 The University of San Agustin in Iloilo City, Philippines, exhibits resiliency during this CoVid-19 pandemic as its administrators decided to change the learning modality to flexible learning. Over the nearly 116 years of its existence, this is the first time that the University will operate online - may it be on admission, enrollment, instruction, religious activities, student services, and activities.
Although the University adheres to the "new normal" set for schools, it does not forget to acknowledge that disparity exists among its student population. Thus, the University provides alternatives for students who have limited to no connectivity in transactions and modes of learning. The faculty members in all levels are now preparing for the new norm in teaching. The academic personnel underwent training and workshop for them to accustom themselves with online educational tools that will be helpful for them to deliver synchronous and asynchronous classes. In terms of facilities, some of the usual classrooms are now being prepared as e-classrooms. They will be used by faculty as virtual learning rooms as they facilitate classes if, they, too, have limited or no connectivity at home, and if they lack personal devices. Health protocols are in place to ensure decontamination of facilities and work areas. As part of its quality assurance of its flexible learning, the University established a Center for Information Support Services (CISS) and an Educational Technology Office to assist the academic units in the smooth delivery of instructions to its learners. As the University of San Agustin celebrates its 116th foundation anniversary this July 15, it is hopeful that it can exist for another 116 years or even beyond. /hbangero
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Dr. Doralyn S. Dalisay, Director of the Center for Chemical Biology and Biotechnology of University of San Agustin (USA) is the recipient of the prestigious 2019 NRCP Achievement Award for the Division of Pharmaceutical Sciences. The award was given today, June 30, 2020, during the virtual NRCP Annual Scientific Conference and 87th General Membership assembly that was attended by nearly 1000 NRCP members from various parts of the country and the world. Further, this award is a milestone for USA because this is the first time that the Department of Science and Technology – National Research Council of the Philippines (DOST-NRCP) recognized the quality and national competitiveness and of the research achievements of a USA faculty member. Created in 1933, DOST-NRCP is the oldest collegial body in science, technology, and the arts in the Philippines and in Asia.
Dr. Dalisay is renowned for her pioneering work on biodiversity, chemodiversity, and bioactivity of marine sediment-derived actinobacteria collected from as far north as Batanes to Davao Oriental in the southeastern tip of the Philippine archipelago. Her NRCP-funded research project produced a library consisting of more than 3,000 diverse marine sediment-derived actinobacteria that serves as a biobank of natural compounds for development into antibiotic and anticancer agents. Dr. Dalisay is also a DOST Balik Scientist Awardee and the current Chair of NRCP Visayas Regional Cluster. The NRCP Achievement Awards, which began in 1979, honor many outstanding Filipino scientists and researchers based on their productivity and quality of scholarly work. The research field must fall under the following categories: government, educational and international policy, medical science, pharmaceutical science, mathematical science, biological science, agriculture and forestry, engineering and industrial research, chemical science, humanities, earth and space science, and veterinary medicine. The other recipients for this year’s awards come from Philippine Normal University, UP Diliman, Philippine Nuclear Research Institute, Philippine Rice Research Institute, Cebu Technological University, and UP Los Baños.  “Any individual can make it in the real world with the right education and training,” said Dr. Henry O. Chusuey. The University of San Agustin held the blessing of its newest building - the USA Dr. Henry O. Chusuey International Center yesterday, 7 March 2020, at the Hotel Sta. Monica, University of San Agustin, Jalandoni St., Iloilo City. The event was graced by the benefactor of the building, Dr. Henry O. Chusuey, and his family and friends. Chusuey is an internationally-acclaimed hotelier in the country being the chairman of the Hennan Group of Resorts in Boracay, Bohol, and Palawan.  “I want to do all I can to contribute to the improvement of our educational facilities. This is how confident I am with the belief that the Filipino can make it in any industry as long as they are educated and trained the right way,” shared Dr. Chusuey during his speech.
Being a graduate of the University of San Agustin in the Bachelor of Science in Commerce program, Chusuey earned his way to be where he is today. In 2013, he was conferred with a degree Doctor of Humanities (Honoris Causa) in recognition of his contribution to the hospitality and tourism industry in the Philippines. “Together with my family, I am happy to see the realization of my dream to help provide the Filipino and Augustinian youth with the best learning environment in the pursuit of their career goals. This center is a testament of my commitment to the belief that the best way to help our young people, particularly those coming from the underprivileged families, is to provide for their education,” he added. Chusuey’s donation gave the seed money for the construction of the University of San Agustin of the international center where he earned the naming right to. “Having been in the hospitalization and tourism industry for over 20 years, I know that actual practice and training are vital to be competent individuals working in the industry. And with this international center, a teaching hotel and restaurant, it is my goal to bridge the gap between the academic curriculum and the realities of the hospitality and tourism industry. I share the objective of the University to make the graduates of the University of San Agustin ready and well-equipped to apply with competence and professionalism what they have learned in school,” he further mentioned. Seeing that tourism is a major economic driver, he believes that it is what makes jobs as it creates employment opportunities for thousands of graduates produced every year by the institutions like San Agustin. According to him, jobs in tourism and hospitality, generally, has a higher compensation compared to other industries because they have a service charge, incentive bonus and of course, tips from tourists. USA’s benefactor emphasized that this building(USA Dr. Henry O. Chusuey International Center) is named as an international center with an emphasis on the word international because he desires to help his Alma Mater to meet global standards. That through this modern facility, his fellow Augustinian graduates will be competitive in the international arena and that they will stand out because they have been given the best training with strengths, competence, and character of virtue and science. He further hoped that this building will be used optimally for its intended noble purpose. He also mentioned that he has great trust in the responsible stewardship of the university administrators to ensure that this facility will be taken care of so that it will benefit not only this generation, but many more generations in the future. The University of San Agustin President, Fr. Frederick C. Comendador, OSA, thanked on behalf of the Augustinian academic community Dr. Chusuey and his family for the generous donation and assured them that this will not be put to waste for it will serve as a laboratory for the hospitality and tourism management students and allied courses. Particularly, he also acknowledged those who have largely contributed to the establishment of this newest facility. On the other hand, Dr. Chusuey publicly expressed this continued support to his Alma Mater, the “great” University of San Agustin. The blessing rite was led by the Prior General of the Order of Saint Augustine, Fr. Alejandro Moral Anton, OSA, who is in Iloilo alongside with other English-speaking prior provincials in the world for their assembly, as well as Mr. Ramon Cua Locsin, Member of the Board of Trustees for the University, and Augustinian friars from the different communities in the country, as well as the management council of the University and the benefactor’s family and friends. The international center will operate in the future as Hotel Sta. Monica, named after the mother of St. Augustine of Hippo.  Mrs. Rhoda Garzon Campillan, Academic Supervisor of AB Communication of the College of Liberal Arts, Sciences and Education won the EXCELLENT PAPER AWARD in the recently concluded International Academy of Science, Technology, Engineering and Management: International Conference on Social Science and Humanities on July 4-5, 2019, at Seoul, South Korea. She triumphed over other researchers from National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, University of Guam, Tokushima University Japan, Arizona State University, and National Taipei University of Education. Mrs. Campillan presented her paper on Difficulties in Research Writing Among Communication Students in a Private University. She received a certificate, trophy, and medal for this meritorious award. According to Conferences Asia, “The award reflects the endless efforts of the winners in the academic arena.”
The goal of IASTEM Conference is to promote and enhance the dialogue in education among the institutions devoted to Science and Engineering fields through the promotion of best-practice standards in the service of international education; facilitation of relevant forums, training, and information exchange; creation and dissemination of knowledge; exert an influence in public policy and production of publications used as a database document for research works, projects and innovation activities held on the international education field. Campillan is just one of the faculty members of the University of San Agustin who is pursuing research for the common good. Recognizing the active role of mass media in Western Visayas, the University of San Agustin held the 1st SanAg Media Awards last Saturday, May 18, 2019. The award is given to ten media outfits which the University has been partners with to bringing Iloilo City and Western Visayas to the forefront of being a provider of an excellent education. This year’s recipient of the SanAg Media Awards are The Daily Guardian, ABS-CBN TV-10 Iloilo, Manila Bulletin, DYSI Super Radyo, Panay News, Manila Bulletin, GMA Network, Inc. - TV 6, Aksyon Radyo Iloilo, Bombo Radyo Iloilo, and Radyo Pilipinas Iloilo. The awards were received by media personalities during the awarding ceremony at the Dolce Garcia Conference Room, University of San Agustin, Iloilo City. Other representatives from the Iloilo Metropolitan Times, Philippine News Agency, and USA Publications were in attendance. One of the best features of SanAg Media Awards is a Talk on Stress Management among Media Men delivered by an expert in psychology and psychotherapy - Dr. Alda Perlita Polestico. Salient issues confronting the members of the fourth estate were discussed and given utmost attention. SanAg Media Awards is a project initiated by the Philanthropic, External and Alumni Relations Office in cooperation with the AB Communication program of the College of Liberal Arts, Sciences and Education.  SanAg Media Awardees , Guests and Organizers
After stages of screening, evaluation and final selection of the qualified nominees, Dr. Doralyn S. Dalisay was named the “2019 Outstanding Professional of the Year in the field of Pharmacy”, a recognition awarded by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). She brought honor and pride to the University of San Agustin as she is the first Augustinian Pharmacist to receive the award. The “Outstanding Professional of the Year Award” is the highest award bestowed by PRC upon a professional for having sufficiently demonstrated competence of the highest degree, professional integrity, significant contribution to the advancement of the profession and with a meaningful contribution in society and country. The conferment of this award began in 1997 and is the highlight of the PRC Anniversary Celebration and the Professional Regulation Week is observed every year from June 16 to 22. Dr. Doralyn Dalisay graduated from the University of San Agustin, Iloilo with a degree in Pharmacy (Cum Laude) and earned her Master of Science in Biology at the University of the Philippines in the Visayas. She obtained her Ph.D. in Microbiology at the University of New South Wales, Australia. She received a postdoctoral fellowship to specialize on marine natural products chemistry at the University of California, San Diego, USA. Dr. Dalisay has been engaged in several drug discovery scientific research undertakings at University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada and Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, USA. Her research leads to the discovery of 25 novel antifungal and anticancer compounds from rare marine invertebrates and marine sediment-derived microorganisms. These compounds have attracted the interest of the scientific community because of their novelty and potential as drug leads. She also holds two US patents on the use of a marine natural product for fungal infections and cancer. Dr. Dalisay returned to the Philippines as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Balik Scientist in June 2015 to establish a research program on natural products drug discovery at the Center for Chemical Biology and Biotechnology (C2B2) in University of San Agustin. She is a pioneering pharmacist and scientist to work on the biodiversity, biological activities, and chemistry of marine sediment-derived actinobacteria from Philippine archipelago that could one day help to find new antibiotics and potentially address the problem of drug-resistant pathogenic bacteria. Dr. Dalisay has worked extensively on the development of culture dependent strategies to access the vast biodiverse actinobacteria from different environmental samples in the Philippines. Her research group explored the Philippine archipelago for the presence of promising actinobacteria found in the marine sediment samples collected in different islands in the country. Her laboratory at C2B2 now houses a library of more than 3,000 highly diverse marine sediment-derived actinobacteria isolates that serves as “BioBank for Drug Discovery Research” in the country. Dr. Dalisay has published research on drug discovery in high impact journals. Her publication received more than 2000 citations. She has won a number of awards in recognition for her research, publications, and patents. She was awarded as The Outstanding Pharmacist, TOP Award in Research by Philippine Pharmacists Association in 2016. She was recently conferred as Diplomate of the Philippine Academy for Microbiology. Her research program on drug discovery at the University of San Agustin is supported by the National Research Council of the Philippines-Department of Science and Technology (NRCP-DOST), Philippine Council for Health Research and Development-Department of Science and Technology (PCHRD-DOST), United States Agency for International Development, Science, Technology, Research, and Innovation for Development (USAID-STRIDE) Program and the University of San Agustin. Dr. Dalisay will receive the Outstanding Professional of the Year Award on June 20 at Fiesta Pavilion, Manila Hotel during the PRC Anniversary Celebration.  Dr. Doralyn S. Dalisay, first Augustinian Pharmacist to receive the Outstanding Professional of the Year Award in the Field of Pharmacy.  With the Screening Committee for Final Selection and Deliberation last May 9, 2019. (L-R) Dr. Maria Liza C. Centeno (Foundation of Outstanding Professionals, FOP), Hon. Paraluman R. Giron (Philippine Association of Professional Regulatory Boards, PAPRB), Hon. Yolanda D. Reyes (PRC Commissioner), Dr. Doralyn S. Dalisay (University of San Agustin, USA), Hon. Mildred B. Oliveros (Professional Regulatory Board of Pharmacy, PRB) and Hon. Reynaldo Umali (Professional Regulation Commission, PRC).
 Join the University of San Agustin College of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Education (CLASE) and Graduate Program in collaboration with Third Wave Health and Education Specialists, Inc., in a seminar-workshop entitled: “Teaching Difficult Topics and Skills in English, Science, and Mathematics” (with 15 CPD Units) on May 16-18, 2019 at the University of San Agustin.
For reservations, kindly fill up the attached Word document and contact Mr. James V. Pedregosa, Academic Supervisor of Education and Graduate Programs at 09165257599 or jpedregosa@usa.edu.ph, Dr. Rhodora A. Cartagena, Academic Supervisor of Mathematics at 09178280185/ 09096207595 or rcartagena@usa.edu.ph, and Dr. Ma. Delsa P. Gange, Academic Supervisor of Biology at 09209659451 or mgange@usa.edu.ph.  On Saturday, April 27, 2019, Associate Justice Zaldy V. Trespeses, Senior Member of the Seventh Division of the Sandiganbayan comes home to the University of San Agustin as commencement speaker of the Class of 2019 at the campus parade grounds. He holds the distinction of being the youngest appointee for said position in the history of the judiciary.
An Augustinian since High School, he has shown promising talent both in academic and non-academic activities. Hon. Trespeses earned his B. A. Political Science degree from the USA College of Liberal Arts, graduating Cum Laude of the Class of 1993. He served as the Editor-in-Chief of the LA Journal, the student publication of the College. Onwards to law school, Hon. Trespeses exhibited excellence in academics as Second Honors of the Ateneo de Manila School of Law of the Class of 1997. A year later, he was admitted to the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. His professional career as a lawyer began as Associate Counsel for the Intellectual Property and Corporate Law departments of a medium-sized law firm. Hon. Trespeses found a foothold in the judiciary when he started working as Court Attorney VI (Law Clerk) of the Supreme Court of the Philippines in 2010. He was appointed to various key positions in the judiciary such as Judiciary Staff Head and Chief Justice Staff Head. He also continued to seek professional development through trainings and conferences either as delegate or speaker. In 2017, he spoke on "Judicial Colloquium on the Sharing of Good Practices Regarding International Human Rights" at the ASEAN International Commission on Human Rights in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He also participated in an anti-corruption conference by the International Center for Parliamentary Studies in London, United Kingdom of Great Britain. Hon. Trespeses is a candidate for Masters in Global Development and Social Justice of St. John's University (Rome Campus) in Italy.  There are lots of women in the world who are suffering. Some have skins that are treated like a blank canvas—colored in paints of purple and blue bruises. Some cry themselves to sleep and some have been suffering for years. What should be done to women in these situations? They must be empowered!  Empower, that is what the University of San Agustin (USA) College of Law Alumni Batch 2018 did for this Women’s Month Celebration. They empowered women.  [Empower] is an information drive to raise awareness on Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children (Anti-VAWC) law conducted by the USA College of Law Alumni Batch 2018. This advocacy is in partnership with the USA College of Law, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Commission on Human Rights (CHR), Public Attorney Office (PAO), Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), Philippine National Police (PNP), USA Tilipunan, USA Law Portia Club, G-Nano, Virginia Foods Corporation and with the untiring support of the USA College of Law Dean, Dean Jose Mari Benjamin Francisco U. Tirol, USA Law professors, students and alumni, to put an end to VAWC which remains to be a prevalent case in the society.  The information-drive activities aimed to promote awareness on the anti-VAWC law, the reporting procedure of VAW cases, and to inform the public of the help and assistance available for the victims and their families.  The Activities A woman is an artwork. This was shown during the art exhibit called Babaye Bulahan Ka! Held at the USA Herrera Hall lobby on March 8 to 16. The exhibit showcased the collection of paintings, sketches, and photographs with the subject to empower women. The colors displayed in the showcase all conveyed the message of strengthening a woman. The same titled photo exhibit and trade fair in was also held in The Shops at Atria on March 12 to 14. Participants were the USA Law Portia Club, Himbon Contemporary Art Group, Hilway Inday Dolls, PAO, CHR, Virginia Food Corporation, Xilium, DSWD Region VI under its Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) and Champion Farmers from Lambunao, Iloilo which showcased their agricultural products. The trade fair aimed to showcase that women play vital role in the economic sector.  A woman can play sports too. On March 10, GIRL POWER: A Football Fest for a Cause was held. Senior high school and college girls battled it out in the football field. With much intensity and focus on the game, the USA College of Commerce Football team championed the game.  A woman helps a fellow woman through information. Paghiliugyon! A Legal Forum on R.A. 9262 was held at Dolse Garcia Conference Room of USA last March 16, 2019. The speakers of the forum, Atty. Elijo Herrera-Bellones of the USA College of Law, Mrs. Haydee Canilla of the DSWD, and SPO3 Ruth Laudato of the PNP gave awareness about the anti-VAWC law and how to go to the process when a person is a victim. A free legal counselling was also offered by the new member lawyers of the IBP.  It went beyond USA. The team traveled to Dingle, Iloilo to share the same information and provide the same legal services with speakers from the PAO and the CHR. Through this activity, awareness was promoted and women who experienced violence were given the encouragement to report what they’ve experienced and to fight for themselves.  A woman is there for other women who experience pain. On March 23, an Outreach Activity at the DSWD Home for Girls was held as the culminating activity. Compassion, joy, love, and service was felt all throughout the event as girls who were victims of abuse received support from the empowering group of USA College of Law. Materials for the activity corner including bookshelves, books, art materials and board games were given. Games were played by the USA Law Batch 2018 “manangs” with their “little sisters” from the Home for Girls. An Art Therapy was also conducted by Marvin Monfort of Himbon Contemporary Artists Group to teach the girls how to express themselves through art.   Led by the organizers, USA College of Law Alumni Batch 2018, the outreach became a heartfelt finale to the advocacy-filled event. It was “fun with a cause”.
The whole month of March for the USA College of Law indeed revolved around women empowerment and was a powerful call to help end violence against women and their children. /PN Source: https://www.panaynews.net/empower-usa-college-of-law-batch-2018-conducts-anti-vawc-information-drive-activities-for-womens-month/?fbclid=IwAR0v6_oKK5xfPwkUi44UXZNCm-zyiSYR8i2TXR-6k1V5fdkc1P_uGwe1Btg THE Fray Luis de Leon Creative Writing Institute, under the University of San Agustin (USA) College of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Education, is now accepting applications for writing fellowships to the 17th San Agustin Writers Workshop which will be held on May 2 - 4, 2019 at the University of San Agustin, Iloilo City. There is no specific theme for this year’s workshop.
Eight to ten fellowships are open to creative writers who are willing to learn more about the craft of writing from panelists led by award-winning writers and literature professors, including Alice Tan Gonzales, Criselda Yabes, John Barrios, Isidoro M. Cruz, and John Iremil Teodoro, the workshop director. Atty. Raymundo Pandan Jr. is this year’s keynote speaker. Interested applicants must submit the following: (a) application letter stating that the literary writings submitted are the original works of the applicant; (b) letter of recommendation from a school admnistrator or faculty member or established writer; (c) biodata with one 2” x 2” colored picture, and contact details (landline/cellphone number and e-mail address); (d) for minors, a letter of consent from parent/ guaradian; and (e) printout of a collection of five poems; or two short stories; or two one-act plays; or two creative nonfiction pieces in Hiligaynon, Kinaray-a, Aklanon, Filipino, or English; in Arial or Times New Roman, double-spaced, on 8 ½” x 11” bond paper. Deliver or send (through courier) the complete application packet to: Dr. Isidoro M. Cruz, College of Liberal Arts, Sciences, and Education, University of San Agustin, General Luna Street, Iloilo City 5000. Entries sent by courier must be dated April 15, 2019. Entries submitted through means other than personal delivery or courier will not be accepted. In addition, email the same application packet as attachment(s) to the workshop director, Dr. John Iremil E. Teodoro, at jieteodoro@gmail.com and sidmcruz@gmail.com, not later than April 15, 2019, the deadline for application. Qualified fellows will be informed by e-mail by the workshop director/secretariat. The names of the qualified fellows who have confirmed their participation will be announced on April 19. The fellowship covers workshop kit, meals, and plus a modest transportation allowance within the city/West Visayas. Fellows from other regions will have to look for their own travel funding, inasmuch as NO allowance for transport from and back to places outside the region will be provided. Free board and lodging will be provided to those residing outside Iloilo City, for the duration of the workshop. For more information, please contact Ms. Josefina “Fina” Pelingon at cellphone number 09218828800. |
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