NEWS

Speakers and some of the participants of Virtual Kumustahan during  (L-R) OGEP Director Dr. Levine Lao, Secretary-General Rev. Fr. Louise Coronel, O.P,  Secretary-General Executive Assistant Dr. Emmanuel Batulan, OAR Secretary Ellaine Cruz, USTAAI President Atty. Dwight Ramos, OAR Director Dr. Joreen Rocamora, Batangas Chapter Representative Fr. Allen De Guzman, O.P., Singapore Chapter President Jinky Santos, New Zealand Chapter Representative Ros So-Beer, Manitoba Chapter President Girard Carbonell, Hong Kong Chapter Health & Wellness Committee Chairperson Dr. Mike Manio, Brunei Darussalam Chapter Former President Joji Castillo, Hong Kong Chapter President Jan Yumul, SOCCSKSARGEN Chapter Former President Ma. Carmela Royeca, Bicol-Albay Chapter Representative Cesar Luis Moran, Australia Chapter President Maria Elena Puzon-Conducto, Bicol-Sorsogon Representative Elna Fajardo-Banzon, Brunei Darussalam Current President Christheart Corral, Isabela Chapter President Fr. Ric-Zeus Angobung, La Union Chapter Representative Menchie Lomboy de Guzman, Bicol-Camarines Norte Representative Patti Rojas Badaguas, OAR Alumni Engagement Officer Carla Ricarte, Bicol-Sorsogon Chapter Erlina Perez-Enguerra, and Pampanga Chapter Representative May Narciso.

The Office of Alumni Relations (OAR) gathered its local and international alumni chapters for the Virtual Kumustahan held last July 19, 2025 via Zoom. With the theme "Bridging Borders, Igniting the Thomasian Spirit," the event served as a platform for Thomasians from around the world to reconnect, share updates, and strengthen their commitment to fostering camaraderie and collaboration among the alumni community.

The program opened with warm messages from OAR Director Assoc. Prof. Joreen T. Rocamora, PhD, and UST Alumni Association, Inc. (USTAAI) President Atty. Dwight Ramos. Both underscored the significance of global alumni engagement in advancing the University's mission and sustaining UST's presence in their own communities.

The virtual gathering brought together over 25 leaders and representatives from existing alumni chapters from the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei Darussalam, Hong Kong, Australia, Guam, and Manitoba, Canada. Local chapters include SOCCSKSARGEN, Pampanga, Batangas, Ilocano - La Union, Isabela, Bicol - Albay, Bicol - Sorsogon, and Bicol - Camarines Norte.

Participants were also welcomed by UST Secretary-General and Research and Endowment Foundation, Inc. (REFI) Executive Director Rev. Fr. Louie R. Coronel, O.P., EHL, UST Secretary-General Executive Assistant Master Teacher Emmanuel M. Batulan, PhD, and Office of Grants, Endowments, and Partnerships in Higher Education Director and REFI Program Manager Levine Andro H. Lao, PhD. The Office of Secretary-General discussed UST's strategic expansion initiatives, including infrastructure developments across campuses and hosting major events such as the UAAP Season 88 Opening Ceremonies, the 11th Philippine Conference on New Evangelization, and serving as the national headquarters for the 2025 Bar Examinations. They also reported its steady student enrollment estimated around 42,000 and its ongoing actions in internationalization through student exchange programs, study tours, and academic rankings in Asia. Dr. Lao talked through the ways in which the alumni community can contribute to these initiatives.

Current and former heads of alumni chapters that have displayed significant efforts were given the floor to present on their projects and the challenges and aspirations they entail. These reports reflected the diverse yet united spirit of the Thomasian network, highlighting initiatives that extend beyond professional connections into impactful community service.

The UST Alumni Association in Hong Kong (USTAAHK) President, Ms. Jan Yumul, gave a rundown of their chapter's 14-year establishment history, which finally came into fruition with the formal launching of their group last January 19, 2024, at Sheung Wan. Yumul discussed the remarkable growth of their members and their extended Thomasian Alumni Card program, which offers exclusive discounts to their members from partner establishments. She also shared their plans to expand their reach to Macau to broaden collaborations with local authorities and businesses to strengthen community ties.

Mr. Christheart Corral, President of UST Alumni Association in Brunei Darussalam (USTAAB), presented the family-oriented approach to alumni engagement, where they organize activities such as singing lessons and community gatherings. The group maintains its strong ties to the University through the mobilization of USTET twice in Brunei, which accommodated both Filipino and local students. USTAAB does its best to sustain visibility despite its dwindling number of members. Corral mentioned that Brunei has a small Filipino population, which greatly affects the increase of alumni members; however, the chapter remains active through partnerships with the Philippine Embassy and other Filipino associations.

Ms. Ma. Carmela Royeca, former leader of the Tomasinong SOCCSKSARGEN (TOM SOX) in Mindanao, recounted how the anticipated groundbreaking of UST General Santos in 2018 inspired them to establish their association. More than just a social group, Royeca identified the focus of TOM SOX on community outreach efforts such as feeding programs, school supply donations, and earthquake relief initiatives. And to further support the University in promoting the GenSan campus, they will be holding the "Tomasinong Mindanaoan Grand Alumni Homecoming" in November of this year in celebration of the continuing Thomasian tradition in the South.

Other chapter presidents and representatives were also given the chance to consult with their fellow Thomasian leaders about the challenges they face and exchange best practices fitted to their unique community attributes.

The meeting also addressed the roles and synergy between OAR and USTAAI. Atty. Ramos clarified that OAR is the official university office for all alumni, while AAI is a federation of alumni associations, interest groups, and chapters. He emphasized the collaboration of both offices in supporting the alumni in any part of the world.

Through events like Virtual Kumustahan, UST reaffirms its commitment to nurturing a strong and active alumni network that transcends borders and continues to ignite the Thomasian spirit across the globe. OAR looks forward to holding this gathering annually to sustain its relationships with its primary stakeholders.