UST CE95: THE VANGUARD: March 2009

The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas (UST) owns the distinction of being the oldest existing university in Asia and the largest Catholic university in the world. UST's rich heritage is evident in the multitude of historical edifices sprawled over the twenty one and a half hectare campus in Manila. Amongst the notable landmarks are the baroque gateway Arch of the Centuries, the Benavides Monument which has a striking visualization of the significant vignettes in the history of UST, and the imposing Main Building which is considered as the first earthquake-proof building in the Country.

The Campus
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) is the oldest existing university in Asia and in terms of student population, the largest Catholic university in the world located in one campus.

The University sits on an almost perfect square of 215,000 sq. m. (21.5 hectares) bounded by España Boulevard, P.Noval, A.H. Lacson and Dapitan St, in Sampaloc, Manila. The University transferred to its present campus in 1927 when the Dominicans deemed the Intramuros Campus inadequate for the University's growing population. The first structures in the campus were the imposing Main Building, the Santisimo Rosario Parish, the UST Gym (once the largest gym in the country), and the Arch of the Centuries.
The Campus, at present boasts a mixture of old and new architecture with the inclusion of the UST Multi-Deck carpark which houses the UST-AMV College of Accountancy, and the proposed UST Sports Complex, the 2nd Modern Sports facility to be constructed by a UAAP member school. Other new structures include the Beato Angelico Building which houses the College of Architecture and College of Fine Arts and Design, the Plaza Mayor, the UST Quadricentennial Square and Alumni Park, Thomas Aquinas Research Complex and the UST - Tan Yan Kee Student Center.

Arch of the Centuries
The Arch of the Centuries is a monument that stands fifteen meters away from the University's main vehicular entrance along España Boulevard. The Arch of the Centuries was originally erected in 1611 at Intramuros, where UST was originally found. When the University transferred to its present location at Sampaloc, the Arch was also carried piece-by-piece and was re-erected at the front of the main vehicular entrance of the University.

The original Arch which faces the Main Building was the main doorway to the University building before it was destroyed during World War II when it was at Intramuros. A newer arch faced España Boulevard, which is a reconstruction of the original arch. The Arch contains Doric columns, but is Baroque in its details. The inscription on the arch says "Gateway to the history of the finest breed of Filipinos," a reference to the numerous alumni who have made an impact in Philippine history. On the left pillar of the facade facing España Boulevard is commemorative plaque honoring national hero Jose Rizal, and on the right pillar is another plaque honoring President Manuel L. Quezon. Both Rizal and Quezon were UST graduates. On the sides at the top of the Arch are panels depicting the life of Saint Thomas Aquinas, the patron saint of the University and of all Catholic schools.
All incoming students, as parts of their initiation rites into the University, known as the Thomasian Welcome Walk are required to pass through under the Arch. Graduates, on the other hand, also pass through under the Arch before the University sends them off. This tradition started on June 2002. a Fireworks display ends the passage and signals the party afterwards.
There is an old superstition that while studying at the University, you must never pass through the Arch until your Graduation. If done so, an event will happen that will not allow you to Graduate at the school.

Benavides Monument

The Benavides Monument is the centerpiece of a raised open rotunda at the edge of which stands several elephant statuary loaded with hanging ferns or flowering bougainvillea. Surrounded by a landscape mini-park efflorescent with the Doña Aurora, the rosal, santan, adelfa and other tropical flowers, the monument is a striking visualization of the significant vignettes in the history of UST.

Main Building
As the visitor stands by this monument, he sees an obstructed view of the University's Main Building. Massive,

imposing, seemingly solid, this famous city landmark overwhelms the visitor. Unpainted and gray, bleached by the elements, the rugged stonewalls have acquired an aura of its own. It has the distinction of being the first earthquake-proof building in the country. Designed by Fr. Roque Ruaño, O.P., priest and engineer, the building is composed of forty independent structures separated from each other by a gap of one inch, which is filled with loose cement. One of these structures rises beyond the level of the fourth floor to form the tower in the center of the huge box-like stone mass. A cross atop the tower rivets the gaze of the beholder. It promises the student a Christian perspective, a Christian formation. It symbolizes the University's mission to impart knowledge in the sacred and civil sciences.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Santo_Tomas
http://www.ust.edu.ph/
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