Thomasian alumni in Brunei Darussalam forms association

A new chapter of UST Alumni Association was chartered in the Southeast Asian sultanate of Brunei Darussalam as the third international chapter officially recognized by the University last October

2 at the Starlodge Hotel in Jerudong.

The event was attended by UST Rector Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, O.P., who personally installed the UST Alumni Association in Brunei (USTAAB) as a new international alumni chapter and inducted the founding officers and members.

Forty-one Thomasian alumni, with their families and friends, gathered to witness the momentous event. USTAAB was founded on May 12, after months of planning and discussion among Thomasian alumni working in the sultanate.

After the presentation and induction of the founding officers and members, Director of the UST Office of Alumni Relations (OAR) Asst. Prof. Maria Cherry G. Tanodra, remarked how Thomasians all around the world continue to make a positive transforming difference wherever they may be and whatever profession they may have.

Asst. Prof. Tanodra also shared OAR’s plans and programmes for the alumni to “keep them beautiful” and wowed the alumni when she showed how beautiful the university is now through a video presentation.

Rhenee Bobiles, president of the USTAAB, shared the humble beginnings of the association, noting how Facebook has become an effective way of connecting people and how they were eventually able to gather and form their chapter.”

Philippine Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam, His Excellency Meynardo L.B. Montealegre, also graced the event. In his address, he congratulated the founding officers and members of the association and encouraged them to engage in projects to help change the lives of the youth in the country through scholarship programs.

Meanwhile, Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. had reinforced the Ambassador’s challenge to the alumni in his speech. He encouraged each Thomasian to always make their presence felt not only in festive gatherings, but through collaboration with other communities.

UST Office of Admissions Director Assoc. Prof. Marie Antonette Vargas also showed a video presentation of the University’s programs, and announced Brunei as the 13th international testing center for the UST Entrance Test (USTET), encouraging the alumni to spread the word that UST is now accepting foreign students.

The gathering was capped off with a recognition of 15 Jubilarian awardees who graduated 25 or more years from UST, led by Ma. Luisa G. Advento-Shin.