The Varsitarian

Updated June 25, 1:21 p.m. - UST HAS unveiled a new logo, but many Thomasians are not exactly excited about it.

The new design encloses the University seal in a circle set in yellow. The outer black ring contains the words "UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS" and "MANILA 1611" in white color. The old shield-like seal is retained and placed at the center.

According to a memorandum issued by Secretary General Fr. Florentino Bolo, Jr., O.P., last June 21, the Council of Regents approved the revised design in a meeting that same day.

But the logo soon became a hot trending topic on social networking sites soon after “UST QUADRI,” the Facebook page maintained by the Office of the Secretary General, uploaded a digital copy.

In less than two hours came a Facebook page called “No to UST’s new university seal." As of posting time, more than 10,000 Facebook users “liked” the page.

Here are some of the comments:

"There's too much going in the logo, a lot of yellow, black, and white—it's too disturbing," said alumnus Ian Anderson Rabino. "Stick to the principle 'less is more' and be tactful and regal in designing our beloved UST's logo."

"The previous seal makes Thomasians more proud because there is elegance in its simplicity and uniqueness," said senior Psychology student Sharlynn Miranda Tamayo. "All Thomasians must have a say on this issue since we all make up the University."

But alumnus Denz Villanueva said the incorporation of UST's name on the seal would make it easier to identify.

"Hindi pwedeng seal lang, dapat talaga may description kung ano yun. Parang produkto ‘yan eh, dapat may branding para makilala at bumenta," he said.

The University seal—the 13th design since 1619—is a light blue shield with gold frame quartered by the black-and-white Dominican Cross on which the sun of St. Thomas Aquinas is superimposed.

On its quadrants are the four gold symbols—the Papal Tiara, the lion derived from Spain's seal, the sea lion from Manila City's old seal, and the rose. They represent UST's pontificate, royal patronage of Spain, belongingness of the University to the Republic of the Philippines, and the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary, respectively.

Commenting on the criticisms on the new logo, Bolo said criticisms on the new logo might be considered by the Council of Regents, which is set to meet on the issue again.

Bolo said the council decided to include UST's name in the logo so it could be identified more easily.

But he said that the round text might be removed, particularly during UAAP games, making it undeterminable when it is being lined up with other schools' logos in which their names are indicated.

"Although some claim that our logo [being nameless] is something unique for UST. I think it only applies here in the Philippines," he added.

Bolo said that the titles “Pontifical” and “Royal” were dropped in the new design because they are not included in the official name of University, and that UST only uses the name “University of Santo Tomas” in its records, official documents, and legal documents.

"Actually, the suggestion came from the Curia in Rome," he said. "It said that there should be a consistency on the name of the University and on the title to be placed in the logo; that is why we have to take out the titles."

Bolo also said that that he had informed Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P., Rector of the University, and the Council of Regents on criticisms against the logo.

"The Council of Regents just had its meeting last Tuesday, so these issues would be brought up on the next council meeting," he said. Rafael L. Antonio