Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P., is the ''Provincial Archivist'' of the Dominican Province of the Philippines. Formerly, he served as the

Rector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas The of the University of Santo Tomas (pl. ) is the highest-ranking officer and chief administrator of the University of Santo Tomas (UST), the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines. The rector typically sits as chief ...

(UST), the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Asia. A religious leader and a seasoned educator, he was appointed by President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as the chairman of the Commission on Higher Education in 2004.UST Installs Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, OP, 95th Rector
''University of Santo Tomas Website'' May 11, 2012
''Manila Bulletin Website'' May 11, 2012

Early years and education

De la Rosa was born on June 27, 1953, in Manila where he spent his childhood. He completed his basic education courses at the Aquinas University ( Legazpi city and subsequently at the Dominican House of Studies ( Washington, D.C.) where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts (AB) degree ''

magna cum laude Latin honors are a system of Latin phrases used in some colleges and universities to indicate the level of distinction with which an academic degree has been earned. The system is primarily used in the United States. It is also used in some So ...

'' in Philosophy. He then graduated ''magna cum laude'' from the University of Santo Tomas (UST, Manila) with a Bachelor of Sacred Theology (STB) in 1980. He was ordained priest in the Dominican Order on April 3, 1982. In 1984, de la Rosa earned his Licentiate in Sacred Theology (STL) ''magna cum laude'' and a Master of Arts (MA) ''

summa cum laude Latin honors are a system of Latin phrases used in some colleges and universities to indicate the level of distinction with which an academic degree has been earned. The system is primarily used in the United States. It is also used in some Sou ...

'' in higher religious studies, both from UST. At the

Katholieke Universiteit Leuven KU Leuven (or Katholieke Universiteit Leuven) is a Catholic research university in the city of Leuven, Belgium. It conducts teaching, research, and services in computer science, engineering, natural sciences, theology, humanities, medicine, l ...

in Belgium he obtained a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree ''magna cum laude'' in two programs, i.e. higher religious studies and sacred theology, in 1988.

Career

He served his first two terms as rector of the University of Santo Tomas for eight years, from 1990 to 1998. His aims as rector and president were to develop the university's research capabilities, and expand their outreach programs for community service. He established the Research and Endowment Foundation Incorporated to generate funds to finance continuing research activities in the university. Through this foundation, he was able to generate enough funds to establish the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex that houses today the various research centers in the university as well as the Graduate School. To strengthen and expand the community outreach programs of the university, he established the Office for Community Development which later evolved into the UST SIMBAHAYAN, the umbrella project for all university outreach programs focused on five K's: Karunungan (Knowledge transfer), Kalusugan (Medical missions), Kabuhayan (livelihood projects), Kanlungan (housing projects for the poor and those affected by natural disasters), and Kapayapaan (peace education for communities torn by religious and other conflicts. As Rector, he became president of the Association of Catholic Universities of the Philippines and a two-time President of the ICUSTA International Council of Universities of Saint Thomas Aquinas. He was the founding president of the DOMNET (Network of Dominican Schools, Colleges and Universities in the Philippines) in 1995. He was chair of the Organizing Committee of the International Youth Forum for the World Youth Day in 1995.De la Rosa elected Rector
''The Varsitarian Website'' May 11, 2012 He held various positions in the Dominican Province of the Philippines like Master of Novices, Diffinitor of the Provincial Chapter, Provincial Councilor, as well as Rector of the

Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba The Colegio de San Juan de Letran, (transl: College of San Juan de Letran) also referred to by its acronym CSJL, is a private Catholic coeducational basic and higher education institution owned and run by the friars of the Order of Preachers i ...

. In 2008, he was again appointed by the Master of the Dominican Order as Rector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas (2008–2012). In 2019, he was appointed president of the Historical Commission for the Cause for Canonization of the Servant of God Darwin Ramos in the Diocese of Cubao by Bishop Honesto F. Ongtioco. He had received numerous awards for his professional and civic achievements, like the National Book Award in History, the Catholic Authors Award, the Outstanding Manilan Award (1995 and 2011), Kyung Hee University (Korea) Medal of Highest Honor, and the 2012 Outstanding CEO Award in Education. Fr. de la Rosa has written hundreds of articles and scholarly treatises, some of which has been translated into German and French, or anthologized in international publications. His book "Beginnings of the Filipino Dominicans" won the National Book Award in History in 1991.

References

* Total Awards Biography of Fr. de la Rosa {{DEFAULTSORT:de la Rosa, Rolando 1953 births Living people Filipino Dominicans Academic staff of the University of Santo Tomas University of Santo Tomas alumni Filipino Roman Catholic theologians Bicolano people People from Manila People from Legazpi, Albay Chairpersons of the Commission on Higher Education of the Philippines Arroyo administration cabinet members Rector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas