NEWS

Despite the adverse circumstances that postponed the original schedule of the 3rd Rector's Cup Alumni Golf Tournament, the Office of Alumni Relations (OAR) and UST Alumni Association Inc. (USTAAI) finally initiated the commencement of this year's golf event. Held on Sept 10, the alumni team representing the different colleges and institutions of the university arrived as early as 5 a.m. at the Sta. Elena Golf and Country Estate for the official registration before the ceremonial tee-off at 7:00 a.m. With a total number of 201 golfers who demonstrated their skills and passion in the said sport, the competition started early to accommodate the needs of the large number of players. The entire game, which lasted for six-and-a-half hours, has produced 10 individual and 5 team event winners.

Rector's Cup III Participating Teams: College of Architecture, College of Science, Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine & Surgery, UST High School, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Civil Law, College of Accountancy, Faculty of Arts & Letters

To celebrate the participants' camaraderie and the winners' victory, an entertaining and fun-filled fellowship and awarding ceremonies immediately followed the competition proper. The program was graced with the university's Rector, Very Rev. Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, OP, PhD, the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics Director, Fr. Jannel N. Abogado, OP, DTPS, and Purchasing and Facilities Management Office Director, Fr. Dexter A. Austria, OP. To officially welcome everyone to the event, Fr. Dagohoy delivered a very inspiring speech that gave emphasis on alumni solidarity, working together for a cause and love for UST-the alumni's second home. The fellowship, which featured a sumptuous meal courtesy of Santa Elena Golf and Country Estate and a performance by the Yellow Jackets and the Salinggawi Cultural Dance Troupe, was highlighted by the awarding ceremonies.

Rector's Cup III Team Event Winners: Faculty of Medicine & Surgery (Champion), College of Architecture (1st Runner-up), College of Science (2nd Runner-up), Faculty of Engineering (3rd Runner-up), UST High School (4th Runner-up)

The Victors

This year, the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery bagged the championship in the team event. With only a three-point difference, the last year's champion, the College of Architecture, is this tournament's first runner-up. Following these two colleges were the College of Science, Faculty of Engineering and the UST High School who were the second, third and fourth placers, respectively. For the Class C division, Danny Ramos won the championship and Richard Tan emerged as the first runner-up. Taking the first prize home in the Class B division was Frankie Magsalin III, the team captain of the Faculty of Civil Law; coming after him were Rolly Cinco and Noel Evangelista, the first and second placers.

For the Class A division, Ed Yabut has garnered the highest points; coming next was Ed Custodio and then Adones Baluyut. The guests, ladies and seniors' division championship were bestowed to Marvin Caparros, Edna Gatmaitan and Eddy Mansanares respectively. The lowest net score was won by Joel Benedict Liclican and the lowest gross score was achieved by Jojo Roxas. For this competition, there are three special awards given to the oldest player and the team who has the most number of players. This year, the OAR also introduced a new award dedicated to the oldest player of the tournament-the Super Senior-and the first recipient is Johnny Castillo who was 84 years old. The UST High School, who has a total of 40 players, bagged the Most Number of Players award, while the College of Architecture became the first runner-up with a total number of 37 players. The fun holes were dominated by Edgardo Banaag, Bill Bradford and Earel Gardiola who had the longest drives, and Rico Mercado, Gary Leechung and Mark Lo, who had the most accurate drives.

Unfortunately, this year, no one won the Hole-in-One award.

Raffle Prizes

Already in its third year, the organizers of the event gave away bigger prizes for the participants, which included high-end gadgets, appliances, hotel accommodations and international tour packages were given away during the program. The success of this whole tournament will not be possible if not for the support of its generous and magnanimous sponsors and the UST Administrators.

The Rector's Cup

The Rector's Cup is the brainchild of Dr. Robert C. Sy, the Chairman Emeritus of the USTAAI who had the idea of creating this tournament for the benefit of the Thomasian athletes. Through the efforts of UST, OAR and USTAAI, the first Rector's Cup-which saw 130 participants-was pioneered on July 28, 2016, at the Tagaytay Midlands Golf Course. Last year, July 31, the second Rector's Cup was held at the Santa Elena Golf and Country Estate and had 190 golf players. Now on its third year, Rector's Cup Alumni Golf Tournament is a joint project of the UST OAR team headed by its Director, Asst. Prof. Fredeswindo R. Medina, MACHS and the USTAAI, headed by its President Dr. Evelyn A. Songco through the efforts of Engr. Lawrence K. Pangan, Adrian Paolo R. Laurel, MD and Asst. Prof. Rodolfo S. Olaso.