A new dawn is on the horizon at UST Angelicum College as it prepares to welcome its 13th Rector and President, Rev. Fr. John Stephen Polonan Besa, O.P. on August 28, 2024.
Fr. Besa is no stranger to the Dominican way of life, having been shaped by a journey steeped in faith, learning, and service. His roots trace back to a childhood influenced by devout mentors and spiritual guides, leading him down a path that has been both transformative and inspiring. With a background that blends the academic rigor of philosophy and theology with a deep commitment to community, Fr. Besa has carved out a unique space where tradition meets modernity.
The Dominican pillars of “Prayer, Study, Community, and Service” are Fr. Besa’s guiding principles, the bedrock of his life and leadership. From his early years in Capiz, shaped by the Dominican Sisters of the Most Holy Rosary and his devout parents, to his academic and spiritual formation at the Philippine Dominican Center of Institutional Studies and the University of Santo Tomas, Fr. Besa has consistently walked a path of dedication and growth.
His academic credentials are impressive, with an AB Philosophy degree, a Bachelor in Sacred Theology, and a Master of Arts in Preaching. But beyond the degrees and titles, it is his life of service that truly stands out. From his Pre-Novitiate days in Calamba, Laguna, to his priestly ordination in 2014, Fr. Besa has embraced the Dominican way of life with a fervor that is both inspiring and humbling.
His ministry has taken him across the Philippines, where he has left indelible marks in various communities. Notably, as the Parish Priest of St. Vincent Ferrer in Camiguin Island and later as the Director for Religious Affairs at Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Manila, Fr. Besa demonstrated a blend of compassion and strategic foresight. His leadership as School Principal of Angelicum School Iloilo (ASIL) during the pandemic was particularly remarkable, as he implemented transformative changes that revitalized the institution during one of the most challenging periods in recent history.
Now, he brings his experience and visionary thinking to UST Angelicum College, a place known for breaking the mold in education. Under his guidance, the college is poised to explore uncharted territories, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
What lies ahead is a blend of the familiar and the unknown. Fr. Besa’s approach promises to be as much about preserving the essence of what makes UST Angelicum special as it is about reimagining its future.
In this new phase, where the lines between tradition and innovation blur, UST Angelicum College is set to embark on a journey that promises to be as unpredictable as it is exciting. The future is wide open, and with Fr. Besa at the helm, the possibilities are endless.