The Varsitarian
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The Varsitarian is the university-wide student newspaper of the University of Santo Tomas (UST). It is one of first student newspapers in the Philippines. It is published monthly, and is also known as "Varsi". The lampoon issue is The Vuisitarian.
The first issue of The Varsitarian came off the press on January 16, 1928, with Pablo Anido as the first editor-in-chief. Anido was the president of the Literary Club, and when Jose Villa Panganiban proposed to then Rector Rev. Fr. Serapio Tamayo, O.P. the formation of a student paper, the Literary Club was converted into The Varsitarian.[1]
The Varsitarian is one of the founding members of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines, along with The GUIDON of the Ateneo de Manila, The Philippine Collegian of the University of the Philippines, Diliman and The National of National University.[2] The paper launched its online edition in July 2000.
Throughout the Martial Law period, when all publication was suppressed by the state, The Varsitarian was one of the few publications allowed to continue, covering events such as the massive funeral of slain former senator and Marcos foe Benigno Aquino, Jr., which was largely ignored by the mainstream media.
The Varsitarian's investigative report on corruption in the Reserved Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) precipitated the abolition of the mandatory military training course but led to the murder of the source of the expose, UST ROTC cadet Mark Chua. [3] It was one of the first to support the call of Cardinal Jaime L. Sin for the resignation of President Joseph Estrada over a scandal involving illegal gambling and tobacco tax kickbacks. This led to Estrada's impeachment and ouster in a public uprising. [3]
Aside from the usual News, Opinion, Literary, Filipino, Features and Sports sections of the paper, it also caters to religion with Witness, Science and Technology, critique and art appreciation with Circle, and investigative reports with Special Reports, a comic page with Limelight and artistic photography with Lenspeak that had evolved from its Photo of the Month.
The paper also releases Montage, a literary folio, organizes Pautakan, a university-wide quiz competition,[4] holds Inkblots, an annual national journalism seminar,[5] and awards the Ustetika, a university-wide literary contest.[6]
The paper has produced literary titans, respected journalists, and civil and ecclesiastical leaders: Cirilo Bautista, F. Sionil José, Bienvenido Lumbera, Vice-President Emmanuel Pelaez, Rogelio R. Sikat and Senator Francisco Tatad, among others.[1]
The mascot of the paper is Tomas U. Santos, a Thomasian student who represents the students of the campus. He is usually seen accompanied by a tiger.
[edit] Activities
- Pautakan - The university's annual college quiz contest sponsored by the Varsitarian. It is usually held on the last week of February to the first week of March. Notable champions are the Faculties of Arts and Letters and Medicine and Surgery both winning 7 times in the competition's thirty-year history. Arts and Letters became the first team to have a three-peat (2004), four-peat (2005), and five-peat (2006) championships. Medicine and Surgery captured their seventh trophy in 2007 when Arts and Letters decided to 'take a break' from the competition.
[edit] References
- ^ a b The Varsitarian: A History The Varsitarian online edition. Accessed July 30, 2006.
- ^ 70 years of campus journalism: ‘We have gone beyond writing’ -- CEGP (Google archive) Cyberdyaryo.com. Accessed July 30, 2006
- ^ a b Suspect in Mark Chua slay case falls The Varsitarian online edition. Accessed July 30, 2006.
- ^ The Pautakan: A History The Varsitarian online edition. Accessed July 30, 2006.
- ^ INKBLOTS : The Thomasian Journalism Fellowship The Varsitarian online edition. Accessed July 30, 2006.
- ^ Ustetika Through the Years The Varsitarian online edition. Accessed July 30, 2006.
[edit] External links
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UAAP • Growling Tigers - 2006 men's team • Salinggawi Dance Troupe • Yellow Jackets • Shakey's V-League |
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Arch of the Centuries • Central Library • España Boulevard • Benavides Park • Museum of Arts and Sciences • Beato Angelico Art Gallery • University Medical Museum • UST-Botanical Garden • Quadricentennial Park |
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Student life |
The Varsitarian • Aegis Juris • Alpha Kappa Rho • Alpha Phi Omega • Gamma Epsilon • Regina Legis et Juris • UST Symphony Orchestra |
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Miscellaneous |
List of University of Santo Tomas people • University of Santo Tomas Hospital • University of Santo Tomas Publishing House |
