Philippines: The Royal and Pontifica University of Santo Tomas 400th Anniversary

PHILIPPINES: THE ROYAL AND PONTIFICA UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS 400th ANNIVERSARY

In the summer of 1964, both my catholic parents became ecstatic when they heard that I passed the entrance examination for the UST Education High School. It was a prestige passing such entrance test at that time because this special institution of UST Education High School only accepts not less than 1,000 students a year and there was no tuition fee, it’s free. The Education High was intended for charity honor students and intended for the graduating students of the College of Education; this is where they practice teaching. There was a UST High School admits unlimited students, we called it - pay high.

Image Credit    

University of Santo Tomas MAIN BUILDING

It was the most exciting and memorable school days in my life. It was a huge campus, not like the Manila Cathedral School where I finished my primary school, which is less than a quarter of the UST campus. It has the Main Building, UST Hospital, Gym, UST Chapel, the Football Field and Grandstand. As of today, new buildings were built and street names were changed. It has now developed its Prominent Landmarks, college buildings, parks and gardens, medical buildings, museums, other landmarks and streets.

Image Credit   

UST Arch of the Centuries

Image Credit 

UST Chapel

The Patron of the University is St. Thomas Aquinas, while St. Catherine of Alexandria is the Patroness.

EDUCATION

The UST Elementary School used to offer primary education for children in the K-12 levels. UST has two secondary institutions: The UST High School and the UST Education High School which serves as a laboratory for the College of Education.

The different faculties, colleges and institutes of the University were created at different times in the University's history. The "Faculties" were founded before the American occupation of the early 20th century, while the "Colleges" were founded during and after American rule. The "Institutes" and "Departments" are found within their mother faculties/colleges. Some Institutes that attained enough enrollments were separated from their mother faculties/colleges and were made into colleges in their own right.

HISTORY

The Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas (UST), is considered to be the premier Catholic university of the Philippines and the oldest existing university in Asia. In Spanish, it is referred to A La Real y Pontificia Universidad de Santo Tomas de Aquino Universidad Católica de Filipinas. King Charles III of Spain bestowed the title “Royal” on 1785; “Pontifical” by Pope Leo XIII on 1902 through his constitution, Quae Mari Sinico and Pope Pius XII designated appellative "The Catholic University of the Philippines" on 1947.

Image Credit

It is also the largest Catholic university in the world in a single campus based on student enrollment. It was established through the efforts of Bishop Miguel de Benavides, the third Archbishop of Manila. Upon Benavides’ death in July 1605, the bishop bestowed P1, 500 and his personal library for the setting up of a “seminary-college” intended for the preparation of young men for the priesthood. The funds and the personal library became the core of UST and its library.

Image Credit   

The Plaza Mayor in the foreground, the Beato Angelico Bldg, Football Field and Grandstand in the background.

It was on 28 April 1611, when the Colegio de Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario was established from Benavides’ library. The institution was late renamed Colegio de Santo Tomas. On 20 November 1645, it was promoted to a university by Pope Innocent X.

Image Credit   

UST Quadricentennial Square

IMPACT OF THE EVENT AT THE NATIONAL AND / OR INTERNATIONAL LEVEL

The University of Santo Tomas is considered as the oldest University in the Philippines. It enjoys the singular privilege of being the only Pontifical University in Asia. For almost four centuries, it has produced saints and

martyrs, national heroes, church leaders, doctors, lawyers, engineers, educators, architects, artists, journalists, literary masters, businessmen, accountants, and other professionals who have significantly contributed to the shaping of the history of the Philippines and the development not only of the Filipino society and the Church, but of the region and the international community.

As an institutional leader in the service of education and values formation, UST has accumulated a wealth of experience and wisdom, a heritage of culture, a host of structures and physical facilities, and most importantly

a community of great men and women who have left a mark in the Philippines and in the world.

The celebration of UST’s 400th anniversary has a genuine impact on world heritage because it demonstrates

men and women’s indomitable yearning for knowledge and unyielding determination to persevere in keeping

that mission going for 400 years and more.

Image Credit  

Fountain of Wisdom

Prominent Thomasians include saints, Philippine presidents, heroes, artists, scientists, professionals and religious figures, who have figured prominently in the history of the Philippines. The athletic teams are the Growling Tigers, members of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines and are consistent winners of the Overall Championship.

Reference:

Experience

UST.edu.ph - - History of UST

http://www.ust.edu.ph

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Santo_Tomas

http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=University_of_Santo_Tomas