NEWS

The Tomasinong Ilocano - La Union (TI-LU) formally launches its alumni chapter in the Rose Bowl Restaurant located at Bauang, La Union on June 20, 2022. This also coincided with the induction into office of the incoming officers of TI-LU in the presence of UST Alumni Relations Director Asst. Prof. Fredeswindo R. Medina and UST Alumni Association, Inc. President Dr. Evelyn A. Songco.

TI-LU President Atty. Dwight M. Ramos called the gathering as bringing the Thomasian spirit in La Union. "I hope this will be the start of love and compassion not only for each other but also the underprivileged here... Because that is who we are as Thomasians, we are really here for service to humanity," he said during his welcoming remarks. He enumerated other existing and recognized alumni chapters around the globe such as the association in Pampanga, Bicol, SOCCSKSARGEN, Brunei, Australia and North America. He proudly expressed that La Union will be included in the map of recognized alumni groups by the university.

The promotion of La Union's Thomasian chapter formation through social media also inspired other alumni groups to legitimize their organization in other regions such as Ilocos Norte, Cavite, and Quezon Province. Asst. Prof. Medina also lauded the perseverance of TI-LU in establishing their group.

"Tomasinong Ilocano - La Union is 3 years in the making. It took a long time but they were able to make it despite the pandemic," said Asst. Prof. Medina during his speech. He, then, declared OAR's commitment to assist the chapter in its recognition and future endeavors.

After the induction proper, Dr. Songco imparted an inspirational message to the officers and members of TI-LU who are composed of prominent figures in La Union. "I feel power. I smell the power in this room - the power to transform and the power to influence," she said. Dr. Songco emphasized their roles as Thomasian Leaders who are not just well-known for their leadership skills but also their mission to serve other people. The term "serve" was defined and abbreviated as self-giving, envisioning, respond, virtuous, and energetic. A Thomasian leader is self-giving as he always sacrifices and gives a part of himself to the mission. He is always envisioning and dreaming to create structures and mechanisms to implement the mission not only for the Thomasian alumni community but also the Filipino people. In addition, Dr. Songco explained that a Thomasian leader must always be ready to respond to the needs of the times because he has the capacity to do so. Another one to the list is that he must be virtuous for service to perform good habits and influence others. One must also be energized to influence others to make a difference in this world. Serving others selflessly is what sets the Thomasian leaders apart from the rest. And, Dr. Songco looks forward to partnering with the chapter for the years to come.

As for TI-LU's first line of business, the chapter is set to join UST AAI's 2022 AAIG Caravan series which will be held in Region 1 and Cordillera Administrative Region starting August 5, 2022. The said caravan is a summit where the academe, alumni, industry, and government converge to cascade insights and outputs gained from the previous AAIG National Multisectoral Summit.