Aquinas University - Notable Alumni

Notable Alumni

Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P. - 95th and current Rector and President of University of Santo Tomas- the oldest university in the Philippines. Fr. De la Rosa completed his basic education courses at the Aquinas University.

During his first two terms as UST rector, he became president of the Association of Catholic Universities of the Philippines and the International Association of Universities of St, Thomas. He was the founding president of the Network of Dominican Schools/ Colleges and Universities in the Philippines in 1995, more popularly known as DOMNET which now has a total membership of more than 100 schools. He was chair of the Organizing Committee of the International Youth Forum for the World Youth Day in January 1995 hosted by UST.

In 2004, he was personally chosen by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to chair the Commission on Higher Education which cut short his stint as Rector of the Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Calamba.

When he returned to the academe, he went back to serve UST in various capacities: as Assistant to the Rector for Research and Development and later, as Vice Rector for Finance. In September 2007, he accepted the assignment of being the Acting Rector of the University, until his formal installation in June 2008.

from http://www.ust.edu.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=599&Itemid=108

Fr. Tamerlane R. Lana, O.P. - current president of Colegio de San Juan de Letran. Fr. Lana has also served as Rector and President of the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, Manila

Dr. Fay Patria M. Lauraya - the current and youngest president of Bicol University. Dr. lauraya majored in Economics and graduated magna cum laude from Aquinas University.

Dr. Susana Carretas-Cabredo - immediate past president of Bicol University. Dr. Cabredo obtained the degree Bachelor of Arts in English, cum laude, from the University in 1963. Currently, she is the executive director of external affairs of Aquinas University.

Hon. Noel E. Rosal - incumbent mayor of Legazpi City, Albay. Mayor Rosal obtained his master's degree in business administration from Aquinas University.

Lilian Hefti - immediate past commissioner of the Bureau of Internal Revenue. She took her secondary education from Aquinas University and later pursued accountancy and law at San Beda College. Commissioner Hefti topped the CPA and Bar Exams respectively.

Merlinda Bobis - contemporary Philippine-Australian writer and academic. Among her awards are: Australian Classical Music Award for Best Vocal/Choral Work of the Year for Daragang Magayon Cantata, 2007; Gawad Pambansang Alagad ni Balagtas (National Balagtas Award: a lifetime award for author’s poetry and prose in English, Pilipino, Bikol) from the Unyon ng Manunulat ng Pilipinas (Union of Philippine Writers), 2006; Gintong Aklat Award (Golden Book Award: Philippine publishers' award) for Banana Heart Summer (novel), 2006; Australian Literature Society Gold Medal for Banana Heart Summer, 2006; Nomination: Best in Foreign Language in Fiction from the Manila Critics’ Circle for Banana Heart Summer, 2006; Judges’ Choice Award, Bumbershoot Bookfair, Seattle Arts Festival for The Kissing (collection of short stories published as White Turtle in Australia and the Philippines), 2001; Arts Queensland Steele Rudd Australian Short Story Award (For the Best Published Collection of Australian Short Stories. Joint winner) for White Turtle, 2000; Philippine National Book Award for Fiction (Joint winner) from the Manila Critics’ Circle for White Turtle, 2000; NSW Ministry for the Arts Writers’ Fellowship for novel in progress, Fish-Hair Woman, 2000; Canberra Writing Fellowship jointly from the Australian National University, the University of Canberra, and the Australian Defence Force Academy, 2000; Prix Italia (international award) for Rita's Lullaby (radio play), 1998; Australian Writers' Guild Award (AWGIE) for Rita’s Lullaby, 1998; Pamana Philippine Presidential Award for achievement in the arts (for Filipino expatriates), 1998; Shortlist: The Age Poetry Book of the Year Award for Summer Was A Fast Train Without Terminals (collection of poems), 1998; Winner, Out of the Ashes Trans-Tasman Short Story Competition for White Turtle (short story), 1998; Commended: National Short Story Competition, Society of Women Writers for The Sadness Collector (short story), 1998; Joint winner, ABC Radio National's 'Books & Writing Short Story Competition' for The Tongue (also known as The Parable of Illawarra Street), 1997; Ian Reed Foundation Prize for Radio Drama for Rita's Lullaby, 1995; Carlos Palanca Memorial Award in Literature (Philippine national award), Honourable Mention for Ms. Serena Serenata (one-act play), 1995; Gawad Cultural Centre of the Philippines (National award for Poetry in Pilipino) for Mula Dulo Hanggang Kanto (‘From End to Corner’, collection of poems), 1990; Likhaan Award for Daragang Magayon and other poems, University of the Philippines Writers' Workshop, 1990; Carlos Palanca Memorial Award in Literature, Second Prize for Lupang di Hinirang: Kuwento at Sikreto (‘Land Not Dearest: Story and Secret’, collection of poems in Pilipino), 1989; and Carlos Palanca Memorial Award in Literature, Joint winner, First Prize for Peopleness (collection of poems in English), 1987.