THE THOMASIAN community paid tribute, on social media and a memorial service, to the late Assoc. Prof. Richard Pazcoguin, O.P. who died of pneumonia last June 25 aged 41.
Pazcoguin was well-known for leading religious events, student religious organizations and the campus ministry for much of his time in UST.
Dominican Prior Provincial and UST Vice Chancellor Fr. Filemon Dela Cruz, Jr., O.P. said Pazcoguin could simply be described as a “good and faithful servant.”
He said Pazcoguin had become the “face of religious activities” in the University and people would remember him for a long time.
“Richard is one person who does not only teach but also inspires. You can talk about him as a campus minister, as an administrator, as a friend, as a choir member or a choir master, as an eating buddy,” de la Cruz said.
“I got used to looking at the choir [and] seeing him there at alam namin pag siya’y umawit, ito’y hindi lang isang awit. Ito’y isang panalanging madamdamin,” he added.
UST Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. said: “Our brother Richard is a blessing [and] relevant to us. [T]here are so many ways of saying yes to the Lord, be it a small place or simple [and] viral ways… His life is saying, ‘Yes, Lord,’” Ang said.
Former UST Rector Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P. remembered Pazcoguin as a “kind speaker” and “good teacher” to the people around him.
“His passing away seems unfair because he was a very good person, son and friend. A responsible brother [and] a very active member of the Dominican Laity,” De la Rosa said.
Vice Rector for Religious Affairs Fr. Pablo Tiong, O.P. remembered Pazcoguin for being always in action.
“May you always continue to do things for the Lord,” Tiong urged Thomasians. “Evangelize your life and talents [because] that is the best thing that God gave us in the person of Sir Richard.”
Bearer of God’s love, kindness
Philippe Jose Hernandez, assistant director of the Communications Bureau, said Pazcoguin’s “constant humble presence helped make UST a place where you felt the love of God.”
“He would be in UST — sometimes seven days a week — serving in celebrations that praise God Almighty, and he inspired Thomasians to do the same,” Hernandez told the Varsitarian.
Leo Ocampo, a faculty member of the UST Institute Religion, admired Pazcoguin’s humility, saying “he was well-loved wherever he was and was kind to everybody.”
The UST Center for Campus Ministry (CCM) called for prayers from the Thomasian community for the passing of its late director.
As director of the campus ministry, Pazcoguin helped manage seven student religious organizations (SROs) and assisted the Thomasian community during liturgico-sacramental celebrations and various activities related to campus evangelization.
Christopher Alcantara, an education alumnus and former member of the UST Marian Evangelization Community, mourned Pazcoguin’s demise, saying “the University lost a great administrator, teacher and catechist.”
Alcantara said the late adviser of his former organization helped students understand the faith.
“Sir Tsard was a lot of things to a lot of people. A friend, a teacher, a father figure. But above all these things and above everything that the world can offer him, he understood that sic transit gloria mundi (thus passes worldly glory),” Alcantara said.
“He regularly lent aid when aid was needed, making the love of God be felt by other people,” he added.
As an educator, Pazcoguin taught theology courses at UST Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Arts and Letters, College of Education, College of Commerce, College of Rehabilitation and Sciences and Conservatory of Music.
He also taught seminarians at the UST Central Seminary, Santo Domingo Church and the Recoletos School of Theology in Quezon City.
.Ryan Morales, education alumnus and former office of Christ Youth in Action, thanked Pazcoguin for “his passion and evident love for the liturgy,” which brought students closer to God.
“I am sure that many students in his classes, and those whom he had encountered in the SROs, would attribute the awakening and deepening of their love for the liturgy to him,” he said.
Clarisse Enriquez, a behavioral science alumna and former member of UST Campus Feast, said Pazcoguin never failed to document various events in the University.
“I have so many pictures taken by him… since he really likes taking pictures during events. I am really thankful for that since I can go back to that particular memory that I have through his pictures,” Enriquez said.
“Sir Tsard was very supportive and he always gives us an opportunity to serve more and to grow more in our faith,” she added.
The Bosconian Thomasian Youth Movement (BTYM) expressed its gratitude to Pazcoguin for helping establish the organization in 2013 alongside de la Cruz, who was then CCM director.
“Thank you, Sir Tsard for all the lessons in the classroom and in life. For being our kalakbay in the youth ministry; for the friendship, the generosity, and the love that you have shared with us all,” it said.
Pazcoguin was a full-blooded Thomasian. He studied from grade school until he obtained his Master of Arts in Higher Religious Studies, magna cum laude, from the University in 2004, earning the Rector’s Award for Academic Excellence.
He is survived by his siblings, Dennis and Racheal.
He was laid to rest at the Sanctuarium in Quezon City last July 1. with reports from Caitlin Dayne A. Contreras
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