Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P. is UST’s 97th Rector ery Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P. was recently appointed as the 97th Rector of the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, the Catholic University of the Philippines Vand considered the oldest University in Asia. The Prefect of the Congregatio de Institutione Catholica (Studiorum Institutis) [The Congregation for Catholic Education (Institutes of Study)] His Eminence Giuseppe Cardinal Versaldi signed a rescritto or papal rescript agreeing with Fr. Ang’s nomination by the Master of the Order of Preachers and UST Chancellor Very Rev. Fr. Gerard Francisco P. Timoner, III, O.P. Upon this notice, Very Rev. Fr. Timoner confirmed Fr. Ang’s appointment as Rector of UST on May 7, 2020. The Congregation for Catholic Education (Institutes of Study) is the pontifical congregation of the Roman Curia responsible for higher education institutes that depend on ecclesiastical authorities. As a pontifical university, UST also falls under its purview. Now the eighth Filipino Rector of UST, Fr. Ang served as UST Vice Rector from 2012 until January 2020 and Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy. He was formally named Acting Rector by his predecessor, the Very Rev. Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, O.P. Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., UST’s 97th Rector Fr. Ang spent his academic life at the University of Santo Tomas. He was always a brilliant student. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy degree, cum Laude, from the UST Faculty of Arts and Letters in 1990. He has a Licentiate in INSIDE: DOST names UST Vice Rector for Research Philosophy degree, graduating Magna cum Laude from the UST and Innovation Nonato as Faculty of Philosophy in 1994. He obtained his Bachelor‘s degree NAST Academician 2 in Sacred Theology, Summa cum Laude, from the UST Faculty of Sacred Theology in 1997, and his Licentiate in Sacred Theology Vice Rector for Academic Affairs details and Master of Arts in Religious Studies degrees, Magna cum plans on continuation of learning, Laude, from the UST Ecclesiastical Faculties in 1999. In 2010, emphasizes prioritization of health, Fr. Ang obtained his Doctor of Philosophy degree, Summa cum safety of students 3 Laude, from the UST Faculty of Philosophy. In his capacity as Vice Rector of the University for eight years, Eng’g mentor invents robot LISA to Fr. Ang was also chairman of various University committees assist doctors with remote patient access 7 that include the Manpower, Scholarship, and Retirement Board Committees. He was also a member of the Economic Council, Zerrudo speaks at DOT e-learning series Council of Regents, and the Academic Senate. Even before he on conservation, use of heritage site was named Vice Rector, he occupied various positions in the amid COVID-19 10 University such as Director of the Purchasing Office from 2010 to 2012, Faculty Secretary of the Ecclesiastical Faculties from 2006 UST offers free mental health care to 2008 and Spiritual Director of the UST Central Seminary from for COVID-19 frontliners 14 2005 to 2007, among others. #HeartHealHope: UST Singers alumni thank COVID-19 frontliners with musical rendition 15 UST’S 97TH RECTOR TO PAGE 2 and more ... News News DOST names UST Vice Rector for Research and Vice Rector for Academic Affairs details plans on Innovation Nonato as NAST Academician continuation of learning, emphasizes prioritization of health, safety of students niversity of Santo Tomas Vice Pandanus has around 700 species. Rector for Research and Innovation Fifty-two are found in the Philippines, Prof. Maribel G. Nonato, Ph.D., of which 43 are endemic. It is used as Sharing some of the University’s able to anticipate that there could be Uwas recognized as an Academician of traditional medicines in Southeast Asia, practices, Peralta said, “We deployed an suspension of classes. As of March 9, we the National Academy of Science and Papua New Guinea, and India. internet connectivity tracker for faculty and deployed the continuity plan for teaching Technology (NAST) under the Department The studies on the leaves and roots students to identify their potential concerns. and learning, just to make sure that once P. amaryllifolius of Science and Technology. She now joins of afforded novel alkaloid With that information, our academic units there is suspension of classes, everyone Pandanus a league of resident Filipino scientists structures found only in . These were able to render the detailed monitoring, knows what will be done [as regards to who have made exemplary contributions alkaloids have characteristic feature so later on they can be assisted, once the classes]. Later that same afternoon, Mayor to science and technology and have associated with anti-cholesterol and anti- students return to campus.” Domagoso suspended classes for a week.” advanced its cause in the Philippines. inflammatory activities. Nonato’s research “We really have to accept that [a shift Regular delivery of instruction through Pandanus According to the NAST website, to be studies on novel alkaloids were to online learning] is the new normal,” the BlackBoard learning management recognized as a member of the Academy, recognized as significant contribution to remarked Peralta, adding that “Even if the system also referred to in UST as Cloud titled an Academician, one must be elected. the chemistry of alkaloids and merited ECQ is lifted as planned, the main concern Campus was implemented on April 14, In this case, Nonato was nominated by inclusion in the book series “Alkaloids: will always be the health and safety of 2020, at the end of the government’s National Scientist Dr. Lourdes J. Cruz of Chemistry and Biology”. To this day, our people. It’s not just teaching and initially announced period of community Pandanus the University of the Philippines – Diliman. the UST drug discovery and learning that will change, I think even our Earning the moniker “Queen of development program continues to explore processes, our other services will change in VICE RECTOR FOR ACADEMIC Pandans” among fellow scientists for her alkaloids and other biologically important consideration of putting in place preventive AFFAIRS TO PAGE 7 pioneering research on Philippine-grown metabolites from endemic and indigenous practices to avoid the spread of infection.” Pandanus amaryllifolius Pandanus , Nonato paved species. Admitting that continuous evaluation the way for other studies on Pandans in Nonato, who obtained both her of implementation was necessary, Peralta Southeast Asia. Bachelor and Master of Science degrees UST Vice Rector for Research and said that communication among all NAST ACADEMICIAN FROM PAGE 2 Innovation and newest Academician of stakeholders is important and that they are NAST Prof. Maribel G. Nonato, Ph.D. open to improving the set-up as necessary. NAST ACADEMICIAN TO PAGE 3 (Photo courtesy of Fotomasino) from the University of Santo Tomas, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Dr. Cheryl R. “We are in constant communication Peralta was a recipient of the 2017 Philippine with our student leaders, the various Federation of Chemistry Societies presidents of the student councils of - Shimadzu Achievement Award in the different academic units… We are Chemical Research, the 2016 Philippine committed to exploring ways to help our Association for the Advancement of ecision makers of the top Philippine students and our faculty,” she emphasized. Science and Technology (PhilAAST) UST’S 97TH RECTOR FROM PAGE 1 universities, including the University Gregorio Y. Zara Achievement Award for of Santo Tomas (UST), discussed Rising to the Challenge Basic Research, and the 2006 National The new Rector is a writer and editor. He has contributed articles Donline learning in a radio interview aired The University already has its Research Council of the Philippines to various journals particularly in Oriental Philosophy and Rational through Radyo Katipunan 87.9FM on April established online modes of learning Achievement Award in Chemical Psychology, his areas of specialization. These include “The Confucian 17, 2020. Representing UST was Vice access, however, managing the adjustment Sciences. Li” in Colloquia Manila, “On Conceiving Ren Towards Birthing RuJin” in Rector for Academic Affairs Prof. Cheryl R. of a large University is not easy. In 1993, Nonato received the degree Philippiniana Sacra among others. He has been involved with various Peralta, DrPH. Peralta shared, “It’s quite a challenge Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry publications as consultant, academic adviser and review editor. Peralta was interviewed along with De to take care of the needs of 40,000 from the University of Wollongong in In 2018, Fr. Ang’s book, “Between the Confucian Li and Ren: a La Salle University Chancellor Br. Bernard students, over 2,000 faculty members, and Australia. She is the past President of Philosophical Hermeneutics,” was launched by the UST Publishing Oca, FSC; Ateneo de Manila University Vice more than 500 support staff. We had to the Philippine Federation of Chemistry House. President for Loyola Schools Dr. Maria Luz take into consideration the differences in Societies, Inc. (PFCS) and the Organic In a letter to the Thomasian community on May 26, 2020, Fr. Ang set Vilches, and University of the Philippines the government regulations for each of our Chemistry Teachers Association. the direction, “Together, let us adapt to our new academic environment Vice President for Public Affairs Dr. Elena programs and we had to draft the policies Currently, she serves as President of not only with our usual adherence to excellence, but with our renewed Pernia. Radyo Katipunan host Noel Ferrer in a way that will capture everyone and yet the Natural Products Society of the sense of competence, commitment and compassion. As a community, was joined by reactors that included UST allow everyone some time and space to Philippines. we shall overcome. Always, with God’s unending grace.” Communications Bureau Assistant Director navigate that, to implement it at their level.” The Queen of Pandans now joins for Broadcast Asst.