The University of Santo Tomas Central Student Council (UST-CSC), in coordination with the UST Medical Technology Society and the Office of Public Affairs, hosted “TEDxUST,” an independently-organized conference licensed from popular non-profit media organization TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) held on March 10, 2018 at the UST Central Laboratory Auditorium.
TED’s main conference series, commonly known as “TED Talks,” refers to its Vancouver-based talks that are posted online for free distribution under the mission “ideas worth spreading.” Its TEDx initiative allows for independent organizers for cities, academic institutions, or other local communities and organizations to have their own licensed TED experience in other parts of the world. UST is one of the many academic institutions in the Philippines that is part of this initiative.
With the theme “Wavelength,” defined as the distance between successive waves that move in continuous motion, a wavelength moves in a specific direction despite its dynamic motion in crests and troughs. TEDxUST, in adherence to its theme, highlighted the inevitability of ups and downs in life, along with ideas and inspiration to continue moving forward.
UST Secretary-General Rev. Fr. Jesús M. Miranda, Jr., O.P., mentioned in his welcome remarks that this initiative is in line with the mission of UST to generate knowledge. Engraved on the wall of the Benavides library is a mission in Latin originating from the medallion of the Monument to Benavides at Plaza Santo Tomas in Intramuros, which was built in 1892. It states, “Has tenebrae cingunt mentis caligine terras hoc Sancti Thomae Universitates opus: Lumina Pandit.” Its English translation is, ‘Darkness covers this land in a mental mist. This is the task of the University of Santo Tomas – to spread the light.’
Speakers included CEMEX Philippines Director for Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Mr. Chito Maniago, who shared how his gift of gab enabled him to persevere through hardships and how to communicate effectively; University of the Philippines System Executive Vice President and Chairman of Physicians for Peace Dr. Teodoro J. Herbosa, who discussed wavelengths in health and politics such as health inequity and the need for health reforms; Instructor and supervising teacher at the UST College of Education Ms. Eleanor Bahrami-Hessari, who motivated students and future educators to step out of one’s comfort zone and to be confident in one’s identity no matter the challenge.
Other TEDxUST speakers were: oncologist and trustee of the Philippine Cancer Society Dr. Kelly Salvador, who inspired future doctors to be competent and compassionate healers who treat each life as valuable; Founder and President of HealthCore and advocate of Medical Tourism Ms. Jocelyn Alumno, who advised that the hard roads and detours of life are worth the journey, as it will allow the tough ones to encourage themselves to be better and help more people along the way; and VJ and ABS-CBN talent Mr. Robi Domingo, who encouraged the audience to see the crests of life instead of the troughs and to never remain stagnant, but rather keep moving forward.
UST Office of Public Affairs Director Assoc. Prof. Giovanna V. Fontanilla, in her closing remarks, encouraged the audience to continue to create meaningful conversations so that they will be able to “produce sparks and ride the waves with its crests and troughs but certainly leading to a sea of blessings.”
