NEWS

"There is an appointed time for everything," said the UST Pax Romana Alumni Association, Inc. (USTPRAAI) President Dr. Egidio P. Elio during his speech in their Inauguration and Induction of Trustees last November 28, 2020 via Zoom and Facebook Live.

The said online event was supposed to happen 14 days earlier however, due to the adverse effects of Typhoon Ulysses, the celebration was moved to a later date. For the group, waiting for a few more days to finally formalize their association is like a walk in a park. In the first segment of the event, master of ceremonies Nonon Baang and Dr. Mary Jean Guno mentioned that the formation of USTPRAAI took almost 5 decades. Building a group of professionals from a prestigious student organization such as Pax Romana has been no easy feat considering its long and rich history when it came to the Philippines in 1929 and was formed in 1930 at UST. In celebration of the 80th anniversary of UST Pax Romana and the centennial anniversary of Pax Romana International next year, the group believed that now is the high time to turn their dream into reality and make history. Then, the hosts presented the elected USTPRAAI Board of Trustees to their fellow Paxies.

UST PAX ROMANA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, INC. BOARD OF TRUSTEES

President & Trustee: Dr. Egidio P. Elio (Doctor of Medicine, Class of 1981)

Vice President & Trustee: Atty. Danilo V. Roleda (Bachelor of Laws, Class of 1981)

Secretary & Trustee: Dr. Elizabeth Cheng-Magalit (Doctor of Medicine, Class of 1986)

Treasurer & Trustee: John Derick De Recto, CMA (BS Accountancy, Class of 2019)

 PRO & Trustee: Jeremy Evan Balusero (BSBA in Financial Management, Class of 2020)

Trustees:

Mary Jane Mateo-Tesoro (AB Communication Arts, Class of 1978)

Dr. Jesus Querubin, Jr. (Doctor of Medicine, Class of 1985)

Engr. Frederick Parayno (BS Civil Engineering, Class of 1987)

Ferdinand Martinez, PhDBM (BSC, Class of 1986)

Atty. Ray Espinosa (BS General Studies, Class of 1977)

Dr. Jerry Catapang (BS Medical Technology, Class of 1987)

UST Vice-Rector Rev. Fr. Isaias Antonio O. Tiongco, O.P. warmly congratulated the officers on behalf of the Rector through a recorded message. He lauded their incessant efforts to form an association despite the pandemic. "It is noteworthy that in the midst of your intellectual and professional undertakings, you continue to help realize your undertaking as true and genuine apostles of Christ in your workplace, in your community, in the Church as well as where you find yourselves," Rev. Fr. Tiongco added. He hoped that the group will inspire other alumni to do the same.

Most. Rev. Broderick S. Pabillo, D.D., the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Manila also congratulated USTPRAAI. "Maganda at nagtayo kayo ng inyong alumni association para maipagpatuloy ninyo ang engagement sa society," he said. [It's admirable that you have established your alumni association so you could continue your engagement with society.] As part of the lay faithful, Most. Rev. Pabillo encouraged the members to continue bringing Christ in their chosen fields, to guide each other on their mission in helping their brothers and sisters in need, and to be an example for others.

After the inspirational messages, UST Alumni Relations Director Asst. Prof. Fredeswindo R. Medina, MACHs announced that the USTPRAAI was able to comply with the requirements and has now been officially recognized by the University of Santo Tomas. Prof. Evelyn A. Songco, Ph.D., the president of the UST Alumni Association, Inc., also welcomed and announced the admission of USTPRAAI to the mother alumni organization of the university.

Then, the Board of Trustees was inducted by Rev. Fr. Pablo Tiong, O.P., the UST Vice-Rector for Religious Affairs. He gave them his compliments and emphasized the role of their organization as very crucial in the Catholic identity and the fulfillment of the mission and vision of the university whom the USTPRAAI President Dr. Elio took as a challenge for them.

Going back to Dr. Elio's speech, he couldn't have been happier that their elusive dream since 1970 has been turned into reality. A chapter of their story has ended and a new journey with different conflicts and challenges will begin. Dr. Elio called upon his members to take action as the world face a staggering crisis of ethics at every level from the biological to the ecological, societal and spiritual. "As Catholic professionals, we will be the best warriors in the battlefield where we are best fit and where we are adequately prepared and trained."