Traditions of the University of Santo Tomas

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

UST Main Building during Christmas Season

Opening exercises

Herminio Dagohoy's installation as the 96th Rector Magnificus at the 2012 Misa de Apertura

Misa de Apertura

Being the Catholic University of the Philippines, UST opens each school year with the Mass of the Holy Spirit. Also called as Misa de Apertura, it is officiated by a Dominican father or a guest clergy at the Santisimo Rosario Parish. The opening is formally declared by the Apostolic Nuncio or his delegate, in consonance with the status of UST as a pontifical university.

In 2012, Apostolic Nuncio to the Philippines, Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto, led the Misa de Apertura and the opening rites of the school year.

Discurso de Apertura

Discurso de apertura consists of a printed extensive scientific paper read by its author at the formal opening of the school year. The professor or dean assigned the preparation of this academic paper is appointed by the rector of the university a few months prior to the opening of each school year.

The Discurso started on July 16, 1866 as an annual event. It was temporarily discontinued in 1929 when Don Nicanor Cortez failed to write his dissertation. Twelve years after, the tradition was brought back with Fr. Angel de Blas, O.P., a psychologist, as the speaker. It was again discontinued in 1942 at the break out of World War II, and resumed later on in 1946.

Replacing the usual Discurso Apertura in 2012 was the inaugural address of Rev. Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, O.P. as the ninety-sixth rector of the university.

Discurso de Apertura in recent years

Year	Lecturer	Topic	Ref.
2000	Amado Dimayuga, Dean, UST Faculty of Civil Law	Judicial Bar Council and the importance of refining the process of appointing court judges
2001	Luis Ferrer, Dean, UST College of Architecture	Focus on building “humane communities”
2002	Jaime de los Santos, Assistant Dean, UST College of Fine Arts and Design	Creative instinct
2003	Raul Sinico, Dean, UST Conservatory of Music	"Music: Raising the Level of Listening Appreciation"
2004	Rolando Lopez, Dean, UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery	Value of spirituality on students
2005	Jeanette Loanzon, Dean, UST College of Commerce	Economic revolution
2006	Glenda Vargas, Dean, UST College of Nursing	Exodus of Filipino nurses
2007	Jose Ireneo, Dean, UST AMV College of Accountancy	Governance and internal controls in businesses
2008	Rev. Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P., Rector, University of Santo Tomas	Inaugural Address
2009	John Joseph T. Fernandez, Dean, UST College of Architecture	"Heritage Conservation in the University of Santo Tomas"
2010	Nilo Divina, Dean, UST Faculty of Civil Law	"Constantly Striving for Excellence"
2011	Regalado Trota Jose, Archivist, Archivo de la Universidad de Santo Tomas	"Facebook Flashback: The Archives and the Story of the University"
2012	Rev. Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, O.P., Rector, University of Santo Tomas	Inaugural Address
2013	Allan de Guzman Faculty (now Dean), UST College of Education	Parable of Talents: The University of Santo Tomas at the Crossroad of History and Creativity
2014	Philipina Marcelo Dean, UST Faculty of Engineering	Convergence: Innovations in Food Engineering and Engineering Education, and the Engineering of our Restless Being
2015	Cheryl Peralta Dean, UST College of Rehabilitation Sciences	Public Health

Some notable Discurso de Apertura of the past

Year	Lecturer	Topic	Ref.
1928	Fr. Juan Sánchez, O.P.	"Sinopsis historica documentada de la Universidad de Santo Tomás" "Documented historical synopsis of the University of Santo Tomas"
1966	Galo Ocampo	"Religious Elements in Philippine Art"
1971	Fr. Fidel Villarroel, O.P., Archivist, University of Santo Tomas	Honoring Fr. José Burgos, University student

University of Santo Tomas Hymn (full version)

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

The Thomasian Welcome Walk

The Thomasian Welcome Walk (TWW) is an annual university tradition that seeks to instill a sense of pride and belonging among the youngest members of the Thomasian Family. It symbolizes the linkage between incoming freshmen and their predecessors in the university. The first Walk took place in June 14, 2002, known before as "The Rites of Passage".

Freshmen from the 21 faculties and colleges of the university, including the high school, pass under historic Arch of the Centuries and walk towards the UST Main Building. Shortly after the symbolic passing is the Eucharistic Celebration—the highlight of the event. A welcome party featuring live bands and other university organizations comes after the mass.

In 2012, like the previous years, the Walk was postponed several times because of bad weather. Originally scheduled on June 28, it was held on September 24 at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion. The Walk, for the first time, was divided into two batches as the venue could not accommodate all freshmen students. The first batch was held in the morning and it was participated by students from the Arts and Letters, Engineering, Commerce and Business Administration, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Science, Music, and Education High School. The Walk for the second batch took place immediately after.

School spirit and sport traditions

Alma mater

The UST Hymn is the alma mater of the University of Santo Tomas. The lyrics were written by Dr. Jose Ma. Hernandez to music composed by the UST Conservatory of Music's first director, Dean Julio Esteban Anguita, and orchestrated by Manuel P. Maramba, O.S.B. Today, only the chorus of the original hymn is being sung and being played.

Colors and mascots

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

Thomasian Goodwill Games

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

Colleges also have different sporting teams other than the ones mentioned above. Some include tennis and badminton in their college's sport fests.

College championships

Academic year	Basketball		Volleyball		Football		Judo (Overall)	Swimming	Table Tennis		Beach Volleyball
	Men	Women	Men	Women	Men	Women			Men	Women
2002–2003	-	-	-	-	-	CFAD vs. AB	Arch	-	-	-
2004–2005	CBA vs. Eng'g	Educ vs. FMS	-	-	-	-	CBA	-	-	-
2005–2006	-	-	-	-	-	-	CBA	-	-	-
2006–2007	-	-	-	-	CFAD	-	-	Nurs	-	-
2007–2008	AB vs. Eng'g	Nurs	-	-	Arch vs. CFAD	-	-	Nurs	-	-
2008–2009	-	CBA	CFAD vs. Eng'g	AMV vs. CBA	CRS vs. GS-CL	-	CBA	-	-	-	-
2009–2010	-	CBA	CBA	Eng'g	Arch vs. Eng'g	FMS vs. Nurs	-	CBA	Eccle	Pha	-
2010–2011	Eng'g	Educ	CBA	AMV	Arch vs. GS-CL	FMS vs. Nurs	not held	not held	not held	not held	not held
2011–2012	CTHM vs. Eng'g	CBA	AMV vs. CBA	AMV vs. Arch	Eccle vs. GS-CL	FMS vs. Nurs	-	-	-	-	-
2012–2013	AB vs. Eng'g	AB vs. CBA	AB vs. CBA	Arch vs. CBA	Eng'g vs. FMS	FMS	-	-	-	-	-
2013–2014	CBA vs. CTHM	CBA	AMV vs. Arch	Eng'g vs. Pha	-	CRS vs. FMS	-	-	-	-	-
2014–2015	CBA vs. CTHM	CBA vs. CRS	AMV vs. Arch	AB vs. Educ	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

Notes:

• Champion team in boldface.
• AB: Arts and Letters; AMV: Accountancy; Arch: Architecture; CBA: Commerce and Business Administration; CFAD: Fine Arts and Design; CRS: Rehabilitation Sciences; CTHM: Tourism and Hospitality Management; Eccle: Ecclesiastical Studies; Educ: Education; Eng'g: Engineering; FMS: Medicine and Surgery; GS: Graduate School; GS–CL: Graduate School–Civil Law; Law: Civil Law; Nurs: Nursing; Pha: Pharmacy; Sci: Science; UST-HS: UST High School

Cheermania

Cheermaniais an annual cheerdance competition organized by the UST Student Organizations Coordinating Council (UST SOCC).

List of Cheermania winners

Year	Champion	Second Place	Third Place
2001	AB
2002	AB
2003	UST-HS	AB
2004	UST-HS	AB	CBA
2005	Educ	AB	CFAD
2006	UST-HS	-	Arch
2007	UST-HS	CBA	CFAD
2008	CBA	CFAD	Sci
2009	CFAD	Sci	CBA
2010	CBA	CTHM	Educ
2011	CBA	Sci	AMV
2012	CBA	AB	CTHM
2013	CFAD	CBA	Sci
2014	CFAD	Sci	AB
2015	CFAD	Eng	CTHM

Salinggawi Dance Troupe

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

Colleges

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

College weeks

• Medicine and Surgery — in September

Valedictorians and salutatorians

In recent years

Year	Valedictorian College Major	GWA	Salutatorian College Major	GWA	Ref.
2006	Arts and Letters Communication Arts	1.17	Accountancy	1.179
2007	Engineering Electrical Engineering	1.15	Science Psychology	1.17
2008	Science Biology
2009	Pharmacy Medical Technology	1.16
2010	Pharmacy	1.12
2011	Tourism and Hospitality Management Hotel and Restaurant Management	1.12
2013	Pharmacy Pharmacy	1.069	Tourism and Hospitality Management	1.119
2014	Tourism and Hospitality Management Travel Management	1.089	Pharmacy	1.143

Christmas celebrations

The Christmas Concert

Main article: UST Christmas Concert

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

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

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

At the ninth Christmas Concert Gala in December 1, 2011, the newly installed Martyr's Carillon at the façade of the Santisimo Rosario Parish was rang by the Professor Raul Sinico, Dean of the UST Conservatory of Music.

Paskuhan

Main article: UST Paskuhan

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

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

Feasts

• Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, Patron Saint of the University – in January 28
• Feast of St. Dominic de Guzman - August 8
• Feast of St. Catherine of Alexandria - November 25
• Feast of the Immaculate Conception - December 8

Fireworks

UST began having pyromusical shows in the opening of the Quadricentennial Celebration in January 27, 2011. It was also the first time the Philippines saw a multi-position pyromusical event when the fireworks were launched from the UST Grandstand and Santisimo Rosario Parish. In the Neo-Centennial Celebration in January this year, the University was also the first to set up a pyromusical in four different structures and buildings. The music and choreography of all the pyromusical events are arranged by Don Miguel Villarosa and the technicals and set-up are done by John Oliver Zeng, alumni of the UST College of Fine Arts and Design, class of 2009. The fireworks off all the pyromusical events are provided by Dragon Fireworks, a local fireworks manufacturer.

List of events with pyromusical display

Date	Event	Location and music	Ref.
January 27, 2011	Quattromondial Monument unveiling	Quattromondial Monument
		Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky - "1812 Overture"
	Q Grand Program	UST Grandstand Santisimo Rosario Parish
		Vangelis - "Conquest of Paradise" Escala - "Palladio"
January 28, 2011	One@400: Q Grand Alumni Homecoming Dinner	UST Main Building
		Escala - "Children"
March 25, 2011	Baccalaureate Mass 2011	UST Grandstand
		Duration: 8:25 Richard Pazcoguin - "Children of Unending Grace" IllumiNations: Reflections of Earth 12 Girls Band - "New Classicism" David Garrett - "Smooth Criminal"
December 16, 2011	Paskuhan 2011	UST Grandstand Santisimo Rosario Parish
		Theme: Party Rock LMFAO - "Party Rock Anthem" Chris Brown - "Yeah 3x" Yolanda Be Cool & DCUP - "We No Speak Americano" Lady Gaga - "Just Dance" Adele - "Rolling in the Deep" Maroon 5 - "Moves Like Jagger" Martin Solveig ft. Dragonette - "Hello" The Rembrandts - "Friends Theme"
January 27, 2012	Neo-centennial celebration	Arch of the Centuries UST Main Building UST Grandstand Santisimo Rosario Parish
		Theme/Show title: Chariots of Fire Duration: 10:18 Yanni - "Adagio in C Minor" Cirque du Soleil - "Battlefield" Vangelis - "Chariots of Fire" Adele - "Rolling in the Deep" Coldplay – "Yellow" Audio Machine - "Akkadian Empire"
March 23, 2012	Baccalaureate Mass 2012	UST Grandstand
		Duration: 6:34 Alfred Newman - "20th Century Fox fanfare" Elton John - "Circle of Life" Phil Collins - "You'll Be in My Heart" John Williams - "The Raiders' March" Hans Zimmer - "He's a Pirate"
December 21, 2012	Paskuhan 2012	UST Grandstand
		Duration: 6:13 "Somebody That I Used to Know" Rihanna - "We Found Love" PSY - "Gangnam Style" David Guetta - "Titanium" Maroon 5 - "Payphone"
March 19, 2013	Baccalaureate Mass 2013	UST Grandstand
		Duration: 5:00 John Lennon - "Imagine" Phil Collins - "Another Day in Paradise" David Guetta - "Just One Last Time"
March 21, 2014	Baccalaureate Mass 2014	UST Grandstand
		Theme/Show title: The Rise of the Snow Queen The long awaited spectacular ending Duration: 00:00
December 11, 2014	Paskuhan 2014	UST Grandstand
		Duration: 6:11 The Treblemakers - "Don't Stop the Music" Clean Bandit - "Rather Be" Anna Kendrick - "Cups" Naughty Boy - "La La La" Disclosure - "Latch" The Barden Bellas - "Bellas Finals" Daft Punk - "One More Time/Get Lucky"
May 15, 2015	Baccalaureate Mass 2015	UST Grandstand
		Theme/Show title: Rock Ages Duration: 6:16 Drew Boley, Wolfgang Von Colt - "I Wanna Rock" Drew Boley, Sherrie Christian - "Waiting for a Girl (Boy) Like You" Lonny Barnett, Patricia Whitmore - "We Built This City/We're Not Gonna Take It"
December 18, 2015	Paskuhan 2015	UST Grandstand UST Main Building
		Theme/Show title: Duration:

University-wide events

• Pautakan – A quiz bee among different colleges and faculties. Established in 1977
• The USTv Students' Choice Awards on Television – Established in 2005
• The Search for the Ideal Thomasian Personality – The annual intercollegiate search highlights the values in the Thomasian identity of compassion, competence, and commitment organized by the UST Student Organizations Coordinating Council (UST SOCC).

List of recent winners

Academic year	Winner		First runner-up		Second runner-up
	Mister	Miss	Mister	Miss	Mister	Miss
1999-2000	Pha	Pha	CRS	AB	CBA	CBA
2000-2001	FMS	Educ	AB	CBA	Pha	CFAD
2001-2002	FMS	Arch	Pha	FMS	Educ	Eng'g
2002-2003	CRS	FMS	CBA	CRS	Arch	Nurs
2003-2004	Eng'g	Arch	Nurs	AB	CBA	Educ
2004-2005	CFAD	Educ	Sci	Music	CRS	CFAD
2005-2006	AB	Pha	Eng'g	Arch	Music	CBA
2006-2007	Pha	Nurs	Sci	Pha	Eng'g	ITHM
2007-2008	CFAD	Pha	Arch	AMV	Pha	Sci
2008-2009	AMV	Nurs	Nurs	Sci	CRS	AMV
2009–2010	Pha	Pha	Educ	CTHM	CRS	AB
2010–2011	FMS	FMS	Nurs	Pha	Pha	CBA
2011–2012	FMS	Nurs	Pha	CTHM	CBA	FMS

Notes:

• AB: Arts and Letters; AMV: Accountancy; Arch: Architecture; CBA: Commerce and Business Administration; CFAD: Fine Arts and Design; CRS: Rehabilitation Sciences; CTHM: Tourism and Hospitality Management; Educ: Education; Eng'g: Engineering; FMS: Medicine and Surgery; Law: Civil Law; Nurs: Nursing; Pha: Pharmacy; Sci: Science; UST-HS: UST High School
• Himig Tomasino – Annual competition of the different collegiate chorale groups of the university organized by the UST Student Organizations Coordinating Council (UST SOCC).
• The Sinai Youth Camp – It is an annual university event/retreat that commemorates the Sinai Covenant. Selected second year students from the different colleges enrolled in the subject of Theology 2 - Church and Sacraments participate the event. The event is sponsored by the UST Institute of Religion.

Closing of the school year

Main article: UST Baccalaureate Mass

Legends

Arch of the Centuries

It has been a superstition that crossing the Arch while still studying in the university would result in a delay of graduation and if you re-enter the Arch of the Centuries it will result that you will never be able to graduate in this university

Symbolism

The Sun

The Sun is the symbol of Saint Thomas Aquinas. A symbol of his teachings which, themselves illumined by divine truth, bear forth great light for the whole Church. Moreover, since true knowledge of God leads to the love of God and, since charity is properly depicted with fire and heat; the sunburst symbolizes the fire of charity which unites the believer to the Savior – filled with charity himself, St. Thomas has instilled the ardor of love in the hearts of countless faithful.

University in Spanish

• The University on its third centennial: El Tricentenario
• Previous names of the faculties and colleges: Facultad de Teología, Facultad de Cánones, Facultad de Derecho Civil, Facultades de Medicina y Farmacia, Facultad de Filosofía y Letras, Facultad de Ingeniería, and Colegio de Bellas Artes

University in Latin

• Latin name: Pontificia et Regalis Sancti Thomæ Aquinatis Universitas Manilana (Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, Manila)
• Motto: Veritas in Caritate (Truth in Charity)
• Main Building: Tria Haec ("This Three") statues at the Main Building (Faith, Hope and Charity; Three Virtues of St. Paul)
• In the Miguel de Benavides Library cornice: "Has tenebrae cingunt mentis caligine terras Hoc Sancti Thomae Universitates Opus: Lumina Pandit" (“Darkness covers this land in a mental mist. This is the task of the University of Santo Tomas: to spread the light.”)
• In the QuattroMondial monument: Pontificia et Regalis Universitas Sancti Thomae Aquantis Manilana MDCXI. Contemplari et Contemplata aliis Tradere. In Veritate fideles. In Labore proficientes. In Caritate divites ("To contemplate and to hand on to others the fruits of contemplation. In truth, faithful. In an effort to make progress. Rich in Love."
• In San Martin de Porres Building facade: Facultas Medicinae et Chirurgiae, Honora medicum. Opera eius sunt necessaria. Deus autem est qui vitae et mortis. Habet potestatem. Ars longa, vita brevis, occasio fugit, experimentum periculosum, iudicum difficle. (Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, honoring medicine. His works are necessary, God who has power over life and death.)
• In the Central Seminary Building: Facultates Ecclesiasticae
• Latin honors cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude, meritus, bene meritus, and meritissimus

Sporadic events

Installation of a new rector

Last June 4, 2012, The Rev. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P., Ph.D. became the 96th Rector Magnificus of the University. He was appointed as the 96th rector of UST by Zenon Cardinal Grocholewski at the Santissimo del Rosario Parish with a style of "His Magnificence". He was nominated by Members of the Order of Preachers of the University, the Academic Senate, and the Board of Trustees of the University

UST at 500

At the end of the pyromusical display of the Neo-centennial Celebration in January 2012, "UST 500" was spelled out using indoor fireworks atop the Main Building.

The Varsitarian Neo-centennial magazine supplement released in June 2012 was entitled "Toward 500".

External links

• The University of Santo Tomas - Events