Math Major Wins 1^st Place in Essay Category

John Manuel Padre, a Bachelor in Secondary Education major in math sophomore from the College of Education, won first place in the essay category of the college division at the 10^th Cesar S. Tiangco Memorial Literary Awards on February 13, 2016 held at the Muntinlupa City Hall.  He received his award together with his teacher-endorser and mentor, English Professor Florante Delos Santos from the College of Arts and Sciences, who also received a certificate of appreciation.

Joining the competition for the first time, the sole entry of University of Makati (UMak) beat several entries from different colleges in Metro Manila, which included Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa (PLMun) and St. Bernadette College.  Padre was one of only 19 young writers given recognition, among a number of student participants from schools in Muntinlupa, Las Piñas, Makati, Pasay, Pasig, Pateros, and Taguig.

UMak OIC Ramila Cruzado, represented by Corporate Communications Center (CCC) Director Cynthia José, was the keynote speaker and underscored that, “These schools are here for a reason. Not only do they want to win, but more importantly, they want to promote literary excellence among high schools and colleges in both Pilipino and English languages.”

“Kindness is about going to the periphery.” This was among the many memorable statements of Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Brother Armin Luistro, FSC, as he inspired teachers, administrators, and other personnel when he graced the annual year-end convocation of the University of Makati (UMak) on December 17, 2015 at the UMak Mini Theater.

With the theme “UMak at its Best:  Spreading Kindness and Compassion,” Secretary Luistro narrated 10 different stories of educators who went beyond their comfort zones to spread kindness and compassion.

These included the story of two teachers who went to far-flung places to teach children and help the community tap drinking water and generate power supply, a fresh graduate from an elite private school who opted to teach in a public elementary school to mold her pupils and give them better chances to enter bigger and more competitive secondary schools, another teacher with a seemingly perennial smile and was always kind even as she chose to teach the more difficult-to-teach students, a female teacher who received a citation from the Pangasinan Provincial Police Office for overcoming a distraught gunman with compassion to save the lives of her innocent students, and other outstanding teachers who went beyond their calls of duty, separated from their families and loved ones, risking their lives to help their countrymen during calamities and tragedies.

Nine students from the College of Allied Health Studies (COAHS)-Center of Pharmacy (COP) proved that they were globally competitive as they bested 29 other Pharmacy schools in the country, despite being first time participants, in the National Pharmacy Week celebrations held December 8 at the Manila Central University.

University of Makati (UMak) Officer-in-Charge Ramila Cruzado led the UMak officials in congratulating these bright and promising students as they bagged the championship in both the National Debacle and Patient Counselling Contests—a concrete manifestation of knowledge, innovation and development as UMak moves forward in building an innovative nationwide agenda for the youth.

The tandem of Jasmin Kae Sistoso and Abdel Rauff  Baharan, both Level 3 Pharmacy students, topped the National Debacle Contest, overcoming University of Perpetual Help System JONELTA (Biñan) and Adamson University.

Moreover, KC Rolainne Gabriel, level 3 Pharmacy student, and Joanah Angelica Villaruz,  level 4 Pharmacy  student, outclassed six other finalists in the final round of the Patient Counselling Contest to bring home the perpetual championship trophy.   In second place was Centro Escolar University-Malolos, while National University was third.