The traditions of University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines.
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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]
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] |
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] |
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]
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.
University of Santo Tomas Hymn |
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]
Academic year | Basketball | Volleyball | Football | Judo (Overall) |
Swimming | Table Tennis | Beach Volleyball | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Men | Women | Men | Women | Men | Women | Men | Women | ||||
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Every year, the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe, the official dance group of the university holds dance competitions in August and dance concerts in March.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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]
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] |
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]
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! |
It has been a superstition that crossing the Arch while still studying in the university would result in a delay of graduation.
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