TMM lifestyle editor wins UST’s TOTAL Award

The Market Monitor’s Lifestyle Editor Nestor Cuartero received The Outstanding Thomasian Alumni (TOTAL) Award 2024 for Media and Entertainment in a formal dinner event held Friday, September 27 at the Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Building, also known as Thomasian Alumni Center, in UST Manila.

Mr. Cuartero, multi-awarded author of three books, was a former editor, 36 years, at the Bulletin Publishing Corporation until he retired in 2018. He is also a two-time SALUTE awardee (2023 and 2024) at the Nick Joaquin Literary Awards (NJLA) given by Philippines Graphic Magazine for both poetry and short story.      

The TOTAL Awards is a biennial event wherein the University of Santo Tomas confers its highest honors upon Thomasian alumni in recognition of their significant and exemplary contribution to the society and the Church. Recipients have undergone comprehensive review process by a selection committee composed of past awardees, University administrators, and UST Alumni Association, Inc. (USTAAI) officers.

UST Rector Rev. Fr. Richard Ang, OP, handed the awards to the outstanding alumni. 

For the 2024 TOTAL Awards, 12 alumni were honored for their prominence in their respective fields of expertise.

For Accountancy, Business, and Management: Ms. Alice G. Eduardo.

Health Allied: Sr. Maria Marissa R. Viri, RVM.

Law and Judiciary: Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier. 

Media and Entertainment: Mr. Nestor D. Cuartero and Mr. Joselito B. Zulueta. 

Medicine: Ms. Catherine S. Teh, M.D.

Music, Arts, Literature, and Design: Mr. Edgar D. Doctor and Ar. Jose Pedro C. Recio.

Science and Technology: Mr. Hasan Fard.

Service to Humanity: Ms. Grace Tan Caktiong. 

Service to the Church: Ms. Pilar I. Romero, LPT, PHD.

Special awards were  also  given to individuals and families who have embodied the Thomasian core values in their professional practice and personal life.

Young Thomasian Achiever: Assistant Secretary Paul Anthony  M. Pangilinan. 

Posthumous Award: Engr. Mariano S. Agoncillo. 

Thomasian Family Award: Ling Family (JSLA Architects Family).

The TOTAL Awards began in 1993 and has recognized over 295 exceptional alumni and 10 Thomasian families. Among them,  former President Diosdado Macapagal, businessman Dr. Washington SyCip, National Artists Architect Leandro Locsin and Francisco Sionil Jose, Jollibee founder Tony Tan Caktiong, Cardinal His Eminence Jose Cardinal Sanchez, chemical engineer Dr. Lydia Tansinsin, Century Pacific Group founder Ricardo Sy Po, Sr., poet Ophelia Alcantara Dimalanta, chemist Trinidad Palad-Trinidad, and journalist Cesar Apolinario.