UST Department of Economics

13/08/2026

Rain or shine, UST Roarientation happens today! 🌧️☀️ A warm welcome to all our freshies, with special mention to the incoming freshmen of the BA Economics program, as they take their historic Welcome Walk through the Arch of the Centuries. Happy and proud to be a Thomasian, through all these years! 💛🐯✝️🎓🏫

Caption and photos by

Prof. Alain Jomarie G. Santos, CPA, PhD
Chairman, UST Department of Economics

06/08/2026

Last August 5, 2026, representatives from the UST Department of Economics attended the Misa y Discurso de Apertura at the Santissimo Rosario Parish Church to mark the beginning of Academic Year 2026–2027. Department Chair Dr. Alain Jomarie G. Santos, CPA was joined by Artlets Economics Society advisers Mr. B**g Laforga and Ms. Danielle Canto, along with faculty members Asst. Prof. Ederliza Magpantay and Mr. Bruce de Guzman. His Eminence Pablo Virgilio S. Cardinal David, Bishop of Kalookan, officiated the Mass of the Holy Spirit, while UST Faculty of Arts and Letters Professor Emeritus Dr. Alfredo Co delivered the inaugural lecture. 🕊️🎓📖

Photos and caption by,
Prof. Alain Jomarie G. Santons, CPA, PhD
Chairman, UST Department of Economics

05/08/2026

Message from the Department Chair:

On behalf of the Department of Economics, I extend my heartiest congratulations to Pam Ashley Fale, Vzam Cyruz Gyan Lu, and Jego Paulo Martinez for their stellar performance at the 17th Young Economists’ Convention (YEC) Debate Competition. Representing our department as team Ceteris ParibUST, Pam and Vzam made incredible history by tying for the highest speaker ranking in the entire tournament, each posting a remarkable average of 75.67 speaker points. Completing this powerhouse trio, Jego placed fourth overall with an impressive 75 speaker points. To sweep three of the top four individual speaker spots in a national arena featuring 16 elite teams from across the Philippines is an extraordinary feat. Your sharpness, analytical rigor, and eloquence embody the very best of our discipline. You have brought immense pride not only to the Department of Economics but to the entire Faculty of Arts and Letters. Thank you for setting such an inspiring standard for your fellow students. We celebrate your outstanding achievement and look forward to seeing your brilliance continue to shine both inside and outside the podium.

Warmest congratulations to you, Pam and Vzam!

Thank you also to The Flame for sharing this wonderful news!

TWO ECONOMICS students from the Faculty of Arts and Letters tied for the highest speaker ranking at the 17th Young Economists’ Convention (YEC) Debate Competition, an annual tournament featuring 16 three-member teams from various Philippine universities.

Representing the University as Ceteris ParibUST, Economics students Pam Ashley Fale and Vzam Cyruz Gyan Lu shared the tournament’s highest speaker ranking after posting identical averages of 75.67 speaker points. Their teammate, Jego Paulo Martinez, placed fourth with an average of 75 speaker points.

Link to the article in the comments section.

Like us on Facebook (The Flame) and follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Tiktok ()
Visit our website: abtheflame.net

04/08/2026

On 3 August 2026, our chairman, Dr. Alain Santos attended the World Bank Group Midyear Philippine Economic Update Briefing held at the Makati Shangri-La. The discussion focused on "seizing the upper-middle income opportunity," bringing together WB lead economists, policymakers, industry think tanks, and the academe. It is clear that the Philippines is standing at an important moment in its development journey, and bridging institutional insights with academic perspectives will be key to moving forward. 🇵🇭📊

Photos and caption by
Prof. Alain Jomarie G. Santos, CPA, PhD
Chairman, UST Department of Economics

02/08/2026

Call for Applications | SDG Innovation Summit Malaysia 2026 🇲🇾
Apply Now: https://tinyurl.com/sism-malaysia2026

Applications are now open for the SDG Innovation Summit Malaysia 2026 (SISM)—a fully funded international conference that will bring together 100 exceptional young leaders, innovators, students, entrepreneurs, and changemakers from across the globe.

✅ No IELTS/TOEFL Required

Scholarship Includes: Return Airfare, Visa Fees, Accommodation, Meals, Full Conference Access. Cultural Activities & Sightseeing, Certificate of Participation

Application Deadline: 10 October 2026

29/07/2026

AN ECONOMICS alumna has been appointed associate justice of the Court of Tax Appeals (CTA), a special Philippine court that specializes in tax-related cases, including major tax crimes and collection disputes.

The appointment of lawyer and former Department of Education (DepEd) undersecretary Debbie Jean Centeno-Dijamco was announced by the Presidential Communications Office on its official website on Wednesday, July 29.

Link to the article in the comments section.

Like us on Facebook (The Flame) and follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Tiktok ()
Visit our website: abtheflame.net

29/07/2026

University of Santo Tomas represents!🐯 The representatives of the UST BA Economics program attended the 1st Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas - Philippine Economic Society Knowledge Sharing Event for NCR, focusing on the Labor Market and Inflation. It was an incredible learning experience and networking with engaging sessions from top economists, including Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Dr. Eli Remolona Jr. and Philippine Economic Society President Dr. Roehlano Briones. Huge thanks to Assistant Governor Dr. Margarita Gonzales for inviting us! So glad to have shared this event with our amazing BA Economics alumni, faculty, and the UST Artlets Economics Society. 📊📈

Photos and caption by
Prof. Alain Jomarie G. Santos, PhD
Chairman, UST Department of Economics

28/07/2026

Congratulations to our Chairman, Prof. Alain Jomarie G. Santos, CPA, PhD!

We proudly celebrate his recognition as a recipient of the Cardinal Ceferino Gonzales Award for Indexed Publication for A.Y. 2024–2025, honoring his publication in a Clarivate Analytics/SCOPUS-indexed journal.

His research, “Conservation of Sustainable Ecotourism on the Island of Siquijor Through Sustainable Alternative Livelihoods, Training, and Development,” published in the International Journal of Social Sustainability in Economic, Social, and Cultural Context, reflects his commitment to advancing research that promotes sustainable development, community empowerment, and environmental conservation.

You may access the journal article below:

Santos, A. J., Ancheta, A., Garcia, M. N., & Garcia, M. R. V. (2025). Conservation of Sustainable Ecotourism on the Island of Siquijor Through Sustainable Alternative Livelihoods, Training, and Deve. The International Journal of Social Sustainability in Economic, Social, and Cultural Context, 21(2), 99–131. https://doi.org/10.18848/2325-1115/cgp/v21i02/99-131

24/07/2026

Global partnerships in the making! 🌏 The University of Santo Tomas together with the UST Office of Public Affairs recently hosted The University of Newcastle, Australia, to discuss exciting collaborations in Economics and focusing on faculty development, curriculum benchmarking, and student exchange programs. Here’s to a sustainable and fruitful academic partnership ahead! 📖📚🎓🏫

Photos and caption by,
Prof. Alain Jomarie G. Santos, CPA, PhD
Chairman, UST Department of Economics

20/07/2026