History of UST
Miguel de Benavides, O.P.
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) is the oldest existing university in Asia. In
terms of student population, it is the largest Catholic university in the world in a
single campus. The institution was established through the initiative of Bishop
Miguel de Benavides, O.P., third Archbishop of Manila. On July 24, 1605, he
bequeathed the amount of one thousand five hundred pesos and his personal library
for the establishment of a “seminary-college” to prepare young men for the
priesthood. Those funds, and his personal library, became the nucleus for the start
of UST and its library.
The founding of the University of Santo Tomas followed on April 28, 1611. With the original
campus located in Intramuros, the Walled City of Manila, UST was first called Colegio de Nuestra
Señora del Santisimo Rosario, and later renamed Colegio de Santo Tomas, in memory of the
foremost Dominican Theologian, St. Thomas Aquinas.
Pope Innocent X
On July 29, 1619 the Colegio was authorized to confer academic degrees in
theology and philosophy. By November 20, 1645, Pope Innocent X elevated
the college to a university. In 1680, it was subsequently placed under the royal
patronage of the Spanish monarchy. In 1681, Pope Innocent XI declared it a
Public University of General Studies allowing it to confer other degrees. In
1734 Pope Clement XII authorized the University to confer degrees in all
existing faculties as well as in all others that might be introduced in the future.
The Pope also approved the curriculum in the entire field of jurisprudence.
During the British invasion of Manila in 1762, the University raised four
companies of students and professors numbering 400 men each. These saw
action in battles against the British until 1764.
The expulsion of the Society of Jesus from the Philippines in 1768 left the
University of Santo Tomas as the only institution of higher learning in the
islands.
King Carlos III
In 1785 in recognition of the role of the students and faculty in resisting the British, King Charles
III conferred the title of “Royal” to the university and formally granted it the status of a royal
university.
On May 20, 1865, a royal order from Queen Isabella II gave the University the power to direct and
supervise all the schools in the Philippines and the Rector of the University became the ex-
officio head of the secondary and higher education in the Philippines. All diplomas issued by other
schools were approved by the Rector of the University and examinations leading to the issuance
of such diplomas were supervised by the Dominican professors of UST.
On September 17, 1902, Pope Leo XIII made the University of Santo Tomas a “Pontifical
University”, and by 1947, Pope Pius XII bestowed upon it the title of “The Catholic University of
the Philippines”. The University of Santo Tomas is the second university in the world after the
Gregorian University in Rome to be granted the formal title of Pontifical University. The
Gregorian University was allowed to assume this title in 1873.
The continuing increase in enrolment prompted the administration, in 1927 to transfer the
university campus from Intramuros to its present site in Sampaloc district, which covers a total of
21.5 hectares. The Intramuros campus continued to operate until its destruction during the Second
World War.
Pope Leo XIII
Since its establishment in 1611, the university academic life was disrupted only
twice: once, from 1898 to 1899, during the second phase of the Philippine
Revolution and the Filipino-American War, and for the second time, from 1942
to 1945, when the Japanese Occupation Forces during the Second World War
converted the UST campus into an internment camp where around 2,500 allied
civilians were detained. Buildings such as the Main Building, the Gymnasium
and an annex building behind the Main Building called the Domestic Arts
building, were used as living quarters. The internees were liberated by the U.S.
forces on February 3, 1945.
Throughout its more than 400 years of existence, the University has become the alma mater of
four Filipino heroes who shaped the nation’s destiny like Jose Rizal, Emilio Jacinto, Marcelo H.
del Pilar, Apolinario Mabini; Philippine Presidents such as Manuel Luis Quezon, Sergio Osmeña,
Jose P. Laurel and Diosdado Macapagal; various Chief Justices of the Supreme Court, senators,
congressmen, scientists, architects, engineers and writers, all outstanding in their chosen
professions. It was visited by three popes, Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, , and Pope Francis,
and various heads of states and foreign dignitaries.
The University Seal
The present Seal of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) is likened to a shield,
quartered by the Dominican Cross on which is superimposed the sun of St. Thomas
Aquinas, patron saint of Catholic schools, after whom the university is named.
On the upper left corner is the Papal Tiara, indicating the pontifical roots of the
university. The upper right shows the lion, which is derived from the seal of Spain,
indicative of royal patronage throughout the greater part of the university’s
centuries-old existence. The lower left quadrant contains an image of a sea-lion,
from the old seal of the City of Manila, the capital of the country, symbolizing that
this university is a part of the Republic of the Philippines. The rose on the lower
right corner is a symbol of the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary, under whose care the
university was placed from its very beginnings.
The symbols are set in gold on a field of light blue, to honor the Marian color. The cross, however,
is in black and white, the Dominican colors.
1619-1733
This is the oldest seal of the University, first seen in the Libros de Piques, an examination
book found at the UST Arc.
1734-1855
Here, an icon of St. Thomas Aquinas is seen.
1733-1854
An alternative seal was used, featuring the sun of St. Thomas Aquinas and the dog with
the torch associated with St. Dominic de Guzman.
1868-1935
This seal shows the Papal seal (as a Pontifical University), the seal of Spain (as a
Royal University), and the Dominican Cross. Atop is also the sun of St. Thomas Aquinas.
1937-1946
This seal shows a seal referencing to the Philippines, the Papal seal (as a Pontifical
University), the seal of Spain (as a Royal University), and the Dominican Cross. Atop is
also the sun of St. Thomas Aquinas.
This seal shows a seal referencing to the Philippines, the Papal seal (as a Pontifical
University), the seal of Spain (as a Royal University), and the Dominican Cross. Atop is also
the sun of St. Thomas Aquinas.
1983-2012
This seal shows the following elements: the Sun of St. Thomas Aquinas, the cross of the
Order of Preachers, the Papal Tiara, the Lion symbolizing Spain, the Sealion symbolizing
Manila, and the Marian Rose.
Mission and Vision
UST Identity
The University of Santo Tomas, the Pontifical, Royal, and Catholic University of the Philippines,
is a Dominican institution of learning founded in 1611, under the patronage of St. Thomas
Aquinas.
Mission
The University, in pursuit of truth, guided by reason and illumined by faith, dedicates herself to
the generation, advancement, and transmission of knowledge to form competent and
compassionate professionals, committed to the service of the Church, the nation, and the global
community.
Vision
Faithful to its centuries-old tradition of excellence, the University of Santo Tomas envisions
itself as a premier Catholic institution of learning in Asia, committed to the professional and
moral formation of her stakeholders for social transformation.
Motto
Veritas in Caritate (Eph 4:15)
The Nine Directional Areas
Thomasian Identity
To form servant leaders who espouse Thomasian ideals and values as they collaborate with the
University in the fulfillment of her mission and actively take part in the nation building
Leadership and Governance
To fully actualize a proactive, systematic, and mission-oriented University leadership and
governance in order to be recognized as a premiere institution of Learning in Asia
Teaching and Learning
To be a world-class institution of higher learning
Research and Innovation
To become an internationally acknowledged expert in pioneering and innovative research in the
arts and humanities, social science, business management and education, health and allied
sciences, science and technology, and the sacred sciences
Community Development and Advocacy
To become a vibrant community of evangelizers actively engaged in social transformation
through advocacy and ministry
Student Welfare and Services
To promote and ensure student academic achievement and life success through responsive and
empirical-based services of global standards
Public Presence
To be an institution of preeminent influence in the global community by taking a proactive
stance in social, cultural, and moral advocacies and assuming a lead role in national and
international policy formulation
Resource Management
To provide a conductive learning and working environment with state-of-the-art facilities and
resources in a self-sustainable University through the engagement of professional Thomasian
workforce who meets international standards and adapts to global change
Internationalization
To promote internationalization and integrate it into the institution’s strategic plans and
initiatives for the purpose of preparing students for a productive engagement in the global arena
of ideas and work
ASIA’S OLDEST UNIVERSITY
THE ROYAL AND PONTIFICAL UNIVERSITY OF SANTO TOMAS
By: Quennie Ann J. Palafox
The oldest existing university in Asia and the largest Catholic University in the world in terms
of population is found in the Philippines. The University of Santo Tomas in España, Manila in the
District of Sampaloc, turned 400 years old. Some compare UST as an institution older than the
Harvard University, America’s oldest university.
UST is a private and sectarian educational institution run by the Order of Preachers. The
Dominicans were the fourth group of religious orders after the Augustinians, Franciscans and
Jesuits that arrived in the Philippines, doing so in 1587. One of them was Fr. Miguel de Benavides
who was appointed as the third Archbishop of Manila in 1603. Fr. Benavides most important
legacy was his founding of UST, an institution of higher learning, initially intended to be a
“seminary-college” to prepare young men for the priesthood. In his last will, Fr. Benavides
donated his personal library and 1, 500 pesos which was a huge amount of money at that time, to
finance the establishment of the college.
On the fateful day of April 28, 1611, the Colegio de Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario was
established in Intramuros with Fr. Domingo Gonzalez, O.P. appointed as rector. It was unfortunate
that Benavides died on July 26, 1605 without even seeing the fruit of his work. In 1619, Pope Paul
V granted the offering of degrees in Philosophy and Theology to all Dominican colleges in the
world. Colegio de Nuestra Señora del Rosario was renamed Colegio de Santo Tomas, in memory
of the foremost Dominican Theologian and its patron-saint, St. Thomas Aquinas, in 1625.
Pope Innocent X elevated the college to a university in 1645, making it the oldest existing
University in Asia. In 1680 King Charles II placed the University under the royal patronage of the
Spanish monarchy. The Faculty of Canon Law was formed as the Escuela de Derecho Canonigo
in 1733, making it the oldest School of Canon law in the Philippines. King Charles III conferred
the title “royal” university in 1785 because of UST’s loyalty to the crown when it volunteered its
students for the military defense of Manila against the British who occupied Manila from 1762 to
1764.
In 1865, Queen Isabella II issued a royal order authorizing the University to direct and
supervise all the schools in the Philippines with the Rector of the University as director of the
Bureau of Education. No diploma was issued by other schools without the approval of the Rector
of the University. The Revolution of 1868 led by Gen. Juan Prim resulted to the deposition of
Queen Isabella II. A liberal government was established and an Italian prince, Amadeo of Savoy,
was proclaimed as King of Spain in 1870. One of the acts of the newly-installed government was
to secularize the University. However, this did not materialize because of the fall of the Liberal
government and restoration of the Spanish monarchy.
Another significant move was implemented by the university in 1871 when it expanded its
academic program to offer the degrees of Medicine and Pharmacy. The university opened its doors
to women with the creation of the Escuela de Matronas (School of Midwives) in 1879. In 1898,
UST was closed when the Philippine Revolution broke out. Classes were resumed a year later.
On September 17, 1902, Pope Leo XIII made the University of Santo Tomas a “Pontifical
University”, and by 1947, Pope Pius XII bestowed upon it the title of “The Catholic University of
the Philippines”. The University of Santo Tomas is the second university in the world after the
Gregorian University in Vatican to be granted the formal title of Pontifical University.
A male dominated university, UST began accepting more female students in 1924 because of
the desire of many families to have their daughters educated in a Catholic institution. In 1927, the
UST Main building designed by Fr. Roque Ruaño, O.P., was inaugurated. That same year, the
UST administration transferred the university campus from Intramuros to its present site in
Sampaloc district because of the dramatic increase in its enrolment. In the following year, the
Varsitarian, the official student newspaper of the university was founded. The Intramuros campus
continued to operate until its destruction during the Second World War.
The Japanese Forces during the Second World War turned UST campus into an internment camp
for 2,500 allied civilians. This sad episode of its history finally ended when the internees were
liberated by U.S. forces in 1945.
In 1947, Pope Pius XII bestowed the appellate name “Catholic University of the Philippines”
to UST. Two Popes have visited the University. The first time was in November 1970, when Pope
Paul VI visited the University. The blessed Pope John Paul II came to the University in 1981. He
came for the second time in 1995 and celebrated the World Youth Day with a mass at the UST
parade grounds. The charismatic Mother Teresa of Calcutta also paid UST a visit in 1977.
Through the years has produced many Filipino patriots who have shaped the nation’s destiny
among them the heroes Jose Rizal, Emilio Jacinto, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Apolinario Mabini; and
Philippine Presidents such as Manuel Luis Quezon, Sergio Osmeña, Jose P. Laurel and Diosdado
Macapagal. A large number of delegates of the Malolos Congress who drafted the Malolos
Constitution in 1899 and delegates of the 1934 Convention who drafted the 1935 Constitution
were alumni of the University.
MANILA, Philippines – After two* decades, a pope again sets foot on the University of Santo
Tomas (UST), the largest Catholic university in the world in terms of student population. With
24,000 youth delegates expected to be in attendance, Pope Francis will hold a meeting with the
youth and will deliver a speech at the campus football field on January 17.
Here are just some interesting facts about the university:
1. It is the oldest existing university in Asia.
In 1611, Colegio de Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario was established through the donation
of then Manila Archbishop Miguel de Benavides. It was renamed in 1625 to Colegio de Santo
Tomas, after its patron-saint, St Thomas Aquinas. Then in 1645, Pope Innocent X raised its
status to a university.
2. It is granted 3 titles.
The school is formally called The Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic
University of the Philippines. The term royal was granted by King Charles III in 1785 after
recognizing its role in the British invasion of Manila from 1762-1764. The term Pontifical came
from Pope Leo XIII in 1902, making it the second university in the world to have such status
(after Gregorian University). As a pontifical university, it was established or directly approved
by the Holy See. It offers ecclesiastical degrees which are prerequisites for bishop candidates.
Its Catholic title was granted by Pope Pius XII in 1947.
3. It holds important roles in history.
In 1865, Queen Isabella II authorized UST “to direct and supervise all the schools in the
Philippines.” Back then, the university approved all the examinations and diplomas issued from
other schools. Then from 1942-1945, during the Second World War, the university academic life
was disrupted when Japanese Forces turned UST into an internment camp. Around 2,500 allied
civilians were detained here.
4. Pope Francis is the 3rd pope to visit UST.
In the past 50 years, the country has been visited by two popes. The first was in 1970, when Pope
Paul VI visited the university. It was followed by Pope John Paul II who went to UST in 1981 as
part of his Asian pilgrimage. Pope John Paul II again visited UST in 1995 for the World Youth
Day. He held Mass at the Central Seminary Chapel for the international delegates of the
International Youth Forum, which the school hosted.
UST officials invited Pope Benedict XVI for the school's 400th founding anniversary in 2011.
However, he declined the invitation and sent a representative instead. He also delivered his
congratulatory message through a pre-recorded video.
5. UST holds (and attempted to break) records.
In December 2010, students gathered to form the largest human rosary which they called “Q
Rosary”. It was an attempt to enter the Guinness World Records for forming the largest living
rosary, but Guinness officials recommended it to be the largest human cross instead.
In March 2011, during Ash Wednesday, UST broke the world record for forming the largest
human cross. The human cross was patterned after the Dominican cross colors of black and
white. The record was previously owned by Oslo Red Cross in Norway.
The UST museum located in the Main Building also hosts the largest religious image of a
crucified Christ in the country. Carved during the 16th or 17th century, it is made of ivory and
can be found at the museum’s Hall of the Philippine Religious Images. – Rappler.com
