UST SIMBAHAYAN Community Development Office

Anchored on the theme, “𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐨𝐫, 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡: 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲-𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧,” the UST SIMBAHAYAN Community Development Office and the Research Center for Social Sciences and Education, in collaboration with the Dominican Family for Justice, Peace, and Care for Creation – Philippines, successfully held the annual Bartolome de las Casas Research Conference 2026 last May 6 to 7, 2026 at the George S.K. Ty Hall, 4th Floor, Buenaventura G. Paredes, O.P. Building.

Bringing together scholars, students, educators, researchers, and community leaders, the conference featured 10 parallel sessions highlighting community-engaged research initiatives that advance social justice and care for creation. Participants reflected deeply on the realities and aspirations of marginalized communities through the keynote address of Rev. Fr. Delfo Canceran, OP (San Lorenzo Ruiz and Companion Martyrs Parish), while gaining renewed awareness of environmental stewardship through the presentation of Rodne Galicha (Living Laudato Si’ Philippines).

The conference served as a meaningful platform for dialogue, solidarity, and action which amplifies both the voices of the poor and the voice of the Earth toward a more compassionate and sustainable future.

On April 29, the UST SIMBAHAYAN Community Development Office, together with the administrators, academic staff, and support staff of the Office of the Vice Rector for Religious Affairs Cluster, joyfully celebrated the Feast Day of St. Catherine of Siena; Virgin, Doctor of the Church, and Patroness of the SIMBAHAYAN Community Development Office.

The celebration began with a novena prayer at 2:00 PM, followed by a Eucharistic Celebration held at the St. Dominic Chapel and presided over by the Vice Rector for Religious Affairs, Rev. Fr. Pablo T. Tiong, OP. Ms. Charmaine Joie Buena and Ms. Marianne Domingo from the National Service Training Program (CWTS-LTS) graciously served as the commentator and lector during the Holy Mass.

This meaningful celebration was made possible through the support and assistance of the UST CCM

May the life and teachings of St. Catherine of Siena continue to inspire us in our mission of faith, service, and community.

VOICES OF THE POOR, VOICE OF THE EARTH 🗣️

The UST SIMBAHAYAN Community Development Office and the Research Center for Social Sciences and Education, in collaboration with the Dominican Family for Justice, Peace, and Care for Creation – Philippines, invite you to the 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐝𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐬 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔.

With the theme “𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐨𝐫, 𝐕𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡: 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲-𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧,” this conference brings together scholars, students, educators, researchers, and community leaders in a shared space for dialogue and action. More than an academic gathering, it highlights research as a powerful tool for transformation, solidarity, and hope.

We are honored to welcome 𝐑𝐞𝐯. 𝐅𝐫. 𝐃𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐨 𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐧, 𝐎𝐏 (San Lorenzo Ruiz and Companion Martyrs Parish) as Keynote Speaker for Day 1, and 𝐌𝐫. 𝐑𝐨𝐝𝐧𝐞 𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐚 (Living Laudato Si’ Philippines) as Plenary Speaker for Day 2.

📌 Pre-register here: https://forms.gle/KWuEyyateowy9REJ8

Be part of this activity that amplifies unheard voices, cares for our common home, and advances meaningful change. Let’s build a future rooted in dignity, solidarity, and hope together. ✨

Today, our SIMBAHAYAN family joyfully celebrates the birthday of Mr. Adrian D. Romero, National Service Training Program (NSTP) Facilitator.

On this, your special day, we pray that God may grant you more years of unending grace, filling you with the inspiration to continue in the good work of serving the Church, the Home, and the Nation!

Today, The SIMBAHAYAN Community Development Office celebrates Labor Day, honoring the dignity, resilience, and invaluable contributions of workers across all sectors.

From those who serve in our communities to those who drive industries forward, your hard work sustains our nation and shapes a better future for all. Your dedication, perseverance, and sacrifice deserves recognition and deep appreciation.

As reflected in 𝙇𝙖𝙗𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙢 𝙀𝙭𝙚𝙧𝙘𝙚𝙣𝙨, “Work is a fundamental dimension of human existence on earth.” This reminds us that labor is not merely a means of livelihood, but a vital expression of human dignity and purpose.

We remember the struggles that paved the way for workers’ rights. We recognize the efforts that continue to uplift communities and we honor you by striving for a society rooted in fairness, opportunity, and respect for every worker.

The 5th edition of the MANILA BULLETIN Sustainability Forum takes place tomorrow at the University of Santo Tomas! Leaders from various industries—including representatives from the UST SIMBAHAYAN Community Development Office and the UST Research Center for Social Sciences & Education - UST-RCSSED—will come together to engage in meaningful conversations on “Uplifting Communities: Sustainability in Action.”
Held as part of the University’s 415th Founding Anniversary, the forum highlights a shared commitment between UST and Manila Bulletin to promote inclusive and resilient communities.

[Photo courtesy of the MANILA BULLETIN]

"Proclaim the truth and do not be silent through fear." - St. Catherine of Siena

Today UST SIMBAHAYAN celebrates the Feast Day of St. Catherine of Siena, Virgin and Doctor of the Church and the Patroness of the SIMBAHAYAN Community Development Office.

A 14th-century visionary and counselor, St. Catherine moved beyond quiet prayer to fearlessly serve the sick and advocate for peace. We honor her legacy of fearless service and profound faith as we reaffirm our commitment to serving our partner communities with a heart for justice and a spirit of compassion.

May her life continue to ignite our passion for social transformation and Thomasian service.

The wait is almost over! Join us as we unveil the winners of the 8th SIMBAHAYAN Bartolome de las Casas Community Engagement Poster Exhibit Contest and celebrate the inspiring works that capture the spirit of sailing forward and carrying the hope of development.

Be part of this special moment at the Awarding Ceremony on May 6, 2026, at 1:30 PM, at the George S.K. Ty Function Hall, 4th Floor, Buenaventura G. Paredes, O.P. Building, UST Manila.

𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲: Please be advised that the UST SIMBAHAYAN will be attending multiple institution-related events on April 30, 2026 (Thursday).

Please refer to the poster for further details👇. Thank you!

🌍 VOICES OF THE POOR, VOICE OF THE EARTH 🗣️

The UST SIMBAHAYAN Community Development Office and Research Center for Social Sciences and Education, in collaboration with the Dominican Family for Justice, Peace, and Care for Creation - Philippines, proudly invites everyone to take part in the Bartolomé de las Casas Research Conference 2026. Carrying the powerful theme, “Voices of the Poor, Voice of the Earth: Community-engaged Research for Social Justice and Care for Creation.” This conference serves as a meaningful platform for scholars, students, researchers, educators, community leaders, and advocates to come together in dialogue and action. It is a gathering that recognizes the importance of research not only as an academic pursuit but as a tool for transformation, solidarity, and hope.

We warmly invite everyone to participate in this inspiring academic gathering. Whether you are a student eager to learn, a researcher ready to share new knowledge, an educator passionate about meaningful discourse, or a community advocate committed to creating change, this conference welcomes your presence and your voice. Engage in conversations that matter, exchange ideas that inspire action, and connect with individuals who share the same vision of justice, compassion, and sustainability.

📌 Join us and pre-register through this link: https://forms.gle/KWuEyyateowy9REJ8

Let this be an opportunity to grow intellectually, collaborate purposefully, and contribute to research that creates real impact in society. Together, let us amplify the voices that go unheard, care for our common home, and build a future rooted in dignity, solidarity, and hope. Your participation can make a difference. Join us and be part of the movement for social justice and care for creation. ✨