Of being a Distinguished Thomasian Alumni Awardee 2026

When the University of Santo Tomas Alumni Association (USTAA) sent me a congratulatory email that I was chosen as a Distinguished Thomasian Alumni Awardee in 2026, I was dumbfounded.

I didn’t know how to react.

To begin with, I didn’t want to be nominated by my UST Arts and Letters 1975 batchmate, Sociology major Sarah Cayabyab.

I said there were other more deserving nominees to be named but myself.

Sarah insisted so I gave in.

To justify my nomination, I thought I must have done something worthwhile in honor of my Alma Mater.

As a Literature major, all that I learned from my mentors, not excluding my non-Lit teachers, were enough to advance my knowledge in multidisciplinary approaches and apply them in my showbiz writing.

Yes, that must be inherently justifiable. 

Literature graduate

I can safely say, as a Lit grad, I was able to write my entertainment stories in their proper contexts and perspectives using, say, for instance, literary trends or any socio-political theories, that no matter when I say this, many eyebrows are arched.

Traditionally, movie journalism is more of escapist reporting even if it is vetted.

For as long as showbiz writing is viewed as mere diversion, or worst gossip, Philippine movie journalism won’t level up to greatness.

I must admit, though, that my UP post-graduate education also contributed a lot in my expansive and all-embracing writing.

As a full-fledged movie reporter, my balancing outsider views looking inside show business as film critic Patrick

“Expose Movie Reporting in the Philippines” book 

Campos had evaluated when he reviewed my “Expose Movie Reporting in the Philippines” book published by the UST Publishing House for UPCMC’s Plaridel, a journal where media phenomena are written and analyzed in relation to Philippine society is my strength even if it was not a gauge to win the award.

It was landmark research.

I am just being objective, (am I?) far from being conceited.

The other so-called trimmings in my professional life in the entertainment industry include my being an award-winning writer of the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) Deadline, a writing contest where I consistently and progressively won awards; my trailblazing broadcast entertainment career in ABS-CBN’s “TV Patrol”‘s “Star News.”

Third World entertainment industry 

No matter how people perceived it as “nonsense,” I think its presence was inevitable in a society crashed by poverty, inequality, injustice etc. that anchors social analysis if only given a chance in this Third World entertainment country.

At the moment, I pursue my award-winning documentary filmmaking despite limitations.

I have connected my art and journalism globally however on a small scale.

I was already toying the idea of composing my acceptance speech.

But according to Henry Soleta Tenedora, the indefatigable President of the Philets-Artlets Alumni Association, only one from among the sixty-one recipients would be given the privilege to say one’s piece of thanksgiving.

DTAA 

Anyway, Henry told me that I don’t have to worry about my being selected as a DTAA because I passed the deliberations of an independent body.

From the one hundred thirty years of Philets (Philosophy and Letters)-Liberal Arts fused as one, thus Arts and Letters, sixty years ago, there are more outstanding nominations from the illustrious alumni.

“We didn’t lack the encouragement and announcements of nominations so no worries,” quipped Tenedero.

I am humbled by this award.

This recognition inspires me to live better, love better, integrate better into our fragmented society and write better.

I am dedicating this plum to all Artlets from the turn of the century to the millennium.

It’s sad that Henry couldn’t make it on the awards night but Rainmakers’ Joel Macanaya (Artlets ’74) will represent him.

He would be in Baguio City to speak inspirationally to parents and teachers associated with academic upheavals in all educational levels.

Dean Henry

Soleta Tenedero, fondly addressed as Dean Henry (because he occupies deanship at St. Clare College in Caloocan City), is also an environment advocate.

He has conceptualized an Artlets reunion in 2027 on taking care of the planet if only students and graduates collaborate with this rare chance.

“Reunions shouldn’t only be fellowships and fund-rainings. They should also involve changes for the betterment of society,” he said.

Dean Henry also promotes skills development of the Filipinos.

I share your vision, Henry.