We are celebrating not only 50 years of achievements but also 50 years of relationships, sharing, and togetherness. Here are some families whose ties extend beyond genes and the dinner table. Their members (all or most of them) either took the same program, swapped notes, or graduated from UA&P on the same day. Why did they choose the University?
ANTONIO FAMILY
Parents:
Emilio T. Antonio, Jr. – MS in Industrial Economics, 1972
– Associate Professor of the University and former dean of the UA&P School of Economics
Shirley B. Antonio – Housewife
Children:
Emmanuel B. Antonio – BS in Information Technology, 2001
Joachim Emilio B. Antonio – MA in Humanities with Specialization in History, 2005
– Faculty member, UA&P College of Arts and Sciences
Emilio Mar B. Antonio – MS in Industrial Economics, 2015
Grandchildren:
Yolo Antonio – UA&P CDE Center
Leon Elio Antonio
Regina Joy Antonio
Loreto Emilio Antonio
It is difficult to talk about why one chooses a University when one’s parent already works in it; the practicality of employee benefit and school/work-home travel bear upon the choice of where to study. However, what we cannot ignore either is our father’s decision to join and stay in the institution from 1970 to his retirement and death in 2013. At the time of his death, my older brother and I had already graduated and Mar was heading to 5th year.
My father’s opting to stay and persevere in UA&P with all its highs and lows for 43 years, despite his superior credentials and other notable factors, testifies to his belief in the ideals and aspirations of UA&P. As our father’s sons, we have also seen him deal with the University’s ups and downs, and we can definitely testify that whatever may be said about the University of Asia and the Pacific, nobody can deny how hard the University works in trying to live out the spirit it strives toward. – Dr. Jo-em Antonio
SANTOS FAMILY
Parents:
Joseph David E. Santos – Resort manager/owner
Paz Maria D. Santos – MS in Management – Evening Program, 2015
Children:
Patricia D. Santos – BS in Information Technology, 2013
Joseph David D. Santos, Jr. – MS in Management, 2017
Romana Hashana Aurora D. Santos – Grade 10
I have been employed by the University for 25 years now, first as a part-time P.E. faculty member then in different posts. Now I am a full-time student affairs professional. My experiences and dealings with both the staff and students attest that UA&P is more than just an educational institution; it is an extension of my family.
Working full time at UA&P is a blessing, as it afforded me to send my two children and myself to one of the best—if not the best—universities in the country. I am hoping that my youngest daughter will follow the footsteps of her older siblings in benefiting from the UA&P brand of education – producing morally upright, well-grounded, competent, and responsible human beings who can truly contribute to the greater good of our society. – Mrs. Paz D. Santos
QUESADA FAMILY
Parents:
Ramon M. Quesada – PhD in Development Management with Specialization Economics, 2004
Marcia Garcia L. Quesada – Homemaker
Children:
Patricia L. Quesada – AB Humanities with Specialization in General Humanities, 1996
Margarita L. Quesada – AB Humanities with Specialization in Communication Arts, 1997, cum laude
Marco L. Quesada
Martin Xavier L. Quesada – BS in Information Technology, 2002
– MA in Communication Major in Integrated Marketing Communications, 2004
– Alumni Relations Officer, PAREF Southridge
Miguel Jose L. Quesada – BS in Information Technology, 2004
– MA in Communication Major in Integrated Marketing Communications, 2004
Leo L. Quesada
Yes, you could say the Quesada family is a UA&P family. My dad started to work in what was then CRC in 1987 and stayed until he retired in 2011 to join the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) under the Arroyo and Aquino administrations. In UA&P, he worked in the School of Economics and directed the Applied Business Economics Program (ABEP) and Strategic Business Economics Program (SBEP) and headed the Business Economics Club (BEC).
Out of the six siblings, five of us studied in UA&P. My older brother Marco also studied in UA&P albeit just for a year. He transferred to another school and studied occupational therapy in another school.
Though I had several acceptance letters from other universities, I remember having chosen UA&P for mainly three reasons: (1) I was impressed by its pioneering IT program versus those offered by other schools; (2) I also knew of highly impressive and prestigious professors and academicians in the school; and (3) UA&P has a solid liberal arts program rich in humanities and a school culture and philosophy (holistic development of the entire person and relentless pursuit of the truth) very much to my liking.
I owe so much to UA&P and so does the educational institution where I now work (PAREF Southridge). I do not feel I have ever left the University since it has become so much a part of me. After all, UA&P blood runs in our family. – Martin Xavier Quesada
NITO FAMILY
Parents:
Bienvenido P. Nito – Master in Business Economics, 2008
Elizabeth C. Nito – Certified public accountant
Children:
Mary Josefti C. Nito – MA in Humanities, 2009
– Faculty member, UA&P College of Arts and Sciences
John Be Orenz C. Nito – AB Humanities with Professional Certificate in Political Economy, 2009
Mary Yoanne C. Nito – MS in Management, 2015
– Faculty member, Punlaan School
Jose Alvaro Severino C. Nito – MS in Management, 2013
Mary Lea Anne C. Nito – AB Humanities with Professional Certificate in Development Education, 2012
– Faculty member, PAREF School (Cebu)
Mary Martha Irene C. Nito – BS in Business Administration, 4th Year
Mary Frances Cecille C. Nito – AB Humanities, 3rd Year
John Paul Elias C. Nito – MA in Communications Major in Integrated Marketing Communications, 2nd Year
– Member, UA&P Junior Marketing Communications
Mary Angela C. Nito – Grade 8
Though quite far from our home, UA&P has become a second home to the Nito family. It has almost become part of the family itself, a third parent who has guided us through the long years of endless papers, lectures, and commutes through EDSA. From 2003 onwards, UA&P has been leading us to be well-rounded individuals grounded on the liberal arts.
It was truly a blessing when my father met CRC during its early years in 1974. Now, it has evolved into one of the most prestigious schools in the country, a university that seeks to bring Unitas at the heart of its students, and we, as a family, have grown alongside it. It is a playground of knowledge where my siblings and I—the JOYS of LIFE A*—was nurtured.
I myself, at the early age of 8 or 9, was exposed to this second home. I used to roam through the halls of UA&P, studying in the library and in Papa’s office, waiting there to be treated to McDo by my siblings. Through the years, my siblings one by one came and graduated. With each one, a decision to study here or elsewhere had to be made, and no mistake about it, the beauty of this second home always outclassed the rest, and we continue to choose UA&P. – John Paul Elias Nito
*The initials of the names of the Nito siblings form this phrase, which pertain to how parents see their children, as “joys of life.”
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