UST College of Fine Arts and Design

Asst. Prof. Gigi B. Ocampo, MS, Chair of the Department of Advertising Arts of the UST College of Fine Arts and Design, now serves as a Member of the Technical Panel for Fine Arts of the Commission on Higher Education until 2029.

Asst. Prof. Gigi B. Ocampo, MS, Chair of the Department of Advertising Arts of the UST College of Fine Arts and Design, now serves as a Member of the Technical Panel for Fine Arts of the Commission on Higher Education until 2029.

Article: https://www.ust.edu.ph/ocampo-of-advertising-arts-appointed-to-ched-technical-panel-for-fine-arts

The University was recognized by the Commission on Higher Education(CHED) - National Capital Region as one of the Transnational Higher Education Providers, in compliance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 11448 or the Transnational Higher Education Act.
Recently, the UST College of Fine Arts and Design rolled out its dual-degree program on industrial and product design with the The Hong Kong Polytechnic University - PolyU.
Article: https://www.ust.edu.ph/ust-recognized-as-one-of-ncrs-six.../

The University was recognized by the Commission on Higher Education(CHED) - National Capital Region as one of the Transnational Higher Education Providers, in compliance with the provisions of Republic Act No. 11448 or the Transnational Higher Education Act.

Recently, the UST College of Fine Arts and Design rolled out its dual-degree program on industrial and product design with the The Hong Kong Polytechnic University - PolyU.

Article: https://www.ust.edu.ph/ust-recognized-as-one-of-ncrs-six-hubs-for-cheds-transnational-education-initiative/

[CFAD] Memo 71 Office Schedule for Special Term, AY2025-2026

The UST College of Fine Arts and Design confers degrees upon its 429 graduates during its Solemn Investiture Rites at the Quadricentennial Pavilion on Wednesday, June 3.

(Photos by Joachim Nigel Z. Tanglao/ The Varsitarian)

University of Santo Tomas
College of Fine Arts and Design
Class of 2026 ❤️💚

𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗮𝗺𝗮𝘆: 𝗨𝗦𝗧–𝗡𝗖𝗖𝗔–𝗗𝗧𝗜 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲, 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁𝘀

The University of Santo Tomas successfully organized Likhang Kamay: Training Course on Teaching Indigenous Hand Crafts in Higher Education Institutions on 13–16 May 2026, bringing together educators, cultural workers, artisans, and institutional partners to strengthen the integration of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSP) in higher education.
Organized in celebration of 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵, the four-day training course highlighted the role of universities in safeguarding indigenous creative traditions through teaching, research, and community engagement. The program was conceptualized by the 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 – 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗶𝗰𝘀 (𝗨𝗦𝗧𝗚𝗦–𝗖𝗖𝗖𝗣𝗘𝗧) with the support of the 𝗨𝗦𝗧 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 (𝗨𝗦𝗧–𝗖𝗙𝗔𝗗), in collaboration with the UST Museum, UST Center for Continuing Professional Education and Development, 𝗠𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗼 𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗮𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗞𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗯𝗼 and the Asia Pacific Higher Education Network on Safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage (APHEN-ICH). The training course was also supported by the 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 – 𝗟𝗶𝗸𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗼 and the 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀, and is part of the Heritage Month activities of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA).

Hosted at the UST College of Fine Arts and Design, the opening day established the intellectual and policy foundations of cultural education. The program opened with messages from 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳. 𝗝𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗲𝗿 𝗦. 𝗔𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗿, 𝗗𝗕𝗔, Assistant Dean of UST College of Fine Arts and Design, and 𝗗𝗿. 𝗘𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗕. 𝗭𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘂𝗱𝗼, Chairman and Executive Director of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, emphasizing the importance of cultural education and heritage safeguarding in higher education. Participants were then introduced to broader discussions on Philippine culture and the arts through lectures delivered by 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳. 𝗠𝗲𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲 𝗗. 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗻-𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗼𝘀, 𝗣𝗵𝗗 on Introduction to Philippine Culture and Arts, 𝗠𝗿. 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗯𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗹 𝗕𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗻 on the Philippine Culture and Arts Framework, 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝘁. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳. 𝗔𝗹𝘃𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗴𝗼 𝗖. 𝗥𝗲𝘆𝗲𝘀, 𝗠𝗔 on the Cultural Education Framework of the Philippines, and 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝘁. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳. 𝗝𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝗿𝗲𝗻 𝗧. 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗼, 𝗠𝗔𝗖𝗛𝗦, who discussed international and local frameworks on safeguarding intangible cultural heritage.

On its second day, Likhang Kamay expanded learning beyond academic spaces through an immersion at Likhang Filipino Exhibition Halls in Pasay City. The day opened with welcome remarks from 𝗠𝘀. 𝗥𝗵𝗲𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲, Executive Director of the Design Center of the Philippines, is setting the stage for conversations on the role of design institutions in advancing Philippine creativity. Participants were introduced to indigenous craftsmanship and cultural entrepreneurship through 𝗠𝘀. 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘇𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗹𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗮, Director of Museo ng Kaalamáng Katutubò, whose lecture on Philippine Indigenous Crafts highlighted the significance of traditional knowledge and making practices. Sessions by 𝗠𝘀. 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲 𝗚. 𝗣𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮 and 𝗠𝘀. 𝗥𝗼𝘄𝗲 𝗔. 𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗷𝗼 of the Design Center of the Philippines further demonstrated how indigenous motifs and ethnic patterns may be respectfully translated into contemporary products while preserving cultural meaning and integrity. The day concluded with immersion at Likhang Filipino, allowing participants to engage directly with the intersections of heritage, design innovation, and the creative industries.

Back at the UST College of Fine Arts and Design, Day 3 transformed ideas into lived experience as participants engaged directly with scholars, facilitators, and artisans while exploring practical approaches to teaching indigenous hand crafts in higher education. The morning sessions were led by 𝗗𝗿. 𝗝𝗮𝘆𝘀𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗲𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘀 of the University of the Philippines–Diliman, who introduced participants to Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices and discussed culturally responsive teaching approaches and translanguaging realities in the classroom. The highlight of the day was the immersive artisan engagement workshops facilitated by 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳. 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲 𝗛. 𝗕𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮, 𝗠𝗖𝗛𝗦, 𝗟𝗣𝗧, featuring Pabalat (Paper Cutting) of San Miguel, Bulacan, Shell Craft of Iloilo City with 𝗠𝘀. 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗻, Pottery of Tiwi, Albay with 𝗠𝗿. 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗺 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗶ñ𝗼, and Buli weaving traditions from Quezon led by 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗔. 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗷𝗼, 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗱𝗮, 𝗔𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿, 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝘇, and 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗼. Participants moved beyond observation and experienced firsthand the patience, skill, and cultural narratives embedded in each craft tradition. Through hands-on activities and conversations with artisans, participants gained deeper insight into the relationship between making, meaning, and cultural transmission.

The final day of Likhang Kamay, held at the UST Museum, marked the culmination of four days of reflection, learning, and creative exchange dedicated to strengthening indigenous arts education in higher education institutions. The day formally opened with welcome remarks from 𝗥𝗲𝘃. 𝗙𝗿. 𝗜𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗿𝗼 𝗖. 𝗔𝗯𝗮ñ𝗼, 𝗢.𝗣., 𝗦𝗧𝗵𝗟-𝗠𝗔, Director of the UST Museum. Centered on Foundations of Indigenous Art Pedagogy in the Philippines and a Workshop on Course Development, 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳. 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗲 𝗛. 𝗕𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮, 𝗠𝗖𝗛𝗦, 𝗟𝗣𝗧 guided participants in translating insights from lectures, field exposure, and artisan engagement into concrete educational outputs. The workshop encouraged participants to envision courses, learning activities, and pedagogical strategies that integrate indigenous crafts into formal academic settings while remaining grounded in cultural sensitivity and ethical engagement. The training course concluded with closing messages from 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝘁. 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳. 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗲 𝗗. 𝗤𝘂𝗲, 𝗠𝗦, 𝗟𝗣𝗧, Dean of the UST College of Fine Arts and Design. The training course affirmed that safeguarding indigenous hand crafts is not only the work of artisans and cultural institutions—it is also a shared responsibility of educators who shape future generations through teaching, creativity, and meaningful engagement with heritage.

Please be guided accordingly. Thank you.

Tomorrow, we honor our exemplary academic achievers whose outstanding activities and achievements made a mark in their journey in UST.
Join us in celebrating the Student Awards Day 2026 at the Quadricentennial Pavilion on May 22, 2026!

Tomorrow, we honor our exemplary academic achievers whose outstanding activities and achievements made a mark in their journey in UST.

Join us in celebrating the Student Awards Day 2026 at the Quadricentennial Pavilion on May 22, 2026!