University of Santo Tomas

The University of Santo Tomas (UST), reputedly the oldest university in Asia, was founded in 1611 in Intramuros. As the university continued to expand, it outgrew its original location and in 1911, on the 300th anniversary of its founding, UST laid a new cornerstone on the 21 hectare block in Sampaloc where it makes its home today. Construction of the new campus was completed in 1927 (which was also the year that women were first admitted).

The main 4-storey building, a solemn and majestic landmark, houses the museum on the 1st floor, laboratories on the 3rd floor, and water cisterns atop the roof. Atop the front is UST's coat of arms, a huge clock, and statues on the base which personify Faith, Hope, and Charity. (See photo. The statue to the right is of the university's founder--Archbishop Miguel de Benavides. The statue was cast in Paris in 1889 and originally stood in the Plaza fronting the University building in Intramuros. photo by Rebecca de Villa) Facing España Street on the right are the statues of St Vincent Bouvais, St Agustin, and St Raymond of Penafort; and on the left are philosophers Aristotle, St Albert the great, and Plato. Facing Noval Street are statues of tragedians Calderon de la Barca, Sophocles, and Shakespeare; facing the opposite side are comedian playwrights Lope de Vega, Aristophanes, and Moliere.

Among UST's famous graduates are Presidents Quezon, Osmeña, Laurel, and Macapagal; national heroes Jose Rizal, Emilio Aguinaldo, and MH del Pilar; and the martyred priests Gomez, Burgos, and Zamora.

For 3 years during WWII the campus served as an interment camp for American, British, Canadian, and other allied nationals. Although the campus never held more than 4,000 people at one time, more than 10,000 went through the camp.

The museum, founded in 1682, has 1,500,000 items in its collection. Though most of the collection is in storage, as it continues to lose space to other departments, it is still able to display stuffed animals, ceramics, ethnographic artifacts, coins, medals, university memorabilia, and impressive old paintings. UST's library has over 18,000 books--including rare manuscripts and books.

MVP was fortunate to have Professor Manuel Noche expound on many facets of the university while members walked through the campus.

Professor Noche at the Arch of the Centuries--the main doorway from the Intramuros Campus.

The Arch serves as a memorial to honor the distinguished men and women who have passed through the University's portals. (photo by Ursula Illner)

text by Rebecca de Villa

for more information visit http://www.ust.edu.ph