The Varsitarian Quadricentennial Supplement

Transcription

400
The Varsitarian
Quadricentennial Supplement
Editors’ Note
F
Why ‘V’ feels blessed
to be the ‘Q’ staff
OR 83 years, the Varsitarian has been the chronicler of the many twists and turns that
the University has gone through. Staff members from every decade proudly wear their
experiences as a badge of honor. The revered Varsitarian alumni writers of the 1940s
and 1950s, such as F. Sionil Jose, Bienvenido Lumbera, and Gloria Garchitorena-Goloy, say
that their writing sensibilities were developed at a time when the country was rising from the
ruins of the Second World War and consolidating itself as a nation. The literary raconteurs of
the 1960s and ‘70s were matured by martial law: they either discreetly or defiantly pushed the
envelope during the dictatorship. The 1980s’ “Vad Voys and Girls” told the bloodied corpse
of Ninoy Aquino, “’Di ka nag-iisa,” as they joined the sea of yellow in the pro-democracy
wave that led to the Edsa Revolution, Poland, Pakistan, the renting of the Iron Curtain, the end
of communism, and on to today’s Egypt. Meanwhile, the “Amihans” of the ‘90s cheered the
well-loved Pope John Paul the Great when he again stepped in the country’s only Pontifical
university: surely they will cheer and feel doubly blessed this May when he’s beatified.
Our batch is at the tail’s end of the first decade of the millennium and is starting on the
second. Amid the burning issues of the first 10 years of the new century, the staff is blessed to
begin the new decade on a festive note. We feel extremely blessed in fact that we are the Quadricentennial staff: We are tasked to be the chroniclers of the University’s 400th anniversary
celebration—something that, literally, happens once in 400 years!
During the week-long festivities to open the Quadricentennial year last January, the staff
was at various events with pens, notepads, recorders, and cameras in hand, a documentation
committee on our own, on the move to put hours-long activities into legitimate stories.
But this issue was intended to become more than just a record of activities. When the
three of us first sat down to discuss story proposals, we easily came to a consensus that this
edition would indeed be “special” because it would give glimpses of the heart and soul of the
University and her valiant legions—of the stories behind the events and of the rich history that
led to this momentous occasion.
We had writers and editors on the lookout for faces and stories that reflect the Thomasian spirit, while our photographers—particularly our chief lensman Paul Quiambao—risked
falling from great heights and getting pinioned by crowds just to stamp precious moments to
permanency. Other staff members dug into archive materials to look into the past and remind
everyone of the things that make UST an institution to admire.
What’s remarkable in this whirlwind of paper trails and photos is not that we were able
to come up with a 52-page magazine. What has touched us—and we’re glad to note this—is
the privilege not only to look back at the University’s history, but since the Quadricentennial
is historic, also to be part of history! Of course, as young people, we feel that the Quadricentennial is “fun.” We live in the merriment of UST’s present, so as to be assured of a golden
future, as golden as UST’s golden years. The experience has been a test of character and spirit,
but it has made us fully understand our publications adviser’s words during the Varsitarian
special alumni homecoming last December to give everyone—alumni and staff, the chance to
pay tribute to UST, because “it is only proper for the paper’s staff to give credit where credit
is due.”
Indeed, he added: “We would not be one, big, happy ‘V’ family if not for the fact that we
belong to the one, big, happy universe that is our beloved University of Santo Tomas.”
Mika Rafaela A. Barrios,
Cliff Harvey C. Venzon,
and Rose-An Jessica M. Dioquino
‘400’ Supplement Editors
PAUL ALLYSON R. QUIAMBAO
LINE OF SUCCESSION. The present Rector of the University, Fr.
Rolando de la Rosa, O.P. (left), sits with former UST rectors Fr. Ernesto
Arceo, O.P., Fr. Tamerlane Lana, O.P., Fr. Norberto Castillo, O.P., and
Fr. Frederik Fermin, O.P. Not in the photo is former rector Fr. Leonardo
Legaspi, O.P., now the Archbishop of Nueva Caceres, who joined the group
of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.
Unending Gr
UST Jubilee Year
Vatican grants indulgence to everyone
attending the Quadricentennial activities
PAGE 6
Quadricentennial Parade
Colleges showcase floats depicting UST
history in motorcade around the University
Belt PAGE 10
P-Noy in UST
‘400 years of quality Christian education’
cited PAGE 9
4
400
The Varsitarian
The Papal Legate
Amadea remembers
PAGE 24
PAGE 42
Who is Zenon Cardinal Grocholweski?
Thomasian centenarian tells her story
Grace
400
The Varsitarian
Quadricentennial Supplement
founded january 16, 1928
CLIFF HARVEY C. VENZON
Editor in Chief
ROSE-AN JESSICA M. DIOQUINO
MIKA RAFAELA A. BARRIOS
Supplement Editors
ADRIENNE JESSE A. MALEFICIO
Associate Editor
Photography Editor
Charizze L. Abulencia
Jilly Anne A. Bulauan
Jeremy S. Perey
Alexis Ailex C. Villamor Jr.
Danalyn T. Lubang
Robin G. Padilla
Justinne Chynna V. Garcia
Kalaine Nikka Kay C. Grafil
Charmaine M. Parado
Rommel Marvin C. Rio
Darenn G. Rodriguez
Angelo Nonato P. Cabrera
Anne Marie Carmela L. Dayauon
Frauleine Michelle S. Villanueva
Marnee A. Gamboa
Margaret Rose B. Maranan
Jonas Eleazar B. Trinidad
Patricia Isabela B. Evangelista
Jennifer M. Orillaza
Brylle B. Tabora
Camille Anne M. Arcilla
Ana May R. De la Cruz
John Ernest F. Jose
Alyosha J. Robillos
Writers and Researchers
Josa Camille A. Bassig
Isabela A. Martinez
Jilson Seckler C. Tiu
Karla Mides C. Toledo
Photographers
Carla T. Gamalinda
Patrick C. Delos Reyes
Art
FELIPE F. SALVOSA II
Assistant Publications Adviser
JOSELITO B. ZULUETA
Publications Adviser
ABOUT THE COVER
Countdown to 400
Star-studded concert staged before UST
breaks into its fifth century PAGE 14
From the Vatican Desk
Pope congratulates UST via video
PAGE 41
The unveiling of QuattroMondial monument
last January 27 at the Quadricentennial Park.
Photo by Varsitarian chief photographer Paul
Allyson R. Quiambao
The Varsitarian
400 5
UST Jubilee Year
Vatican grants plenary indulgence to everyone
attending Quadricentennial activities
P
OPE Benedict XVI has declared
a Jubilee Year from January 2011
to January 2012 to mark UST’s
Quadricentennial, underscoring the spiritual
nature of the celebrations at Asia’s only
Pontifical University.
Last January 24, Manila Archbishop
Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales formally opened
the Quadricentennial festivities with the
declaration of the Santisimo Rosario Parish
Church or UST Chapel as a Jubilee church,
granting pious visitors a plenary indulgence,
which remits punishment due to sin under
Church teaching.
In a decree last December 21, the Roman
Catholic Church’s Apostolic Penitentiary
allowed Cardinal Rosales to bestow a Papal
Blessing carrying a Plenary Indulgence
6
400 The
Varsitarian
following the Jubilee Mass of January 24.
A separate decree also bestows plenary
indulgence to “all those who piously join the
sacred rites, ceremonies, and activities in
celebration of the Jubilee at the University of
Santo Tomas” upon the request of the Rector,
Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P.
Plenary indulgence wipes out all
temporal punishment due to sin, according
to Church teaching. The letter by Cardinal
Fortunato Baldelli, head of the Vatican’s
Apostolic Penitentiary, states that the
indulgence can only be received upon three
conditions—going to confession, receiving
the Holy Communion, and praying for the
intentions of the Pope.
“When we go to confession, our sins
are remitted, but the punishment to some of
these sins are still attached,” said Faculty of
Sacred Theology Dean Fr. Rodel Aligan,
O.P. “[Plenary indulgence] remits us of these
punishment before we go to heaven.”
The decree also states that those who
wish to receive the blessing are encouraged to
dispose themselves properly through spiritual
exercises and pious invocations addressed
to the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Catherine
of Alexandria, or St. Thomas Aquinas, the
patron saint of the University.
The Apostolic Penitentiary is one of the
three tribunals of the Roman Curia, which has
the authority to absolve excommunications
for grave sins, dispense of impediments to the
sacraments, and govern indulgences.
The Holy Entrance. Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P. (left photo), Rector Magnificus of UST, opens the Jubilee Door; Manila Archbishop Gaudencio
Cardinal Rosales (right photo) kneels at the entrance of the UST Chapel with De la Rosa looking over. Photos by PAUL ALLYSON
R. QUIAMBAO
and Jilson
PAUL ALLYSON
R. QUIAMBAO
Seckler C. Tiu
‘Classic, timeless, forever timely’
An excerpt from the homily of
Archbishop Edward Joseph Adams, the Papal
Nuncio to the Philippines, during the opening
Mass for the 10th Biennial Conference of the
International Council of the Universities of
St. Thomas Aquinas last January 26 at the
Santisimo Rosario Parish Church.
O
NE YEAR ago, the Philippine
government officially declared
four landmarks of the University
of Santo Tomas as national cultural
treasures. This is the first time that an
educational institution in this country
has received such recognition. But the
Dominican fathers and brothers would
have been even happier if what the
government recognized as a national
treasure was the university itself.
The University of Santo Tomas
is a national treasure because its
history coincides with the history of
the Catholic Church in this country.
Thousands of alumni from this
school have pioneered the different
professions, have provided the original
inspiration, and have given shape and
substance to many movements and
organizations.
This university is a national
treasure because in its 400 years of
existence—and despite the countless
man-made and natural calamities that
have visited it—UST has remained alive,
continually energized by the enthusiasm
of its students, by the passion for teaching
research and help to the community of its
faculty members and administrators, by
the dedication and devotion of its support
staff, and by the loyalty of thousands of
Thomasian alumni.
The University of Santo Tomas is
a classic university. A classic could be
defined as something whose quality is
outstanding and long-lasting, whose
work and significance is almost timeless.
It’s very old, but new; traditional but
contemporary.
Ceremonial opening of Jubilee Door
Last January 24, Thomasians witnessed
a once-in-a-lifetime Church event when
Cardinal Rosales struck the portal of the
chapel with a hammer three times and knelt
at the entrance. De la Rosa, Rector of the
University, opened the door to let the penitents
process. The choir sang “Christus vincit,
Christus regnat, Christus imperat,” or “Christ
conquers, Christ rules, Christ commands.”
Cardinal Rosales said the Holy Door
symbolizes Christ, the only door to salvation.
The Cardinal presided over a
Concelebrated Mass in which he called
on Thomasians to spread the University’s
blessings as it marks its 400th year. The
Thomasian community must share the value
of education brought by the “miracle of the
first door UST opened 400 years ago,” he said.
Dwelling on the vision of UST’s
founder, Miguel de Benavides, O.P., the
third archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Rosales
Adams
Rightly, this university is named
the University of Santo Tomas because
it incarnates the teaching qualities
of St. Thomas Aquinas—the quality
which we describe in Latin as perennis,
something that endures, that is classic,
timeless, and forever timely.
The greatness of St. Thomas
derives from his fidelity to the
inspiration of St. Dominic, who wanted
his followers to perform one neglected
ministry in the Church. During his
time, that ministry was the ministry
of preaching. St. Dominic founded
the Order of Preachers to demystify
the preaching process and to bring the
saintly truth of the Gospel to as many
who would listen to his preachers.
But there was one qualifier—
such preaching had to be nourished
by study. What we say, what we do—
especially those who preach, those who
would seek to present the authentic
view of life found in the Gospel—
need to be nourished by study. They
need education, but a special kind of
education—the education found in
this University, where for the last 400
years, the Christian message has been
nurtured and strengthened by study,
Classic... Page 19
paid tribute to Thomasian education and its
contributions to society.
“Education is beneficial to one’s own
formation—for one to be able to contribute to
the good society with their duty to God and
country,” Cardinal Rosales said.
De la Rosa said the proclamation of the
Holy Year is a “gift from the Church” to the
University. Mika Rafaela A. Barrios and
Kalaine Nikka Kay C. Grafil with reports
from Brylle B. Tabora
The Varsitarian
400 7
World meet in UST
Aquinas universities around the globe join festivities
By Alexis Ailex C. Villamor Jr.
O
FFICIALS of universities named
after St. Thomas Aquinas and those
adhering to Thomistic ideals met
in the University to reaffirm their lifelong
commitment to fostering Catholic principles
as one interconnected body.
Twenty-five Catholic institutions of
higher learning from 18 countries around the
globe, represented by 43 local and foreign
delegates, converged in the 10th biennial
conference of the International Council
of the Universities of St. Thomas Aquinas
(Icusta) last January 26 at the Santisimo
Rosario Parish Church.
The council, headed by Fr. Rolando
de la Rosa, O.P., Rector of the University,
discussed strategic ways for memberuniversities to respond to the challenge of
keeping a public life with Catholic principles.
Manifesto of commitment
Recognizing the challenges posed by the
deepening secular and resistant environment,
the members of Icusta remained optimistic
of “making belief work in an unbelieving
world.”
“The odds may be overwhelming, but
we’re not cowed nor are we resigned. We
believe that the Christian message is credible
and has something important to say in
today’s society,” stated the Icusta Manifesto
of Commitment.
In the three-day convention, members
of the Icusta reviewed their respective
institutional visions and missions, policies
and practices, and curricula and special
advocacies to intensify their campaign
of injecting Christian principles among
students and in public discourses.
They cited with dismay that peoples
from different countries, continents, and
cultures appear to be resistant to faith
and discipline promoted by Christian and
Thomistic philosophies.
“In environments where the Church is
a minority, we view with concern the gross
ignorance of today’s society about anything
remotely connected with Christianity, or
any religion for that matter, which often
elicits antipathy, if not hostility, to efforts by
the Church to infuse Christian principles,”
stated the manifesto.
Delegates were divided into groups to
allow the sharing of different experiences and
insights about extant issues on the academic
8
400
The Varsitarian
Zenon Cardinal Grocholeweski, prefect of the Sacred Congregation for Catholic Education, is greeted by
Ambassador Joaquin Daniel Otero of Argentina and Ambassador Roberto Mayorga of Chile at the Santisimo
Rosario Parish Church during the opening of the 10th biennial conference of the International Council of the
Universities of St. Thomas Aquinas last January 26.
and, at the same time, social character of a
Catholic university, and to derive appropriate
approaches and courses of actions.
The first group identified daunting
problems that hinder the spiritual formation
of students of distinct social milieus such as
the dichotomy between Catholic principles
and the dominant secular life, the students’
indifference to religion especially in nonCatholic and progressive societies, and the
tension between Church and State.
They also noted that while Christian
teachings are explicitly expressed in school
documents and degree courses, putting them
into practice among students remains to be a
vital problem.
As a response, member-schools
agreed to heighten formation programs for
students, faculty members, and non-teaching
personnel to create a campus resonating with
Catholic rites and rituals.
They also advised that exposure
and immersion programs be increased in
marginalized communities to boost students’
participation in achieving social justice.
Given
the
diversity
of
the
members’ socio-political environments,
recommendations on initiating an active
network between Icusta schools were made.
With its goal of making an impact that
will cross disciplinal, geographical, and
even generational borders, Icusta members
agreed that collaborative researches and online programs and courses on St. Thomas
Aquinas and other professional subjects
be made available to all Icusta members.
Student exchange programs will also be
encouraged.
Dissemination and exchange of
information will be made frequent through
on-line newsletters and e-journals on
Catholic education, where joint public
statements and advocacies on common social
issues will also be posted.
Funds will be provided to support
global initiatives and projects of Icusta
institutions, and an “Icusta Secretariat”
will be established to make an inventory of
current projects.
This was the second time UST hosted
the conference. The first time was in 1997.
This year’s meet was opened with
a Concelebrated Mass at the Santissimo
Rosario Parish led by Archbishop Edward
Joseph Adams, Apostolic Nuncio to the
Philippines, and a short keynote address by
President Benigno Aquino III.
Icusta is a federation of Catholic
universities that may or may not be named
after St. Thomas Aquinas, the universal
patron of Catholic schools, but which takes
after his Thomistic philosophy that attempts
World meet Page 38
Father Rector Rolando de la Rosa, O.P. and
Secretary General Fr. Florentino Bolo, O.P. hand
over UST tokens to the President, who gave
the keynote speech in the opening of the 10th
biennial conference of the International Council
of the Universities of St. Thomas Aquinas. PAUL
ALLYSON R. QUIAMBAO
‘P-Noy’
in UST
‘400 years of quality Christian education’ cited
By CLIFF harvey c. venzon
P
resident Benigno Aquino III
paid tribute to UST for its “noble
mission” of instilling Catholic values
among its students along with the “high
quality of education” it provides. He also
congratulated the University for producing
alumni “who have learned to balance their
intellect on an unshakable foundation of
morality.”
Speaking at the 10th Biennial
Conference of the International Council
of the Universities of St. Thomas Aquinas
(Icusta) last January 26 at the Santisimo
Rosario Parish Church, Aquino praised
the University for 400 years of “quality
Christian education.”
“For four centuries, [UST] has upheld
the traditions of excellence and integrity,
known to many as the Thomasian spirit,
which now resides in the hearts and minds
of our leaders and professionals,” the
President said. “You have also opened the
doors to our guests and shown them not
just our well-known hospitality, but our
capability to host important, international
gatherings.”
“The University of Santo Tomas has
educated the best this country has to offer.
But when we look back at the long list of
distinguished individuals this institution has
produced, it is not merely education that sets
them apart, but principles,” Aquino said.
“This university has made it its noble mission
to instill Catholic principles to each of its
students while, at the same time, giving them
a high quality of education.”
“It is no surprise that among those
who serve our countrymen at the highest
levels—presidents, senators, Supreme Court
chief justices, saints, martyrs, and even
artists—many are Thomasians—people who
have learned to balance their intellect on an
unshakable foundation of morality,” he added.
“I think this is what Thomasians around
the world share in common—the ability to
excel in their chosen field and contribute to
the welfare, not just of their country, but of the
world,” Aquino also said.
Noting the change in the social, cultural
and spiritual environment of the 21st century,
Aquino said Catholic institutions must work
harder in honing student with the necessary
knowledge and skills required to produce
competitive citizens.
“UST has always been an exemplar of
what we ask of our educational institutions.
Through your efforts, we are hoping that
Filipinos across the archipelago can all exhibit
the qualities of your graduates,” he said.
President Aquino also cited Icusta for its
commitment to academic excellence.
“For almost two decades, you have
shown the world your commitment to
international diversity by instilling a love
of and a passion for truth, while pursuing
academic excellence and practicing a life
of faith,” Aquino said.
Reform in higher education
Recognizing the mismatch between
job openings and courses offered in
schools, Aquino announced that the
government had declared a moratorium
on new higher education institutions
(HEI) offering business administration,
nursing, teacher education, and hotel and
restaurant management courses, pointing
that numerous graduates of these courses
are “hard-pressed to find jobs.”
“The Commission on Higher
Education has also started to take action
to review and fix the HEI systems in the
country to make them more efficient, such
as forging greater ties between HEIs and
employers, which will ease the burden of
job-hunting on new graduates,” he said.
Aquino also challenged the youth to
reinforce their enthusiasm for a “better
Philippines.”
“This is a task that is heaped on all
of our backs—a task that seemed much
heavier under the darkness of the previous
years. But daylight is upon us,” he said.
The Varsitarian
400 9
Quadricenten
Colleges showcase floats depicting UST h
10
400
The Varsitarian
Photos by THE PHOTOGRAPHY TEAM
ennial Parade
history in motorcade around the University Belt
The Varsitarian
400
11
J
ANUARY 26 weather forecast:
Luzon would experience cloudy skies
accompanied by scattered and isolated
light rains.
But the rain clouds gave way to
a sunny weather in order to salute the
University as it mounted a grand parade
around the University Belt as part of its
Quadricentennial celebration.
“We just believed that it would not rain.
We had no ‘Plan B’ in case of rain because
whatever happened, this parade would push
through,” said Assistant to the Rector for
Student Affairs Evelyn Songco.
Around 7, 200 members of the
Thomasian community excitedly lined up
for the parade while hoisting their college
colors.
Participants were dressed in colorful
costumes representing the different
historical periods that the University has
undergone.
Five colossal floats were prepared by
the Office for Quadricentennial Activities
and Highlights that represented UST’s
four centuries of existence. The floats also
featured reigning Thomasian Personalities
Ralph Bejar and Janine Tugonon, Ms.
Philippines Eco-Tourism 2009 Angela
Fernando, perfume businessman Joel
Cruz, Bb. Pilipinas Universe 2008 Jenifer
Barrientos, Bb. Pilipinas International 1995
Gladys Duena, and this year’s The Search
for the Ideal Thomasian Personality (TSITP)
candidates.
A roaring beat from the UST Yellow
Jackets (YJ) signaled the start of the twohour parade. School spirit enveloped the
bustling España Boulevard as the parade
proceeded along the streets of Morayta,
Recto and Earnshaw, accompanied by dance
and music.
The parade was led by 20 motorcycle
riders wearing UST jackets, marshals
from the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps
Department, and the YJ.
The first float, representing the first
century of UST, featured the facades of the
original UST building and Sto. Domingo
Church in Intramuros, with a replica of
the statue of founder Msgr. Miguel de
Benavides, O.P. in front.
The second float represented the second
century of UST and featured a model of
the Arch of the Centuries. The third float,
covering the period 1811-1911, featured the
Main Building, athough the edifice was only
erected in 1927.
The fourth float, representing the 20th
century, was patterned after the UST Central
Seminary building and had the replica of the
Fountains of Wisdom and Knowledge.
The ‘Q’ float showcased models of
the QuattroMondial, the yet to be erected
Martyrs’ Monument, and the Tria Haec,
the statues representing the theological
virtues of faith, hope, and love atop the Main
Building.
According to Songco, all UST academic
offices prepared well for the parade.
“But the Office of the Secretary General,
Student
Organizations
Coordinating
12
400
The Varsitarian
Central Student Council
President Leandro
Santos II discusses
the route of the parade
with Office for Student
Affairs (OSA) Director
Evelyn Songco and
other OSA officials.
JOSA CAMILLE A.
BASSIG
Students sporting
‘70s attire groove
to warm up at the
start of the parade.
KARLA MIDES C.
TOLEDO
The UST Yellow
Jackets lead the
participants of the
parade with the
familiar drumbeats
that they use
during basketball
bouts in UAAP.
PAUL ALLYSON
R.QUIAMBAO
Around 7, 000
students joined the
parade that tracked
the University Belt
area.KARLA MIDES
C. TOLEDO
Council, Central Student Council, and Office
for Student Affairs have already started
preparing even before the year opened just to
make this parade as beautiful as it has turned
out to be,” she said.
As a measure to ensure the safety of the
participants of the parade, UST’s Red Cross
Youth Council deployed health officers,
while the UST Health Service positioned
three ambulances along the parade’s route.
“The Office for Quadricentennial
Activities and Highlights also coordinated
with the City Mayor’s Office and the Manila
Police Department to maintain a smooth flow
of the parade without clogging the streets
that we will be passing over,” Songco said.
No security breach marred the parade,
except for two students who had asthma
attacks, Songco said.
Thousands of spectators lined up on the
sides of the streets as the floats passed by,
all of them waving, smiling, and celebrating
with the only Pontifical University in Asia.
Even the University of the East (UE)
welcomed the parade as its own Pep Squad
cheered when the parade passed by Recto.
A streamer also expressed UE’s greeting for
UST’s 400th year.
“Perhaps, one of the purposes of this
parade is for us to show how grateful we
are that we’ve survived 400 years through
God’s unending grace and to describe that
what we’ve become at present is a result
of the different cultures that influenced
us through these centuries,” Songco said.
“Also, through this parade, we will be able
to celebrate the bountiful blessings the
University has received with the community
and neighboring schools.”
Pride onboard
For those aboard the floats, it was one
unique and unforgettable experience to
represent the University’s 19 faculties and
colleges on this momentous event.
“More than acknowledging the
University and its previous feats, this parade
made us connect with our community. After
all, it is with them that we made and can
make history,” said Ms. Faculty of Arts and
Letters Jintana Yantakosol.
“UST has consistently been producing
excellent personalities in different fields and
it has already made a mark in Philippine
history. It brings pride not only to itself, but
to the country as a whole,” said Mr. Faculty
of Civil Law Don Saul Lazo.
Cheermania
The College of Commerce defended
their title as champions with their Chinesethemed routine during the 16th USTCheermania competition held at the Plaza
Mayor simultaneously with the grand parade.
“Although the pressure was doubled
because we have a title to defend, all
efforts and exhaustion paid off after the
competition,” said coach Ajji Mendelebarr,
a Salinggawi Dance Troupe (SDT) alumnus.
Coming in second was the Vietnameseclothed dancers from Science, coached
by Marvin Wynant, a Biology graduate
The squad from the College of Commerce and
Business Administration bags the P500,000 prize
after winning in the annual University-wide
cheerdance competition. JOSA CAMILLE A.
BASSIG
and an alumnus of SDT, followed by the
‘50s American-themed AMV-College of
Accountancy.
“We only had two weeks of practice so
we did not expect to win,” said Accountancy
coach Dwight Agosica.
“Our only aim was to perform for our
college and for UST and to execute our
routine cleanly. We were surprised for
bagging a place. We are very thankful for
it,” he added.
Other participants and their themes for
this year’s competition were the Faculties
of Medicine and Surgery (‘20s American),
Arts and Letters (Thai), Pharmacy (Korean),
Civil Law (‘80s American), and Engineering
(Mexican); Colleges of Nursing (‘90s
American), Fine Arts and Design (Greek),
Education (Indian), Tourism and Hospitality
Management (Victorian), Architecture
(Japanese), Rehabilitation Sciences (‘70s
American); and the Conservatory of Music
(‘60s American).
Judges were Douglas Nieras of Power
Dance, chairman of the board of judges;
Leo Lorilla, Bayanihan Dance Company
choreographer; Erick Tajanlangit of GMA
Network; Julie Ann Lopez, Salinggawi
Alumni Association president; and Larry
Gabao, vice chairman of the National
Commission on Dance.
For the Festival Dance category, the
Far Eastern University won first place with
its Moriones theme, followed by Mapua
Institute of Technology and the Lyceum of
the Philippines University, whose themes
were the Pahiyas of Lucban, Quezon and the
Panagbenga of Baguio City.
Adamson and UE also participated in
the same category. Justinne Chynna V.
Physical Education professor Roberto Plata carries
a tiger stuffed toy in preparation for the grand
parade. (Below) The UST security in full force to
assure the participants’ safety. JOSA CAMILLE
A. BASSIG
Garcia and Alexis Ailex C. Villamor Jr.
The Varsitarian
400
13
Countdown to 40
Star-studded concert staged hours before US
00
ST breaks into its fifth century
T
HOMASIANS may have been raised in
an institution serious about education,
but that doesn’t mean they don’t know
how to party.
A crowd reminiscent of the one that
flocked to last December’s “Paskuhan” went
“rocking” with top entertainers during the
concert that was also the official countdown to
the UST’s 400th founding anniversary.
The Q Grand Program held at the UST
Grandstand on the night of January 27
showcased the performances and appearances
of the big names in the entertainment industry
led by Thomasian talents like pop superstar
Sarah Geronimo, “inspirational diva” Jamie
Rivera, and comedian John Lapus.
Recalling beginnings
The night started with disc jockey and
television host Jeffrey “Mr. Fu” Espiritu, who
shared that his signature line, “Meganon?”,
originated in UST.
“Itaas pa natin ang magandang nasimulan
ng mga Tomasino dahil dito pa lang sa
industry natin ay napakaraming Thomasians
ang naghahari at nagrereyna,” said Mr. Fu, a
Communication Arts alumnus and former Arts
and Letters student council president.
The well-known DJ then proceeded to
introduce Amadea Medina—at almost 100 is
the oldest living alumna of the University—
who fondly recalled UST as a “castle in the
middle of a desert.” The Education alumna
also told the student-dominated crowd to “be
serious in your studies.”
“Have one goal and put all your efforts to
reach that goal,” said Medina, who earned her
degree as magna cum laude.
Acclaimed actor Albert Martinez, who
spent his “formative years” in UST, shared that
it was also in the University where he found
his first girlfriend, actress and former beauty
titlist Tetchie Agbayani.
“I grew up here and went through all the
good things a person could experience here,”
he told the Varsitarian.
Saying that he is a “proud Thomasian—
noon, ngayon, at forever,” Hotel and
Restaurant Management alumnus John Lapus
shared that studying in UST was a dream that
came true for him.
“Studying in UST has always been my
dream,” the popular comedian and TV host
told the lively crowd. “Whenever my mother
and I [would] pass by UST, I prayed to God
that my mother would choose to enroll me
here.”
Coming home
Singer and stage actress Jenine Desiderio,
a product of UST High School, told the
Varsitarian that she made sure that her
performance in the Grand Program would
push through despite her hectic schedule.
“I really had to find time for this,” said
Desiderio, whose biggest break came when
she played the role of Kim in the London
production of “Ms. Saigon.” “Four hundred
years—this moment happens once in a
lifetime.”
Faculty of Pharmacy alumna Vina
Cruz, who performed as part of the UST
16
400
The Varsitarian
Singer Sarah Geronimo performs her rendition of Michael Jackson’s ‘They Don’t Care About
Us.’ Geronimo, who spent three years at the UST Education High School, also performed at
the annual Paskuhan concert last December. JOSA CAMIILLE A BASSIG
Singers Alumni Ensemble, described their
homecoming as nostalgic, having gone in
different places across the globe for concert
tours.
“The feeling is the same. This place is still
the UST that I’ve known before,” said Cruz.
Adding to the roster of Thomasian
performers was singer Apple Chiu, who
considered her performance as her gift to UST.
“Performing here means a lot to me.
Somehow, it’s a way of ‘giving back’ to my
alma mater, which taught me a lot of things,”
Chiu told the Varsitarian.
Sarah Geronimo, who was a student of
the Education High School before her career
skyrocketed, shared her fondness for the
University’s overall ambiance, citing their
after-class hangouts like Lovers’ Lane (now
Benavides Park) and Botanical Garden.
“UST is the oldest university [in Asia], so
JILSON SECKLER C TIU
TV host and radio DJ Jeffrey ‘Mr. Fu’ Espiritu
entertains the crowd with his comedic recollections
and his signature line, “Meganon?”
Former ‘Singing Bee’ resident singer now TV%
talent Apple Chiu sings to a ‘60s medley.
it’s an honor that I am acknowledged [as part
of its family] and to be invited in events like
this one,” she said.
Meanwhile,
Jamie
Rivera—who
proudly shared that she was born in the UST
Hospital and educated in the University from
elementary to college—said that she has been
“waiting for this” and encouraged the whole
Thomasian community to “make the most out
of this year.”
“I am very happy since it is a oncein-a-lifetime opportunity to perform for
Thomasians on [the University’s] 400th year,”
said the singer, who is best known for singing
“Not everybody could afford to enter
a school as good as UST,” said the former
child wonder. “We should all do our best and,
hopefully, the future of our country will be
better because of us Thomasians.”
Singer and UST Engineering alumnus RJ Jimenez
serenades the audience with his hit, “Miss Kita ‘Pag
Tuesday”.
the inspirational hits “Heal Our Land” and
“Only Selfless Love.”
For acoustic singer Aiza Seguerra,
studying in UST is a “privilege”, adding that
Thomasians should “set a good example” for
everyone.
‘Beyond honored’
Awed with the beauty of the lights and
decorations adorning the University that
evening, former actress and Quezon City
councilor Aiko Melendez admitted that she
regretted not being schooled in UST.
“Seeing UST for the first time made me
regret that my parents did not enroll me here,”
Pop icon Gary Valenciano proves his ageless energy and talent as he fires up the
stage with his sing-and-dance number that earned cheers from the crowd.
The Varsitarian
400
17
JOSA CAMILLE A. BASSIG
A. Bulauan, Kalaine nikka kay C.
Grafil, Adrienne Jesse A. Maleficio,
and Darenn G. Rodriguez
18
400
The Varsitarian
Proud to be Thomasians. Fr. Pablo Tiong elicits a “Go USTe!” from the crowd as he formally
welcomes them to the countdown concert, while Thomasian performers Jamie Rivera (top) and John
Lapus entertain the audience with songs and humorous recollections of their college days.
JILSON SECKLER C. TIU
said Melendez, who also said that she has been
‘tweeting’ about UST since the moment she
stepped inside it.
Gary Valenciano, meanwhile, wowed
the audience as he proved that he was still
Mr. Pure Energy when he performed his hits,
“Sana Maulit Muli” and “’Di Bale Na Lang,”
along with a medley of ‘80s songs like “Every
Breath You Take” and “Sweet Dreams.”
In an interview with the Varsitarian,
Valenciano said that he was “beyond honored”
for being invited as one of the top acts of the
night.
“You know, there will be other
celebrations, but there’s only one 400th and
it signifies just what UST has gone through,”
said the singing icon. “It’s not just a university,
it’s the University of Santo Tomas.”
For comedienne Candy Pangilinan, the
event organizer, she felt the Thomasian spirit
during the event even if she’s not a Thomasian.
“Kahit hindi ako Tomasino, naramdaman
ko na ‘yung grasya, umapaw sa akin,”
Pangilinan said.
The program, which ended before the
clock struck midnight, no longer included a
countdown, but was closed by a spectacular
fireworks display coming from atop the
Grandstand’s stage and the Central Seminary.
Also included in the roster of performers
and hosts were Thomasians Robert Seña and
Archie Alemania, renowned stage actor and
TV personality, respectively; dance troupes
Maneuovers and Hotlegs, singer Erik Santos,
and pop-rock band Itchyworms. Jilly Anne
“Lola” Amadea, the oldest living Thomasian, tells Mr. Fu and the crowd to “live simply” during her
appearance at the start of the program.
Songs and words. (Clockwise from top)
Engineering alumnus Robert Seña of ‘Ms. Saigon’
fame shows off his flawless tenor; singer Erik
Santos belts out “This Is The Moment”; veteran
actor Albert Martinez tells fellow Thomasian
Archie Alemania about his days as a young man
in UST High School, where he met actress Tetchie
Agbayani; lead vocalist Jugs Jugueta of the band
Itchyworms works up the crowd.
Classic...
FROM PAGE 7
disciplined study. The Christian message
is concrete for everyone and, in all
periods of human history, it offers every
generation the opportunity to discover the
truth—the truth about life, the truth about
the goal of history. This work of discovery
comes from study, but disciplined study.
And that means study guided by faith.
This kind of study is not easy, but once
undertaken, it’s there to motivate every
Christian preacher—every Christian
educator—to ensure that the power of God
and His truth permeate what they preach,
what they teach, what they say, and how
they live.
Dear friends, this institution, during
this last 400 years, has been an instrument
of this disciplined study—study guided
by faith. What this university has
accomplished has come about not without
great effort. Hundreds of Dominicans and
their friends have devoted their lives to
study and preaching this radical idea of
the Christ.
On this 400th anniversary, we
remember them and we thank God for
them and ask Him to reward them for
their sacrifice. That sacrifice continues
now, in this university, through its rector,
its administrators, its professors, and
its teaching and non-teaching personnel
as they seek to address the material,
intellectual, and spiritual needs of this
university’s community and beyond.
A particular responsibility of believing
educators is to bring the discipline of faith
to study. That’s what you do. Only in faith
can truth have its way and can reason
become truly human, capable of directing
us along the path of what is right and true
and good and beautiful.
This university, for the last 400 years,
has played its part in bringing God and His
love to this part of the world. It continues
to do so. This venerable institution is a
place in which God’s active presence in
human affairs is recognized and in which
every young person discovers the joy of
entering into Christ’s love for another.
To all of you, I say, bear witness to
Christ and His Gospel of love. Nourish
that faith with prayer. Live fully the truth
and the life you propose to your young
people. Help them to know and love the
one you have encountered, the one you
have contemplated and studied in prayer,
whose truth and goodness you have
experienced with such joy.
The Varsitarian
400
19
Than
Papal legate le
20
400
The Varsitarian
'Extraordinary envoy'. Zenon Cardinal Grocholewski, prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, leads the Thomasian community in
Thanksgiving Mass. In bottom left photo, Grocholewski, accompanied by Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales and Papal Nuncio Edward Joseph
Adams. Grocholewski, chosen by Pope Benedict XVI as his special representative to the Quadricentennial celebrations, used the Papal chair made for Pope
John Paul II when he visited UST in 1995. Photos by PAUL ALLYSON R. QUIAMBAO
nksgiving Mass
leads Mass with hundreds of bishops, priests, nuns
L
ED BY no less than a Papal envoy
and with the local Church hierarchy
in full force, the Thomasian
community
gathered
in
gratitude
to Almighty God for 400 years of
unending grace in the Quadricentennial
Thanksgiving Mass at the UST Grandstand
last January 28.
Zenon Cardinal Grocholewski, prefect
of the Congregation for Catholic Education
and the Pope’s “extraordinary envoy” to
the University’s week-long celebrations,
was the main celebrant, assisted by the
Papal Nuncio Edward Joseph Adams,
Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal
Rosales, Cebu Archbishop Emeritus
Ricardo Cardinal Vidal, and the Catholic
Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines.
In his homily, Grocholewski delved
into the humanistic importance of
education in society.
“Education is not and must never be
considered as purely utilitarian. It is about
forming the human person, equipping
him or her to live to the [fullest],” the
Papal Legate said. “In short, it is about
imparting wisdom—the most genuine and
comprehensive purpose of a university—
to impart wisdom, true wisdom, which
is inseparable from knowledge of our
Creator.”
Grocholewski also praised the
University’s patron, St. Thomas Aquinas,
for spreading a way of thinking with the
“harmony of faith and reason,” “humility,”
and “faithfulness to the Church and its
Magisterium.” He pointed to the qualities
of a true Catholic university—“a Christian
inspiration,” “a continued ref lection in
the light of Catholic faith,” “fidelity to
the Christian message,” and “institutional
commitment.”
Greetings from the Holy See
In recognition of the University’s
status as the only Pontifical university
in Asia, Pope Benedict XVI took part
in UST’s Quadricentennial by giving
a recorded video message, in which he
confirmed UST’s place in history as the
oldest institution of higher learning in the
region.
The message, recorded by the Centro
Televisivo Vaticano, was made by the
Holy Father at the request of Cardinal
Rosales.
He acknowledged the University’s
Jubilee Year as a “significant event in the
life of the Church,” adding that the twominute video message was a way “to lend
myself to you spiritually” and to extend
“my affection and congratulations on this
happy occasion.”
“As you know, the University of
The Varsitarian
400
21
Santo Tomas is the oldest institution of
Catholic higher education in the Far East
and it continues to play a very important
role in the Church throughout the region,”
Pope Benedict said.
The Holy Father also told Thomasians
to “[keep] in mind the faith and the
reason which are always part of a truly
integrated approach to education,” adding
with confidence “that the University will
continue to contribute to the intellectual,
spiritual, and cultural enrichment of the
Philippines and beyond.”
Grateful
As the Mass neared its end, Rector
Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P. said the large
congregation and the Pope’s message
made him “conclude that God loves the
University of Santo Tomas.”
“My spirit rejoices in God, my
Saviour, for He has looked in favor on this
University and has done great wonders in
all of us,” the Rector said.
De la Rosa took the podium to
express thanks to everyone who made the
University the institution that it is now.
He cited a long list of people—including
the Dominican clergy, the government,
the students, and the faculty—who made
the week-long festivities a success.
The Rector reserved the final string
of gratitude to the alumni for incarnating
“the values and principles that UST stands
for.”
“Thank you, dear alumni, for making
UST present in the places where you lived
and worked,” said De la Rosa. “You radiate
to others the light of wisdom and warmth
of love that you have imbibed during your
student days in the University.”
After his speech, the Rector led the
symbolic lighting of candles—or the
lumina pandit rite—followed by the
singing of the UST Hymn and granting of
plenary indulgence.
Among those who attended the Mass
were Spanish government representatives
Carlos Alberdi of the Office of the Cultural
and Scientific Affairs of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and Ambassador of Spain
to the Philippines Luis Arias Romero, and
Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim. Charizze L.
Abulencia
Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P., Rector of UST,
thanks the alumni in his message “for making
UST present in every part of the world.” JILSON
SECKLER C. TIU
SEA OF CLERGY. Members of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the
Philippines (CBCP) attend the Thanksgiving Mass. The CBCP played a very
important role in a number of Q events. Fr. Gerard Francisco Timoner III, O.P.,
the rector of the UST Central Seminary, described the bishops’ support as
“overwhelming.” JOSA CAMILLE A. BASSIG
LUMINA PANDIT. Members of the Thomasian community, including thousands of alumni, hold torches and candles symbolizing the ‘spreading of the light,’ an
allusion to the University’s mission of education and evangelization.
ISABELA A. MARTINEZ
Spanish Ambassador Luis Arias Romero, Carlos Alberdi of the
Spanish Cultural Ministry, Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim, and other
VIPs participate in the thanksgiving Mass. Lim, in an interview with
Varsitarian, lauded UST for producing public officials who have a
strong moral foundation.
ISABELA A. MARTINEZ
The Varsitarian
400
23
The
he Papal Legate
Who is Zenon Cardinal Grocholewski?
T
HE EXTRAORDINARY envoy of Pope Benedict the XVI to the Quadricentennial
celebrations, Archbishop Zenon Cardinal Grocholewski, was appointed Prefect of the
Congregation for Catholic Education in April 2005. His post is responsible for almost 1,000
Catholic universities, 150 theological departments, as well as more than 3,000 seminaries all over
the world.
Born in Brodki, Poland on October 11, 1939, Grocholewski was ordained priest for the
Archdiocese of Poznań on May 27, 1963. He worked at Christ the Redeemer Parish in Poznań for
three years before earning a doctorate in canon law at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome.
Grocholewski, who became titular archbishop of Acropolis in December 21, 1982, rose from
the ranks of the Apostolic Signatura, the highest judicial authority of the Church (aside from Pope
himself ). He became notary, chancellor, secretary, and prefect at the Supreme Tribunal of the
Apostolic Signatura from 1972 to 1999.
A canon law educator at the Gregorian and Lateran Universities and the Studio Rotale, he was
one of those who studied the draft of the 1983 Code of Canon Law together with the Pope.
Cardinal Grocholewski is grand chancellor of the Pontifical Gregorian University. He remains
a member of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, the Pontifical Council for Legislative
Texts, the Special Council for Oceania of the Secretariat General of the Synod of Bishops, and the
Congregations for the Doctrine of the Faith, for Bishops, for Divine Worship and Discipline of the
Sacraments, and for the Evangelization of Peoples.
As official representative of Pope Benedict XVI, Grocholewski, at the Thanksgiving Mass of
January 28, occupied the papal chair used by Pope John Paul II in his historic visit to the University
for the World Youth Day festivities in 1995, signifying UST’s special connection to the See of Peter.
Camille Anne M. Arcilla
Yellow-blooded
Tales of Thomasian families
R
ODORA Costales grew up in UST,
having studied in the España-based
campus from grade school to college.
With four other siblings who shared the
same rearing and a father who took up his
postgraduate studies in this University, she
proudly claimed her Thomasian roots and
recalled the fond memories of school buses,
Little Quiapo, and ever-present floods.
Harold Calderon was also familiar to the
murky waters, but not so familiar to avoid a
manhole during his second year in the UST
High School. Thankfully, his backpack was
big, putting a halt to what could have been a
deep and dangerous fall.
Both of them would return to their
alma mater’s embrace on the floodless
night of January 28 with their hands and
hearts intertwined. Rodora would carry an
attachment to her name—Calderon—courtesy
of Harold, who she married after leaving her
home university and facing the “real” world.
This couple was just one of the many
alumni who found themselves and their
better half within the Thomasian community,
bringing the high-caliber education they
received from Asia’s oldest academic
institution as they built homes of their
own. Promoting academic excellence that
encompasses four centuries, UST has also
taken a big part in building the smallest but
most important unit of the society—the
family.
FACES OF THOMASIAN HOMES. Members
of households “imbued with unending grace”
come back to their home university to share
in the momentous week-long event for UST’s
Quadricentennial. JOSA CAMILLE A. BASSIG and
ANA MAY R. DELA CRUZ
26
400
The Varsitarian
Sense of faith
For Rodora, who earned a degree in
Commerce in 1961, UST has taught her
family the gift of sharing through its religious
traditions.
“We’re able to [live by the] good because
that’s what we learned here,” she said. “Like
helping someone out—the good [things] you
have, you can share with others.”
Rosalia Buzon, who met her spouse,
Romulo, during their internship as students of
the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, said that
her Thomasian experience gave her a spirit
different from everyone.
“Wherever I go, I have the inner
strength,” the lady doctor said.
Romulo added that the modesty
instilled by the University in its students
was an important extra ingredient that kept
Thomasians grounded even when they are
already geared for success.
Bernardita Muñoz-Tiongco, 83, shared
the same belief, saying that the values
formation in UST made its graduates a cut
above the rest.
“The most important Thomasian virtue
is the fear of God,” said the 1951 Home
Economics graduate. “We’re quiet but we
have big, open hearts.”
Training ground
For Romulo, an anesthesiologist,
Thomasian education—with a wellstructured curriculum—“is the best,” as
he had experienced during his training as a
Medical Technology and Medicine student.
“The training provided by the trainers
is more than enough for you to survive and
succeed,” he said.
AB Economics alumna Sonia VillenaAmbatali added that being a UST graduate
made it easy for her and her siblings to be
successful in their chosen fields.
“When you’re a UST graduate, they will
immediately hire you,” the AB Economics
alumna said.
A student in UST from high school to
postgraduate studies,
For Faculty of Arts and Letters professor
Alvin Ang, teaching in UST was a way of
giving back to the University that honed him.
“A Thomasian is a participant of
change,” he said.
Alvin’s sister and fellow Thomasian
Aileen Valientes added that Thomasians
were reared to be “simple but very capable.”
Engineering alumna Gilda Guevara
attended the festivities with her father, Alex,
who was also a product of the same faculty,
and they have high hopes for UST in the
years to come.
“We wish that UST continues to flourish
with their quality education and encourage
more students to become tomorrow’s
achievers,” said Gilda, who graduated from
the University in 1985.
Thomasian lineages
Sonia, who earned her degree in 1971,
came from a family of UST products,
with seven of eight children—including
Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya Bishop Ramon
Villena—earning their degrees in Asia’s
oldest Catholic university.
She would let the tradition go on in her
own family, sending her two daughters to the
same institution. Her eldest, Marian Kristine,
finished Legal Management and Law in
UST, and her other daughter, Sarah Clare, is
currently a Nursing freshman.
For Sarah Clare, a Quadricentennial
enrollee, the older members of her family
served as her inspiration to become a
Thomasian.
“It’s in our genes,” she said. “I’m
happy that our family is a part of UST’s
history.” Ana May R. Dela Cruz and
Margaret Rose B. Maranan
A SIGHT FOR SORE eYES. Thomasian doctors perform free cataract operations as part of a special Quadricentennial project called “Project 400/400.”
Photos courtesy of Tzu Chi Foundation
Gift of Vision
Thomasian opthalmologists render free
400 cataract operations
C
ONSTRUCTION worker Joey
Parayno, 39, was about to go
blind—and jobless too.
Cataract had almost claimed
his eyesight, making him a liability
among fellow workers. But he saved
both his job and eyesight, thanks to the
free cataract operation organized by
the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
in time for UST’s Quadricentennial
celebration this year.
Dubbed
“Project
400/400”,
the initiative is intended to benefit
400 patients. It was launched in
collaboration with the Buddhist
Tzu Chi Foundation, a non-profit
organization founded in Taiwan by
Dharma Master Cheng Yen, at the
latter’s clinic in Sta. Mesa, Manila last
January 16.
Dr. Antonio Say, head of UST’s
Department of Opthalmology, tapped
17 ophthalmologists who graduated
from the University for the project.
“They want to give honor to the
university that made who they are
today,” he said.
Free cataract surgeries for 103
patients were administered during the
launching alone.
“All of us, [eye surgeons], wanted
to give something back to UST [through
doctors and have unity in our faith,”
Say said in his speech during the
launching. “I am also thankful to Tzu
Chi Foundation because, for so many
years, we have been partners in helping
the needy despite of our religious
differences.”
Say also thanked Fr. Rolando de la
Rosa, UST rector, for giving him and
other alumni doctors the chance “to
serve the needy,” especially as part of
the school’s 400th anniversary.
our service] because the University has
given so much to us,” said Dr. Mario
Yatco, one of the volunteers.
“I would like to thank the University
for molding us to be morally upright
Shedding light in darkness
One of the patients who benefited
from Project 400/400 last February 11
was a 72-year-old sari-sari store owner.
She said her vision problems affected
her everyday life.
“Lumapit na po ako sa Tzu Chi
kasi sa Philippine General Hospital
ako dati nagpapacheck-up kaya
lang humihingi ng dose mil [ para sa
operasyon], wala naman ako nu’n,”
she said.
Meanwhile, Parayno can now
sleep at night without worrying his job.
“Malaki po ang pasasalamat
namin sa kanila kasi natutulungan
nila kami na mahihirap,” Parayno said.
Charmaine M. Parado with reports
from Ana May r. Dela Cruz
The Varsitarian
400
27
Grand Q Dinner
Alumni Homecoming reunites Thomasians of all ge
enerations
ISABELA A. MARTINEZ
I
T WAS, indeed, a celebration
imbued
with
unending
grace.
As the Quadricentennial Week came to
a close, Thomasians converged on campus
to share an evening of feast and cheer in
celebration of the 400th birthday of their
beloved alma mater. Two gatherings,
separated by the Main Building, were held
last January 28 for this occasion.
At Plaza Mayor, graduates returned
to their second home for a special alumni
homecoming titled “One@400,” where
they had the chance to relive UST memories
and renew their commitment to the values
they learned from the university.
Definitions
Versatile performer John Lapus
gave the abbreviation ‘UST’ three other
meanings, highlighting the encompassing
excellence of the University in all fields.
Lapus, a product of the Hotel and
Restaurant Management program which is
formerly under the College of Education,
said UST stands for “Unibersidad ng
mga Sobrang Talented” (referring to the
many talented entertainers and athletes
produced by the school); “Unibersidad
ng mga Saksakan ng Talino” (in reference
to the consistent domination of UST in
various state licensure examinations);
and “Unibersidad ng mga Sikat na Tao”
(citing National Hero Jose Rizal, four
Philippine presidents, and other “worldclass Thomasians” who have made a mark
in the industries they chose to belong in.
For renowned entrepreneur Joel Cruz,
maker of the Aficionado perfume, UST
gives meaning to the word discipline, a
fact that he would appreciate only after
noticing that he was doing the same by
implementing strict rules to be followed by
the employees of his perfume business.
Cruz, a B.S. Psychology alumnus,
added that being a Thomasian made him
feel the sense of belongingness when he
was just starting out.
“One thing is that if you’re a
Thomasian, [your fellow Thomasians] have
complete trust in you,” he said, pointing
out that his business would not have
flourished without the help and patronage
of his Thomasian friends and classmates,
who are now franchisees of Aficionado and
Joel Cruz Signatures. “I really thank my
parents for sending me here [in UST].”
Spelling success
For
Thomasian
alumni
who
have achieved so much in the field of
communication, Thomasian education has
helped them succeed while keeping their
morals intact.
“[UST] gave me the grand foundation
for a career that would require people to
be hardworking, driven, and competitive
in the field that I decided to go into,” said
ABS-CBN corporate communications
head and former Varsitarian Filipino
Editor Ramon “Bong” Osorio, who was a
student in the Faculty of Arts and Letters
during the period of student activism in the
“Quarter Storm Era.”
GMA-7 news anchor and A.B.
Journalism alumnus Arnold Clavio added
that the University “is a good place for
breeding [responsible] journalists.”
“Despite
the
challenges
and
temptations in our profession, you will
always [find yourself thinking with] your
conscience if your foundation is UST,”
Clavio, one of the pillars of GMA News, said.
Collective ‘growls’
Meanwhile,
behind
the
Main
Building, students came together with
their own utensils in a free dining spree
aptly called “Quadri Fiesta,” where they
shared in free lechon baboy (roasted pork)
and fried chicken. These Thomasians
were also allowed to run toward the open
fountain, where they were free to dance
around in jubilation.
For College of Accountancy student
John Earl Sese, the dinner made him happy
to belong in Asia’s oldest University.
“This dinner makes me feel the bond in
UST,” he said. “It’s like a family.”
Gerard Jacinto from the Conservatory
of Music shared the same feeling, saying
that “it uplifts my Thomasian spirit.”
“It’s a privilege to be a part of UST
because aside from its 400 years, it has
shared a lot to 400 generations,” added
College of Commerce student Effie
Magistrado. “As a student right now, I
learn [from what] the previous generations
have learned [and accomplished].”
Charmaine M. Parado and Rommel
Marvin C. Rio with reports from ana may
r. dela cruz
one for ust. Thomasian celebrities Beverly Salviejo, Arnold Clavio, Joel Cruz, and John Lapus (top photos) join their fellow alumni at the “One@400”
dinner at the Plaza Mayor, while students line up for free meals of ‘lechon’ chops and chicken at the “Quadri-Fiesta” held at the Quadricentennial Square.
UST in numbers
65
21.5
Compiled by charmaine m. parado and marnee a. gamboa
for 65 years, Benavides’ statue
has stayed in the relocated UST
Campus in Sampaloc, Manila
after it was blown from its pedestal in Intramuros during the Battle
of Manila
44,842
is the total population of Thomasian
students.
hectares of land
holds the UST
campus in
Sampaloc, Manila.
This piece of land
was donated to the
Dominicans by Francisca
Bustamante Bayot who bought it from an auction by the
Santa Clara nuns.
9
122
The number of UST’s
academic program that
gained center of excellence
status from the Commission
of Higher education.
is the age of the Benavides Statue. It was
made in Paris by Tony
Noel in 1889 through
funds donated by the
students, faculty and
other friends of the
University.
40
separate small
towers serve as
the foundation
of the main
building.
2
24
female students entered the University
halls in Itramuros at the opening of the
school year 1924 to 1925. They were
the first women enrolled in the University after the announcement of Rector Fr.
Manuel Arellano that they could enroll in
Pharmacy.
90
169 6
At 169 feet
stands
the
Main Building,
the
first
earthquake
resistant
building
in
the
Philippines,
engineered by Rev. Fr. Roque Ruano, O.P.,
and inaugurated on 12 November 1927.
is the number
of rectors there
have
been
since the beginning of UST
in 1611.
years was Leonadro
Legaspi, O.P.’s length of
term as the first Filipino
rector of UST
19
For 19 years we’ve been
celebrating Paskuhan,
a special thanksgiving
celebrating season held
every year since the first
one on 19 December
1991.
330
years was spent
by the arch of the
centuries in the UST Intramuros campus
before it was carried piece-by-piece and reerected fifteen meters away from the vehicular
entrance of the University.
Sources:
Torres, Jose Victor (2007) In Transition: The University of Santo Thomas
During the American Period
www.ched.edu.ph
www.inquirer.net
Varsitarian archives
The Making and Unve
T
HE CRANE slowly lifted the flowing
gold satin that covered the monument.
Save for the trompe l’oeil tarpaulin
that used to cover it and which showed more
or less the design of the monument, the
spectators—thousands of them—had no
idea what the actual monument looked like.
So they gaped and gawked at the direction
of the crane, in suspended animation.
When the veil was lifted, triumphant music
blared and fireworks broke out, celebrating
the inauguration of the QuattroMondial,
the awe-inspiring monument in dazzling
bronze and glass erected to mark the 400th
anniversary of the University of Santo
Tomas.
The 10 meter-high monument by
internationally renowned glass sculptor
Ramon Orlina was unveiled last January
27, amid fanfare and fireworks as UST
welcomed its fifth century of existence.
The QuattroMondial might have
required the longest wait of any
Quadricentennial event, but the wait was
all worth it. The masterpiece now stands in
the Quadricentennial Square, a testament to
Thomasian vision and excellence.
On hand to witness the unveiling was
Dominican Master General Fr. Bruno
Cadore, O.P. and UST donors and friends.
And since it was also Orlina’s 60th birthday,
his friends came as well, many of them
Thomasians, such as National Artist for
Literature F. Sionil Jose, and visual artists
Juvenal Sanso, Joe Datuin, and Betsy
Westendorp.
Previously called “Tetraglobal,” the
QuattroMondial features four human figures
holding a Latin-inscribed ribbon, which
loops around a globe that stands steadily
One of the human figures—still in its plaster
finish—being prepared to be cast in bronze.
34
400
The Varsitarian
Quattromondial models. Sculptor Ramon Orlina is surrounded by his
models: Beauty queen Charlene Gonzales (with children Andres and Atasha), actor Piolo
Pascual, and his daughter, Monina. JOSA CAMILLE A. BASSIG
aloft the four. The figures of the four major
groups in the Thomasian community—
the male student, the female student, the
academician, and the scholar-monk—are
representations of the University’s values
of excellence, tradition, erudition, and
spirituality, respectively.
The models
But perhaps what make the sculpture
more special are the people carefully
handpicked by the artist to pose as his
models.
Orlina chose acclaimed television and
film actor and matinee idol Piolo Pascual
as the male student, his daughter, Monina,
as the female student, 1994 Miss Universe
semi-finalist Charlene Gonzales-Muhlach
as the academician, and UST Rector Fr.
Rolando de la Rosa, O.P. as the scholarmonk.
Pascual was a student at the Faculty of
Arts and Letters during the 1990s, while
Gonzales earned her degree in Psychology
Orlina employed various metal cutting tools in
sculpting his oeuvre.
Orlina tries to hold the enorm
place as assistants lend a ha
piece.
eiling of a Masterpiece
Thrilled onlookers surround the masterpiece as they await the unveiling of the
celebrated monument at the Quadricentennial Park.
The QuattroMondial at daybreak, in all its
naked glory.
from the University in 1997. De la Rosa,
meanwhile, is a two-time Rector Magnificus
now on his third term, and a former chair of
the Commission on Higher Education.
According to Orlina, a UST
Architecture alumnus, he made sure that
those who modelled for the statue would be
worthy of immortalization. He said that his
models, aside from having a good physique,
also espouse success and decent living.
For choosing his daughter, who is
currently taking up Civil Engineering at the
the inspiration it has given not only to the
academe, but also to the country and the
Church.
At the center is a globe that tilts at
23.5 degrees, like the Earth, and faces the
North Star. The artist’s rendition is modern,
resembling an atom and combining thick
lines of bronze and panels of green glass
cullets. The atom-like globe solidifies
the University’s take on globalization
and concretizes UST’s role as a pillar of
Catholic education.
mous bronze atom in
and in assembling the
University of the Philippines, the artist said
he thought of using his own daughter, “who
is a continuity of me”.
“That could be one of the answers,
but it’s also because she’s pretty and very
intelligent,” the sculptor said proudly. “I
have a very, very good daughter.”
Design and symbols
In a separate interview, Orlina
explained that the four figures represent
the colorful history of the University and
The QuattroMondial, once a vision, being made a
reality by the artist’s team of bronze craftsmen in their
workshop in Thailand.
Sculptor-architect Ramon Orlina pays close attention to
detail as he perfects one of the head casts, obviously of
actor Piolo Pascual’s.
Photos courtesy RAMON ORLINA
The Varsitarian
400
35
“The University is a concerned
institution that advocates tackling problems
with a global perspective, promoting
interconnectedness among peoples and
culture,” Orlina said.
Wanting nothing but the best for his
alma mater, Orlina opted to outsource highquality bronze and to work on the entire
sculpture in Thailand, saying that Thais
have “more advanced [methods] in casting
this material.”
The glasswork, meanwhile, was done
here in the Philippines, so the artist had to
go back and forth throughout the process.
Parts of the sculpture were then shipped
here for assembly. Orlina, a licensed
architect who has worked with engineers,
said that his masterpiece will be able to
withstand even a nine-point-magnitude
earthquake.
Respected art critic Cid Reyes exalted
the masterpiece for being able to capture the
spirit of the 400-year-old University while
serving its function as a public sculpture
dominating the space in which it is placed.
“It’s monumental in terms of its
concept,” Reyes said. “It captures the
idea of the University—an institution of
learning that has survived 400 years and
various [disasters that came to] the country
and [is still looking] towards the future.”
R. Dela Cruz, John Ernest F. Jose,
and Alyosha J. Robillos
36
400
The Varsitarian
Gratitude
The sculptor said that he was happy
of the support that the UST officials gave
him throughout the endeavor. According
to him, the officials intervened only in the
Latin inscriptions on the ribbon, which
signify scholarly work, accomplishment,
and wisdom.
The younger Orlina said that she was
“very honored and glad” that her father
chose her.
“I feel very, very blessed,” she said,
adding that she was thinking of taking her
postgraduate studies in UST, or maybe
music lessons under Raul Sunico, her
father’s “very good friend.”
Gonzales said that posing for the
QuattroMondial was a “pleasurable
experience” and that being immortalized in
the larger-than-life structure was an honor
of a lifetime.
“I think no words can describe what
I’m feeling today,” said the beauty queen,
who brought her twins, Andres and Atasha,
to the unveiling.
Pascual, who claimed that UST was his
stepping stone to show business, said that
the opportunity to be one of the faces of
the monument was “something that I will
forever treasure in my life.”
The sculptor-architect said that the
QuattroMondial is “just the beginning” and
that everyone should think the same way
while striving for excellence.
“Always look to the future, shoot your
arrows to the stars, and you will reach
whatever you want,” Orlina said. Ana May
Excitement fills the
Quadricentennial
Square as Orlina’s
masterpiece is slowly
unmasked to the
anticipating public.
UST Rector
De la Rosa
and Gonzales’
twins, Atasha
and Andres
(top photo), pull
on the string
to show the
marker for the
Quattromondial
with Pascual and
Gonzales looking
on; fireworks
break out as the
masterpiece was
finally unveiled.
Home of the Holy
The Thomasian
Saints and Martyrs
By BRYLLE B. TABORA and ROBIN G. PADILLA
(From left) St. Domingo Henares, O.P. (1756-1838), St. Jose Ma. Diaz Sanjurjo, O.P. (1818-1857), St. Pedro Jose Almato Ribera Auras, O.P. (1830-1861), Religious images
courtesy of RICHARD PAZCOGUIN
C
.S. Lewis, a famous British novelist
and Christian apologist, once said that
a Christian “does not think God will
love us because we are good, but that God
will make us good because He loves us.”
Even in its beginnings, UST, Asia’s premiere
Catholic education institution, was able to hone
exemplary Christians who chose to leave the
comforts of an ordinary life to spread the faith
across nations despite many dangers.
The University has produced 11 saints and
six martyrs -- all members of the Dominican
Order -- three of them bishops. Among the saints
are St. Antonio Gonzales, O.P., who became a
UST rector, and Blessed Buenaventura Garcia
Paredes, O.P., a former Master General of the
Order of Preachers.
Gallows and pit
From 1545, Japan was ruled by a military
government headed by shoguns, who stayed in
power for a century and tried to stop the spread
of Christianity in the country through brutal
means.
It was during this period when Christian
missionaries were subjected to torture, including
the infamous “gallows and pit” torture, in
which, according to Witnesses of the Faith
in the Orient: Dominican Martyrs of Japan,
China and Vietnam (Provincial Secretariat of
Missions, 1989), “the persons were hung upside
down from gallows with the upper half of the
body hanging into a fetid hole.” Among those
whose lives were taken by this kind of torture
were five Thomasians. They were beatified by
the late Pope John Paul II with the first Filipino
saint, St. Lorenzo Ruiz de Manila—a lay
companion of the Dominican friars who went
to Japan—on February 18, 1981. They were
canonized on October 18, 1987.
Former UST professors Sts. Domingo
Ibañez de Erquicia, O.P., Guillame Courtet,
O.P., and Lucas del Espiritu Santo preached
the Gospel and administered the sacraments
in Japan amid strict prohibitions at the time.
The Spanish saints Ibañez de Erquicia and Del
Espiritu Santo and the French Courtet were
arrested in different occasions and were hung
to their deaths.
Philosophy major St. Thomas Hioji de
Jacinto suffered the same fate. Following
the footsteps of his martyr-parents, he did
missionary work and chronicled the martyrdom
of other Dominicans in Japan until authorities
arrested him and ended his life.
Spanish St. Antonio Gonzalez, O.P. stuck
to his faith until he died. A former UST rector,
he asked to be sent to Japan as a missionary and
was arrested while wearing his habit. He was
brutally tortured to death on September 24,
1637.
Persecution of Christians in Vietnam
It was in 1627 when Christianity was
first introduced in Vietnam. Dominican
missionaries preached in the country where
the predominant religions were Taoism and
Buddhism. This sparked the outrage of the
Empire of Vietnam that led to the first Edict of
Persecution of Christians in 1711.
Among the Christian missionaries
who were executed in Vietnam, six were
Thomasians, and were canonized as saints by
Pope John Paul II on June 19, 1988.
A professor of Humanities at UST, St.
Domingo Henares, O.P., went to Vietnam where
he became a bishop. Aside from preaching
the Word of God, he also contributed to the
knowledge of medicine, astronomy, and other
fields of science in the country where he was
greatly acknowledged. But being a Christian
in Vietnam led to his arrest. He was beheaded
on July 25, 1853. On May 27, 1900, he was
beatified by Pope Leo XIII.
A Vietnamese native, St. Vicente de la Paz,
O.P. studied in Letran and thereafter was sent to
The Varsitarian
400
37
UST, where he was ordained a priest. He went
back to Vietnam after his petition to serve his
people was approved. He continued with his
missionary duties until he was arrested and
beheaded on November 7, 1773.
St. Jose Maria Diaz Sanjurjo, O.P. taught as
a theologian at the University while completing
his studies. He later went to Vietnam where he
was to become a bishop. Even though he was
elevated to the episcopal rank, he was still
treated lowly, being a Catholic preacher in a nonChristian country. He was arrested and a year
later, beheaded. Along with another Thomasian
martyr, St. Melchor Garcia Sampredro, he was
beatified by Pope Pius XII on April 29, 1951.
Despite the persecution of Christians, St.
Pedro Jose Almato Ribera Auras, O.P. still
ventured to Vietnam after seeking permission
from his superiors. After years of Christian
evangelization, he was arrested and beheaded
on his birthday. Pope Pius X beatified Auras,
together with St. Jeronimo Hermosilla, who
was a bishop, and De la Paz, on May 20, 1906.
Martyrs of Spain
It was on October 28, 2007 when Pope
Benedict XVI beatified 498 martyrs of the
Spanish Civil War in the largest beatification
Mass in the history of the Catholic Church.
Among these martyrs, 74 were Dominicans and
six of them were Thomasians.
In the establishment of the Second Republic
of Spain, major rifts were created between the
communist Republican government and rebel
forces of the Nacionalistas. The Catholic Church
was considered an enemy of the Republicans,
and this led to the persecution of priests. The
execution of the religious, however, began three
years before the civil war even began.
Born in Spain, Blessed Buenaventura
Garcia Paredes, O.P. traveled to the Philippines
as part of his missionary assignment. He took
Theology in UST as a requirement for his
teaching load and taught at the UST Faculty of
Civil Law, which was then in Intramuros. When
his assignment ended, he went back to Spain
despite his plea to remain in the Philippines.
With the Civil War already brewing, he hid with
other Dominicans but was eventually arrested
and shot to death.
Among his noteworthy contributions to
the University as Dominican provincial was the
procurement of a lot in Sulucan Hills where the
present UST campus stands.
When Blessed Jesus Villaverde Andres,
O.P. came to the Philippines, he began teaching
at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran, and then
taught theology at the University where he
obtained his Doctorate in Sacred Theology
from the Faculty of Sacred Theology. After
holding several positions in UST, he was
appointed secretary general and eventually
dean of the Faculty of Sacred Theology. After
returning to his homeland in Spain, his convent
was attacked by communists. He went into
hiding in his brother’s house but was finally
caught and executed.
Young Dominican missionaries Blessed
Pedro Ibanez Alonzo, O.P., Blessed Manuel
Moreno Martinez, O.P., Blessed Maximino
Fernandez Marinas, O.P. and Blessed Jose
Maria Lopez Carrillo, O.P. took up theological
38
400
The Varsitarian
studies in UST after which they were ordained
priests in Santo Domingo Church. After
holding several assignments in the country,
they went back to Spain, residing at the Holy
Rosary Convent in Madrid. Unfortunately, their
convent was attacked by Republicans, who had
them arrested and tortured to death.
Luminaries
Richard Pazcoguin, assistant director of
the Center for Campus Ministry, described the
Thomasian martyrs as luminaries of faith who
abandoned a superficial life to serve God.
“These are the martyrs who willingly left
their place of origin to become missionaries in
different countries. These are the Dominicans
who became intellectual luminaries.”
when we heed the call of God and follow what
He requires us to do.
“The call to holiness is not easy, but not
impossible. I doubt that these martyrs dreamt
of becoming a saint. They just carried out their
day to day life of serving God.”
Pazcoguin believes it’s still possible for the
generation today to have a saint, especially one
coming from the University. Thomasians keep
the Catholic traditions and the chapel is always
packed with students every Mass, he noted.
“UST is a bulwark of Catholic faith. When
you talk about UST, it is the premier Catholic
institution in Asia. [It is as if it is] part our destiny
to produce saints and martyrs,” Pazcoguin said.
Tribute
In a tribute to the 16 Thomasian saints and
martyrs, the University has installed 16 bells in
front of the UST Chapel, each bearing the name
and seal of the saints and martyrs.
Santisimo Rosario Parish Priest Fr.
Franklin Beltran, O.P. said the bells are a fitting
honor to UST’s pride and glory.
“One of the purposes of the bells is that
they will be played in synchronization, playing
a song like Salve Regina,” Beltran said.
Aside from the 16 bells, there will be a bell
with the Quadricentennial logo, bigger than the
other bells.
World meet
FROM PAGE 8
Clockwise from uppermost left: Blessed
Maximino Fernandez Marinas, O.P., Blessed
Manuel Moreno Martinez, O.P., Blessed Pedro
Ibañez Alonso, O.P., Blessed Jose Ma. Lopez
Carillo, O.P., Blessed Buenaventura Garcia
Paredes, O.P., and Blessed Jesus Villaverde
Andres, O.P.
Contrary to popular belief, martyrdom
does not mean having to shed one’s blood in
order to be canonized, but being a witness to
one’s faith, he said.
“For one who enters the religious [life],
martyrdom is to be able to witness to one’s faith
to the point of sacrificing one’s life,” he said. “It
is only now that we associate martyrdom with
dying. But it doesn’t necessarily mean dying.”
Pazcoguin said the path of sanctity begins
to synthesize faith and science, religion and
reason.
Over all, Icusta schools are in nearly all
the major continents (Europe, Asia, Africa,
Americas, and Australia-Oceania), with at
least 150,000 students. UST alone has 45,000
students.
Icusta members are the Universidad
Catolica de Angola; Pontifica Universidad
Catolica Argentina; Universidad Fasta
de Fraternidad de Agrupaciones Santo
Tomas de Aquino in Argentina; Australian
Catholic University; St. Thomas UniversityFredericton in New Brunswick, Canada;
Universidad Santo Tomas in Santiago,
Chile; Pontifica Universidad Catolica Madre
y Maestra in the Dominican Republic;
Ethiopian Catholic University of St.
Thomas Aquinas; Institut Catholic d’Etudes
Superieures in La Roche-sur-Yon Cedex,
France; Universitas Katolic Santo Thomas
Sumatera Utara in Sumatra, Indonesia; Mary
Immaculate College in Limerick, Ireland;
St. Catherine University in Ehime, Japan;
St. Thomas University in Osaka, Japan;
UST Mozambique; Catholic University of
Nigeria; Pontifica Universidad Catolica del
Peru; Aquinas University in Bicol; UST
Manila; Universidad Abat Oliba CEU in
Barcelona, Spain; Universidad San Pablo
CEU in Madrid; and Aquinas College in
California, Ohio Dominic University, and
University of St. Thomas in Houston, Texas,
all in the United States.
400 Books at 400
By JONAS ELEAZAR B. TRINIDAD
A
DECADE of hard work, hundreds
of manuscripts, and millions of
pesos later, the UST Publishing
House has finally achieved its ambitious
goal: “400 Books at 400.” In fact, it
exceeded the target by five more titles,
a significant contribution in the school’s
Quadricentennial celebration.
The latest addition to the list is The
House of True Desire, a collection of
essays written by Thomasian alumus
and Palanca winner Cirilo F. Bautista.
Other titles include Insectisimo, the latest
poetry collection by former Varsitarian
writer Lourd de Veyra; two volumes of
The Ophelia Dimalanta Reader, poems
and essays written and compiled by
the late Ophelia Alcantara Dimalanta;
and Everyday Warriors: The Faces and
Stories of Breast Cancer, the awardwinning compilation of stories about the
ordeal of breast cancer victims CathyParas Lara and Jay Lara.
Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo, director of
the UST Publishing House, said that she
would not be releasing the other titles yet,
adding that there was still some work to
be done.
“I want to eliminate the journals,”
Hidalgo said. “My predecessors, when
they counted the 400 included 15 journals
and some textbooks. So what I was going
to try and do is to eliminate the journals
and some of the books that I feel do not
belong there.”
John Jack Wigley, deputy director
of the UST Publishing House, counted
at least 10 more titles to be published to
compensate for the journals and other
books that would be taken off the list.
book titles before 2011 fell in the hands
of Mecheline Manalastas, the director of
the publishing house from 2001 to 2006.
Manalastas now heads the admissions
office.
The race to 400 books began in 2001.
The first book published was Apples and
Ampalaya: Bittersweet Glimpses of the
American Period in the Philippines (18981946), authored by Augusto De Viana,
chairperson of the recently-established
Department of History.
“It was tough, definitely,” Manalastas
said. “Imagine 40 titles and there are
[only] 12 months in a year. So you are
expected to have at least three to four
titles a month. And there are only four
weeks in a month. So we are talking here
of actually producing one title per week.
Isn’t that gigantic?”
Critics found the project “ambitious.”
In a special report by the Varsitarian in
2005, critics considered the recognition
the UST Publishing House received as
Four of the 400 plus
books published
by the UST
Publishing House
in a span of 10
years: (From upper
left, colockwise)
Augusto de Viana’s
‘Apples and
Ampalaya,’ the fisrt
book to be printed
under the project;
one of the seven
volumes of Alfredo
Co’s ‘Across
the Philosophical
Silk Road’;
Abdon Balde Jr.’s
‘Sibago’; and
former Varsitarian
editor now
Manila Bulletin
Entertainment
Editor Nestor
Cuartero’s ‘At
Large at Leisure’
Quality and quantity
The responsibility of publishing 400
The Varsitarian
400
39
Publisher of the Year in 2003 and 2004 to
be more of a pat in the back for UST for
running against the University publishing
tide rather than an accolade for the
consistent quality of its books.
“They said that it is very ambitious to
release 40 titles a year, but we were still
able to. It’s really the enthusiasm of all
the people working there which led us to
reach the goal,” Manalastas said.
She added that the critics’ display of
cynicism even helped them win the title
of Publisher of the Year twice. Other
University presses were not as frequent in
publishing books as the UST Publishing
House, according to the report. This has
proven that the publishing house was not
sacrificing quality over quantity.
Efforts and results
Since the launch of the “400 Books at
400” project in 2001, the UST Publishing
House had to double its effort and
eventually yielded great results. Despite
the closure of the printing office last
year, quality books continued to come out
courtesy of other printing companies.
“We used to bring the books [at the
UST printing office] before,” Wigley said.
“But now the printing office is closed and
everything is outsourced.”
Wigley also said that the publishing
house’s project for the Quadricentennial
celebration increased the average output
of book titles yearly. Prior to the project,
the publishing house only produced
an average of 25 to 28 titles annually.
Because of the project, the average nearly
doubled to at least 40 titles, in accordance
with the annual goal set by the project.
The UST Publishing House produces 500
copies of each book, which is the standard
number for an academic publishing house.
Wigley recalled how the publishing
house was before Hidalgo came in. The
publishing house had no copyeditors and
proofreaders to check the manuscripts.
Also, the publishing house went through
drastic improvements.
“We have a very active editorial board
that screens the manuscripts. And then, at
the same time, we send the manuscripts
to evaluators––one usually from UST and
one from the outside for balance,” he said.
Aside from creating 400 book titles,
the project also succeeded in attracting
famous writers, particularly Thomasian
writers. Manalastas said showcasing the
talent of Thomasian writers was one of
the primary goals of the project.
The UST Publishing House is also
considering other future projects aside
from the “400 Books at 400” project. They
hope to be the first academic publishing
house to produce and host electronic
books (e-books) in online shopping
websites such as Amazon.
“It’s too early to say but we’re also
considering this option,” Wigley said.
“It’s actually in the can already.”
40
400
The Varsitarian
Dominican Master General impressed
by UST’s ‘intellectual diversity’
Cadore
by Rommel Marvin C. Rio
I
T IS only once in a while that UST
is visited by the Dominican Master
General, and the highest official of the
Order of Preachers was immensely pleased
with what the University has become after
400 years of existence.
Very Rev. Fr. Bruno Cadore, O.P., who
holds the highest position in the University
as Chancellor, said he was “very impressed”
by UST’s intellectual “diversity,” which
reflects its Dominican heritage.
“The order is very interested, from the
beginning, to promote [everyone’s] capacity
to think and to think freely, because the
human intelligence is really a great force
for freedom in this world,” Cadore told the
Varsitarian after a meeting with Filipino
Lay Dominicans at the Angelicum College
in Quezon City last February 5.
This kind of capability, he explained,
entails the responsibility of promoting
what is good because “to serve the human
intelligence is to serve the human freedom.”
The Master General said that UST’s
Quadricentennial goes beyond festivities,
adding it was also UST’s responsibility “to
promote the freedom of thinking” among
other universities in the order by using what
the institution has achieved in academic and
research endeavors.
“When we celebrate the memory
of [UST’s] foundation, [it] is the time to
remember all that we received from [those
who had formed its] history,” Cadore said.
In line with this responsibility,
Thomasians should “serve the Church,
serve the world, promote the family, and
be confident in the capacity of humanity
to create the world where everybody will
be able to know that He is welcome in this
world, the world of hospitality.”
To the lay
During his meeting with the
Dominican laity, the Master General asked
the lay members of the Order to cooperate
fully in the efforts of the Dominican clergy
in the mission of preaching the Gospel.
“We need to be together—religious
and lay,” he said.
To date, there are already two
recognized chapters of lay Dominicans
in UST—the Thomasian Professionals,
which includes professors in the University
and other Thomasian alumni, and the lay
Dominicans of the Santisimo Rosario
Parish.
Another branch, a “soon-to-be” chapter
called Young Thomasian Professionals, was
started three years ago by Belen Tangco,
president of the Dominican Laity in the
Province of the Philippines and former
dean of the Faculty of Arts and Letters, to
invite students of the University to go under
Dominican formation at a younger age.
The Master General, who admitted
that he was still discovering the Filipinos,
said he believed the Dominican order in
the country is “very important and very
impressive.”
FROM THE HOLY SEE. Pope Benedict XVI reads his message of congratulations
to the Thomasian community through a pre-recorded video. The Pope, who could
not make it to UST’s Quadricentennial celebrations, agreed to have his speech
taped upon the request of Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales. ISABELA
A. MARTINEZ
From the Vatican Desk
Pope congratulates UST via video
It is with thanksgiving that I recall
Transcript of Pope Benedict
XVI’s video message last January to the many clergy, religious, and laity
what Santo Tomas has handed down
28:
to generations of Filipinos of faith,
Your
Eminences,
your knowledge, and wisdom, to be found
Excellencies, dear friends, I am in the religious and secular sciences,
pleased to send my warm greetings in particular the roots and memory
to students and alumni of the of your founder Bishop Miguel de
Pontifical University of Santo Benavides. As the great commitment
Tomas as it celebrates the 400th of the Dominicans have guided the
institution through so many challenges
anniversary of its foundation.
This is a significant event in the in the past four centuries.
As you know the University of
life of the Church and although I
cannot be with you physically, I am Santo Tomas is the oldest institution
happy to speak to you personally of Catholic higher education in the
in this way to lend myself to you Far East and it continues to play a
spiritually; and for all of you, my very important role in the Church
affection and congratulations on throughout the region. I am confident
that keeping in mind the faith and
this happy occasion.
the reason, which are always part
of a truly integrated approach
to education, the University will
continue to contribute to the
intellectual, spiritual, and cultural
enrichment if the Philippines and
beyond.
And I also pray that you will
always seek knowledge of not as
human and divine in the light of
said ultimate clarity found in the
person of Jesus Christ.
Invoking the divine intercession
of your heavenly patron, St. Thomas
Aquinas, I willingly impart to you
my apostolic blessing as a virtue of
grace and peace. I bless you in the
name of the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Spirit.
The Varsitarian
400
41
Amadea remembers
Thomasian centenarian tells her story
T
O HER, UST will always be a
majestic “castle in the middle of the
desert.”
Meet Amadea Medina, one of the few
Thomasians who have seen the University
back when it was just a lone building
in the middle of a lot in Sulucan Hills,
where trees stood high and bushy and any
interaction between the descendants of
Adam and of Eve was forbidden.
This century-old Education alumna
endeared herself to the predominantly
young Thomasian crowd during the
Quadricentennial Grand Program last
January 27 at the UST Grandstand.
“I feel proud to be a Thomasian,” Lola
Amadea said with a smile.
Her parents wanted to give her a
Catholic upbringing so they decided
to send her to UST after she graduated
from St. Theresa’s College in Manila, an
exclusive Catholic girls’ school.
The UST she knew then was but
a quiet Main Building where students
learned from high-caliber professors, she
recalled.
“It was just quiet then and very
42
400
The Varsitarian
religious, maybe because of the times,” she
told the Varsitarian in Filipino. “I learned
a lot from the professors. They were very
good teachers.”
Lola Amadea said the Faculties of
Philosophy and Letters (now Arts and
Letters), Pharmacy, Medicine, and the
College of Education were the most
popular choices of students at her time.
And unlike the present campus, which has
parks and benches for friends and lovers,
the old UST had none. It was a reflection
of one of the University’s main rules—
no interaction between members of the
opposite sex. Time was when male and
female students walked along separate
corridors.
After UST
But the oldest living UST alumna
credited this conservative environment for
her success later on.
Lola Amadea would become a teacher
of non-formal education, sharing the
contents of her lesson plans not to a crowd
of wide-eyed innocents in the classroom,
but to a community that could probably use
the vocational training to earn a living.
“I was chief of the division and my
lessons cover everything in family life—
food presentation, wine-making,” she
shared. “One needed to be trained first
before being employed.”
Lola Amadea said she was “happy
that this was where I studied,” adding
that the discipline she learned in UST
proved helpful in the “real” world.
This alumna, a living testament
to UST’s encompassing excellence in
education, advised today’s students to
“concentrate on their studies.”
“You must be serious about your
studies,” said Lola Amadea, who spoke to
an audience of young Thomasians at the
Grand Program last January 27. “Have
one goal and put all your efforts to reach
that goal.”
And asked about her secret for a
long life, Lola Amadea told the cheering
crowd to “live simply.” “Face life as it
is,” she said, “but think positively—
be optimistic.” Rose-An Jessica
M. Dioquino and Mika Rafaela A.
Barrios
THOMASIAN REALITIES. Screen captures of the three short films that topped the Q Short Film Festival. From left: “Anne” (first prize) from the College
of Fine Arts and Design; “Behind the Scene” (second prize) from the Faculty of Arts and Letters; and “Takbo” (third prize) from the College of Architecture.
Photos courtesy of the Central Student Council
Everyday UST vignettes
featured in Q Short Film Festival
T
HE MANY challenges of UST student
life are presented through the auralvisual dynamism of digital cinema
in the Q Short Film Festival, a student film
competition held in connection with the UST
Quadricentennial.
Organized
by
the
Office
for
Quadricentennial Activities and Highlights,
Central Student Council and local councils,
the festival has the theme, “Ano’ng kuwentong
UST mo? (What’s your UST tale?).” Student
filmmakers from the Faculties of Arts
and Letters, Pharmacy, and Medicine and
Surgery,
as well as from the Colleges of
Nursing,
Architecture,
Fine
Arts
and
Design, Commerce,
Rehabilitation
Sciences, Education,
and
Science
participated in the
film fest. There were
also participants
from
the
Conservatory
of
Music
and
the
two High
S c h o ol s .
T h e
screenings
were
held
January 5 to 7 in
various venues on
campus.
M i c h a e l
Angelo Malicsi,
director of the
Office for Alumni
Relations and one of the judges, said the
contest provided a chance for amateur
Thomasian filmmakers to show their
creativity and ingenuity.
“The films were a pleasant surprise,” he
said. “They showed that UST is a melting pot
of great talents.”
On the awards night held January 25 at
Plaza Mayor, “Anne” by Advertising Arts
student Marti Salva and Painting majors Expi
Perez, Jerry Balantucas, Miguel Lorca, and
Loi Caramancion won best picture. The movie
also won prizes for production design, music
and sound design, editing, and direction
(Salva). Each award had a cash prize, so over
all, “Anne” won P180,000—quite a sum for a
film that was made, according to Salva, with
less than P500.
Second best picture was “Behind the
Scene” by Communication Arts senior
Margo Flores. It won P70,000. Third was
“Takbo” by Architecture student Karla
Toledo. Because Takbo won minor prizes, its
cash take was P100,000.
Only all of eight minutes, less than
half the required maximum running time
of 20 minutes, “Anne” hooks the audience
with its display of puzzling and shaky shots
showing images what appears to be a woman
being maimed and murdered. But the morbid
impression is easily dispelled later on by
humor as the footage turns out to be just the
rambling imagination of a Fine Arts student
struggling with a photography assignment in
his course.
Ironically, Salva said that the production
crew had initially thought of making a
romantic movie, but a film without dialogue
was the easier way to go, which led to the
darker but ultimately humorous “Anne”.
“As affirmed by the results, ‘Anne’ was
the strongest film,” Malicsi said. “It kept me
glued to it until the end. It was successful in
stirring and sustaining my interest. It also
genuinely presented the theme.”
“Behind the Scene” takes on the filmwithin-a-film concept as it talks about the
struggles of a group of Communication Arts
students in a pre-production meeting as they
brainstorm what movie to produce for the Q
film festival.
“Takbo” tackles the contrasting lives
of two Architecture students, one rich but a
wastrel, the other poor but very responsible.
The movie did not have a script and
director Toledo, a Varsitarian photographer,
said she just left it to the actors to improvise
their lines.
The movie won best screenplay and was
named Audience Choice.
Salva said his production crew was
composed mostly of “delayed graduates,” that
is, students who didn’t finish their courses on
time because of deficiencies or their decision
to shift to another course.
Salva said he had originally taken
Painting, but later shifted to Advertising
Arts.
Perez, who’s now on his fifth year in
Painting and who should have graduated last
year, said delaying one’s graduation can be
infuriating for parents.
“We’re going to show this (best picture
award) to our parents,” Perez said. “I would
say, ‘Mommy, this is for all my shortcomings.”
The delay has obviously been beneficial
for Salva, Perez, and the rest. If not for the
delay, they could not have been given the
chance to participate in the ‘Q’ filmfest
and to make a strong case of becoming the
next Gerry de Leon, Gil Portes, or Brillante
Mendoza. Ana May R. dela Cruz
Salva with the best picture trophy for “Anne”.
JOSA CAMILLE A BASSIG
The Varsitarian
400
43
Camahort
Geisler
Go
Del Rosario
Sports Spectacles
Revisting unforgettable moments in UST sports scene
IN THE records of the UAAP battleground,
the Tigers stand out.
A founding member of the league, UST
has dominated the general championship
race for 12 straight years for a total of 37
overall titles.
Through the years, UST has etched its
place on the history pages of both the local and international sports scene. Here is a
refresher of some of the most iconic and unforgettable UAAP moments in the school’s
history—a reminder of the grit and power
the Thomasian athlete is known for.
Tigers roar ‘four-ward’
Legendary coach and ex-Glowing
Goldie Aric del Rosario was in tears when
the Tigers carried him to an emotional victory ride, minutes after grabbing the UAAP
crown at the Big Dome against the Adamson
Falcons in 1993. Neither did they suspect
that it was the prologue of a monumental
‘four-peat’ era of the most feared basketball
team in the ‘90s.
In 1993, the Tigers began the first of
44
400
The Varsitarian
those four titles with an immaculate 14-0
sweep in the elimination round. The next
season, the Tigers dominated all three divisions of UST’s basketball team after winning all three championships in the men’s,
women’s, and juniors’ category. Two markers at the gates of the decades-old UST
Gymnasium commemorate these historic
achievements.
Del Rosario coached many great talents, who later became established names
in the PBA, like Dennis Espino, Siot Tanquingcen, Bal David, Cyrus Baguio, and many
others who had honed their game under his
tutelage.
The soaring homerun
In a match against Far Eastern University in 1955, Golden Sox’ ace swatter Arturo Pagsisihan swiped the second pitch of
Tamaraw Manuel Marikit over the left field
wall that sent the ball circumnavigating
in the adjacent football field—resulting in
the farthest hit ever made by a Filipino that
time at approximately 400 feet.
However, luck was not on UST’s side in
its next meeting against FEU, which ended
via a 3-4 verdict in seven innings as Pagsisihan missed a homerun in the lower seventh
“by the difference of a cruel foot.”
Avenging that bitter loss in the Manila
Bay Baseball League, the black-white-gold
squad stole the UAAP crown from FEU
on January 23 of the following year. UST
has the most number of championships in
UAAP Baseball with 24.
Tennister breaks UP domination
Wimbledon junior veteran Nilo Natividad of the then “Golden Cuppers” led
the ’82 Benavides Awardees for sports,
after pulling off one of the biggest upsets
in history against the favored University of
the Philippines (UP). Natividad came from
behind to emerge victorious in a stirring
three-hour classic against perennial contender McArthur Convento, 1-6, 7-6, 6-4,
in men’s singles.
After spending his five playing years
for UST, leading the school to three straight
championships from 1981 to 1983, he won
the National Open in 1984, two years after
making it to the national team.
Fencing team at last
Twelve years ago, an unofficial UST
fencing team led by Roman Sotero and two
national fencing stalwarts Rizza Bauzon
and Osie Tiangco proved its mettle in different exhibition games and local tournaments. Unfortunately, these Thomasians
cannot carry the name of their own alma
mater.
But after two years of fighting to
be recognized as a legitimate squad, the
youngest UST team was finally given its
well-deserved birthright.
In February 2008, the UST Male Fencers’ eight-years-in-the-making championship dream came to reality as they bagged
their first ever UAAP title at the Blue Eagle
Gym with a superior 3-1-2 medal haul.
Shuttlers make mark
After 10 long years without a championship title, the UST Male Shuttlers took
their rightful claim to the throne in Season
67 (Academic Year 2004-2005) of Badminton wars, the first since the sport was introduced in 1995.
National team members such as Wilmar Friyas and Lloyd Escoses were upended
by the likes of Thomasians Reynaldo Selga,
Alfredo Mailon, and current UST badminton assistant coach Ricky Bartolome.
The team carried on the following year
defending their title and the team of 20092011 repeated the same campaign recently
in Season 72 and 73 with back-to-back titles.
Longest streak
Then called “Galloping Goldies,” the
UST football team made early success in
the collegiate scene, but it was only years
later that it finally made history.
UST held the title from 1963 to 1969,
the longest championship streak in the
UAAP. The likes of Juan Camahort, Serafin Gabriel, Domingo Tui, Enrique Rey,
Juan Cabarrus, and Eduardo Dueñas broke
UST’s two-year losing spell after a grand
slam in 1960.
In 1964, six members of the Galloping
Goldies were picked to beef up the Philippine Youth team in the Asian Youth Soccer
Championship in Tokyo.
Strong but not dominant
With only eight titles in the men’s division and four titles in the women’s, UST was
anything but dominant in athletics. Still,
both its men’s and women’s squads recorded
three-peat performances in 1953-1956 and
1999 and 2002, respectively.
In Season 56 (AY 1992-93), both squads
won the championship.
Injured star saves title
The Judokas were the toughest Tigers to beat, especially during their record
championship run from 1998 to 2004. The
feat is yet to be surpassed.
For coach Jojo Arce, each year was
relatively easy during this dominant streak
except for the third campaign. The Judokas
had to subdue a persistent UP squad, which
was tied with UST at 3-3. Best player Jason
Domino, then nursing an injury, broke the
tie.
Golden era of Golden Sharks
Unrelenting as they are, the Golden
Sharks were in complete domination for
twelve long years from 1956 to 1968, which
makes this the longest championship streak
in any sport for UST.
It was in the year 1956 that the Españabased tankers snatched the crown from the
National University Seals. Rudy Agustin,
Agapito Lozada, and Alfred von Giese then
led UST’s pool charge in defending the title
until 1959.
In 1963, Golden Shark Pedro Cayco
bested Berlin Olympics standout Nils
Christensen’s 1:09.5 record with his 1:09.2
time in the 200-meter backstroke.
A residency issue regarding Mustapha
Sailin in 1965 almost cost UST its championship haul against National University,
but a quick remedy enabled the Golden
Sharks to grab their monumental tenthpeat. Unfortunately, Far Eastern University
broke the spell of their decade-long pool
supremacy.
nes, who aced the middle/heavyweight division.
Another Olympian, Donald Geisler
gave UST its first championship in UAAP
Taekwondo way back in 1996, eventually
bagging the MVP title in the same year.
UST’s Chess-piece Queens
The Lady Woodpushers also shared
the grand-slam trends in the España army’s
history books as they reigned as champions
in UAAP for three years in Seasons 68 to
70, (2005-2007) mentored by International
Master Ronald Dableo.
The women’s team hauled their first
gold away from Season 67 titlist University
of the Philippines by just three points after
tallying 33 points, to cop their first championship.
UST’s ‘three-peat’ chessboard belles
were composed of current women’s team
captain Ma. Zayrah dela Cruz, Geneline de
Ramos, Anabelle Garcia, Romelyn Guerra
and the sisters Shercila and Sherily Cua
who were both national players. Sports
Team
Win for coach August
Carrying 10 UAAP titles under his
belt, coach August Santamaria manoeuvred the Lady Spikers to greatness. Santamaria had an eye for great volleybelles
that includes UAAP commentator Mozzy
Ravena, who was a key player of the team
from 1987 to 1991, and assistant coach Vilet Ponce de Leo, a former skipper for the
Lady Spikers who is now the UST beach
volleyball team’s tactician.
In the recent years, Santamaria led the
pack to its Season 69 title but had to give
up his coaching stint due to a partial stroke
in 2008.
With Santamaria as their chief inspiration, the Lady Spikers snatched the Season
72 crown after trouncing their rival De La
Salle University. The scintillating feat was
immediately followed by a ‘three-peat’ title
in Shakey’s V-league against San Sebastian
College-Recoletos Lady Stags.
Taekwondo dynasty
The Taekwondo Jins recorded triple
crown from 2003 to 2007, where they
bagged the gold in all divisions for four
consecutive seasons.
It was in Season 69 that the Dindo
Simpao-mentored scored a ‘five-peat’ even
as the Lady Jins’ had a ‘four-peat’ of their
own.
In the previous season, World Olympian Tshomlee Go, who studied in the UST
Graduate School, grabbed the bantamweight title in 2006 en route to the Tiger
Jins’ fourth consecutive title. He played
alongside SEA Games veteran Alex BrioNatividad
NEW LOOK. The new facade of the UST
Central Seminary, once home of many
priests in the country.
Alumni-priests join in the fun
Country’s premier seminary hosts homecoming in time for ‘Q’
By Jennifer M. Orillaza
A
SAYING goes that whoever does
not take the time to look back
will not be able to go forth. For
the Thomasian alumni who have gone to
different places to spread the light of the
Church, coming back to their alma mater
was easy. After all, this was where they
were molded to become faithful servants
of the Lord.
More than 400 members of the Philippine clergy took the rare opportunity of
their beloved University’s Quadricentennial celebration to “relive, rekindle, and
reminisce” during the 76th UST Alumni
Priests Association (Alpa) Homecoming
last January 28 and 29 at the Central Seminary.
Alumni clerics—including Caceres Archbishop Leonardo Legaspi, UST’s
first Filipino rector, and Nueva Segovia
Archbishop Ernesto Salgado—joined the
Thomasian community in a thanksgiving
Mass celebrated by Zenon Cardinal Grocholewski, prefect of the Vatican’s Sacred
Congregation for Catholic Education and
the Pope’s special envoy for the Pontifical
University’s 400th year celebrations.
Highlighting the contribution of the
Thomasian clergy in building the Church,
the nation, and the family, a forum titled
“Thomasian Priests and Bishops: Signs
46
400
The Varsitarian
of God’s Unending Grace” was also held,
with Couples for Christ Philippines Missionary Director Jose Yamamoto, former
Ambassador to the Holy See Henrietta de
Villa, and Gawad Kalinga founder Antonio
Meloto as speakers.
Thirty six priests—25 silver jubilarians and 11 golden jubilarians—were also
honored for their service to the Church.
The event also saw the oath-taking of 27
“Benjamins” or newly ordained Thomasian priests as new members of Alpa.
“This homecoming is like a time-out
from our annual priestly work, when we
come together to retrace our steps,” said
Tuguegarao Auxiliary Bishop Ricardo
Time-out for 400. Jubilant alumni-priests and seminarians from the UST Central Seminary flash
smiles four fingers as they gather and join the rest of the Thomasian community in celebration. Photos
courtesy of the documentation committee of the central seminary
Baccay, the association’s president.
‘National treasure’
In a video message shown to the congregation during the thanksgiving Mass
last January 28, Pope Benedict XVI acknowledged the University’s efforts to
relentlessly propagate the Church’s teachings “as the oldest institution of Catholic
higher education in the Far East.”
“[UST] has provided higher education
for hundreds of priests and bishops, religious and lay faithful, who, subsequently
in the various provinces, have worked hard
and competently [to] build up the Kingdom
of God,” the Holy Father said.
Papal Nuncio Edward Joseph Adams
referred to UST as a “national treasure”,
a place “wherein God’s active presence in
human affairs is recognized.”
“This University, for the last 400
years, has played its part in bringing God
and His love to this part of the world,” Adams said in his homily during the opening
mass of the 10th biennial conference of the
International Council of Universities of
Saint Thomas Aquinas last January 26.
‘Bastion of priesthood’
A study conducted by the Central
Seminary in January found that 61 out of
the 127 bishops of the Catholic Bishops’
Conference of the Philippines, including
retired ones, are Thomasians—41 bishops
of them with ecclesiastical degrees from
the Central Seminary and 20 graduating
from other colleges.
Fr. Noel Vincent Abalajon of the
Archdiocese of Capiz noted in the article
“On the Shoulders of the Giants” that 110
of the 213 bishops produced by the Philippine Church from 1907 to 2010 came from
UST.
Abalajon affirmed the Central Seminary’s stance as the first interdiocesan
seminary in the Philippines amid claims
that other seminaries of the same kind
were established earlier. Interdiocesan refers to a seminary that caters to seminarians coming from various dioceses in the
country.
“In a way, they tried to cater to students from other places in the country, but
they cannot referred to as interdiocesan,”
he told the Varsitarian, underscoring the
fact that, by the mandate of Pope Pius XI,
the Sacred Congregation on Universities
and Seminaries issued the decree Quod
iam provide on November 27, 1928 for the
foundation of the country’s first interdiocesan seminary in UST.
In the article “The Colegio de Santo
Tomas: Forerunner of the UST Central
Seminary,” UST archivist and historian Fr.
Fidel Villaroel, O.P. traced the beginnings
of the seminary from the old Colegio de
Santo Tomas, a seminary-college.
It was in 1905 when Manila Archbishop Jeremias J. Harty proposed the foundation of a central seminary. The idea was
buried with time until two decades later,
when Archbishop Gugliemo Piani, the Ap-
ostolic Delegate to the Philippines, revived
the discussion of establishing the seminary
at UST. The Dominican Council approved
the proposal in the Annual Meeting of the
Philippine Bishops in January 1926.
“There is no doubt that in the 400
years of existence of the University of
Santo Tomas, many clerics were trained by
it in the ecclesiastical sciences, and that a
certain number of them actually lived as
interns in the Colegio de Santo Tomas,”
Villaroel wrote.
Thomasian identity
For the alumni priests present in the
celebrations, the UST Central Seminary
has lived up to its prestige and has prepared them well for their priestly vocation.
For Baccay, his rearing in the seminary showed him the pillars of the Catholic faith and the importance of contemplation as exemplified by St. Dominic de
Guzman and St. Thomas Aquinas.
“You must be disciplined,” he said.
“You must be attuned to God and vigilant about the world, so that when you are
alone—when you meditate about God’s
presence in your life—it becomes fruitful.”
Baccay added that the University has
taught him to live his life for others, a lesson that has prepared him for the difficulties of his vocation.
Fr. Conrado Castillo of the Archdiocese of Lipa credited his Thomasian education for helping him sail through hardships as a priest, particularly his sojourn
in Tiloy, a remote island between Batangas and Mindoro.
“The freedom, studies, prayer life,
and atmosphere offered by this University
made me stronger amid the temptations
that came my way,” Castillo shared.
Abalajon said his journey as a Thomasian priest brought him closer to the people.
“I can feel that I bring the presence of
God to the people as I feed their hunger for
Him when they approach me for confession and when they ask me for prayers,”
he said, adding that priesthood for him has
always been a “lifetime of perseverance.”
For Fr. Dexter Sontillano, parochial
vicar of the Archdiocese of Capiz, a Thomasian rearing has earned him a “fighting
spirit that never wanes” and a ref lective
mindset needed to address priestly concerns.
“We were reminded to always consider not only the local, but the worldwide church as well,” Sontillano told the
Varsitarian. “In that sense, I can say that
Thomasian priests always maintain a wider perspective and understanding about
various issues.”
The new priest is hopeful the University will keep on moving forward as it
marks its fifth century of existence.
“Time will come and UST will exceed
whatever it has achieved in the present,”
he said. “It will simply grow because nothing can limit its unending grace.”
baloon parade. Those who joined
the Alpa homecoming took their pride and
glee to the corridors. Photos courtesy of the
documentation committee of the
central seminary
The Varsitarian
400
47
UST Across the Centuries
1605 - Msgr. Miguel de Benavides, O.P. Archbishop of Manila, writes his last will bequeathing his personal library and 1,500 pesos for a
“seminary-college,” where the religious and
citizens might read the sciences of Arts and
Theology.
might be introduced in the future.
April 28, 1611 - The college-seminary of Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario is founded by
Dominican missionaries after a humble endowment of P7,140.
1785 - UST is given the title “Royal University”
as a reward for voluntarily sending its students
for the military defense of Manila during the
recurrence of war between France and Spain
against England
April 16, 1617 – The college becomes an independent unit from the Dominican convent,
changing its name to Colegio de Santo Tomas.
Courses in Grammar, Arts, and Theology are
held for only 12 students.
1619 - The first school building is inaugurated
in Intramuros. Scholarships are granted to 12
students. In the same year, Pope Paul V signs
1768 - The expulsion of the Society of Jesus
from all Spanish territories leaves UST as the
only institution of higher learning in the Philippines.
May 20, 1865 – a Royal order from Queen
Isabella II hands over the supervision of all
educational institutions to UST. The decree
for the revamp brings about major changes to
the University, which becomes the Bureau of
Education of the Philippines with its rector as
its director.
University is closed for a year with the arrival
of the Spanish-American war in the country.
August 9, 1898 - as a measure to save the University in case of the surrender of Manila to
the Americans, the Dominicans decide that the
UST building and properties in the Intamuros
campus be “sold” to Secretary General Blas Alcuaz with the deed of sale written by UST Rector Fr. Santiago Paya, O.P. The amount assessed
is P512,327.
1899 - the University first operates under the
new American government headed by the fiveman Schurman Commission.
May 18, 1907 – the Faculty of Engineering is
established.
July 18, 1911 - Francisca Bustamante Bayot donates to the Dominicans 20 hectares from her
the
to rty in
s
te e
the
na prop
to ur
y
o
l
e
r
n
d
T
r
e o
e -fo
t
ag
US e
yo m he
er
om enty
o
on
ormtisim
a
g
t
d
r
f
w
r
h
t
n
B o
t
i
o
pa
T, an
ST
ng Tw
te fr
ak of its
es
al
itti acy,
an ares a)
US l S
sU
r m tion r as
su to a
m
oy y
m
e
w
s
t
r
i
e
d
a
d
o
e
r
rd c ct
n d
e
a rm
llo
X
sta ec ar
the
de rch
ts ha .
s o du re
I a s.
fou
nt lleg
Bu 20 h aloc
of ing
un ona
tar of P olled
ue of Eh its
a
t X ree
s ñora
ce co us
g
s
s
c
p
d
s
n
n
o
d
t
e t
in il
is u
e g
a e
T ty nr
ce h m
cis can am
Inn th sta
ss Bu
in ea wi
oc de
nic S
USacul n e
pla anis
ranmini n (S
pa Bur ines
nn ther
pe ating ity”
mi tra
e
Ble ain
I
s
F
S
i
o
o
F
p
a
m
e
P ev ers
D ues rio
T S
pe r o
Do uluc
thehilipp or
Th ST M
wo
el niv
Po nfe
US the
N osa
S
P rect
U
“U
co
of
R
i
d
1611
1645
1680
the Apostolic Brief, Carissimo in Christo, authorizing all colleges administered by the Dominicans in the “Occidental Indies” to grant
Philosophy and Theology degrees.
1645 - Pope Innocent X issues the Papal bull, In
Superiminenti, raising the Colegio to the rank
of University.
1680 - UST is placed under royal patronage of
the Spanish monarchy.
1681 – Pope Innocent XI declares UST a Public University of General Studies, allowing it to
confer other degrees.
September 2, 1734 – the Faculty of Civil Law
is established. In the same year, Pope Clement
XII authorizes the University to confer degrees
in all existing faculties, as well as others that
48
400
The Varsitarian
1681
1865
1870 - Threatening the existence of the University, Dr. Segismundo Moret, the Spanish
Minister of Colonies, issues two decrees that
totally overhauls the educational system of the
country. The first decree abolishes all secondary schools and places them under a single “Instituto Filipino” while the second converts UST
into the “University of the Philippines.”
May 1871 – the oldest pharmaceutical educational institution is established in the country,
the Faculty of Pharmacy, by virtue of the modification of the Moret decree.
1872 - the name of UST is officially changed to
Royal and Pontifical University of the Philippines after the assent of Spain.
1896 - the faculties of Science and Philosophy
and Letters are opened. Two years after, the
1911
1924
1927
two million square-meter property in Sulucan
(Sampaloc area) in time for the celebration of
the University’s Tricentenario on December 16.
December 18, 1911 – On Day Two of the tricentennial celebration, officials and guests lay the
symbolic cornerstone at the new Sulucan campus designed by Fr. Roque Ruaño, O.P. Father
Ruaño later designs the Main Building, the first
earthquake-proof structure in the country.
1916 - The American government grants official recognition to the faculties of Civil Law
(February 7), Medicine and Surgery (February
28), and Pharmacy (May 3).
October 6, 1921 – The Liga Catolica, the forerunner of the present National Collegiate Athletic Association, is organized as the first athletic league in the country through the efforts of
1
UST, in collaboration with Ateneo de Manila,
De La Salle, Colegio de San Juan de Letran, and
the College of San Vicente de Paul. In July 12
of the same year, the Faculty of Engineering is
officially recognized by the government.
Roosevelt Jr. inaugurates the P70,000 UST
Gymnasium. In the same year, permission to
admit women in the Faculty of Medicine and
Surgery and the new College of Commerce is
granted.
February 5, 1924 - Fr. Manuel Arellano, O.P.,
Rector of UST, announces that, for the first time
in its long history, UST will start admitting
women to the Faculty of Pharmacy, beginning
school year 1924-1925. Twenty-four women enroll. Other colleges follow suit.
March 7, 1933 – Senate President Manuel L.
Quezon opens to the students the P25,000 UST
swimming pool. On the same year, the UST
Central Seminary building is completed and
blessed on November 12.
1925 - UST becomes one of the first universities
in the Philippines to implement the use of the
English language as the medium of instruction,
replacing Spanish.
June 1926 – The College of Education is
opened at the Intramuros campus.
January 16, 1928 – The first issue of the Varsitarian, the official student publication of UST
led by Jose Villa Panganiban and members of
the Literary Club, comes out. On June 6, the
UST High School is established.
November 13, 1927 - The newly constructed,
March 1, 1935 - Fr. Ruaño dies of a heart attack.
His last words were a Latin phrase from an old
liturgy: Qui salvandos salvas gratis (You give
us salvation free). On March 7, the National
Historical Commission unveils a marker at the
Main Building as a tribute to Fr. Ruaño’s legacy.
December 8, 1941 - the Philippines suffers under the hands of Japanese forces during World
War II. When Manila is declared an open city,
the American Emergency Committee headed
by Frederic Stevens requests the Dominican
Fathers to let the Sampaloc campus serve as
an internment camp for prisoners of war. The
prisoners occupy the Main Building, Education Building, and the gymnasium. Shanties are
July 1953 – The statues atop the Main Building
are erected.
March 6, 1966 – The UST Hospital Clinical Division, or charity ward, is inaugurated.
1969 - The Academia, the official international
bulletin of the University, is first released. Its
initial 3000 copies contain news on the academe such as announcements from the administration and scholarship grants. The following
year becomes a very significant one not only to
UST but to the Philippines with the visit of Pope
Paul VI.
1971 - Thomasians witness the installation of
the first Filipino rector, Fr. Leonardo Legaspi,
O.P. With the imposition of Martial Law the
following year, the Varsitarian, the official student publication of UST, is suspended for several months, but later revived. 1977 - Pautakan, the intercollegiate quiz contest
of the University, is organized by the Varsitarian. It has become the longest-running quiz
contest in the country.
February 18, 1981 - Pope John Paul II, in his
nd 00
gray’s 4
e
is
t
h
,
i
a
s t rs
hu ig
s ng
se ve
s,
es Uni ace
ma asko
n C Pas
e ayears
w
t
t
n
o
t
s
a
a
i
i
e
s
r
l he
r
s
L
tr
P
o i of
d w f th g g
es 29
Ch e, “
We n t
orl ion o ndin
uin ctor
is
rk ing i
rch after
idethem
w
q
h
a
o
t
l
w
e
A
o
e
s
M
s
D
n
, in
ty- e ’91.
ers 97
Th lebraof un
e cia
nt, po
zo ee ros
l II
rsi th
Tig to 19
de ecom
f ths offiis
ce ars
ve with ipino
au
ora degr en C
u
g
i
t
o
l
P
n
n
C
l
’
s
i
3
l
d
ye
g nd
wl 199 spe
nt the old
ue ST ion,
hn visit
r U held g Fi
n
o
e
i
s
o
e
r
r
y
G
d
a
J
v
G om dr
si rred ST
e pal
ee ead
-e n is skon
t isan, Ulicat
e
t
T
p
n
r
r
p
s
i
s
i
f
r
o
S
a
r
e
P nf e U
g
’
h
fi ari ub
fi tio Pa
P st p
En und d
e U eat ns
co d th
the lebra ino,
fir
thearsit nt p
Th ur-p mpio
n
fo ver.
s
e
a
a
o
c
a
V ude sed
‘f ch
m
Ri
To
st lea
of
re
1928
1981
1997
1987
P1.5-million Main Building is solemnly blessed
by Apostolic Delegate Msgr. Guglielmo Piani,
with Elizabeth Bowers, a first year Philosophy
and Letters student, and First Lady Doña Aurora Quezon as co-sponsors.
November 11, 1929 - the College of Education
is officially recognized.
1930 - The University builds additional buildings, first with the construction a one-storey
building near Dapitan Street for Medicine and
Anatomy classes.
1931 - the Dominican Provincial Chapter approves the construction of the UST Central
Seminary building, which would serve as the
Father’s Residence.
August 28, 1932 – Governor General Theodore
1991
2001
2011
also built as shelter. Intramuros, meanwhile, is
destroyed, including the original UST campus.
first Papal visit to the country, visits UST and
calls it an “illustrious university.”
1945 – After the war, UST reopens. But the destruction of the Intramuros campus forces UST
to move completely to Sampaloc.
1987 - After the glorious 1986 “People Power”
revolution that toppled the 20-year Marcos regime, President Corazon Aquino is conferred
the degree Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa, and
the UST Golden Cross, the highest award given
by the University.
March 7, 1946 – UST Hospital is opened. On
November 13, the Benavides Monument is reerected inside the UST campus in Sampaloc.
1947 – Pope Pius XII bestowed upon UST the
title of “the Catholic University of the Philippines” through the decree Sacrae Congregationis Seminariis et Studiorum Universitabus.
December 20, 1949 – The UST lot in Intramuros is sold to the Philippine American Life Insurance Co.
1991 - the first-ever University-wide Christmas
celebration is held with the theme, “Paskong
Tomasino, Paskong Filipino ’91.” In 1993, it becomes the annual “Paskuhan.”
January 13, 1995 – UST is again visited by
Pope John Paul II. On January 6 to 10, the Fifth
International Youth Forum is held in the campus with 253 young Catholics from all over the
world.
The Varsitarian
400
49
THOMASIAN TYCOON. Father Rector Rolando de la Rosa,
O.P.puts an “I LOVE UST’ pin on businessman Lucio Tan. Tan
received an equivalency doctorate in business and commerce
from the University in 2003. PAUL ALLYSON R. QUIAMBAO
1997- The UST Growling Tigers win their fouth
straight UAAP basketball championship since
1993, establishing a “four-peat” record.
Accountancy after Alfredo Velayo, one of the
founders of top accounting firm SGV & Co.
2005 – The USTv Students’ Choice Awards is
established.
2000 – UST joins the Jubilee year celebrations, praying the rosary with the Pope via
video hook-up. The College of Architecture and
Fine Arts are split into two different colleges,
namely the College of Architecture and the College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD). Fr. Isidro
Abano, O.P. is appointed as CFAD’s first dean
and the regent of the two colleges. The Institute
of Physical Therapy, now College of Rehabilitation Sciences, is elevated to college status.
2006 - The Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management is established, separating from the
College of Education. The name of the college
is changed into College of Tourism and Hospitality Management three years later.
March 18, 2001 - Nineteen-year-old Mechanical Engineering student Mark Welson Chua,
who had exposed corruption in the University’s
military training program in an interview with
the Varsitarian, is found dead and decomposing in the Pasig River. This leads to a nationwide clamor to abolish the Reserved Officers
Training Corps or ROTC course.
2007 – The top three officials of the University–Rector Fr. Ernesto Arceo, O.P.; Fr. Edmund
Nantes, O.P., the prior provincial of the Philippine Dominican Province and the UST vice
chancellor; and Vice Rector Fr. Juan Ponce, O.P.
resign over the Dominican Order’s decision to
downscale the redevelopment of UST Hospital.
The Master of the Order of Preachers, Fr. Carlos
Alfonso Azpiroz Costa, O.P., declares the “separation and incorporation” of the hospital in
2004 and the P3-billion loan to build a 19-story
hospital tower “unlawful” based on canon law.
Fr. Rolando De la Rosa, O.P is named Acting
Rector.
2003 – Freshmen start a tradition of passing
through the Arch of the Centuries, called the
Thomasian Welcome Walk.
November 10, 2004 – the College of Accountancy is separated from the College of Commerce and Accountancy (Commerce) and
named UST-Alfredo M. Velayo College of
50
400
The Varsitarian
2006 – UST sees the rise of the Tan Yan Kee
Student Center, the Multi-Deck Carpark, the
Quadricentennial Park, and the Benavides Cancer Institute.
May 2008 - Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P is
proclaimed Rector of UST for the second time.
Father De la Rosa was previously University
rector for two consecutive terms, 1991-1994 and
1995-1998. The 95th rector, Fr. De la Rosa also
serves as the Quadricentennial Rector of UST.
September 26, 2009 - UST suffers from the
rage of storm Ondoy as thousands of students
and officials are stranded in the University. The
countdown to 400 years of UST begins on December 18, 2009 during the Paskuhan.
2011 - The world witnesses the grand celebration
of the University’s 400 years of unending grace.
Grand events such as international conferences,
concerts, parades, homecomings, and of
course, magnificent fireworks, highlight the
University’s celebration. A new monument,
the Quattromondial, is unveiled as a symbol
of the University’s contribution to Church,
civilization, and country. Patricia Isabela
B. Evangelista, Danalyn T. Lubang, and
Alexis Ailex C. Villamor
Sources:
Torres, Jose Victor (2007) In Transition:
The University of Santo Thomas During the
American Period
De Ramos, Norberto (2000) I walked
with Twelve UST Rectors
The Thomasian Planner
Varsitarian archives

The Varsitarian Quadricentennial Supplement

Transcription

Similar documents

Greetings from The Squirettes of Mary Immaculate, Youth Arm of the

Pope John Paul II`s Teaching on Sexuality and Marriage: An Appraisal

CoreValues Great Leaders - University of St. Thomas

December 2015 - Miguel de Benavides Library

www . tubelesskit . com

Livingand Learning - Student Affairs Office

Addressing Abandoned and Leaking Underground

2014 October - morningsidecondos.com