MISTER Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and Miss Faculty of Pharmacy were hailed victors of the 2013 ‘The Search for the Ideal Thomasian Personalities’ (TSITP) Coronation Night held last March 1 at the Plaza Mayor.

     “For me, as a graduating student, this doesn’t mean the end, but rather a beginning of a new chapter. What Pope Benedict XVI did was to inspire others to begin a new chapter,” Katrina Marie Torno, Ms. Pharmacy, answered.

     “What I expect from the next pope is to be inspired and to do better [than] what Pope Benedict XVI has done,” she continued.

     “We should not be hindered by this and we should look forward because despite this setback, we are still Catholics and we are still Christians on a mission to follow the word of God,” Jose Carlos Teves, Mr. Medicine and Surgery, said.

     “[Hopefully, the next pope] would continue to promote the mission of God and that would ultimately unite all of the Catholics and follow the word of God,” he continued. Including this year, the male representatives of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery triumphed for three consecutive years.

     The top five pairs answered the question, “How did the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI affect your faith as a Thomasian and what do you expect from the next pope?”

     Christian Cocjin of the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management and Annica Siy of the College of Science were awarded first runner-up. Meanwhile, Jon Jeoffrey Junio of the College of Nursing and Mary Angelique Manto of the Faculty of Arts and Letters garnered the second runner-up spot.

     Third runner-up placers were Bennedictine Marin of the College of Fine Arts & Design and Mohanna Moya of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery. Completing the list of top 5 finalists were Christoffer Samarista of the Faculty of Pharmacy and Anna Joy Putchero of the College of Tourism & Management.

     Special awards were given before the question and answer portion. Ms. CTHM, Mr. Med, and Mr. CTHM were awarded the ‘Best in Uniform.’

     ‘Best Essay’ award was given to Mr. CFAD and Ms. College of Nursing. Unfortunately, Tiffany de Vega of the College of Nursing was not able to attend the Coronation Night.

     Alfred Panugao and Jeane Janeo, both representing the College of Architecture, won ‘Mr. and Ms. Talent,’ respectively. The two also won ‘Best in Theme Wear.’

     The star-studded panel of judges included celebrity chef Hasset Go, lifestyle columnist Harold Geronimo, designer Eric Pineda, ‘A Secret Affair’ director Ruel Crisostomo Naval, internet sensation Kimpoy Feliciano, and entrepreneur and ‘Warrior Princess of Peace’ Bai Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman.

     Pageant beauties in the likes of Miss Philippines Earth-Air 2010 Rene McHugh, Miss Universe 1984 third runner-up Desiree Verdadero-Abesamis, and Thomasian Pride Janine Tugonon, the Miss Universe 2012 first runner up, were also part of the panel.

     Judges UST alumna Emil Morales from Red Images and cosmetic surgeon Dr. John Cenica, host of ‘What’s Up Doc?’ sponsored the second set of special awards.

     ‘Mr. and Ms. Red Images’ went to Mr. and Ms. Pharmacy. Moreover, Mr. CTHM and Ms. Architecture, won the Mr. and Ms. ‘Joncen Award.’

     ‘Mr. Congeniality’ was awarded to Mr. Faculty of Engineering and ‘Ms. Congeniality’ was given to Ms. College of Science. Meanwhile, Mr. AMV-College of Accountancy and Ms. Faculty of Arts and Letters received the ‘Most Photogenic’ award.

     With the help of TomasinoWeb, the TSITP was able to name Mr. Faculty of Engineering and Ms. College of Architecture as the ‘People’s Choice’ awardees.

     Mr. College of Nursing and Ms. College of Science were given the ‘Best Casual Wear’ award. Concluding the last set of special awards, Mr. Faculty of Pharmacy and Ms. College of Science received the ‘Best in Formal Wear.’

     For their final walk, last year’s TSITP candidates graced the stage along with the 2012 Ideal Thomasian Personalities, Ms. Mary Toribio and Mr. Byron Hontiveros.

     Ms. Janine Tugonon, former Ms. UST, was surprised that the Faculty of Pharmacy was ready for a presentation celebrating her victory. “It’s an honor to be a Thomasian,” she said.

Performances
     Hype Street Dance Champion Juvenile Crew, Cheermania All-Stars, and UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe entertained the crowd with their dance numbers. USTeMundo also livened up the audience.

     Meanwhile, Thomasian Idol Julia Mella serenaded the audience with her rendition of Rihanna’s ‘We Found Love’ and ‘California King Bed.’

By Marleen Y. Peroz and Mia Rosienna P. Mallari
Photo taken by Rosana Marie A. Lafuente