Bohol's oldest university has a new president. Lawyer Nuevas Tirol-Montes assumed as acting president of the University of Bohol (UB) after she received her appointment from the school's board of directors effective April 10. “It is an acting capacity until the new board is elected in the stockholders meeting this September,” she disclosed in an interview. The position became vacant after the demise of her elder brother, Dr. Victoriano Tirol Jr., last March 21. The two-time Tagbilaran vice-mayor thus made history as the first lady president. Tirol-Montes, who is married to retired Tagbilaran City Fiscal Adriano Montes, holds a Ph. D in Education from the University of Sto. Tomas. Her service record in the school started as a teacher before becoming dean of student affairs, her first administrative position.

In between, she served as vice president of the Agusan Colleges in Butuan City before passing the bar in 1984. After passing the superintendent's exam, she was appointed assistant superintendent of Bohol where she served for three years. She topped the race for the Tagbilaran City Council in her first try and went on to win as vice mayor. After losing the post in 2007, she reclaimed in 2010 but lost it again last year to incumbent Vice Mayor Jose Antonio Veloso. Tirol-Montes was vice-president for administration at the time of her brother's death. She is the fifth Tirol to serve as president after her father, Victoriano Sr. and elder brothers David, Ulysses and Victoriano Jr. Admitting that she is still “in a daze,” Tirol-Montes described her feeling as “bittersweet” because she replaces a person she loves dearly. She declined to comment when asked whether she would be interested to stay on if the new board decides to retain her services.