UST Purple Gazette

13/06/2022

Epitome of Excellence: Biochemistry’s Suyo is the Batch Valedictorian for AY 2021-2022

With pride and glory, the Department of Biochemistry's Louie Rince C. Suyo received the Rector's Academic Award with the highest general weighted average in the University (Batch Valedictorian for AY 2021-2022) during the Student Awards 2022 last May 31 at the Quadricentennial Pavilion Arena.

Added to his merit were two other awards under the group category, namely St. Albertus Magnus Award and Benavides Outstanding Achievement Award (Faculty Level), which were also given in the said ceremony.

Suyo is a 23-year-old student from 4A-BC whose decision to embark on Biochemistry began when he was in Senior High School and noticed his good biology and chemistry marks. He initially thought that the program was just a combination of both; little did he know it was more complex than how it sounded. In his own words, he described, "it involves dealing with a myriad of metabolic pathways and reactions in living organisms."

He also had his fair share of setbacks along the journey. As a son, sibling, student-leader, scholar, and tutor to his nephews and nieces, he needed to play multiple roles simultaneously, which often felt overwhelming. However, he persisted, frequently reminding himself that "we are beings with finiteness; to get through it, we must take one step at a time and decide which to prioritize first."

Biochemistry may sometimes be too consuming of energy, time, and life–but it is worth the hardships. For Suyo, it can offer great opportunities in medicine, industry, research studies, agriculture, forensics, and other related fields. Hence, despite all odds, he was satisfied with his decision and grateful for the department.

His greatest source of inspiration in achieving his academic goals was himself, as he strives for self-improvement in all opportunities that come his way. He usually assesses the situation and sees where and how he could use his knowledge, skills, and experiences to help his family and community.

As he closes this chapter of his life, Suyo sends gratitude to the Faculty of Pharmacy for all the memories, opportunities, and guidance he has received during his stay. "I sincerely hope and pray that each member of this family will become successful and genuinely happy in their future endeavors," Suyo remarked.

Life in a university is no easy feat. It is more than the rollercoaster ride that most have thought of. But, from the story of Suyo, a glimpse of hope and inspiration can be drawn.

By: Charlyn Catapang

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Photo Courtesy of Mr. Louie Rince C. Suyo

02/06/2022

Down to the last few steps towards the end of the sem, how is the student in you, so far?

We understand that it could already be a little draining at this point. But, worry less because your fellow purple tigers could totally relate to you in this quite-an-adventure journey in the Faculty of Pharmacy.

Today, we present to you PG Fast Talk: Student Life Second Edition. Feel free to also ask yourselves these questions and get to know the FoP students who you would most likely vibe with!

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Content by: Charlyn Catapang and Francis Sandoval
Layout by: Dannyela Dizon

31/05/2022

“I may not be there yet, but I’m closer than I was yesterday.” - José N. Harris

Good luck on your shifting exams, future Pharmacists! Together as we strive for our future, may we remember to always take a rest when needed. Success is almost within our grasps, but it will be worthless if we do not take care of ourselves.

Caption by: Nicole Coseip
Design by: Dannyela Dizon

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12/05/2022

UST Biochem Students, Staff win Best Poster in BIOTA, AABE

UST Biochemistry students have successfully bagged the Best Poster Award in the Biodiversity and Conservation Category of the 56th Biology Teachers Association of the Philippines (BIOTA) National Convention and Scientific Sessions/28th Biennial Conference of the ASEAN Association of Biology Education (AABE) for their paper entitled “T’s for Fears: Anti-anxiety Activity of Philippine Tarantula” last April 28-30, 2022 via Zoom.

Among the Thomasian awardees who participated in the event are Rizelle Anne A. Calpo, Joshua Lawrence C. Bautista, Jaden G. Jaroolin, Elian Angelo M. Abellanosa, Anna Beatriz R. Mayor, Olga M. Nuñez, Darrel C. Acuña, Mula R. Santiago-Bautista, alongside their advisers Mr. Mark Kevin Devanadera, Asst. Prof. Myla Santiago-Bautista, PhD, Asst. Prof Gardee Peña, and Asst. Prof. Leonardo Guevarra.

The poster was about an isolated venom fraction obtained from the Philippine Orphnaecus tarantula species and was studied for its anxiolytic potential in zebrafish. It was then compared to Diazepam in dose-dependent neurobehavioral assays and glucose oxidase test.

“Spider venom has been an emerging topic in venom therapeutics. Thus, an isolated venom fraction from the Philippine Orphnaecus tarantula species and associating it with having the ability to produce anxiolytic activity is a great advancement to the field, as it may contain potential therapeutic application against neurotransmitter-related diseases such as pathological anxiety,” Calpo said when asked about their paper’s relevance.

Considering the experimentation, data gathering, data analysis and poster designing, Calpo mentioned that it took the group a month to prepare for the event.

Furthemore, distinguished academic staff Assoc. Prof. Maria Ruth B. Pineda-Cortel, Jose Angelo A. Bunag, Therriz P. Mamerto, and Miguel Francisco B. Abulencia also won best poster award in the Health and Wellness Category for their paper entitled, “Transcriptime Analysis reveal Distinct Potential Biomarkers for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus” in the said event.

The BIOTA is an annual national convention and scientific session. However, this year’s event was in partnership with the 28th Biennial Conference of the AABE.

By: Jorgia Lou A. Rojas

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Photo Courtesy of UST Faculty of Pharmacy page

11/05/2022

“Freedom of the press is not just important to democracy. It is democracy.” – Walter Cronkite

The election period is the rise of massive information dissemination and almost an uncontrollable widening of the candidates’ sphere of influence. This puts pressure on the press to ensure the accuracy of the information received by the public and remain true to their duty as watchdogs who will safeguard the transparency of the entire election process. With this, journalists are faced with greater battles.

As the 2022 Philippine elections close, let us hear these campus journalists from UST Purple Gazette as they share their insights on the impacts of election on press freedom.

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Layout by: Dannyela Dizon

03/05/2022

Medtech, Psych Seniors bag Championship and People's Choice Awards in PH Conference

The team of three UST Medical Technology and a Psychology student was hailed as the Grand Champion and won the People’s Choice Award in the Health Innovation Competition of the UP College of Medicine's 8th Philippine Conference on Community Health (PCCH): HAYAG - Singanen o Masa, last April 23.

“The Juans” comprised of fourth-year medtech students Jefson Romeo Felix, Kyla Maru Magcamit, Sofia Levy Destura, and Rommeleen Estolano from College of Science presented their project called “Project LYF” in hopes of addressing community concerns in Burgos, Surigao del Norte. They were the only undergraduate students out of the five groups who participated in the event.

Project LYF or Project Lokal Youth Force, as stated in the PCCH page, is an initiative which “aims to sustainably solve community health challenges by strengthening grassroots participation through capacity-building, people empowerment, and public-private partnerships and produce youth leaders and doers.” Under it are four sub-projects namely Lokal Youth Force Fellowship Program, Chikajuan Pangkalusugan, Tayo Para Sa Tao, and Townhall Talakayan.

When asked what inspired them to come up with Project LYF, Felix answered, “As we were given a case vignette of the situation in the Municipality of Burgos in Siargao, being one of the most affected places after the typhoon Odette last year, we really aimed for a project that does not only give a solution to the community’s problem, rather, a sustainable mechanism and opportunity for the community itself to be part of the solution, having youth efforts at the core of this initiative."

"Health promotion at the community level or in general will only be efficient, effective, and sustainable through public-private partnerships," he added.

The group is part of Juan Health PH, a youth-led community and public health centered digital publication, founded by Felix and Maria Rosario Isabel Seares who is also a medtech student in UST as their flagship project in ASEAN Youth Social Journalism (AYSJ) Contest 2021. Felix and Seares were also able to place first in the said contest.

Felix, Magcamit, and Destura are the former Editor-in-Chief, Health Science Editor, and Creatives Director of UST Purple Gazette, respectively.

The PCCH is an organization which focuses on the health status of the country and the current matters surrounding it. This year's conference is led by UPM Regionalization Students’ Organization, UP Medicine Student Council, ASMPH Student Council, ASMPH-SC Public Health Council, UP Medical Students for Social Responsibility, and ASMPH Class of 2025.

By: Khryzler Myreen T. Flores

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Photo Courtesy of Jefson Romeo Felix and Philippine Conference on Community Health Facebook Livestream

08/04/2022

A Thomasian landed on the third spot of the April 2022 Pharmacy Licensure Examination as per the results released by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) today, April 8.

Elisha B. Soriano ranked third with a rating of 90.45%.

The University recorded 21 passers out of 46 examinees, garnering an overall performance of 45.65%.

06/04/2022

PANITIKANG TOMASINO, SANDIGAN NG MALAYANG TINIG AT HARAYA!

Ang ika-37 Gawad Ustetika ay tumatanggap na ng mga kalahok na akda. Ang mga kategoryang bilang ay: Tula, Poetry, Katha, Fiction, Sanaysay, Essay, at Dulang may isang yugto/One-act play.

Bukas ang timpalak sa lahat ng mag-aaral ng kolehiyo sa Unibersidad ng Santo Tomas sa taong akademiko 2021-2022.

I-scan ang QR code upang matugunan ang Google form (https://bit.ly/varsitarian37ustetika) at ilakip ang mga sumusunod: kopya ng akda (MS Word format), kopya ng registration form ng kalahok at Certification of Originality na nilagdaan ng isang propesor sa Ingles o Filipino.

Tatanggap ang Varsitarian ng mga lahok na akda mula Ika-21 ng Pebrero, Lunes hanggang Ika-29 ng Abril, 2022, Biyernes. Para sa mga katanungan at iba pang detalye, padalhan ng mensahe o tawagan sina Renzelle Picar (0977 045 2044) at Jessica Asprer (0908 972 2620), o magpadala ng email sa [email protected].

05/04/2022

05/04/2022

“Somewhere inside the of all of us is the power to change the world” - Roald Dahl

As elections come near, it is important for us to know our potential leaders’ PLATFORMS, INTENTIONS, and PLANS for the people. With this, the Faculty of Pharmacy Student Council presents SUFFRAGE: Voters Education, to equip ourselves with the knowledge to make us more aware and keen in making our choices.

The vote you will make today will determine our future for the next six years.

Your VOTE MATTERS, Purple Tiger!

Pre-register here: tinyurl.com/SuffragePreReg2022

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Caption by: Judienne Angelique Pilpil
Pubmat by: Mikkaela Pinos

31/03/2022

JUST IN | The UST Faculty of Pharmacy Office of the Dean announced today, March 31, that all slots for qualified USTAR applicants for its BS Pharmacy, BS Medical Technology, and BS Biochemistry programs were now full.

The Faculty also reminded that any appeal or concerns sent through email or messenger will not be entertained.

As per the announcement, FoP will first process all qualified applicants then any succeeding available slots will be allotted for the qualified waitlisted applicants.

Source: UST Faculty of Pharmacy page

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