-political issues- the unspoken abortion stories in Angeles City (Pampanga) and the election ambush of the Tugaya (Lanao del Sur) mayor. It uplifted the tourism industry- the Taal (Batangas) private tour package initiatives, the IIocos Norte Museum, the tourism campaign of Butuan City (Agusan del Norte). It impressed the value of risk preparedness – the destruction of Guiuan (Eastern Samar) by super typhoon Yolanda that revived memories. It fomented the revival of intangible traditions and crafts – the lubenas of Angeles City (Pampanga), the damili of San Nicolas (Ilocos Norte) and the kwentuhan meeting places of Marikina City.

Cultural heritage mapping ensured the cultural sensitivity of structures in heritage sites – the infrastructure guidelines of Ifugao Rice Terraces and the infrastructure and activity guidelines of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP). It facilitated cultural policy formulation- the influential Vigan Ordinance No. 7, the Bach Code of Bohol and the municipal ordinances of Samar. It evolved to multiple cultural development projects: the Ormoc City (Leyte) experience that led to tourism development, legislation agenda, museum development, educational library, and the General Santos experience that prepared the museum construction, educational training, tourism campaign. It fortified the collaboration of academe and government with UST graduate student theses- Laguna cultural heritage mapping and San Rafael (Bulacan) cultural heritage mapping. CCCPET’s experience in cultural heritage mapping realized the dire need for heritage driven programs that empowers individuals and transforms communities.

Cultural mapping has become extremely popular that towns and cities are rushing to finish their cultural heritage database.  The CCCPET has documented provinces, cities and municipalities. However, not all cultural mapping projects have successfully evolved to full blown projects. Few have fizzled out due to political instability and others due to geophysical constraints. With the valuable support and initiative of the national government through the NCCA, people have begun to appreciate the need for cultural heritage mapping, a baseline documentation activity to establish a sense of place and identity. Some local governments that have utilized their cultural heritage mapping data could be proud that they have a fortified the memory of their community, ensuring a fertile soil of creativity and continuity.

The UST CCCPET considers cultural heritage mapping both as an end and as a means, as a product and as a process. As an end, the voluminous data serves a repository of the memory of the community in a particular point in time. As a means, the intangible data must be utilized to serve as baseline content and context for the development of the community. As heritage continues to evolve in the context of accelerated change, cultural heritage mapping must transform into new paradigms to be relevant and significant. It should be a regenerative and reinterpretative agendum.  

ASSOC. PROF. ERIC BABAR ZERRUDO is the Director of the 91��Ϣ�� Graduate School Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and the Environment in the Tropics. He teaches at the UST Graduate School for Cultural Heritage Studies, and is National Coordinator of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference Episcopal Commission for the Cultural Heritage of the Church. He is the Philippine resource person for the ICCROM conferences on Authenticity in the Asian Context and Conservation Policies in Asia, an accredited World Heritage-ICOMOS Evaluation Expert for cultural serial and cultural landscape sites, and continues to facilitate value-based interdisciplinary Philippine approach and applications in heritage conservation. He has studied at the Tokyo University, Deakin University, Lund University and the 91��Ϣ��.

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Prior to the presentation of awards, the UST Rector, Very Rev. Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, O.P., served as the main presider in the Eucharistic Celebration concelebrated with the Dominican Fathers.

The Mission

In the Father Rector’s homily, he commended the support staff for their hard work, saying that,”Kasama kayo sa pagtataguyod ng mga kabataan patungo sa kabanalan, at iyon naman talaga ang adhikain at gawain ng mga kawani sa Unibersidad. Hindi lamang ang academic units ang dahilan kung bakit ang produkto ng Unibersidad ay mahuhusay at magagaling, sapagkat mayroon din tayong mahusay at magagaling na mga kawani.” (You are part of the formation of youth towards holiness, and that is exactly the mission and responsibility of the University’s support staff. It is not only the academic units that are the reasons why the students produced by the University are excellent and exceptional, it is also because we have similarly superb staff.)

Citing Mary Catherine Hilkert’s book, “Naming Grace,” the Father Rector reminded the staff that there are only three ways by which they could serve as the hand of God: ‘life is worth living,’ ‘people are worth loving,’ and ‘Christ is worth following.’

Fr. Dagohoy concluded his homily with his hope that the Thomasian workers would not only keep these in mind, but also guide students with these principles. He also thanked them and congratulated those who were to receive awards.

Responsibilities

Formally opening the Awards was the welcome remarks of UST Vice Rector and Manpower Committee Chair Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P. Addressing those who will receive the awards, he said, “Ang karangalan na ito ay may kaakibat na responsibilidad: simula sa araw na ito, kayo ay magsisilbing huwaran para sa inyong kapwa empleyado. Lagi po sana ninyong tatandaan, ang mabuting gawa ay kapuri-puri na kinalulugdan ng ating Panginoon.” (The honors you will receive hold an equal weight of responsibilities: from this day forward, you shall serve as examples for your fellow employees. I hope that you will always remember that God looks favorably on good deeds.)

Quoting Martin Luther King, Jr., Fr. Ang emphasized that, “No work is insignificant. All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.”

Recognition

Four employees were named Most Outstanding Employees for AY 2018-2019 under the following categories: Skilled, Technical, Professional Administrative and Professional Academic. Awarded under the Skilled Category was St. Joseph the Worker Awardee and 2009 MOE Mr. Rafael Travilla from the Miguel de Benavides Library; for Technical Category, awarded was Mr. Ronaldo Pera from the College of Nursing. For the Professional Category, which was recently subdivided into Professional Administrative and Professional Academic, Ms. Maria Victoria Contreras from the Counseling and Career Center and Ms. Consuelo Pardiñez from the Faculty of Pharmacy were recognized. UST Rector Very Rev. Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, O.P., and UST Vice Rector Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., presented the MOE Award trophy and tokens. For this year, 123 members of the support staff were nominated to the Most Outstanding Employee award.

For this year, five employees were recipients of the St. Joseph the Worker Award. The award, presented by Support Staff Chaplain Rev. Fr. Reynaldo J. Adalid, Jr., O.P., and Samahang Manggagawa President Mr. Restituto D. Llamas, is given to employees who have not been late for work and have not availed of any sick leave, emergency leave, vacation leave, or birthday leave from December 2017 until November 2018. Recipients were: Ms. Abigail Martha Abelardo from the SIMBAHAYAN Community Development Office, who also received the Service Award for 10 years; Mr. Romie Robert Cultura from the Faculty of Pharmacy, who also won the same Award in 2017; Mr. Joel Ovejera from the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, who received the same award for the fourth consecutive year; Mr. Alvin Taypa from the UST-AMV College of Accountancy; and Mr. Rafael Travilla from the Miguel de Benavides Library, who also won the same award in 2011 and 2014.

The service awardees comprised of 12 support staff members who were recognized for 10 years of service, 21 for 20 years of service, 12 for 25 years of service, nine for 30 years of service, and 17 for 35 years of service to the University. Mrs. Marilou J. Simbul from the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery was the lone recipient of the Gawad Paglilingkod (Service Award) for 40 years of service. A total of 72 comprised this year’s Service  Awardees.

Ms. Aiko Gracielle G. Austral of the Center for Religious Studies and Ethics received the Natatanging Gawad (Special Achievement Award) for passing the September 2018 Librarian Licensure Examinations.

One hundred and twenty seven members of the support staff received the Punctuality Award for consistently being at work on time within the period of December 2017 to November 2018.

USSAP App

Human Resource Department Director and Hiyas ng UST Awards Selection Committee Chair Atty. Jacqueline O. Lopez-Kaw, Ll.M., presented the new mobile application of the UST Support Staff Access Portal (USSAP) to the audience. A joint venture by HRD and the Santo Tomas e-Service Providers (STePs), the USSAP App is currently available for download on the iOS App Store and the Google Play Store. Presently at its initial stage of use, employees can access their personal profile, attendance records, payslip, downloadable forms, and copies of policies, procedures, and other memoranda circulated by the HRD. In a forthcoming update, the interactive features of the app that will allow for filing of leave and change of schedule will be released.

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The College won in different categories and bagged the following awards:

For the Research Presentation Category, the group of Andrea Nicole Hernandez, Carla Jenel Funtanilla and Renee Joanne Padilla won the First Place, while the group of Issa Marie Catapang, Sophia Joy Robles and Ma. Angelica Gomez placed second. The faculty coaches were Mr. Jame Monren T. Mercado and Mr. Avi Ben P. Andalecio.

For the Tour Package Proposal Domestic Category,  Johanna Rose Lazarte and Joanne Mae Valmores placed First. Jezreel Anne Arboleda and Larra Te were finalists for the Tour Package Proposal Asia Category. They were coached by Asst. Prof. Christine Concepcion C. Fajardo.

In Quiz Bee Category, First Place was won by Andrea Nicole Hernandez, while Gil Ernest Gatinga was named finalist. The faculty coaches were Atty. Gezzez Giezi G. Granado, DCL,  Mr. Jame Monren T. Mercado, Mr. Avi Ben P. Andalecio, and Ms. Karla Patricia G. Colmenar.

Under the Flight Attendant Showmanship Category, the pair of Paul Wilbert Domingo and Jercy Raine Cruz obtained the First Place; while, the pair of Benjamin Gutierrez and Johanna Mallare placed Fourth.   Maria Theresa B. Resurreccion, Asst. Prof. Christine Concepcion C. Fajardo and Asst. Prof. Ma. Concepcion A. Ang served as faculty coaches.

For the Travel Photography Category, Al Reile Dela Torre bagged the First Place, Patricia Anne Pacis was Third Place winner and Chelsea Ajose was finalist. They were coached by Assoc. Prof. Amy Mia R. Turaray.

Under the Food Styling and Photography Category Noj Mari Santos and Asha Lovilla Bas, HRM students, placed Third. Their coach was Asst. Prof. Nathaniel A. Siao.

In the Virtual Tour Guiding Domestic Category, Andrea Lubitos garnered Fourth Place, while Eunice Monton ranked Sixth under the Virtual Tour Guiding Asia Category. These students were coached by  CTHM Dean Asst. Prof. Maria Cecilia A. Tio Cuison and Asst. Prof. Maria Concepcion A. Ang.

Under the Poster and Slogan Making Category, the entry of Mary Dhel Labor and Kiara Romasanta , and the entry of Cherry Joyce Del Rosario and Hazel Joy Estigoy were declared finalists. They were coached by Asst. Prof. Fredeswindo R. Medina.

The UST College of Tourism and Hospitality Management was the Over-all 1st runner up among 38 colleges and universities from different parts of the country.

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Out of more than 300 papers submitted to the conference, Bernardino’s “The Effects of Written Corrective Feedback on UST ELS Freshmen’s Essays and Perceived English Writing Anxiety,” Chico’s “Dynamic Versus Formal: A Theolinguistic Inquiry into the English Editions of the Roman Missal,” De Leon’s “The Rise of Meme Culture: Analyzing Philippine Internet Political Memes as Tools for Propaganda,” and Edralin’s “Inside a Criminal Agreement: Examining the Language of Conspiracy in a Cybersex Crime in the Philippines,” were chosen in the themed panels and parallel paper sessions with over 150 presenters.

UST English Department mentor Asst. Prof. Raquel R. Jimenez also presented her paper titled, “Access to Justice through Court Interpreting and Translation Quality.”

LSPIC 2019 highlighted research studies in Philippine Linguistics including the fields of the Philippine languages, Philippine English, language documentation, English Language Teaching (ELT), and Forensic Linguistics.  International and local linguists and language practitioners facilitated lectures, themed panels, workshops, poster presentations, and parallel sessions throughout the three-day event.

The keynote lecture was delivered by Edgar Schneider of the University of Regensburg, Germany. It was about the phase of Philippine English in his dynamic model of postcolonial Englishes. Panel discussions included “Linguistics in Asia: Current situation and future directions” by Anne Pakir of the National University of Singapore, Jong-Bok Kim of Kyung Hee University, Andrew Moody of the University of Macao, and Shirley Dita of the De La Salle University. The plenary speakers were David Gil of the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History, Ee Ling Low of Nanyang Technological University, and Marilu Madrunio of the UST Graduate School.  

Past presidents of the Linguistic Society of the Philippines (LSP) including UST faculty members Asst. Prof. Anna Maria Gloria S. Ward of the Faculty of the English Department and UST Graduate School Dean Prof. Marilu R. Madrunio, Ph.D., were honored before the conference proper. The current LSP president is UST Graduate School Faculty Secretary Assoc. Prof. Alejandro Bernardo, Ph.D., while LSP Treasurer is Assoc. Prof. Rachelle Lintao, Ph.D., a faculty member of the UST Graduate School.

The LSPIC 2020 for next year will be held at the Jose Rizal Memorial State University in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte.

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A total of 20 graduate student finalists from different higher education institutions in the country, namely, University of the Philippines, De La Salle University, Far Eastern University, Ateneo de Manila University, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Our Lady of Fatima University, Mapúa University, Philippine Normal University, Centro Escolar University, Adamson University, University of the East, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Trinity University of Asia, University of San Carlos, Silliman University, Ateneo de Davao, Institute of Technology, MSU-Iligan and the 91��Ϣ�� participated in the forum.

This annual event spearheaded by the Office for Graduate Research is held for the presentation of papers based on theses and dissertations and research papers from coursework.  The St. Antoninus Graduate Research Forum is also a competition for graduate students aimed at encouraging them to publish their research outputs.

Seven graduate students whose research in the areas of the Natural Sciences, Arts and Humanities/Business, Economics, Literature, Social Sciences and Education, Educational Management, and Political Science were named winners.

Named winners in the different categories were: Category 1- Research Papers from Course Works (Natural Sciences), “A Preliminary Study on the Detection of Fusobacterium nucleatum  and fadA  adhesin gene on Selected Clinical Samples,” Karen Reyes, (MSc. Microbiology, UST); Category  1- Research Papers from Course Works (Arts & Humanities/Business), “An ASEAN Digital Single Market: Boosting the Aspiration for a Single Market in the Digital Era,” Paul John Mendoza Peña, (PhD Economics, DLSU), and “Is the Whole Greater than the Sum of its Parts: Analyzing the ASEAN’s Export Competitiveness,” Eva Marie DG. Aragones, (MS Economics, DLSU).

Under Category 2- Research Papers Based on Thesis/Dissertation, the winning research was “The Protagonist Detective in the Traditional and Modern Philippine Detective Story,” Ruth Clare G. Torres, (MA Literature, UST), and under Category 2- Research Papers Based on Thesis/Dissertation (Social Sciences & Education), two papers won: ”Out-of-Field Teaching: Context, Processes and Experiences in Cavite Public Secondary Schools,” Mary Ann B. Gatpandan, (PhD Educ. Management, DLSU); and “Exploring the Environmental Engagement of the Catholic Church: A Case Study of the Lay Faithful Opposition against the Obando Landfill,” Harold D. Blando, (MA Political Science, UST).

Under the Sciences, there was a winner under Category 2- Research Papers Based on Thesis/Dissertation (Sciences), “Molecular Identification and Phylogeny of Selected Philippine Timonius DC. Species Found in the Provinces of Dinagat and Samar, including Three New Endemic Species,” Alyssa Marie A. Lola, (MSc. Biology, UST).

The research forum was graced by Graduate School alumnus Dr. Gerardo C. Janairo, who delivered an inspirational message and talked about the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Janairo is the former Chancellor of De La Salle University, Manila, where he is also a full Professor of Chemistry. He obtained his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Chemistry from the 91��Ϣ�� and his doctorate in Chemistry from Eberhard Karl Universität zu Tϋbingen in Germany.

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The winning team from UST was composed of: Isabella G. Dimaguila, fifth year Physical Therapy student from the College of Rehabilitation Sciences; Joaquin Angelo M. Cruz, first year Doctor of Medicine student from the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery; Juan Miguel C. Roman, fourth year Computer Science student from the Institute of Information and Computer Science; Emily Jean U. Obiena, fourth year Industrial Engineering student from the Faculty of Engineering; and Brent John A. Ciriaco, first year Advertising student from the College of Fine Arts and Design. The students were under the guidance of Physical Therapy faculty member and CRS Secretary Ms. Roxanne Fernandez and Physical Therapy faculty member Mr. Donald Manlapaz. With the theme, “A Safer, Sustainable, and Connected World,” the contest culminated in an awarding ceremony held on April 3, 2019 at the Henry Sy Sr. Auditorium, SLMC, Bonifacio Global Center, Taguig.

Through a series of brainstorming activities participated in by the team, they were able to come up with the complete idea of ECKey.  Juan Miguel Roman, the Computer Science student mostly covered assessing the programming feasibility of ECkey while the Industrial Engineering student, Emily Jean Obiena, worked on helping find ways to improve the existing processes alongside Physical Therapy student, Isabella Dimaguilla and Med Student, Joaquin Cruz who both contributed medical-related inputs. Advertising student Brent Ciriaco developed the interface of the app and kiosk to make it user- friendly and visually appealing.

According to Obiena, “ECkey started with an idea inspired by Grab but it rather books you an appointment with a doctor instead of hailing drivers. It was then improved by incorporating the one tap data base type system that is used at the UST Health Service and better diversified through addition of several other features. The effort of creating ECkey was started at around mid-October of last year and was finished and submitted by the end of the same month.”

The multi-disciplinary team collaborated to develop the “Electronic Care Key.” The application will help enhance the system through its main features. Security – Each user will have a profile upon accessing the system which gives St. Luke’s Medical Center a better tracking system for people, thereby giving them better management of their patients’ records. Efficiency – The device helps enhance the efficiency of the current system through the presence of the following: online directory, online booking feature for doctor’s appointments, and notifications for real time updates which keep the processes running smoothly while maintaining a high level of service. Accessibility – E-charts are to be updated in patients’ online profiles. This will then help patients view their medical records with ease and aid doctors with open access to the different test results of their patients. Emergency Response – Through a simple tap on the patients’ smartphones, an emergency incident can be reported immediately to SLMC without delays and redirections thereby providing better assistance and attention to the people in need.

The contest aimed at involving students in the quest of producing innovative breakthroughs in areas of medicine, technological advancements, or healthcare solutions, which can provide significant improvements in existing products and services.

Participating teams submitted a project proposal with a 60-second promotional video.

The eighteen participating teams from different schools were judged through five main criteria, including: Novelty (20%) – The initiative demonstrates a leap in innovativeness and introduces a substantially new technology or process concept; Robustness (20%) – Innovativeness has achieved solutions strong enough to withstand intellectual challenge, and produces unanticipated benefits; Impact (20%) – Initiative potentially addresses any issues or areas of concern; Adaptability (20%) – The proposal responds to changing circumstances and environment; and Clarity (20%) – The innovation can easily be understood and followed, is accessible to St. Luke’s Associates, and conveys compelling solutions that can easily be adopted.

More than the recognition and the prestige of winning the IDEA 2018, the competition showed that concrete change in the current system used in institutions such as hospitals can be improved. This kind of integration through innovation resulting in efficiency, stability and security in hospital management system that benefits the patients can be achieved. According to the UST team, “competitions such as Student Innovation could help turn their ideas into a reality, keeping in mind the objective of achieving a high quality of patient care and services through the Electronic Care Key that provides easy and accessible tools for all patients leading to a safer, sustainable and connected world.”

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The eleven senatorial candidates, namely, Magdalo Party List Rep. Gary Alejano, former Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Rafael “Raffy” Alunan III, former Biliran Rep. Atty. Glenn Chong, former Bayan Muna Party List Rep. Atty. Neri Colmenares, former Director General of the Bureau of Corrections Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, human rights lawyer Atty. Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno, former San Juan City Maroy Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, co-founder of the Asian Peace Alliance Samira Gutoc, former Solicitor General Atty. Florin Hilbay, election lawyer Atty. Romulo Macalintal, and former Deputy House Speaker Lorenzo “Erin” Tañada, III,  answered questions on vital issues that the country faces.

Assisting Webb and Hontiveros as moderators were CNN Senior Correspondent Ina Andolong, Correspondent Anjo Alimario, and Political Analyst Dindo Manhit as panel members.

Questions revolved around the three themes of the debate: 1) Keeping Filipinos Safe; 2) Improving the Quality of Life of Filipinos; and 3) Building for the Future of Filipinos. Specific questions were gathered from the public through social media and were consolidated for the debate. Among the issues tackled were: The issue of debt traps and confidential loan deals, illegal Chinese workers in the country, and disputes over the West Philippine Sea.

Senatorial candidates had one minute to give their answers and were given another 30 seconds to reply to a follow-up question or provide a rebuttal.

The debate aired live on free-to-air Channel 9, Cignal TV Channel 10, Destiny Cable Channel 14, and Sky Cable Channel 14. It was also livestreamed on CNNPhilippines.com, iFlix, HOOQ, and on the official CNN Philippines Facebook page.

The University also previously hosted the Vice Presidential Debates, similarly organized by CNN, in 2016 at the same venue.

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