Traditions of University of Santo Tomas

The traditions of University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines.

Contents

Opening of the school year

Misa de Apertura and Discurso de Apertura

Being the Catholic University of the Philippines, UST opens each school year with the Mass of the Holy Spirit. The mass is officiated by a Dominican father at the Santisimo Rosario Parish. The opening is formally declared by the Apostolic Nuncio or his delegate, in consonance with the status of UST as a pontifical university.[1]

Discurso de apertura consists of a printed extensive scientific paper read by its author at the formal opening of the school year. The annual opening address was initiated on July 16, 1866, discontinued in 1929, and resumed in 1946. The professor or dean assigned the preparation of this academic paper is appointed by the rector of the university a few months prior to the opening of each school year.[1][2]

Discurso de Apertura in recent years
Year Lecturer Topic Ref.
2011 Prof. Regalado Trota Jose,
Archivist, University of Santo Tomas
Facebook Flashback: The Archives and the Story of the University [3]
2010 Attorney Nilo Divina,
Dean, UST Faculty of Civil Law
Constantly Striving for Excellence [4]
2009 Architect John Joseph T. Fernandez,
Dean, UST College of Architecture
Heritage Conservation in the University of Santo Tomas [5]
2008 Rev. Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P.,
Rector, University of Santo Tomas
Acceptance speech of the Rectorate [6]
2007 Dean Jose Ireneo,
Dean, UST AMV College of Accountancy
"Governance and internal controls in businesses" [7]
2006 Dean Glenda Vargas,
Dean, UST College of Nursing
"Exodus of Filipino nurses" [8]
2005 Dr. Jeanette Loanzon,
Dean, UST College of Commerce
"Economic revolution" [9]
2004 Dr. Rolando Lopez,
Dean, UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
"Value of spirituality on students" [10]
2003 Dr. Raul Sinico,
Dean, UST Conservatory of Music
Music: Raising the Level of Listening Appreciation [11]
2002 Jaime de los Santos,
Assistant Dean, UST College of Fine Arts and Design
"Creative instinct" [12]
2001 Architect Luis Ferrer,
Dean, UST College of Architecture
Focus on building “humane communities” [13]
2000 Dr. Amado Dimayuga,
Dean, UST Faculty of Civil Law
Judicial Bar Council and the importance of refining
the process of appointing court judges
[14]
Some notable Discurso de Apertura of the past
Year Lecturer Topic Ref.
1971 Fr. Fidel Villarroel, O.P.,
Archivist, University of Santo Tomas
Honoring Fr. José Burgos, University student [1][15]
1966 Prof. Galo Ocampo Religious Elements in Philippine Art [1]
1928 Fr. Juan Sánchez, O.P. Sinopsis historica documentada
de la Univesidad de Santo Tomás
[1]

The Thomasian Welcome Walk (TWW)

Previously called as The Rites of Passage, the Thomasian Welcome Walk is an annual university tradition that seeks to instill a sense of pride and belonging among the youngest members of the Thomasian Family.[16] It symbolizes the linkage between incoming freshmen and their predecessors in the university. The first walked took place in June 14, 2002.[17]

Freshmen from the 19 faculties and colleges of the university, including the high school, pass under historic Arch of the Centuries and walk towards the UST Main Building. Shortly after the symbolic passing is the Eucharistic Celebration—the highlight of the event. A welcome party featuring live bands and other university organizations comes after the mass. [18][19][20]

School spirit and sport traditions

Alma mater

The Hymn of the University of Santo Tomas was composed by Dean Anguita and arranged by Fr. Manuel Maramba. Today, only the chorus of the original hymn is being sung and being played.

Lyrics

University of Santo Tomas Hymn

Seat of Aquinas, majestic enduring
the storms of the ages.
Shrine of our ancient fathers,
Carved in these isles
This is the castle imperious.
This is the home of our sages.
Blessed by the Cross of the angels,
Gift of our Mother Spain!
Deep in her echoing chambers
Flames of eternal yearning
Cast their benignant shadows
athwart this beloved land.
Keeping the torches of freedom
and heave forever burning.
Deep in the heart led by the Saviour's command.
Chorus:
God of all nations
Merciful Lord of our restless being,
Sweep with your golden lilies;
This fountain of purest light;
Trace with the sails of the galleons
the dream beyond our seeing
Touch with the flame of your kindness
the gloom of our darkest night.
Keep us in beauty and truth and virtues
impassioned embrace
Ever your valiant legions
Imbued with unending grace!

Thomasian Goodwill Games

The Thomasian Goodwill Games is a program of the UST Institute of Physical Education and Athletics (IPEA) that seeks to promote the spirit of friendship and unity between students of the different colleges of the university. Sporting events include basketball, volleyball, football, judo, swimming, beach volleyball, and table tennis.[21] It was formally established in school year 2002–2003 by UST judo coach Alberto Arce.[22][23]

Notes:

Salinggawi Dance Troupe

Every year, the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe, the official dance group of the university holds dance competitions in August and dance concerts in March.

Colors and mascots

UST's official mascot is the Growling Tiger. Another mascot, Quster, which stands for Quadricentennial UST Tiger, was specially made for the 400th anniversary of the university. In The Varsitarian, UST students are represented by Tomas U. Santos.

College events and traditions

Part of the University's mission is to holistically develop students to be competent, compassionate professionals, and committed servants of the Church. Through regular recollections, Thomasians are given a different kind of time-out from their classrooms to help them find their spiritual self and God's presence in their souls. Half-day recollections are usually held in the UST Medicine Auditorium while one to three-day long retreats are usually held in the Dominican Retreat House—Caleruega, Philippines in Nasugbu, Batangas.

College insignias

The coat of arms of the older faculties and colleges of the university were designed by Cenon M. Rivera, former director of the Fine Arts department of UST.[29][30] Each college also has a patron saint that was chosen based on the field or profession of the college. The selection is administered by the council of regents of the university.

Faculty/College Colors Emblem Patron Ref.
Faculty of Sacred Theology
Holy chalice St. Thomas Aquinas [31]
Faculty of Philosophy
Owl of Minerva and
Catherine wheel
St. Catherine of Alexandria [31]
Faculty of Canon Law
Keys of Heaven St. Raymond of Peñafort [31]
Faculty of Civil Law
Balance scale St. Raymond of Peñafort [31]
Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
Rod of Asclepius Sts. Cosmas and Damian [31][32]
[33]
Faculty of Pharmacy
Bowl of Hygeia Sts. Cosmas and Damian
Faculty of Arts and Letters
Athena St. Thomas More [31][33]
[34]
Faculty of Engineering
Pylon, tower, factory,
microprocessor, gear wheel,
Erlenmeyer flask, and laptop
Blessed Jordan of Saxony [31][33]
[35]
College of Education
Torch St. Joseph of Calasanz [31][33]
College of Science
Globe St. Albertus Magnus [31]
College of Architecture
Ionic capital Thomas the Apostle [31][33]
Graduate School
Biretta and
an open book
St. Antoninus of Florence [36]
College of Commerce and Business Administration
Winged wheel Matthew the Evangelist [31]
Conservatory of Music
Harp of David St. Cecilia [31][33]
[37]
College of Nursing
Maltese cross and
Lamp of Nightingale
St. Elizabeth of Hungary [38]
College of Rehabilitation Sciences
St. Martin de Porres [33]
College of Fine Arts and Design
Paint brush, pencil, and
technical and dip pens
Blessed Beato Fra Angelico [33]
Alfredo M. Velayo College of Accountancy
Abacus St. Joseph
College of Tourism and Hospitality Management
Globe, laurel, and torch St. Hyacinth
Institute of Physical Education and Athletics
Bengal tiger Pope John Paul II
UST High School
UST Main Building tower St. Thomas Aquinas [39]
Education High School Bible and torch St. Thomas Aquinas [40]
UST Grade School UST Main Building tower St. Thomas Aquinas
Institute of Religion St. Mary Magdalene

Roll call

In university events, like the Thomasian Welcome Walk and The Sending-off rights, the roll call of the university colleges is done according to their foundation year instead of the usual alphabetical order. Founded in 1611, the Faculty of Sacred Theology is called and introduced first. Being the youngest, founded in 2009, the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management is called last.

College weeks

Christmas celebrations

The Christmas Concert

The UST Christmas Concert features talents from the UST Conservatory of Music, UST Singers, Coro Tomasino, Liturgikon, Conservatory Chorus Class, and the UST Symphony Orchestra. Traditional Filipino and foreign Christmas classics are performed in the event. At the end of every concert, the UST Symphony Orchestra and performers lead the audience in singing some songs such as 'Ang Pasko ay Sumapit.'[41]

The Christmas Concert Gala began in 2003 when the UST secretary-general Fr. Isidro Abaño, O.P., envisioned a musical concert that would bring together world-class Thomasian talents who would perform for UST students, faculty, alumni, friends, and benefactors. Initially, the concert helped raise funds for the various projects of the university, such as scholarship grants of the students of the UST Conservatory of Music, but since 2008, it has also contributed in UST’s heritage-conservation efforts.[41][42] Maricris Zobel, socialite and an art patroness, has been the co-chair of the organizing committee since then. Proceeds of the Christmas Gala has been allotted for the victims of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng in 2009,[43] restoration of various paintings, and construction of the UST Museum of Arts and Sciences Hall of Visual Arts in 2011.[44]

Various organizations like the Belo Medical Group, the San Miguel Corporation, the Enrique Zobel group of companies, and the Singapore Airlines have become presenters of the event.[41][42][45] In 2010, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs hosted the opening of the concert and the Lumina Pandit, an exhibit for the quadricentennial festivities.[46]

At the ninth Christmas Concert Gala in December 01, 2011, the newly installed Martyr's Carillon at the façade of the Santisimo Rosario Parish was rang by the Professor Raul Sinico, Dean of the UST Conservatory of Music.[41][47]

List of Christmas Concert titles
Date Title Ref.
November 30, 2011 and
December 1, 2011
The Quadricentennial Edition
December 1–2, 2010 A Gift to the World [48]
December 2–3, 2009 [49]
December 3–4, 2008 A Christmas Heritage [50]
December 7, 2007 A Symphony of Carols [42]
December 7, 2006 A Christmas Prayer [51]
December 7, 2005 Yuletide Tunes [42]
December 10, 2004 Himig Pasko sa UST,
A Christmas Concert: Gift of the Thomasians
[42]
December 12, 2003 Hark the Herald, Thomasians Singing:
A Christmas Concert
[42]

Paskuhan

Primered by the Eucharistic Celebration, the Paskuhan is the Thomasian way of celebrating Christmas. It is one of the most awaited events of the year showcasing different performances from different student organizations, and live bands, which is complemented with an extravagant show of pyrotechny.

In the 2011 celebration, the crowd was estimated at 100,000.[52]

List of Paskuhan titles and crowd attendance
Date Title Estimated crowd Ref.
December 15–16, 2011 Pagsalubong para sa ika-5 Siglo 100,000 [52]
December 15–17, 2010 Pasasalamat sa 400 Taong Biyaya 75,000 [52][53]
December 18, 2009 4 horas, 4 dias, 400 days, 400 taon 50,000 [54]
December 15–19, 2008 Kwentong Pasko, Kwentong Tomasino! [55]
December 20, 2006 Pride, Puso, Pasasalamat!

Feasts

University-wide events

Closing of the school year

Baccalaureate Mass, Ceremony of the Light, and The Sending off Rites

Legends

Arch of the Centuries

It has been a superstition that crossing the Arch while still studying in the university would result in a delay of graduation.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Lim-Pe, Josefina (1973). The University of Santo Tomas in the Twentieth Century. University of Santo Tomas Press, Manila. 
  2. ^ de Ramos, Norberto V. (2000). I Walked with Twelve UST Rectors. Alfredo G. Ablaza and Christina De Ramos Ablaza. 
  3. ^ Going Out - UST’s School Opening Mass honors 400-year-old tradition, Business World Weekender. November 7, 2011.
  4. ^ Discurso de Apertura (UST 2010-2011) ustcivillaw.com. Accessed Novemver 9, 201.1
  5. ^ Full Text of Dean's Discurso de Apertura, Architecture Faculty Club. November 7, 2011.
  6. ^ Fight "institutional crisis" De la Rosa urges, The Varsitarian. Vol. LXXX, No. 1 • June 30, 2008.
  7. ^ Enrollment soars anew The Varsitarian. Vol. LXXIX, No. 1 • June 30, 2007.
  8. ^ Nursing dean to gov't: Make our nurses stay The Varsitarian. Vol. LXXVIII, No. 1 • June 23, 2006.
  9. ^ Rector to faculty: Motivate students The Varsitarian. Vol. LXXVII, No. 1 • June 25, 2005.
  10. ^ Rector calls slow canvas a 'national embarassment' The Varsitarian. Vol. LXXVI, No. 1 • June 25, 2004.
  11. ^ Rector appeals to Thomasians: 'Be advocates of hope' The Varsitarian. Vol. LXXV, No. 1 • June 30, 2003.
  12. ^ 'Strive for excellence,' Nuncio urges faculty The Varsitarian. Vol. LXXIV, No. 1 • June 20, 2002.
  13. ^ UST Rector makes pitch for values The Varsitarian. Vol. LXXIII, No. 1 • July 11, 2001.
  14. ^ The Varsitarian. Vol. LXXII, No. 1 • June 22, 2000.
  15. ^ Lifestyle - The truth about Rizal’s ‘poor’ grades in UST by Regalado Trota José, Philippine Daily Inquirer. June 13, 2011.
  16. ^ Early preparation, by Elinando B. Cinco Manila Bulletin. June 27, 2011.
  17. ^ Freshmen to be 'initiated' The Varsitarian. Vol. LXXIII, No. 11 • June 6, 2002.
  18. ^ Thomasian Welcome Walk 2008. Accessed July 4, 2008.
  19. ^ Campus Beat - British Council launches Changemaker tilt, Manila Bulletin. July 4, 2011.
  20. ^ UST Holds Yearly Thomasian Welcome Walk For Freshmen UST.edu.ph Accessed December 19, 2011
  21. ^ Goodwill games simula na The Varsitarian. August 8. 2010.
  22. ^ a b Archi tops judo intrams The Varsitarian. Vol. LXXIV, No. 10 • February 20, 2003.
  23. ^ Special Reports - Gathering the troops The Varsitarian. Vol. LXXVI, No. 2 • July 16, 2004
  24. ^ a b Commerce cagers sweep Intrams The Varsitarian. Vol. LXXVI, No. 10 • February 24, 2005
  25. ^ a b Commerce extends Judo reign The Varsitarian. Vol. LXXVII, No. 6 • October 28, 2005
  26. ^ Artlets cruise to Thomasian Goodwill cage plum The Varsitarian. Vol. LXXIX, No. 8 • February 29, 2008
  27. ^ a b c d e Commerce men's volley scores three-peat in Goodwill Games The Varsitarian. September 9, 2011
  28. ^ a b Thomasian Table Tennis Goodwill Games 2010: A Success tomasinoweb.org Accessed December 20, 2011
  29. ^ Hari ng sagisag ng UST The Varsitarian. Vol. LXXV, No. 8 • January 15, 2004
  30. ^ Cenon Rivera. hagonoyartgroup.multiply.com. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  31. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l 2007 Solemn Investiture Program of the UST Faculty of Pharmacy
  32. ^ FMS celebrates "MEDisIN" Week 2010. The UST Medical Gazette. Vol. 53, No. 3 • July-September 2011
  33. ^ a b c d e f g h UST Uniforms: Through the years The Varsitarian. Vol. LXXVIII, No. 1 • June 23, 2006
  34. ^ Patron Saints of Education Topics Saints.SQPN.com Accessed May 25, 2011
  35. ^ Patron Saints of Education Topics Saints.SQPN.com Accessed May 25, 2011
  36. ^ Graduate Schoo Student's Handbook graduateschool.ust.edu.ph Retrieved May 27, 2011
  37. ^ Conservatory of Music celebrates College Week UST.edu.ph Accessed May 25, 2011
  38. ^ College of Nursing - Patron web.archive.org Accessed May 25, 2011
  39. ^ UST High School: The Seal. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
  40. ^ UST Education High School Seal. Retrieved November 11, 2011.
  41. ^ a b c d Lifestyle - Ringing of Martyrs’ Carillon to open 2012 UST Christmas Concert Gala by Dexter R. Matilla, Philippine Daily Inquirer. November 28, 2011.
  42. ^ a b c d e f The Christmas Gala Story ustchristmasconcert.com. Accessed November 29, 2011
  43. ^ Concert gala ushers in holidays in UST by Francis T. Wakefield, Manila Bulletin. December 16, 2009.
  44. ^ Breaking News - UST Museum opens Visual Arts Gallery The Varsitarian. November 20. 2011, 11:17 a.m.
  45. ^ Lifestyle - UST Christmas Concert dazzles and elevates by Pablo A. Tariman, Philippine Daily Inquirer. December 4, 2011.
  46. ^ Public Information Service Unit - DFA Hosts UST Exhibit and Christmas Concert DFA.gov.ph. Accessed November 29, 2011
  47. ^ Campus Beat - Carillon bells open UST Christmas Concert Gala, Manila Bulletin. November 24, 2011.
  48. ^ A musical prelude to the Quadricentennial The Varsitarian. December 15, 2010.
  49. ^ Christmas Concert pays tribute to UST's rich heritage The Varsitarian. December 16, 2009.
  50. ^ Preserving heritage on a high note The Varsitarian. Vol. LXXX, No. 7 • December 19, 2008.
  51. ^ UST presents 'A Christmas Prayer', Manila Bulletin. December 7, 2006.
  52. ^ a b c Breaking News - Paskuhan looks forward to UST's fifth century The Varsitarian. December 17, 2011.
  53. ^ UST holds Paskuhan 2010 as a Celebration of Thanksgiving UST.edu.ph Accessed December 17, 2011
  54. ^ Paskuhan draws crowd of 50,000 The Varsitarian. December 19, 2009.
  55. ^ UST Holds Paskuhan 2008 UST.edu.ph Accessed December 17, 2011

External links