The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
The University of Santo Tomas (UST), aside from being a pontifical university, is an inclusive school–apart from its coed enrollment–for all social stations of students.
Being a bastion of education, what matters most is an equal opportunity in learning that also transcends gender, age, occupation, spiritual beliefs etc.
In my college days at the Faculty of Arts and Letters (Artlets), I had classmates from various backgrounds and persuasions, political and otherwise–a future rebel, a blind man, a summa cum laude future nun, sons and daughters of successful businessmen in the city, a beauty contest hopeful, “promdi” boys and girls from the province etc.
During my time, teenybopper in her Mass Communication years, Esperanza Fabon, one of the forerunners of the ‘70s film and TV idols was a hardworking student who managed to rise above and survive jeers in the campus for being one of the pop stars of the “bakya (wooden shoes)” era.
Consequently, Espie finished her undergrad course, pursued Law, passed the Bar, practiced jurisprudence and eventually became a judge and later, successfully retired from the judiciary.
Artlets, then and now, is a breeding ground of beauty queens and glamorous stars, specifically.
In my time, we had Miss Teen Princess Geena Zablan, Miss Republic of the Philippines (RP) Onelia Jose, Binibining Pilipinas Runner-Up Connie Escalambre, actress Nanette Lizares etc.
In other words, as long as one passes the college entrance exams, fits for education, follows rules and regulations prescribed in the student handbook etc. the institution is fteely open for everyone.
Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos might have missed higher educ but she would consider UST her academic choice if she only had the luxury of time.
Still, according to her: “I consider UST my home, too.”
Vi has always been prioritizing UST in her personal appearnces and spraking engagements.
Generally, other celebrity alumni of the university, particularly in showbiz, include Eula Valdez, Ali Sotto Rochelle Romero Ong, Michael Laygo, Charlene Gonzales, Beverly Salviejo, among others.
Lately, I discovered that Rebecca Chuaunsu, Best Actress in both 2024 Wu Wei Taipei Film.Festival in Taipei, Taiwan and Sinag Maynila Film Festival in Manila for the evocative film “Her Locket” is a UST alumnus.
I feel proud for Rebecca who is also a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph D) in Communications.
Here is an accomplished artist and an enterprising film and theater producer whose intellectual backbone is a pontifical education.
That is why compassion and service to humanity are two virtues Chuaunsu displays and fulfills.
***
Former bold stars and now sexy actresses Vida Verde and Myra Manibog are in the same boat.
Both are in the healing processes of their respective emotional wounds.
Vida, Catherine Mejia in real life, has been healed of pains she sustained from friends who have maligned her who said that she’s a good-for-nothing friend who turned deaf ears on needy buddies. “Paano ako makakatulong, e, wala rin ako (How can I help when I am also in need?),” defended Verde.
Meanwhile Myra has been feeling low because of her health condition and the circumstances surrounding them.
Although some bodily aches have recovered, she still has to pay P1.7M in her hospital bills.
I hope Manibog is immediately discharged from the Makati Medical Center the soonest.