Aquinian Herald

Aquinian Herald The Independent College Student Publication of University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi

Behind every smile is a story, and behind every person is a mind that deserves care, understanding, and compassion. This...
10/10/2026

Behind every smile is a story, and behind every person is a mind that deserves care, understanding, and compassion.

This Mental Health Day, let us remind ourselves that it is okay to pause, ask for help, set boundaries, and take things one day at a time.

Sometimes, the smallest acts of kindness—a simple check-in, a listening ear, or a sincere “How are you, really?”—can make a meaningful difference in someone's day.

This month and beyond, let us make mental health a conversation, not a stigma. Because caring for ourselves and one another is part of growing together. 💚

Pause. Breathe. Reach out. You matter more than you know.

Art by Aliah Samson



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Happy birthday to one of our photojournalists, Ryen! 🥳As you celebrate another year, may you find new experiences, meani...
08/10/2026

Happy birthday to one of our photojournalists, Ryen! 🥳

As you celebrate another year, may you find new experiences, meaningful connections, and reasons to smile along the way. We're glad to have you as part of the team, and we hope that the year ahead will be a wonderful one for you!

Have a great birthday, Ryen! 🎉


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NEWS | UST-Legazpi JMA hosts social media marketing seminar-workshopThe Junior Marketing Association of the University o...
05/10/2026

NEWS | UST-Legazpi JMA hosts social media marketing seminar-workshop

The Junior Marketing Association of the University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi held its seminar-workshop: Get Recognized with Marketing, with the theme “Social Media Marketing Essentials: Building a Brand in the Digital Age,” at the De Guzman Hall, Peñaranda Campus, today, October 5, 2026.

The event commenced with a seminar featuring Karl Vasquez of Art Lane PH as the resource speaker. He discussed the evolution of marketing efforts, the importance of social media for small businesses, choosing appropriate platforms, and establishing a strong digital business presence.

Following the seminar, participants took part in a workshop where they were divided into groups and were tasked to develop a brand based on their chosen business concept or product, applying the marketing strategies discussed during the seminar.

The groups then presented their respective brand concepts, highlighting their approaches to building a digital presence and attracting their target customers.

The seminar-workshop provided BSBA Marketing Management students with an opportunity to learn about social media marketing and apply the concepts discussed by developing and presenting their own brand ideas.

| via Akari Magtaca

Photos by Grizzlyn Arce

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Some lessons are written on the board, while others stay with us long after the classroom is empty.Today, we celebrate o...
05/10/2026

Some lessons are written on the board, while others stay with us long after the classroom is empty.

Today, we celebrate our educators who work tirelessly to teach, guide, and inspire students inside and beyond the classroom.

To every teacher who continues to show up and make a difference in their students' lives, may the lessons you leave behind continue to live in the people you have taught.

May you always remember that the work you do matters, today and every single day.

𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀' 𝗗𝗮𝘆! 🧑‍🏫💛

Layout by Althea Dineros


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𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝 | 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐚by amiciaKamusta ka?Pansin ko madalang ka nang sumama sa amin.Are you okay?Paano ko ba sisimulan an...
05/10/2026

𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝 | 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐚
by amicia

Kamusta ka?
Pansin ko madalang ka nang sumama sa amin.
Are you okay?

Paano ko ba sisimulan ang mga salita upang madama mong nandito ako para sa'yo? Kaya't sisimulan ko na lang sa sarili kong kuwento. A distant memory I hold onto at marahil sa istoryang ito ay madama mong may karamay ka.

Sa probinsya namin sa Bukidnon, pinaparenta ng lolo at lola ko ang unang palapag ng kanilang bahay. Isa sa mga umuupa roon ay isang bakery. Kaya tuwing madaling araw, maaamoy mo na ang mga bagong lutong tinapay. Mahalimuyak. Kapag naamoy mo na, alam mong palapit na ang pagsibol ng araw. Malapit na ang bukas.

Maagang natutulog ang mga tao roon at maaga rin silang nagigising. Kaya ang panaderya ay para mong karamay sa umaga — sa almusal, kapares ng iyong kape bago sumubok muli sa panibagong araw.

Nang makauwi ako muli sa amin pagkatapos ng bakasyon, dala-dala ko ang memoryang ito sa mga gabing nababalot ako ng kalungkutan at magulong isip. Lahat ng kasama ko ay mahimbing nang natutulog; ako na lang ang gising. The quietness of the night made the feeling of loneliness weigh heavier.

Kaya pumipikit ako at sa isip ko, naglalakbay ako patungong timog, patungong panaderya. Alam ko na sa oras na iyon ay may mga panadero nang gising para magluto ng tinapay. Binabalikan ko ang amoy. Ini-imagine kong nagmamasa sila, hinihilera ang mga nahulmang masa sa tray, at saka pinapasok sa oven. I feel less alone. It calms me down to know that I'm not the only one awake at night.

Sa ating buhay, kailangan natin ng panaderya—isang lugar na magpapaalala sa’yo na hindi ka nag-iisa at sisibol muli ang araw. Dahil may liwanag. Dahil may bukas pa. Hayaan mong maging panaderya ako ng buhay mo. Ako ang kapares ng mapait mong kape sa umaga. Let me be your safe place. Let the waft of the bread's fragrance anchor you to the shore. Mahalaga sa akin na nandito ka. Sasamahan kitang tumambay sa balkonahe at kakain tayo ng tinapay.

Nandito lang ako.
‘Di ka nag-iisa.

Grapiko ni Janna Bunayog

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NEWS | UST-Legazpi’s START holds annual art fairThe Society of Thomasian Artists (START) held its annual START Fair 2026...
04/10/2026

NEWS | UST-Legazpi’s START holds annual art fair

The Society of Thomasian Artists (START) held its annual START Fair 2026, “Tindahan ng mga Artistan,” where students from the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) showcased and sold their handcrafted merchandise at the volleyball court in front of St. Vincent Ferrer Hall on October 1–2, 2026.

From stickers and buttons to crochet crafts and fuzzy flower bouquets, the fair featured eleven merchants from different year levels of the BFA program: Sining sa Kanto, CORVEX, CHESKA lxoxl, Monami Group, Cico, Risui, Chizza Whimsy, Emie’s Corax, PAKO_KURIT & BQDD_ARTIST, Doodle & Daydream, and Lucky Paige.

Aside from merchandise stalls, the fair also featured an art fair, Doodle Street, and a photobooth.

| via Jan Denise Elen

Photos by Roy Losabia

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NEWS | CASElethics 2026 Shines Under a Dune of Stardust The College of Arts, Sciences, and Education (CASE) held CASElet...
04/10/2026

NEWS | CASElethics 2026 Shines Under a Dune of Stardust

The College of Arts, Sciences, and Education (CASE) held CASElethics 2026 on September 28 and October 3, 2026 at the University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi, bringing together students from different programs for two days filled with athletic events, teamwork, and college spirit. Divided into two teams, Liberal Arts and Science, students went head-to-head across various games before ending the event with the Mr. and Ms. CASE "Dune of Stardust” pageantry and vocal competitions at the UST-Legazpi Daragang Magayon Hall.

From the first horn, the Liberal Arts, composed of Philosophy, Communication, and Political Science, and the Science team, composed of Psychology and Education, fought for points while representing their respective programs.

The first day of CASElethics focused on the athletic competition between the two teams as they battled for the crown across different sports.

Liberal Arts secured victories in the men's and women's sack race, men's and women's tug of war, men's darts, men's chess, men's and women's badminton doubles, and both men's and women's basketball.

Meanwhile, Science claimed victories in the men's and women's campus relay, men's and women's long jump, women's darts, women's chess, men's and women's scrabble, men's volleyball, women's table tennis, both men's and women's soccer, and Mobile Legends competition.

The battle between teams Liberal Arts and Sciences displayed skill, teamwork, strategy, and determination of the CASE students—with every sweat and tear contributing to the eagerness to win in each sport. The games were also marked by loud cheers from every supporter on the field, adding energy to the playing grounds throughout the day.

Following the competitive matches, the CASE family gathered at the UST-L Dome for the acquaintance party with the theme, “CASEchella: Dune of Stardust,” where students transitioned from loud, competitive cheers to joyful celebration through music, lights, and unity.

After ending the first day with victories and laughter, captivating candidates for Mr. and Ms. CASE and powerful voices dominating the vocal competition took the spotlight on the second day.

With their gleaming stage presence, Brent Mirabel of the Psychology department and Nicole Irish Madulid from Political Science were hailed as Mr. and Ms. CASE.

In the pageant's special awards, Mirabel was named Best in Ramp, Best in Sports Attire, and Best in Uniform while Madulid was recognized as Best in Ramp, Ms. Photogenic, Best in Sports Attire, and Best in Uniform.

For the major pageant awards, Philosophy department representatives Alwin Kian O. Banday, who was also labeled as Mr. Photogenic, and Ma. Angelica Bahoy were named second runners-up. Moreover, Yuri E. Guansing of Political Science and Showby Danielle Baytech of Psychology were declared as first runners-up.

On the other hand, CASE students proudly displayed their singing talents in the Vocal Solo and Vocal Duet categories. Maria Amor B. Ricafort, a second-year Bachelor of Elementary Education student, won the Vocal Solo competition, while in the Vocal Duet category, Karl Niño G. Manzanillo and Rhian C. Pamador emerged as winners.

CASElethics 2026 showed not only the competitiveness of the CASEyanos, but also their true sportsmanship. This spirit will be showcased in the upcoming tertiary intramurals, where they will represent the department in their respective events.

| via Bonifacio Antonio Luis

Photos by Khimberley Marcia and Roy Losabia

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KOLUM | Kagat ng Karahasan, Ligtas pa ba sa Sangkatauhan?ni Elgera Marie Antang Ligtas ba talaga ang mga hayop—o tutudas...
04/10/2026

KOLUM | Kagat ng Karahasan, Ligtas pa ba sa Sangkatauhan?
ni Elgera Marie Antang

Ligtas ba talaga ang mga hayop—o tutudasin lang kapag naging konsumisyon?

Ang mga hayop, katulad ng mga aso at pusa, ay karaniwang malalambing sa kanilang mga amo at maging sa ibang tao. Maingay kapag may nakikitang hindi pamilyar, nagiging masigla at umiindak ang buntot kapag nakita ang kanilang amo, at minsan ay pasaway kapag hindi nababantayan. May sariling kilos. May sariling ugali. May sariling paraan ng pag-unawa sa mundong hindi naman nila ginawa.

Hindi nakapagsasalita ang mga hayop upang ipagtanggol ang kanilang sarili. Hindi nila kayang ipaliwanag kung bakit sila tumahol, kumagat, nanghabol, o nanggulo. Hindi rin nila nauunawaan ang mga batas at pamantayang itinakda ng tao. Ang alam lamang nila ay mabuhay.

Hindi kailanman naging kasalanan ng mga hayop na hindi nila palaging naiintindihan ang mga tao at lalong lalo na hindi nila kasalanan na kumilos ayon sa kanilang likas na pag-uugali.

Nag-viral kamakailan ang isang vlogger matapos niyang ipakita ang kaniyang aso na nais niyang patayin dahil lamang sa pagsira nito ng mamahaling tsinelas. Tinawag niyang perwisyo ang aso at iminungkahing patayin at kuryentihin ito. Katwiran pa niya, hindi naman daw nagkakaintindihan ang aso at tao.

Sa puntong ito pa lamang, malinaw nang malayong matawag na tahanan ang kanlungan na kung saan ang dapat mag-alaga ang siyang nananakit.

Hindi nalilimitahan sa tahanan ang pang-aabuso sa mga hayop. Makikita rin ito sa mga lansangan, kung saan sila ay sinisipa, sinasagasa, at nilalason. Makikita rin ang pang-aabuso sa mga laboratoryo, kung saan ginagamit ang mga hayop bilang mga paksa ng eksperimento sa ngalan ng siyensya. Minsan, matatagpuan din ito sa mga palahayupan, kung saan nakararanas ang mga hayop ng pagpapabaya—hindi nabibigyan ng sapat na pagkain at nakararanas ng pagmamaltrato. Patunay nito ay si Mali, ang elepanteng namuhay nang ilang dekada sa Manila Zoo bago tuluyang ipreserba sa National Museum of Natural History.

Saan pa ba ligtas ang mga kahayupan?

Sabihin na nating mayroong Republic Act No. 8485 o Animal Welfare Act of 1998 na naglalayong protektahan ang mga hayop laban sa pang-aabuso at pagmamalupit. Ngunit limitado pa rin ang bisa ng batas kung patuloy na may mga taong ginagawang normal ang karahasan. Nawawala ang saysay ng batas sa papel kung patay na ang hayop na bago pa man ito maipagtanggol. Ang parusa ay maaaring nakasulat, ngunit ang tunay na laban ay nasa konsensiya ng taong may hawak ng kamay na nananakit.

Ang parusa ay maaaring nakasulat, ngunit ang tunay na laban ay nasa konsensiya ng taong may hawak ng kamay na nananakit. Dahil ang hayop ay walang boses, hindi ibig sabihin na wala silang karapatang mabuhay.

Hindi hinihingi ng mga hayop na maging tao tayo para sa kanila. Hinihingi lamang nila ang kaunting pag-unawa at makataong pagtrato.

Ang hayop ay hindi bagay. Hindi laruan. Hindi eksperimento lamang. At higit sa lahat, hindi sila nilikha para kitilin ang buhay.

Kung ang pagiging tao ay nagbibigay sa atin ng kapangyarihan, ang pagmamalasakit ang dapat magsabi kung kailan at paano ito gamitin. At dito masusukat ang tunay na pagiging makatao.

Grapiko ni Christ Paraiso

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We finished yet another trip around the sunWhere the stars return to their place a year not once,Yet they seem to move f...
03/10/2026

We finished yet another trip around the sun

Where the stars return to their place a year not once,

Yet they seem to move further a little more

For a writer who touches souls

and words that transcend its lore.

Wishing a happiest birthday to our enthusiastic Literary Editor, Jan Denise Elen! 🎉


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NEWS | STUDENTS AWAITING RESULTS AS DAY 1 OF CEAFALYMPICS WRAPS UPWith the theme, Wonderland: Reign of the Four Courts, ...
02/10/2026

NEWS | STUDENTS AWAITING RESULTS AS DAY 1 OF CEAFALYMPICS WRAPS UP

With the theme, Wonderland: Reign of the Four Courts, CEAFAlympics 2026 hit the ground running this October 1, 2026 with students of the CEAFA department showing off their team colors throughout the school campus.

To start this 2-day event, all four courts, the Forgers, the Seers, the Vanguards, and the Tricksters gathered in the UST-Legazpi Dome to partake in the opening ceremonies. As members of each court yelled out their chants and took their oaths, the games finally started as representatives of each court raced to raise their flags with the Forgers claiming first place, the Seers following in second, the Vanguards in third, and the Tricksters in last place.

As the day commenced, sports of both brain and brawn took place all throughout the campus, with crowds of spectators from all courts gathering to witness the display. For now, players can only hold their breath and wait for the announcement of the official results.

| via Gabrielle Angelo Berces

Photos by Jea Magracia, Roy Losabia, and Ryen Celadiña

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