by Joshua Enrick D. Tatlonghari
Layout by Beatrice Engo
Image Source: http://www.ust.edu.ph/commerce/
Rev. Fr. Senen R. Ecleo, O.P.
Regent, College of Commerce and Business Administration
It is heartwarming to personally greet you all, especially you, our dear students, to your second home. I am so glad to welcome everyone despite this pandemic time. I praise and thank God for the graces, mercies[,] and blessings He continues to shower upon us. We are SAFE, HEALTHY[,] AND ALIVE! We have our families, loved ones, relatives, friends, and others we hold dear!
I pray for us all not be fearful, dismayed[,] or anxious because we are in [a] not “normal” time as yet. But we trust our loving Father who will never love us less nor abandon us. With grateful hearts, may our love for learning, for CCBA and UST continue to inspire us to move onward to greater academic success and more fruitful accomplishments during this Academic [Y]ear 2020-2021. May the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saints Dominic[,] and Thomas Aquinas as well as our other Dominican Saints and Thomasian Martyrs, intercede for us all.
Lastly, I would like to offer this prayer of Canadian Rev. J.W. Oldham for us all to own. I find it truly encouraging and most consoling:
We pray to GOD who some call Mystery
beyond all definition, that
When in the midst of uncertainty - may we know FAITH.
When in the midst of anxiety - may we know SERENITY.
When in the midst of stress - may we know CALM.
When in the midst of fear - may we know TRUST.
When in the midst of bewilderment - may we know ASSURANCE.
When in the midst of confusion -may we know CONFIDENCE.
When in the midst of pandemic - may we know PEACE.
WHEN IN THE MIDST OF WHATEVER – MAY WE KNOW LOVE.
Image Source: http://www.ust.edu.ph/commerce/
Assoc. Prof. Leonardo M. Canoy, Jr., PhD
Dean, College of Commerce and Business Administration
Never in our dreams have we ever imagined a time such as one we are experiencing now, a time of extraordinary sacrifice and care to keep ourselves well in the midst of a pandemic. Academic life has undergone an extreme change. Everything has to be done online: [s]tudent enrollment, faculty training/seminars, admin meetings, virtual classes, submission of requirements[,] and assignments. It is sad that the freshmen can"t come to the [U]niversity, do the Thomasian walk, attend orientation talks[,] and meet the faculty face to face. All of us must adjust to the new normal, but let us do it with hearts full of hope, that God in His kindness will bring an end to this pandemic, that soon we will be back in our beloved [U]niversity, interacting with classmates and friends, listening to our professor's lecture right inside the classrooms, having meals in our favorite eateries inside and around the campus, doing our actual PE classes in the Quadricentennial pavilion.
For now[,] let's work together as a family in making this a productive academic year despite all the restrictions that we face.
Heads up high, Thomasians, and face these challenges with a strong and hopeful heart.
Image Source: http://www.ust.edu.ph/commerce/
Asst. Prof. Elizabeth Vivien S. Magbata, PhD,
Chairperson, Financial Management Department
In ordinary times, I am sure you would have looked forward to this stage of your young life – that day when you will embark on your journey as a college student. In the past, this period was characterized as a mix of emotions - excitement to be in a different environment and start new friendships, anticipation[,] and apprehension of more complex lessons, opportunity to validate often-heard stories about college professors in general and those you may have “researched” in particular, and perhaps, to those coming from the provinces, the chance to experience life in the metropolis with an increased sense of autonomy. However, all of these shall be a bit delayed for you to be experienced…and yes, 2020 would always be remembered as a “world-shaking” year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Its impact has seeped through the various human endeavors – physical, emotional, moral, spiritual, social, political, economic, among others. No one has been spared. But come to think of it, you are IN THE WORLD when it happened. You have a role to play. It is going to take shape and you are going to start now…as a freshman at the University of Santo Tomas – College of Commerce and Business Administration. Let your journey of discovery begin…welcome to the “new world”!
Image Source: http://www.ust.edu.ph/commerce/
Asst. Prof. Rosalyn G. Perkins, PhD
Chairperson, Human Resource Department
On board the aircraft and when the weather is rough “turbulence” is inevitable, but it is just passing.
Today, we are passing through the turbulence and rough times brought by the COVID-19 pandemic. We feel anxious about what’s next, uncertainties are apparent. We think everything is falling apart, fear threatens us. We are facing the reality that our normality is now so different; we have lost our sense of symmetry.
When we think of our [U]niversity life and the challenges of the new normal in learning, it affects us psychologically and emotionally. However, amid all these uncertainties, we need to be courageous to survive. Let us set our minds optimistically that this turbulence is just temporary, the time will change, and the journey is progressing. Let us focus our eyes and trust on God, who controls everything. Set aside our fears and worries. God wants us to increase our hope with Him and not limit our victories amidst these challenging times of pandemic.
Let us look forward to a meaningful and incredible journey without being troubled by turbulence. Fears will only limit our victories and success in life. Let us take this challenging time as a motivating factor that drives us to be a more resilient and self-motivated person. This is the time to prove to yourself that you can make a difference. This is your time, “you live in the time of COVID-19 and this is your story.”
Image Source: http://www.ust.edu.ph/commerce/
Francis Lawrence B. De Jesus Chairperson,
Marketing Management Department
Allowing education to win against stacked odds requires a two-way effort. We know the effort you and your families placed on this term and for that[,] we are truly grateful. In return[,] we will continuously do our best to match and exceed your sacrifices. We equipped ourselves with all the necessary skills and materials so that we can deliver quality education. We open lines of dialogue to ensure that your varying issues are heard.
Amidst this challenge, we continue our collaboration with key industry players to ensure our program remains true to our program’s objective of educating the industry’s marketing students of choice. We will not just survive this pandemic, we will thrive through it.
Justin Christopher C. Ramos,
Editor-in-Chief, UST Commerce Journal
Where the Thomasian Business student exceeds in his/her academic endeavors for personal growth, the pandemic jeopardizes both students and faculty alike as the “new normal” pushes for rapid change through a system already under-equipped to handle demands for an effective online setup.
Students’ efforts cannot be discounted just because of a faulty internet connection when it rains. Although the system is constantly adjusting itself to provide more favorable conditions for its students and educators, to achieve the vision of a fully functional distance learning system should provide that the College, in partnership with its students should look towards working for a new normal that works.
Change and constant realignment take time for us to fully experience an improvement in our new online arrangement. Today, we should reflect and acknowledge what works and what does not so that the Commerce community can attain a better normal that will transcend this pandemic.
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