University of Santo Tomas

Straddling along the University Belt, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) is the oldest university and the only pontifical university in Asia. It is also the largest university in Manila and one of the biggest in the world in terms of enrollment. In terms of student population, the school is the biggest Catholic single-campus university in the world. It is the only university that has been visited by two popes: Pope Paul VI and Pope John Paul II.

Architecture and sculptures

The original entrance to the university is the Arch of the Centuries, whose ruins (facing the Main Building) were part of the original created in 1611, while the replica faces España Street. Nearby are the fountains and statues of Fountain of Wisdom and Fountain of Knowledge, as well as the Lovers’ Lane, called as such because it is a haven of dating couples. At the end of the lane is Plaza Mayor (open: 4 a.m. to 11 p.m., free entrance), a plain-looking park patterned after classical European plazas. The square’s centerpiece is the Benavides Monument, dedicated to the school’s founder. The bronze statue was made in Paris in 1889, by a certain Tony Noel.

UST’s first building, the Main Building (open: 4 a.m. to 11 p.m., free entrance), is the first earthquake-resistant structure in the country, a design by engineer Fr. Roque Ruaño. It was used as an internment camp by the Japanese forces during WWII. Apart from being an ornate structure in itself, the building’s rooftop features the artworks of Italian sculptor Ricardo Francesco Monti, who taught at the school’s college of architecture and fine arts in the early ‘50s. Among these are statues of prominent priests from the Order of Preachers (who run the school), as well as the icons of philosophers Plato, St. Albert the Great, and Aristotle; writers Sophocles, Calderon dela Barca, and William Shakespeare; and playwrights Aristophanes, Lope de Vega, and Moliere.

Rare collections

Inside the Main Building is the Museum of Arts and Sciences (10 am to 4 pm, Tuesdays to Saturdays; adults P30, children P20), which contains permanent displays of oriental arts, ethnographic materials, specimens of natural history, and 17th to 20th century paintings including those by Filipino masters Carlos Francisco, Fernando and Pablo Amorsolo, Galo Ocampo, and Vicente Manansala. Some of the medals, coins, religious images, and other memorabilia in the museum date back to 1682. One of the museum’s most prized possessions is a gilded ornate seat especially constructed for Pope John Paul II during his visits to the university. The museum also has its own mini library, souvenir shop, and venue for art exhibits.

Another exhibition venue, the Beato Angelico Gallery (8 a.m.-9 p.m., free entrance), is an eight-storey building whose lobby features the works of UST’s students and alumni. Nearby is the UST Chapel or the Santisimo Rosario Church (5 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, free entrance), which holds the annual novena for the La Naval Festival, as well as a lively classical song and dance show or Heritage Christmas Concert in December.

Beside the church is UST Archives For permits: http://library.ust.edu.ph/, 8 a.m. to noon, 1-8 p.m., Mon-Sat), a repository of papal bulls, academic records, rare Filipiniana prints, royal decrees, novenas, national periodicals, grades and degrees of Filipino national heroes, and other documents dating back to the university’s foundation date.

Nearby is Miguel de Benavides Library (For permits: http://library.ust.edu.ph/, 8 a.m. to noon, 1-8 p.m., Mon-Sat) which contains over 450,000 volumes of periodicals, books, and rare manuscripts, with hundreds of new materials being added regularly. The high-tech library provides wi-fi and electronic library services. It also has its own coffee shop. Just behind it is the Quadricentennial Square, whose floor fountain and al fresco huts center around the Tretraglobal sculpture of national artist and UST alumnus Ramon Orlina.

History

Originally founded on April 28, 1611 in Intramuros, UST was elevated from a college to a university by Pope Innocent X. The school’s students and professors fought against the invading British army in 1762. In recognition to this feat, King Charles III of Spain conferred the titles “loyal” and “royal” to the university. In 1865, Queen Isabella II ordered UST, then the only institution for higher learning, the power to govern all Philippine schools. Hence, all diplomas at that time were issued by UST.

In 1902, Pope Leo XIII made UST a “Pontifical University,” while in 1947, Pope Pius XII bestowed upon it the title “Catholic University of the Philippines.”It is the second university in the world to be called “pontifical”; the other one is Gregorian University in Vatican City.

The surge in enrollment prompted UST to expand to Sampaloc (also in capital Manila) in 1927. The Intramuros campus was only shut down when it was destroyed during WWII. During this period, the campus in Sampaloc served as an internment camp for 2,500 allied civilians.

Throughout its nearly 400 years of existence, UST became the alma mater of four Filipino heroes, four Philippine presidents, three Philippine vice presidents, six Supreme Court justices, and several congressmen, senators, architects, scientists, writers, and engineers, among others. It has been visited by two popes and various foreign dignitaries and heads of states.

Shopping and dining

The university’s parking area dabbles as its mini commercial center containing small snack houses, fast food chains like Jollibee, KFC and Mc Donald’s; and small shops selling assorted items or providing services like photocopying and cellphone repair. Take note that these shops are only open from 8 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m. For more choices in dining, you can choose from the fast food chains or small restaurants along Dapitan Street. The prices here are inexpensive since they cater to students. Sanitation, however, is a concern especially among the small restaurants.

Accommodations

The streets surrounding UST offer affordable accommodations ranging from bed space to rooms for rent and high-end condominiums. Beware that UST and its surrounds fall victim to waist-deep floods especially during the rainy season (June to September). Hence, it is best to avoid looking for accommodations around España Street, where the flood is usually at its highest.

Opening hours and permits

UST is open every day, from 4:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., except during official holidays. Permits should be secured from the Office of Public Affairs (Tel. No. +632 406-1611 loc. 8315) to access the individual buildings in the compound, except for open-air parks. For more information, log on to http://www.ust.edu.ph/index.php.

How to get there

Taxis (flag down rate: P30) are the easiest way to get there from anywhere in Manila. UST is also accessible via FX shared taxis and jeepneys that ply along España Street on their way to Quezon City or to other parts of Manila. Alternatively, you can ride the MRT, get off in Quezon Avenue Station, and ride a jeepney, taxi, or an FX from there. Ask the driver first if he will pass by UST. The fare is P10 for jeepneys and P15 for FX.

Tags: Attractions, Day trip, Historical, Manila