University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi
The Premier Dominican University of Bicol
The Premier Dominican University of Bicol
To show appreciation to its jobholders, the University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi held its annual Employees’ Awards Night on February 3, 2023, 5:00 PM at the Daragang Magayon Hall.
Spearheaded by the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO), the said night of distinction started as Harana (to serenade) in 2013. Now in its 10th year, a total of thirty-three awardees were recognized for their excellence in delivering quality service to the Legazpi Thomasian community.
In his opening remarks, Vice-President for Administration and Finance, Rev. Fr. Edwin A. Lao, OP, MM, looked back on how the university, amidst the pressing and challenging realities in relation to hiring and staffing, produced awardees who opted to stay and serve the university for long years “not because they have no choice or option but because they love the university.”
The university’s Rector and President, Rev. Fr. Ernesto M. Arceo, OP, STL, PhD also graced the event with his commendation to this year’s awardees for their service to the university whom he thought served the institution very well.
“If that is not an expression of dedication, commitment, love, and generosity, I don’t know what is,” he said.
Expressing his words of gratitude is Mr. Jesus A. Barizo, Ll.B., CSP, a retiree who served the university for 34 years.
“It is beautiful and wonderful to recall the last 34 years. In the past, I delivered opening or closing remarks during events but tongiht it is hard to believe that the time has come for me to deliver my gratitude message,” said Barizo as he opened his speech.
“Honestly, I have mixed emotions. Happy because I have adopted a strategic retirement plan, looking forward to a future of more time with my fmaily, with my apo, an apostolic duty. (I have now) more leisure time to do the many things I have always said I would do someday. On the other hand, I am sad beucase I’m leaving behind what has been such an important part of my life for the last 34 years at UST-Legazpi, the Premier Dominican University of Bicol, my second home,” the featured retiree continued.
“Sir Jess”, as what his colleagues are fond of calling him, started working in the university in 1988 (back then, UST-Legazpi bears the name of Aquinas University of Legazpi) as a Faculty member of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). In 1993, he was designated as Moderator for Student Affairs which launched his career in the said department. He continued in the same office, now called the Office of Student Services, as Director until his retirement in 2022. In between years of stewardship, he took on functions such as overseeing safety and security, being the chair of the university discipline committee, and serving as member of the labor management council as well as the code of ethics committee.
In the academe, Barizo also served as the Executive Secretary of the College of Law. He also chaired the Political Science Program and even taught in the High School Department.
With this extensive years of experience, the said retiree expressed his gratitude to all of his colleagues; from the former deans he had worked with, to his staff, and even to the Dominican Fathers.
With tears of joy, Sir Jess bid goodbye his Legazpi Thomasian journey which is worth a thousand memories and relationships. The support, friendship, and kindness of Legazpi Thomasian Community are just a few of the many things he will never forget.
“I will always remember our shared laughter and joys as well as struggles. To my co-retiree and awardees, continue to do good in our beloved institution. Above all, I praise and thank the Almighty God for all the graces and blessings He bestowed me and my family for 34 years and how UST-Legazpi loved me and my family,” Barizo stated.
On the other hand, here are this year’s awardees:
Perfect Attendance Awardees:
Magno R. Cordovilla, LPT – Faculty Member, Junior High School (JHS)
Rolando C. Pelaez – Management Staff, Physical Plant and Facilities Management Office (PPFMO)
5-Year Service Awardees:
Joy S. Abecia, LPT – Executive Assistant, Office of the Vice President for Administration and Finance (OVPAF)
Ester Joy D. Agudo, LPT – Faculty Member, Senior High School (SHS)
Ma. Rosario N. Algaba, RPm – Psychometrician, Office of Guidance and Testing (OGT)
Zandro C. Alzaga – Maintenance Personnel, Physical Plant and Facilities Management Office (PPFMO)
Charlene Mae S. Andes – Records Evaluator, Office of the University Registrar (OUR)
Jonel T. Ascutia, LPT – Faculty Member, Junior High School (JHS)
Kaycee L. Barajas, RL, MLIS – Librarian, University Library and Information Services (ULIS)
Riza G. Bolaños – Management Staff, College of Engineering, Architecture, Fine Arts (CEAFA)
Marilyn R. Castro, LPT – Faculty Member, Junior High School (JHS)
Glazy P. Lana – Management Staff, Office of Guidance and Testing (OGT)
Antonette S. Lim, LPT – Faculty Member, Junior High School (JHS)
Vanessa Mae Ll. Lotivio, CPA – Assistant Controller, Office of the University Controller (OUC)
Angela M. Maravillas, LPT – Faculty Member, Preschool and Elementary (PSE); and
Jocel Marinda – Management Staff, Senior High School (SHS)
10-Year Service Awardees:
Edherlyn A. Auditor, MSME – Director, Physical Plant and Facilities Management Office (PPFMO)
Assistant Professor Kristina D. Azaña, MBA – Director, Office of Planning and Development (OPD)
Assistant Professor Silvino B. Balasta, Jr., MPR – Director, Office of Student Services (OSS)
Assistant Professor Jude Vincent T. Bausa, LPT, MaTheo – Director, Center for Religious Education (CREED)
Donna P. Bilo, CPA – Controller, Office of the University Controller (OUC)
Jumar M. Bona, LPT – Officer-in-Charge, Senior High School (SHS); and
Rowena A. Velasco – Management Staff, Office of the Rector and President (ORP)
Jamie L. Mendiola, LPT – Faculty Member, Junior High School (JHS)
Enjoy Jelyn J. Nasayao, LPT – Officer-in-Charge, Junior High School (JHS)
15-Year Service Awardees:
Mary Joy B. Ajon – Executive Secretary, Office of Rector and President (ORP)
Michelle B. Llanto, LPT – Registrar, Office of the University Registrar (OUR)
Gay N. Nacion – Management Staff, Office of Academic Affairs (OAA); and
Andrew N. Realo III – Maintenance Personnel, Physical Plant, and Facilities Management Office (PPFMO)
25-Year Service Awardees:
Efren A. Atun – Maintenance Personnel, Physical Plant and Facilities Management Office (PPFMO)
Asstistant Professor Marytina Raquel R. Bonganay, MOS – Assistant to the Rector for Academic Affairs, Office of the Academic Affairs (OAA)
35-Year Service Awardee:
Marivic M. Guillermo, LPT – Faculty Member of Junior High School (JHS)
Retirees:
Amabelle A. Datu, Management Staff of the College of Law (COLAW) – 1983 – 2023
Jesus A. Barizo, Ll.B., CSP, Former Director of the Office of Student Services (OSS) – 1988 – 2022
The 2023 Employees’Awards Night is part of the U-Week 2023 and UST-Legazpi’s 75th Diamond Jubilee Anniversary Celebration.