UST SECRETARY-General Fr. Louie R. Coronel, O.P. urged Thomasians who were disheartened by the election results to stand for each other regardless of “political color,” reminding them that the Thomasian color is “gold.”
“Only those who love can have the courage to stand at the Lord’s side. Could we also do the same by standing again for each other today, for regardless of our political color, we are all Thomasians, and our color is gold,” Coronel wrote in a letter addressed to Thomasians on Saturday.
Coronel said acknowledging one’s need for healing would help in pushing through during the post-elections crisis and in building a stronger Thomasian community.
“It is easy to say “move on,” but how can one easily move on from the wonderful experience of fighting for the one you love? We move through the pain and channel what we have wonderfully learned in our very role as students, academic staff, support staff, alumni and administrators,” he said.
To further aid Thomasians in processing the results of the recently concluded national elections, the University is offering several counseling services and psychological assistance.
Services from the University’s Health Service, the Counseling and Career Center, and the Thomasian Health Responders of the Psychology Department of the UST College of Science are open to all Thomasians.
Coronel is also offering spiritual counseling programs through the Office of the Vice-Rector for Religious Affairs, the Center for Campus Ministry and the Santísimo Rosario Parish-UST.
“Apart from these University initiatives, we need to help one another. Kamustahin naman natin ang bawat isa. Ipagdasal din natin ang bawat isa. Bumangon tayong magkakasama
(Apart from these University initiatives, we need to help one another. Let us check up on each other. Let us also pray for one another. Let us rise together),” Coronel said.
The central and local student councils called for academic leniency last May 10 after some students aired grievances over the post-election events.
Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Cheryl Peralta, in coordination with other academic units, approved the holding of asynchronous classes last week, and the moving of the academic deadlines to May 16. F – Aubrey Shane R. Lim and Katherine K. Chan
