Aquinian Herald (2025)

08/10/2025

𝗟𝗜𝗙𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗬𝗟𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗗𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗗𝗔𝗬 | EXAMS, ESSAYS, AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN
by AJ Reyes/Shisan

The university may have a set official calendar, with each class having its own syllabus, and every student having their own study plan. Yet, somehow, things rarely go exactly as imagined. All the advice from your Ates or Kuyas, the endless internet searches, and the funny memes you scroll through at night can only serve as a guide, but it's not a guarantee of a perfect plan. At the end of the day, all you can really do is let life unfold and enjoy everything in between.

𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗼-𝗼𝗿-𝗱𝗶𝗲.

Exam weeks are one of the turning points in a student’s life each semester, a period that can change things for better or for worse. Worried about a failing grade? The term exam might save you. Aiming for flying colors? The finals might be your final key to victory. Everything that happens within that short span of a week is more than just test papers or practical assessments, it’s the culmination of all the effort, habits, and attitude a student has built beforehand. It’s the moment where caffeine meets perseverance, and where all-nighters suddenly make sense.

𝗘𝘀𝘀𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱.

Writing is not a task everybody enjoys, but whether it’s for laborious homework or a class activity, it remains one of the ways students can express themselves, all while fighting against grammatical rules and racing against a deadline. Essays become a medium of expression, revealing the raw thoughts, observations, and beliefs of students. Within those words on paper, these essays become reflections of a student’s true self. In some way, writing an essay can be compared to the friendships that develop along the way in college, relationships that don’t start because of strict rules, but through a genuine attempt to connect, to understand, and simply by trying to make an effort.

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻’𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘆.

If you look closer, some moments just can’t be perfectly captured by a camera. Experiences in academics, extracurriculars, and personal life sometimes happen too fast, and sometimes, it happens all at once. Cameras can’t fully preserve the feelings that come from the bonds you’ve formed with others, and they don’t have the capacity to describe the bitterness of heartbreaks or the joy that comes from your small victories. When life starts slow and suddenly speeds up, memories and interactions begin to accumulate. One day, you’ll look back and realize how many things happened in just four or five years. Those unrecorded memories were only for you, and they allowed you to learn and grow even when no one was watching.

At some point, you just figure things out as you go. You’ll make mistakes, you’ll learn to adapt, you’ll laugh, and you’ll keep moving. That’s what college really is, not just about exams and essays, but about everything in between. Life doesn't stop for anyone, and no matter how confusing things could be, the only way out is to keep moving forward.

Layout by Criselle Morano

in

08/10/2025

HAPPENING NOW | The CEAFA department has gathered for the opening ceremony of the 2025 CEAFALYMPICS at the UST-L Dome today, October 8, 2025.

Members of teams Andros, Lynphea, Solaria, and Zenith assemble to perform the Pledge of Sportsmanship to kick off the start of the three-day event.

| via Gabrielle Angelo Berces

Photos by Chloe Marguerette Vargas

in

06/10/2025

SPORTS | TEAM LOVERS CLINCHES GOLD IN CHS ALLYMPICS 2025
by Christine Gaile Dimatatac

Higher by 25 points than Team High Priestess, Team Lovers emerged as the overall champion with 1,925 points in the College of Health Sciences (CHS) Allympics, held on October 1–2 at the University of Santo Tomas–Legazpi Main Campus.

Showcasing their prowess and teamwork, CHS students demonstrated their skills across sports, academic, and creative competitions in this year’s two-day, intramurals-like Allympics event.

Team Lovers secured the top spot overall, followed by Team High Priestess as first runner-up with 1,900 points, Team Chariot as second runner-up with 1,600 points, and Team Magicians as third runner-up with 1,550 points.

On the court, Team Magicians dominated men’s basketball, while Team Lovers captured the women’s title. In volleyball, Team Lovers triumphed in the men’s category, while Team Chariot claimed victory in the women’s division.

In football, Team Lovers showcased their dominance in the men’s division, while Team Chariot powered through as champions in the women’s category.

The badminton tournament showcased Team Lovers’ agility in the men’s division, as Team Lovers also emerged victorious in the women’s event.

On the darts board, Team Chariot hit bull’s-eye in the men’s category, while Team Lovers outplayed their opponents in the women’s side.

In table tennis, Team Chariot ruled the men’s category, followed by Team High Priestess and Team Lovers — while Team Lovers reigned in the women’s division, followed by Team High Priestess, Team Chariot, and Team Magicians respectively.

The chess competition tested mental prowess and patience as Team Lovers dominated the men’s division, while Team Magicians outwitted rivals in the women’s board.

For the laro ng lahi, Team High Priestess bested others in kadang-kadang, while Team Magicians sprinted to gold in the sack race and Men’s relay. Meanwhile, Team Chariot reigned in the women’s relay, displaying strong coordination and endurance.

In the academic and literary contests, Team High Priestess showcased their intellectual edge by winning both essay writing and poster making, while Team Chariot conquered the quiz bee.

Online gamers also brought their A-game as Team High Priestess triumphed in Mobile Legends, and Team Chariot seized victory in Call of Duty: Mobile (CODM).

With the theme “Arcana Lux: Revealing What Was Never Shown,” the two-day event concluded with an awarding ceremony and acquaintance party on Thursday night, October 2.

Photos by Christine Gaile Dimatatac, Gianna Emmalene Gimena, and Mecona Endrano

in

06/10/2025

NEWS | FIRST-EVER THOMASIAN ORGNITIATION INDUCTS UST-LEGAZPI STUDENT LEADERS AND ADVISERS
by Godffrey Garcia

The University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi's Office of Student Services (OSS) and Supreme Student Council (SSC) organized the first “Thomasian Orginitiation” event, held at the UST-Legazpi Dome on October 4, 2025.

The event gathered advisers and student leaders from various university-recognized organizations to officially induct and equip them with knowledge, skills, and a collaborative spirit.

The event began with a Holy Mass and an induction and oath-taking ceremony for the student leaders and advisers, presided over by the University's Rector and President Fr. Edwin A. Lao, OP, MM, DBA. In the afternoon, participants attended an orientation seminar featuring discussions on essential topics for student leadership and organizational development.

“I wholeheartedly accepted the role as an adviser. This role, as I have said, is very vital. It is very important in [supporting] the activities and advocacies of the Supreme Student Council,” said SSC Adviser Jeric B. Batas, LPT, CHRA, MAEd, in an interview regarding his role as the council’s adviser.

Batas also gave advice to the newly elected student officers as they began their term of service: “My advice to our student leaders is to continue what they have started, and do not forget that in all these things, this will be possible through the grace of God. Because if we only rely on ourselves, we know the fact that we are not that perfect. We are also persons, and as persons, we are not perfect. [With] the help of our team, with the entire council, and through the grace of God, we may all fulfill and perform what is bestowed on us.”

In the following interviews, several student leaders shared their insights on the unique challenges they face in balancing their organizational duties and academics, the values and principles that will guide their leadership throughout their term, and the significance of student leadership in shaping the university experience.

Brian V. Gonzales, President of SSC, expressed that his most difficult challenge is finding balance in accommodating and addressing everyone’s unique requests and concerns with a “sense of care and sense of love.” He also emphasized inclusivity, ensuring that the minority will not be left out.

He also shared that the values and principles that will guide his leadership are the three core values: ‘gratus’, which means gratitude; ‘dominicanis’, which represents being the hands of God for the Lord; and ‘amor’, which means love — values through which he intends to serve the student body with wholehearted gratitude.

He added that leadership is not merely a responsibility for compliance, but a selfless act of service to others and a journey towards personal growth and excellence that allows one to share those achievements with the community.

Marc Lozada, Secretary of the Philosophy Circle of the Philippines (P*P), shared that he faces challenges in managing his time between academic and organizational duties, and he plans to address them by staying organized, communicating openly with the organization, and setting clear priorities.

He also added that his leadership will be guided by the values of integrity, accountability, and teamwork, and being fair and transparent will help him maintain a balance between his studies and his responsibilities in the organization.

Lozada also shared his insights on the importance of student leadership in helping develop confidence, responsibility, and collaboration skills — key qualities that allow students to contribute to a more engaging and supportive university community.

Baron Geoffrey D. Mariñas, President of the College of Business Management and Accountancy Student Council (CBMA-SC), also highlighted the unique challenges of coordinating with different organizations, each with its own ideas and strengths. He added that these challenges can be addressed by engaging in open conversations with prospective leaders across organizations and establishing a shared vision and common goals as an institution within the University.

He added that the values and principles guiding his leadership are his commitment to the council and his determination to find a way to accomplish its tasks.

Mariñas also shared his thoughts that student leaders are one of the foundations of the University, as they contribute to uniting the student body and serve as the voice of both students and faculty members.

The event concluded with the awarding of certificates to the student leaders and organizations.

Photos by Grizzlyn Arce & Jea Jesserie Magracia

in

06/10/2025

KIND MIND | BLOOM
by hachiware

I love dangling earrings. Seeing them na gumegewang-gewang from people's ears tickles something in my brain kaya I want to wear one. Kaya I made one for myself pero di ko masusuot.

The shame I had nung bata pa ako for liking cute thingz is still somewhere inside me.

And currently, I am healing that young version of myself. Reclaiming something that wilted for a version to bloom. A version more palatable sa paningin ng iba.

I am done pleasing people. What matters most is what I truly want. And I want feminine things. I want to like things without shame. I want to wear that flower earring.

Kaso hindi ko pa yata kaya sa ngayon pero I know sometime I will have that courage. Kaya I am always carrying that pink flower earring in my pocket, just in case 🌺.

art by Janna Lorin

in

05/10/2025

Happy Teacher's Day! 🎉

The influence of your passion and dedication that goes into teaching us students far exceeds the small box that is a classroom. It inspires us to reach our capability for greatness — as you may have already recognized, showing care that comes out as tough love when you push us beyond our limits. 😣

To all the teachers out there, we express our deepest and utmost gratitude once again, because we know that in every correction, there is concern, and in every expectation, there is belief. ✨

in

04/10/2025

HAPPENING NOW | Rector and President Rev. Fr. Edwin A. Lao, OP, MM, DBA inducted the student leaders and advisers representing their respective organizations at the UST- Legazpi Dome.

| via Zaki Reyes

Photos by Gwyn Mandane

in

04/10/2025

HAPPENING NOW | Rector and President Rev. Fr. Edwin A. Lao, OP, MM, DBA is currently presiding the Holy Mass for the blessing and inauguration of key of responsibilities at the UST-Legazpi Dome.

| via Zaki Reyes

Photos by Gwyn Mandane

in

04/10/2025

HAPPENING NOW | Various organizations of the University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi have gathered for the "Thomasian Orginitiation I" at the UST-Legazpi Dome today, October 4, 2025.

The event consists of inductees and their respective advisers whom will undergo an oath-taking ceremony.

| via Zaki Reyes

Photos by Gwyn Mandane

in

03/10/2025

CULTURE FRIDAY | Filipino Resilience: A Source of Strength or a Burden of Systemic Neglect?
by Aliah Samson

The culture of resilience is truly the lifeblood of the Philippines, built on years of tradition and struggle for survival. The nation’s history of adversity, being situated along the typhoon belt and the Pacific Ring of Fire, has shaped its identity. Social and cultural values, highlighted in the concept of solidarity, have enabled communities to endure and recover together in times of crisis.

This resilience extends beyond natural disasters to the daily struggles arising from the lack of educational and economic development, as well as from recurring social challenges. What is often described as “superhuman patience” reflects the exceptional capacity of Filipinos to persevere — not out of choice, but out of necessity.

It is somewhat ironic that while Filipinos are globally recognized for their resilience, the elites appear detached from these lived realities. In this era, resilience may even be considered selective rather than universal — its weight carried mostly by the underprivileged, while the privileged are spared.

Moreover, Filipinos strongly uphold their traditions, from cultural practices to grand gestures of hospitality, generosity, and family closeness. It remains one of the most nurtured traits of Filipinos, developed through the countless setbacks the country has endured. Resilience takes many forms, visible in the persistence of Filipino vendors — such as street food sellers, mangtataho, and fishermen — who continue to sell their goods despite adverse weather conditions. In many cases, they endure floods or extreme heat simply to make ends meet.

In this sense, resilience may be seen as a trait passed on to generations of Bicolanos, who are accustomed to surviving on minimal resources. Floods and droughts are common occurrences, and disasters often feel like another small setback in addition to the daily and yearly hardships they face.

However, this culture of resilience is a double-edged sword — a systematic burden and a necessity born of circumstance, perpetuated by a toxic narrative of how Filipinos are expected to act when disaster strikes.

Resilience is no longer merely an admirable product of culture and tradition but rather, a forced adaptation due to a lack of alternatives. The focus should shift toward celebrating resilience while dismantling the negative aspects of suffering, addressing the root causes of hardship, and pursuing active change. Resilience is not something to be glorified if it means stagnation. Waiting for cultural transformation while those in power manipulate Filipino traits to secure their own advantages is what pushes ordinary Filipinos closer to the edge of an endless slope of suffering and labeling their desperation as this so-called resilience.

Layout by Ed Arena

in

03/10/2025

🎉You all made it!🎉

We are so PSYCHED to congratulate our former heras and aldos that has spent sweat, tears, and years for this moment! Your dedication to understand the scientific study of our mental processes and behavior has finally paid off by having accomplished one of your many dreams.🌟

Wishing you all the best as you apply your wisdom towards the voyage that is making a difference in society or even for just a singular person.💗

in

03/10/2025

THE 2025 WHITE CLOAK CEREMONY OF UST-L PHARMACY INDUCTEES
by Christine Gaile Dimatatac

The University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi formally held the White Coat Ceremony for its fourth-year Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy students on September 30, 2025, at the Daragang Magayon Hall.

The ceremony began with a Mass and the Blessing of the White Coats, highlighting the solemnity and spiritual significance of the inductees’ achievements.

Delivering the keynote address, Joy G. Benitez, RPh, Secretary of the Albay Pharmacists’ Association, Inc., described the coat as both a promise and a passage, urging the students to walk with courage, humility, and brilliance as future stewards of health.

The Introduction and Cloaking Ceremony was led by Hon. Carolyn Sy-Reyes, RPh, President of the Albay Pharmacists’ Association, Inc., with the assistance of the faculty members.

This was followed by the Oath-Taking of Pharmacy Intern Inductees, administered by Heidee Jinky T. Belangel, RPh, MBA, Chief Pharmacist of UST-Legazpi Hospital.

The White Coat Ceremony symbolizes caring, trust, and professionalism, signifying the students’ readiness to be seen as competent and responsible members of the healthcare field.

The program consisted of 47 students who were inducted as pharmacy interns.

Photos by Christine Gaile Dimatatac

in

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