60th UST Arts and Letters to gather alumni in multimedia for a showcase

By Boy Villasanta

Among the universities and colleges in the Philippines, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Faculty of Arts and Letters has remained one of the most prolific institutions to have produced and graduated outstanding multimedia practitioners in the country since its inception in 1965.

To name only a few, there were National Artists for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera and Rolando Tinio, Francisco Tatad, Julie Yap-Daza, J. Neil Garcia, Mario Eric Gamalinda, Emmie G. Velarde  Boy C. de Guia, Mario Hernando, Butch Francisco, Rina Jimenez-David, Joey Lina, Penny Azarcon de la Cruz, Nestor Cuartero, Danny T. Vibas, Leo Estonilo and Neal Cruz.

To recognize the invaluable contributions of Artlets in multimedia, the 60th anniversary celebration of the Faculty will present and honor the many movie, television, thearer, music and other multimedia artists in its grand night of the event on March 1, 2025.

According to Henry Tenedero, President of the Philets-Artlets Alumni Association, Inc.and Cuartero, the organization’s publicist, several high profile media personalities have already signified their intentions to celebrate the event with their multigeneration of fellow Artlets.

“Among those who have confirmed their attendance are Piolo Pascual, Isay Alvarez, Sandra Aguinaldo, Ali Sotto and a lot more,” informed Tenedero and Cuartero on separate portions of the program during the launch of the event at The Manila Hotel Sampaguita Room recently.

Although Pascual had spent only two years in Artlets before his migration to the United States of America (USA), he considers Artlets as his alma mater.

Other Artlets in media being sought of their attendance are Marc Logan, Michael Laygo, Eula Valdez, Marigold Haber, Jeffrey Espiritu, Onelia Jose, Geena Zablan, Nanette Lizares, Marinel Cruz, Pilar Mateo, Ian Farinas and many more.