THOMASIANS SHOULD take time to reflect before sharing information in a world where people are quick to react online, UST Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. said.
In his homily for the Thomasian Welcome Mass on Monday, Aug. 5, Ang said misinformation has become rampant and opposing views, opinions and noise have plagued the online community.
He noted that not all information in social media platforms is true, hence the need to pause and contemplate on the information people consume online.
“There are times when we need a little silence to reflect and contemplate the information and news that we see (online),” Ang said.
“In UST, we talk about dissemination of knowledge which should be transformative… We are meant to share what we reflected on and what we discovered with others.” Ang said.
Quoting English philosopher Francis Bacon, Ang said “silence nourishes wisdom,” but such a wisdom need not be kept to oneself.
“It is only in silence that we are able to pause and reflect, then discover. But discovery, my dear friends, is not the end itself. We are meant to share what we reflected on and what we discovered with others.”
Ang cited the need for analysis, creative thinking, effective communication and collaboration in sharing knowledge.
“This is the modern (way of) reporting, living and sharing knowledge for the good of the community,” the rector said.
Citing the University’s slogan “Veritas in caritate” or truth in charity, Ang urged Thomasians to exemplify the University’s patron saint, St. Thomas Aquinas, to uphold the truth.
“The truth does not only come in academic life. The truth can be found in all aspects of life,” he said.
This academic year’s Welcome Mass, held at the Quadricentennial Pavilion, was dedicated to 12,626 Thomasian freshmen.
The mass is part of the onboarding activities for first-year students, followed by the ROARientation and Thomasian Welcome Walk. F — Trisha Tamio with reports from Mei Lin Weng
