Richard Ang

His Magnificence
The Very Reverend
Richard Ang
Ang at the UST General Santos City topping off ceremony
97th Rector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas
Incumbent
Assumed office
May 7, 2020
Preceded byHerminio Dagohoy
Personal details
Born (1968-01-30) January 30, 1968 (age 56)
Philippines
Alma materUniversity of Santo Tomas

Richard G. Ang, O.P. (born January 30, 1968) is a Filipino priest, divinity scholar, and educational administrator. He is the 97th Rector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines. He is the eighth Filipino to become rector of the pontifical university.[1]

Education

Ang is an alumnus of the Faculty of Arts and Letters, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy in 1990. He finished his degree in Sacred Theology in 1997, and his Master of Arts in Theology in 1999 from the University of Santo Tomas Faculties of Ecclesiastical Studies. He graduated from the University of Santo Tomas Graduate School with a Doctor of Philosophy degree in 2010.[2]

Career

He was ordained into priesthood in 1998 with the Dominican order. He was a full-time professor and was promoted to become Dean of one of the university's oldest schools - the Faculty of Philosophy.

Ang was Vice Rector of the University of Santo Tomas from 2012 and had become acting rector of the university upon the end of the term of Herminio Dagohoy.[3]

After topping the elections of the Academic Senate from a terna,[4] Ang's name was formally nominated by Master General Very Reverend Father Gerard Timoner III to the Holy See. Ang's official appointment as Rector Magnificus came after securing papal approval from the Vatican through the Congregation for Catholic Education led by Cardinal Prefect Giuseppe Versaldi and Monsignor Angelo Vincenzo Zani.[5] His first term as Rector lasted from April 2020 to April 2024, with Fr. Filemon I. Dela Cruz Jr, OP, installing him on May 13, 2021.

In July 2024, Ang was reappointed by Fr. Gerard Timoner III to a second four-year term. Archbishop José Tolentino de Mendonça, the prefect of the Dicastery for Culture and Education issued the “nihil obstat” declaration, in line with University of Santo Tomas' statutes (art. X), with the Holy See's approval. He was installed on September 9, 2024 at the Santísimo Rosario Parish by Rev. Fr. Filemon I. Dela Cruz Jr. OP, Prior Provincial of the Dominican Province of the Philippines and University Vice-Chancellor. During the appointment process, Fr. Isaias Tiongco, O.P. served as acting rector from May to July 2024.[6]

References

  1. ^ ABS-CBN News. "Vatican approves appointment of new UST rector: report". ABS-CBN News. ABS-CBN News. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  2. ^ Salen, Laurd. "Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. named 97th Rector Magnificus of UST". The Varsitarian. University of Santo Tomas. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  3. ^ Abiog, Coleen. "Dagohoy concludes University rectorship". TomasinoWeb. University of Santo Tomas. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  4. ^ "Terna Definition". Merriam Webster. Merriam Webster. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  5. ^ Congregation for Catholic Education. "The Prefect Goes to Korea". Higher Education of the Catholic Church. Vatican. Retrieved March 17, 2021.
  6. ^ Hirro, John Ezekiel (July 29, 2024). "Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. reelected to 2nd term as UST Rector". The Varsitarian. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
Academic offices
Preceded by Rector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas
2020–present 		Incumbent