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UST hailed as 'mother of all schools'

Jan. 27, 10:27 p.m. - BELLS TOLLED to usher in UST’s fifth century as Thomasians closed the year-long Quadricentennial festivities with a day of worship, songs, and celebration.

A solemn Eucharistic celebration, led by Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma – president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) and a UST alumnus – highlighted the last day of the closing week dubbed “Neo-Centennial” Week, with the clergy and faithful recalling the lives of 15 Dominican saints and martyrs produced by the University. read more »

'Velada Tomasina' transports UST back in time

THE UNIVERSITY stepped back in time today as Thomasians participated in a "living tableau" that recreated the atmosphere of 19th-century UST.

Students, administrators, faculty members, support staff, and alumni in period costumes flocked to the campus and attended the "Velada Tomasina" at Benavides Park, which became “Ciudad Santo Tomas” — a recreation of the old UST campus and Sto. Domingo Church in Intramuros.

At 9 a.m., a wreath was laid at the Benavides Monument as “a ceremonial gesture of reverential recognition” to Msgr. Miguel de Benavides, O.P., third archbishop of Manila and the University’s founder.

A historical marker at the base of the monument was unveiled by Vice Rector Fr. Pablo Tiong, O.P., Secretary General Fr. Florentino Bolo Jr., O.P., National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) chair Maria Serena Diokno, and National Commission for Culture and the Arts executive director Emelita Almosara.  read more »

Archbishop Legaspi remembers Thomasians past in Thanksgiving Mass

Jan. 25, 9:18 p.m. - UST WOULD not have been what it is today without the accomplishments of its alumni, Caceres Archbishop Leonardo Legaspi, O.P., reminded Thomasians in the 'Neo-Centennial' Thanksgiving Mass this afternoon at Plaza Mayor.

“The quality of lives and experiences of our deceased alumni place each and every one of us in debt,” said Legaspi, the first Filipino to become rector of UST.

Legaspi however lamented that there are many people “who call themselves Catholics in high positions,” but simply throw out the Church's teachings on the sanctity of marriage and life.  read more »

UST preys on Lady Maroons

Jan. 25, 5:39 p.m. - THE UST Lady Spikers muzzled the University of the Philippines through a quick three-set match, 25-15, 25-15, and 25-15, at the second round of eliminations of the UAAP women’s volleyball tournament earlier today.

Maruja Banaticla took the scoring cudgels for UST and yielded 17 points, while Maika Ortiz delivered 15 markers. UP’s Angeli Araneta, meanwhile, logged in 9 points.

“Kailangan talaga namin ng mas maraming points kaya okay na three-sets lang kami, dahil na pe-predict ko na maraming may tie,” said coach Odjie Mamon.  read more »

Tiger Spikers thrash La Salle

Jan. 25, 5:34 p.m. - THE TIGER Spikers overcame a jittery start to topple a stubborn De La Salle University, 21-25, 25-19, 29-27, and 25-20, and earn their first win in the second round of eliminations in the UAAP volleyball tournament.

Salvador Depante led UST with 20 points, including 18 attacks, while Mark Alfafara and Jayson Ramos tossed in 18 and 17 markers, respectively, in the game earlier today.

“Medyo nag-step-up na ang mga players pero hindi pa rin maayos ang blocking at receiving namin. Kailangan pa rin na ibalik ‘yung dating form ng UST n’ung first round,” head coach Emil Lontoc said.  read more »

UST taps PNP for Paskuhan security

THE PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) will help beef up the security force for the Paskuhan, with this year’s crowd estimated to double to 150,000.

Because the University’s security force won’t be enough to handle the huge crowd, it has decided to seek help from nearby University Belt Area (UBA) police station and Precinct 4 in Balic-Balic.

Security office chief Joseph Badinas said it won’t be the first such arrangement for the annual University-wide Christmas party on Dec. 16, but the number of policemen would double last year’s 50.

The security office will deploy around 150 uniformed guards and 20 “civilian” guards around the campus on the day of the festivity, he said. read more »

A consumer Christmas

THE RETIRED Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, has reminded Catholics that Christmas is about Jesus Christ, not Santa Claus. And even if Santa Claus is a corruption from Saint Nicholas, a saint in the ancient Roman martyrology known for giving gifts to the poor during Christmas, he’s been appropriated and debased by global capitalism. And yes, those who light up at the mention of Santa Claus don’t know he’s a Christian saint. They’re corrupted too in their blissful ignorance by the commerce of Christmas.  read more »

Male Fencers waltz their way to top

By JAN EDWARD B. BALLESTEROS

FROM a second runner-up finish last season, the UST Male Fencers emerged as this year’s champions while their female counterparts dropped to fifth place following separate duels at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium last Dec. 5.

The Male Fencers' 3-0-2 gold-silver-bronze medal tally overwhelmed Far Eastern University's collection of two gold medals, a silver, and four bronze medals.

“Lahat ng laban ngayon pantay-pantay, at sabi ko sa kanila (male fencers) lakasan lang loob nila,” men’s team coach Emerson Segui said. “Fortunately, nag-jive lahat.” read more »

Online Poll

Information circulated online that the Creative Writing Center, which is to be revived this year, will no longer be named after poetess and former UST writer-in-residence Ophelia Alcantara-Dimalanta—as Fr. Rolando de La Rosa, O.P., Rector of UST, promised during her wake— due to unclear reasons.

In Pictures

Paskuhan looks forward to UST's fifth century

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