NEWS

The UST Law Alumni Foundation, Inc. (UST LAFI) celebrated its faculty's 287th foundation anniversary with a virtual grand alumni homecoming last December 5, 2021 via Zoom. The online gathering was jampacked with messages from guests, awarding clips, and video presentations of singing and dancing as it commemorated 2 jubilarian batches with the respective themes, "Sailing Thru the Storm with Faith and Hope" for its 2020 jubilarians and "Nurturing the 500 Years of Faith and Sowing its Seeds of Love" for its 2021 jubilarians.

Civil Law Regent Rev. Fr. Isidro C. Abaño, O.P., SThL-MA presided over the Thanksgiving Mass and prayed for the success of the UST LAFI members. After the Eucharistic celebration, Rev. Fr. Abañowished for the Lord's guidance to the Thomasian lawyers for their task in interpreting the law, helping and leading people to peace, justice and righteousness.

In her opening message, UST LAFI President Atty. Maria Elena Francisco greeted her members by detailing how much she missed socializing with everyone. Their 2020 celebration was set to happen but the pandemic struck the world shockingly. However, even with the lockdowns and community quarantine restrictions, Atty. Francisco proudly reported the association's activities during the onslaught of the pandemic. In partnership with parish priests, civic organizations, and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Manila II Chapter, they were able to donate and provide rice for families, milk for children, and medicines for the sick. No stones were left unturned as they were also able to extend aid to the victims of natural disasters all over the Philippines from the provinces of the North to Bicol and to Cagayan de Oro in Mindanao.

Civil Law Dean Nilo T. Divina, Ll. B. also gave a quick update on the faculty's progress in the past few years. He thanked his fellow Thomasian lawyers for their generosity through the scholarship grants they have offered to the promising students of Civil Law who are financially constrained especially during the pandemic. The assistance they have received will be utilized to mold and produce more excellent Thomasian lawyers that will soon join them in the future.

The term "excellence" has been used numerous times during the event. True to the word, UST LAFI honored and recognized over 50 Thomasian lawyers who have showcased such commitment, competence, and compassion in their awarding ceremony, "The Outstanding Thomasian Alumni for 2020 and 2021".

Awards of Distinction Honorees:

Hon. Lord Allan Q. Velasco (Class of 2004) - Speaker, House of Representatives

Dean Nilo T. Divina (Class of 1989) - Dean, UST Faculty of Civil Law / Managing Partner, Divina Law

Hon. Alberto A. Bernardo (Class of 1983) - Deputy Executive Secretary for Internal Audit, Office of the Executive Secretary

Hon. Mylene C. Albaytar-Avendaño (Class of 2007) - Presiding Judge, Branch 83 RTC Malolos City, Bulacan

Hon. Jose Demosthenes M. Salgado (Class of 1987) - Presiding Judge, Branch 4 Family Court Ligao City, Albay

Hon. Rhea S. Gallevo (Class of 2002) - Presiding Judge, Branch 10 Family Court San Fernando, La Union

Hon. Harold Cesar C. Huliganga (Class of 2002) - Presiding Judge, Branch 254 RTC Las Piñas City

Hon. Hannah V. Arriola (Class of 1995) - Presiding Judge, Branch 6 RTC Manila

Hon. Lady Rochelle S. Saymo-Llabres (Class of 2002) - Presiding Judge, Branch 10 RTC Manila

Hon. Christian Emmanuel G. Pimentel (Class of 2003) - Presiding Judge, Branch 180 RTC Manila

Hon. James T. Sy (Class of 2000) - Presiding Judge, Branch 187 RTC Manila

Hon. Leilani Marie D. Grimares (Class of 1995) - Presiding Judge, Branch 294 RTC Parañaque City

Hon. Maria Zoraida S. Zabat-Tuazon (Class of 1989) - Presiding Judge, Branch 90 RTC Quezon City

Hon. Gerlyn S. Turingan-De los Reyes (Class of 2001) - Presiding Judge, Branch 305 RTC Quezon City

Hon. Bernardo P. Bernal (Class of 2004) - Presiding Judge, Branch 70 RTC Taguig City

Hon. Primo Elvin L. Siosana (Class of 2003) - Presiding Judge, Branch 128 RTC Caloocan City

Hon. Helen C. Magampon-Maberit (Class of 1993) - Judge-at-Large, RTC Luzon

Hon. Rigor R. Pascual (Class of 2004) - Judge-at-Large, RTC Luzon

Hon. Sharon E. Millan-Decano (Class of 2003) - Asst. Solicitor General, Office of the Solicitor General

Hon. Karen A. Ong (Class of 1997) - Asst. Solicitor General, Office of the Solicitor General

Hon. Angelita V. Miranda (Class of 1997) - Asst. Solicitor General, Office of the Solicitor General

Hon. Arlene T. Reyes (Class of 1995) - Asst. Solicitor General, Office of the Solicitor General

Hon. Michael C. Abas (Class of 1995) - Regional Director, Region II Commission on Elections

Atty. Benedicta A. Du-Baladad (Class of 1989) - Founding Partner & CEO, Du-Baladad and Associates / Tax Expert and One of the Philippines' Top 100 Lawyers

Hon. James Cundangan (Class of 2020) - Asst. Solicitor General, Office of the Solicitor General

Hon. Annielyn B. Medes-Cabelis (Class of 2002) - Presiding Judge, Branch 167 RTC Pasig City

Hon. Belen G. Salespara-Carasig (Class of 2004) -  Presiding Judge, Branch 296 RTC Parañaque City

Hon. Katherine M. Legarda-Pajaron (Class of 2001) - Presiding Judge, Branch 54 RTC Macabebe, Pampanga

Hon. Leo-Jon P. Ramos (Class of 1985) - Presiding Judge, Branch 85 RTC Lipa City, Batangas

Hon. Luzverfeda E. Pascual (Class of 1991) - Head, Presidential Legislative Liaison Office / Acting Presidential Adviser on Legislative Affairs

Atty. Jose Curammeng, Jr. (Class of 1976) - Legal Editor, State and Local Taxes (Prentice Hall/Maxwell Mcmillan/Thomson Reuters)

Certificate of Recognition Awardees:

Hon. Katlyn Anne C. Aguilar-Bilgera (Class of 2011) - Presiding Judge, Branch 82 MTC Valenzuela City

Hon. Noniesah A. Babao-Macarambon (Class of 2010) - Presiding Judge, MCTC  Poona-Bayabao-Maisu-Tamparan-Taraka, Lanao del Sur

Hon. Jason B. Alquiroz (Class of 2009) - Judge-at-Large, MTC (Luzon-Visayas-Mindanao)

Hon. Maria Luwalhati C. Cruz (Class of 1995) - Presiding Judge, MCTC Alfonso-General Aguinaldo, Cavite

Hon. Anne Faustine T. Moya (Class of 2013) - 2nd Assistant City Prosecutor, Quezon City

Hon. Leila R. Llanes (Class of 1995) - Deputy City Prosecutor, Quezon City

Hon. Angeli P. Albaña (Class of 2012) - Presiding Judge, MTC Branch 32 Quezon City

USTAAI and OAR Distinguished Thomasian Alumni Honorees:

Justice Oscar C. Herrera, Jr. (Class of 1979)

Atty. Edward Jack C. Castañeda (Class of 1976)

Atty. Lutgardo B. Barbo (Class of 1974)

Atty. Benedicta Du-Baladad (Class of 1989)

Sec. Luzverfeda "Baby" Pascual 

Plaques of Recognition Awardees:

Atty. Joseph C. Cerezo (Class of 1992) - Summa Cum Laude and Batch 2020 Valedictorian, Master of Laws, UST Graduate School of Law

Atty. Antonio R. Malasig (Class of 1992) - Summa Cum Laude and Batch 2020 Valedictorian, Doctor of Civil Law, UST Graduate School of Law

Atty. Maribeth E. Cacho-Pilimpinas (Class of 1992) - President, IBP Manila III Chapter (2021-2023)

Atty. Marcelino Michael I. Atanante IV (Class of 2005) - President, IBP Quezon City Chapter / Governor, IBP Greater Manila Region (2021-2023)

Atty. Danny L. Gapasin, Jr. (Class of 2004) - President, IBP Pasay-Parañaque-Las Piñas-Muntinlupa Chapter

Hon. Ferdinand B. Trinidad (Class of 1987) - Municipal Mayor, Iguig, Cagayan

Hon. Ananias L. Canlas (Class of 1985) - Board Member, 3rd District Pampanga

Atty. Renato G. Dela Cruz (Class of 1974) - President, IBP Manila II Chapter (2021-2023)

The awarding was then followed by the Electronic Raffle aired live from the Club Filipino in San Juan City. Winners were announced by the UST LAFI Board of Trustees. The program ended with a promise of seeing each other again face-to-face to celebrate more triumphs and victories of their beloved association and alma mater.