History of University of Santo Tomas

University of Santo Tomas

The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines , is a private Roman Catholic university run by the Order of Preachers in Manila. Founded on April 28, 1611 by archbishop of Manila Miguel de Benavides, it has the oldest extant university charter in the...

is one of the oldest existing universities and holds the oldest extant university charter in the Philippines

Philippines

The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...

and in Asia

Asia

Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...

. It was founded on April 28, 1611 by the third Archbishop of Manila, Msgr. Miguel de Benavides, O.P.

Miguel de Benavides

Miguel de Benavides y Añoza was a Spanish clergyman and sinologist, the third Archbishop of Manila, and founder of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.-Biography:...

, together with Frs. Domingo de Nieva and Bernardo de Santa Catalina. It was originally conceived as a school to prepare young men for the priesthood. Located within Intramuros

Intramuros

Intramuros is the oldest district in the present day city of Manila, the capital of the Republic of the Philippines. Nicknamed the "Walled City", Intramuros is the historic fortified city of Manila, the seat ot the government during the Spanish Colonial Period. Its name in Latin, intramuros,...

, the Walled City, it was first called Colegio de Nuestra Señora del Santisimo Rosario and later renamed Colegio de Santo Tomas in memory of the foremost Dominican

Dominican Order

The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...

Theologian, Saint Thomas Aquinas. In 1624, the Colegio was authorized to confer academic degrees in Theology, Philosophy and Arts. On November 20, 1645 Pope Innocent X

Pope Innocent X

Pope Innocent X , born Giovanni Battista Pamphilj , was Pope from 1644 to 1655. Born in Rome of a family from Gubbio in Umbria who had come to Rome during the pontificate of Pope Innocent IX, he graduated from the Collegio Romano and followed a conventional cursus honorum, following his uncle...

elevated the College to the rank of a university and in 1680, it was subsequently placed under royal patronage.

Through the centuries, the University was given the following titles: Royal, Pontifical

Pontifical university

A pontifical university is a Catholic University established by and directly under the authority of the Holy See. It is licensed to grant academic degrees in sacred faculties, the most important of which are Sacred Theology, Canon Law, Sacred Scripture and...

, and Catholic University

Catholic University

A Catholic University is a private university run by the Catholic Church or by Catholic organizations like religious institutes. Those with closer ties to the Holy See are called pontifical universities....

of the Philippines. In 1785, for the loyalty shown by the administration and students who volunteered to defend Manila against the British invasion, King Charles III of Spain granted it the title of "Royal University". Pope Leo XIII

Pope Leo XIII

Pope Leo XIII , born Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci to an Italian comital family, was the 256th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, reigning from 1878 to 1903...

made the University of Santo Tomas a "Pontifical University

Pontifical university

" on 1902 and in 1947, Pope Pius XII

Pope Pius XII

The Venerable Pope Pius XII , born Eugenio Maria Giuseppe Giovanni Pacelli , reigned as Pope, head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of Vatican City State, from 2 March 1939 until his death in 1958....

bestowed upon it the title of "The Catholic University

Catholic University

of the Philippines". Thus its complete name is The Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines .

In 1927, with the continuing increase in enrollment, the University moved from Intramuros

Intramuros

to its present site which covers an area of 21.5 hectares in the district of Sampaloc, Manila

Sampaloc, Manila

Sampaloc is a district of Manila which is primarily a residential and educational center. Part of the Malacañang Palace is located in Sampaloc. The University of Santo Tomas, University of the East Manila are part of the University Belt to name a few, the famous Dangwa flower market at Dimasalang...

. Since its foundation, the University's academic life has been interrupted only twice: 1898 to 1899, during the Philippine revolution

Philippine Revolution

The Philippine Revolution , called the "Tagalog War" by the Spanish, was an armed military conflict between the people of the Philippines and the Spanish colonial authorities which resulted in the secession of the Philippine Islands from the Spanish Empire.The Philippine Revolution began in August...

against Spain; and 1942 to 1945, during the Japanese occupation of Manila

Japanese occupation of the Philippines

The Japanese occupation of the Philippines was the period in the history of the Philippines between 1942 and 1945, when the Empire of Japan occupied the previously American-controlled Philippines during World War II....

, when the University of Santo Tomas was transformed by the Japanese military

Imperial Japanese Army

-Foundation:During the Meiji Restoration, the military forces loyal to the Emperor were samurai drawn primarily from the loyalist feudal domains of Satsuma and Chōshū...

into an internment camp.

Founder

Although a few Dominican Missionaries worked together to establish the University – including Fr. Miguel de Benavides, Fr. Bernardo Navarro, and other old professors from the higher colleges and universities in Spain – the founding of the University is attributed mainly to Fr. Miguel de Benavides. This is because Fr. Benavides was the first to give a fund for the maintenance of the institution.

Miguel de Benavides was born in 1550 in the Castilian town of Carrion de los Condes

Carrión de los Condes

Carrión de los Condes is a municipality in the province of Palencia, part of the Autonomous Community of Castile and León, Spain.It is 40 kilometers from Palencia, on the Way of Saint James.-History:...

, province of Palencia, Spain

Palencia

Palencia is a city south of Tierra de Campos, in north-northwest Spain, the capital of the province of Palencia in the autonomous community of Castile-Leon...

, in the heart of the austere, grain-producing Tierra de Campos. Benavides is Spanish Dominican steeped in the theological principles of Vitoria and Las Casas, who exchanged the prestigious professorial chair for remote and difficult new missions of the Philippines. He was chosen to govern the newly created Diocese of Nueva Segovia

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia

-Introduction:The Archdiocese of Nueva Segovia is an archdiocese of the Roman Catholic Church in the Philippines. It covers the province of Ilocos Sur, on the island of Luzon. The see of the archdiocese is the city of Vigan....

(now Vigan) as its First Bishop (1595–1601). He authored the Doctrina Christiana in Chinese, the first book printed in the Philippines.

Later, he was promoted to be the Third Archbishop of Manila (1602–1605). On July 26, 1605, Benavides died.

In an appearance before King Philip II

Philip II of Spain

Philip II was King of Spain, Portugal, Naples, Sicily, and, while married to Mary I, King of England and Ireland. He was lord of the Seventeen Provinces from 1556 until 1581, holding various titles for the individual territories such as duke or count....

, he obtained a royal decree ordering the holding a referendum in the Philippines towards political self-determination. It took place in 1599. The people chose to be under the sovereignty and protection of the monarch. This event was the only plebiscite known in the entire colonial history before the 20th century.

Benavides monument

In December 1878, the University Rector conceived the idea of erecting a monument with a statue of the founder in the Plaza de Santo Tomás in Intramuros

Intramuros

. The Benavides Monument was made in Paris in 1889 through funds collected among the faculty, students and friends of the university. It was inaugurated on July 2, 1891 – opening of the school year. The monument is a bronze figure of Benavides on a pedestal facing the old UST campus in Intramuros

Intramuros

. The base of the statue has the name of the sculptor and year of the make: Tony Noel, 1889. The pedestal was decorated with the seals of the Dominican Order and the university, as well as plaques on which were written the history of UST and a brief biography of the archbishop.

The statue was blown from its place by an artillery shell during the Battle of Manila, completely obliterating its marble pedestal. The Benavides Monument was re-erected on November 13, 1946 inside the UST Campus in Sampaloc, Manila

Sampaloc, Manila

.

His present bronze statue in front of the Main Building of the Sampaloc campus, rises on top of a granite pedestal flanked by four lions each bearing the coats-of-arms of the Philippines

Coat of arms of the Philippines

The Coat of Arms of the Philippines features the eight-rayed sun of the Philippines with each ray representing the eight provinces which were placed under martial law by Governor-General Ramón Blanco during the Philippine Revolution, and the three five-pointed stars representing the three primary...

, Spain

Coat of arms of Spain

The current coat of arms of Spain, although it has its roots centuries ago, was approved by law in 1981, when the present established replaced the interim version which, in turn, replaced the official arms of Francoist Spain...

, Holy See, and the Dominican Order

Dominican Order

. He dons the rugged habit of the pioneer Dominican missionaries. His right hand is elevated in the preaching fashion, his index finger pointing to heavens. His left hand rests on his chest holding a book bearing the words Santo Evangélico on its cover. A skull cap covers his head, and a pectoral cross hangs from his neck, the symbols of Episcopal

Bishop

A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...

dignity.

Establishment

The University seems to have originated from the Dominican

Dominican Order

Conventional School of Santo Domingo (known often by the name of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary) with which it carried a common existence until 1611. The Dominican Order

Dominican Order

arrived in 1587. A program was held to solemnize the feast of St. Dominic, an old university student at Palencia

Palencia

Palencia is a city south of Tierra de Campos, in north-northwest Spain, the capital of the province of Palencia in the autonomous community of Castile-Leon...

and the founder of Order of Preachers. The celebration was held in the main hall of the Cathedral in the presence of prominent dignitaries of all religious orders and of the civil authorities. The academic act was directed by a professor of Theology, Rev. Fr. Pedro de Soto.

From that moment Bishop Domingo de Salazar

Domingo de Salazar

Domingo de Salazar was a Spanish prelate. He became the first bishop of the see of Manila.He was born in La Rioja, in the village of La Bastarda on the banks of the Ebro, Spain.-External links:**...

– first Bishop of the Philippines – was inspired to found a College-University similar to those in Mexico, where religious and lay persons might pursue college studies; and to begin with, a "School of Grammar" was established in addition to the "Escuela de Tiples". At that same time, it was determined that Fr. Miguel de Benavides, O.P and Fr. Miguel de Santamaria give conferences in the Episcopal Palace in the Cathedral, and in the Convent-School of Santo Domingo.

Name changes
1611:	Colegio de Nuestra Señora del Santísimo Rosario
1617:	Colegio de Santo Tomás de Manila
1645:	Universidad de Santo Tomás
1785:	Given the title of "Real" (Spanish for "Royal")
1870:	Universidad de Filipinas
1877:	Universidad de Santo Tomas
1902:	Given the title of "Pontifical"
1947:	Given the title of "Catholic University of the Philippines"
Present:	Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines

In his will dated July 26, 1605, Feast of St. Anne, Fray Miguel de Benavides, O.P. made provision for the foundation of the institution by bequeathing his library and goods valued at ₱1,500 which served as the nucleus of funds for the establishment of an institution of higher learning. This nucleus was increased to ₱7,140 by donations made by Pablo Rodríguez, Andrés Hermosa, and Juan Morales. After Benavides' death, in the same year, his confreres carried on - albeit with small funds - in order to realize his idea. As Fr. Sánchez wrote in his book, "Few Institutions have begun their lives in this world with such scanty material means as did our University."

In 1609, permission to open the College was requested from King Philip III

Philip III of Spain

Philip III , also known as Philip the Pious, was the King of Spain and King of Portugal and the Algarves, where he ruled as Philip II , from 1598 until his death...

, which only reached Manila in 1611. On April 28, 1611, the Document of Foundation was signed by Fr. Baltasar Fort, O.P., Provincial of the Dominican Province of the Holy Rosary, Fr. Francisco Minayo, O.P., Prior of the Santo Domingo Convent, and Fr. Bernardo de Santa Catalina, O.P., Commissary-General of the Holy Office of the Philippines, which thus converted into University thirty-four years later. Notary Juan Illian witnessed the signing of the act of foundation.

It was Fr. Bernardo de Santa Catalina who executed the document of foundation stating that "the residue of his (Benavides') legacy should be applied to the founding and endowing of a college. He carried out Benavides’ wishes and was able to secure a building near the Dominican church and convent in Intramuros

Intramuros

for the College.

The historians of the University affirmed that it was "the outgrowth if the early educational labors inaugurated by the Dominican Order shortly after the arrival (in this country) of its first missionaries in 1587."

Early years

The institution started its operation with courses in Theology, Arts, and Philosophy as the College of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary . In 1617, the College was renamed as College of Santo Tomas after the Dominican theologian St. Thomas Aquinas

Thomas Aquinas

Thomas Aquinas, O.P. , also Thomas of Aquin or Aquino, was an Italian Dominican priest of the Catholic Church, and an immensely influential philosopher and theologian in the tradition of scholasticism, known as Doctor Angelicus, Doctor Communis, or Doctor Universalis...

(1225–1274).

Prior to the Act of Foundation, King Philip III granted, through the Governor-General

Governor-General

A Governor-General, is a vice-regal person of a monarch in an independent realm or a major colonial circonscription. Depending on the political arrangement of the territory, a Governor General can be a governor of high rank, or a principal governor ranking above "ordinary" governors.- Current uses...

, the permission to open a college in Manila. So in 1612, Fr. Domingo Gonzalez, O.P., Lector of the Santo Domingo Convent, was appointed to work on the completion the organization of the college. In that same year, when classes also began, the Dominican Province of the Holy Rosary accepted the College, an act which amounted to the Dominican Order's assuming the responsibility in the operation of the institution. In 1619, in the name of King Philip IV

Philip IV of Spain

Philip IV was King of Spain between 1621 and 1665, sovereign of the Spanish Netherlands, and King of Portugal until 1640...

, the Governor-General of the Philippines

Governor-General of the Philippines

The Governor-General of the Philippines was the title of the government executive during the colonial period of the Philippines, governed mainly by Spain and the United States, and briefly by Great Britain, from 1565 to 1935....

, gave his approval. The Holy See

Holy See

The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Catholic Church in Rome, in which its Bishop is commonly known as the Pope. It is the preeminent episcopal see of the Catholic Church, forming the central government of the Church. As such, diplomatically, and in other spheres the Holy See acts and...

granted, although indirectly or implicitly, recognition to the new College in 1619. In 1627, Pope Urban VIII

Pope Urban VIII

Pope Urban VIII , born Maffeo Barberini, was pope from 1623 to 1644. He was the last pope to expand the papal territory by force of arms, and was a prominent patron of the arts and reformer of Church missions...

also authorized the College to confer academic degrees, so that the said academic degrees had both Royal and Papal approval. Although the College had only been in operation for a few years, records show that degrees were already being conferred in 1640.

Upon petition of King Philip IV

Philip IV of Spain

Philip IV was King of Spain between 1621 and 1665, sovereign of the Spanish Netherlands, and King of Portugal until 1640...

, Pope Innocent X

Pope Innocent X

converted the College into a University on November 20, 1645, in his brief, In Supreminenti, thus conferring upon it the status of University under the patronage of the Holy See. UST was later recognized as a "university for life" by the Real Audencia of Spain.Then on May 12, 1680, King Charles II of Spain extended Royal Patronage to the University. It was also that year in 1645 that the Master General of the Dominican Order, acting under the authority granted by the Roman Pontiff, assumed the authority to appoint its Rector and with to "have charge of the healthy and happy direction of the University". It was thus a confirmation of the fact that the Rector of the University became the highest administrator of the University, with the implementation of the different curricula, methods of instruction, and the adoption of "laudable customs of other universities". The course in Canon Law was started in 1732.

The campus stood in Intramuros opposite the old Church of Santo Domingo. It is a site which was bounded on the north by Calle Aduana, on the east by Plaza España, on the south by Plaza Santo Tomás, and on the west by the Ayuntamiento. The edifice had a lower and upper floor and area of 6239.6 square metres (7,462.5 sq yd).

Spanish monarchs

The series of benefices, favors and privileges granted to UST by the Spanish monarchs started in 1609 when Philip III

Philip III of Spain

Philip III , also known as Philip the Pious, was the King of Spain and King of Portugal and the Algarves, where he ruled as Philip II , from 1598 until his death...

issued a royal cedula requesting from the governor and the audencia a report on the projected college. He petitioned Pope Paul V

Pope Paul V

-Theology:Paul met with Galileo Galilei in 1616 after Cardinal Bellarmine had, on his orders, warned Galileo not to hold or defend the heliocentric ideas of Copernicus. Whether there was also an order not to teach those ideas in any way has been a matter for controversy...

for the granting of faculties of Philosophy and Theology. These faculties were implemented by order of Philip IV

Philip IV of Spain

Philip IV was King of Spain between 1621 and 1665, sovereign of the Spanish Netherlands, and King of Portugal until 1640...

in 1624, and three years later this monarch petitioned Rome for the extension of these faculties for an additional ten years. He was the same monarch who petitioned to the Holy Father the elevation of the young college to the level of a university in 1645.

King Charles II

Charles II of Spain

Charles II was the last Habsburg King of Spain and the ruler of large parts of Italy, the Spanish territories in the Southern Low Countries, and Spain's overseas Empire, stretching from the Americas to the Spanish East Indies...

, in 1680, added to this list of benefices already granted by his predecessors, when in Royal Cedula he formally declared that the University be placed under his Royal Patronage.

Another Royal Cedula of Charles II, with two others from Philip V

Philip V of Spain

Philip V was King of Spain from 15 November 1700 to 15 January 1724, when he abdicated in favor of his son Louis, and from 6 September 1724, when he assumed the throne again upon his son's death, to his death.Before his reign, Philip occupied an exalted place in the royal family of France as a...

, his successor, resulted in 1733 in the creation of the Faculties of Civil and Canon Laws. At the same time, the Holy See granted the university faculties to give academic degrees in those two disciplines and in others that might eventually be established.

In 1781, King Charles III

Charles III of Spain

Charles III was the King of Spain and the Spanish Indies from 1759 to 1788. He was the eldest son of Philip V of Spain and his second wife, the Princess Elisabeth Farnese...

authorized the University to prepare its own statutes, independent of those of the University of Mexico through, which, up to that time, the University was governed.

When, in 1762, Manila was occupied briefly by the English, the Rector of the University, Fr. Domingo Collantes, organized four companies of university youth to help in the defense of the city. Acknowledging this act of fidelity and patriotism, the same King Charles III, in his Royal Cedula of March 7, 1785, expressed his "gratitude and benevolence," and renewed his protection and patronage, and granted the University the title of "Very Loyal", as well as the title and honors corresponding to it, as a "Royal University".

In 1865, Queen Isabel II declared the University of Santo Tomas the center for public education throughout the Philippines, and affiliated to her all colleges and schools throughout the country, and constituting the Rector of the University the supervisor and inspector of all the centers of learning so affiliated to the University.

In 1871, the Faculties of Medicine and Pharmacy were established and three years later, by authority of a Royal Order given by Alfonso XII, the School for Notaries was created.

In 1649, in response to the expressions of royal concern shown over its welfare, the university community addressed Philip IV, saying that the University "requests Your Royal Highness that you keep her within your Royal Solicitude, because she has been, from her very beginnings, a fruit of your royal bounty, and from the desire that she should grow and progress ever through efforts so Royal and so Catholic."

In expression of gratitude for the nearly 300 years of royal benevolence and to establish a continuous affinity between Spain and UST, the University bestowed the title of Royal Patron to King Juan Carlos (Royal House of Bourbon) of Spain in February 1974 (then Prince of Spain).

Title of Royal University

Philip IV

Philip IV of Spain

Philip IV was King of Spain between 1621 and 1665, sovereign of the Spanish Netherlands, and King of Portugal until 1640...

had granted his Royal approval on November 27, 1623. Official royal patronage was accorded to the University on May 12, 1680, by King Charles II of Spain

Charles II of Spain

.

However, the title "Royal University" was only bestowed by King Charles III

Charles III of Spain

Charles III was the King of Spain and the Spanish Indies from 1759 to 1788. He was the eldest son of Philip V of Spain and his second wife, the Princess Elisabeth Farnese...

on May 20, 1785 during the eight-year term of Fr. Domingo Collantes, O.P.. The title "Real" was given to the UST in recognition of its loyalty to the Crown after the University volunteered its students for the military defense of Manila during the recurrence of war between the allied countries of France, Spain against England.

Nineteenth century

The 1865 decree for the revamp of secondary education brought about major developments for UST. It was tasked as a Bureau of Education with the Rector as its director. This meant that UST was to handle all matters pertaining to secondary education from the appointment of the school professors; the submission of grades, and the signing of the awarding of diplomas to the bachelor of arts graduates.

In 1870, Dr. Segismundo Moret

Segismundo Moret

Segismundo Moret y Prendergast was a Spanish politician and writer.-Biography:He was born in Cádiz on 2 June 1833...

, the Minister of colonies, issued two decrees that totally reorganized the Philippine education system. The first decree abolished all secondary schools and placed them under a single "Instituto Filipino." The second decree converted the University of Santo Tomas, being the only official institution of higher learning in the islands, into a "Universidad de Filipinas", thus the name Royal and Pontifical University of the Philippines.

The fall of the Spanish liberal government (which led to Moret's removal) and the monarchical restoration abolished these decrees. The university was handed back to the Dominicans. It was only be in 1877 that Spain recognized the university again as an institution administered by the religious.

The University closed its doors during the Philippine Revolution of 1896 because of the ensuing disorder. It reopened though for the school year 1897–1898 when the rebels retreated to the provinces. The arrival of the Spanish-American War to the Philippines and the resumption of the Revolution in 1898 led again to the suspension of classes. UST closed for the school year 1898–1899.

José Rizal

José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda , was a Filipino polymath, patriot and the most prominent advocate for reform in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. He is regarded as the foremost Filipino patriot and is listed as one of the national heroes of the Philippines by...

, national hero of the Philippines, entered the University in 1877. He enrolled in the pre-Law course, which was made up of philosophical subjects. The course was called Metaphysics. He passed the course with the highest grades.

He later chose to enter a career in medicine. And in 1878–1879, he took simultaneously the pre-Medical course and the first year of Medicine; this was against the rules, but Rizal was favored with a dispensation which few received. The pre-Medicine course was called Ampliacion, because the student, having taken already Physics, Chemistry, and Natural History in the high school, now took an advanced course on the same subjects. Rizal did not take in Santo Tomas "class of physics" he described in El Filibusterismo

El filibusterismo

El filibusterismo , also known by its English alternate title The Reign of Greed, is the second novel written by Philippine national hero José Rizal. It is the sequel to Noli Me Tangere and like the first book, was written in Spanish. It was first published in 1891 in Ghent, Belgium...

, but the course of Ampliacion.

While studying medicine, Rizal remained an above-average, although his grades were not high as those that he received in classes in the arts and letters. This continued even in his later studies in Madrid. Rizal was not recorded to have ever complained about his grades in the University, while he did complain about those he received in Madrid.

In the fourth and last year in the University, only seven students remained, and Rizal was one of them. And he ended that year in second place.

Twentieth century

Following the requirements of Act No. 1459 also known as the Corporation Law of 1906, the University was incorporated. The application contained the following statements: That the name of the corporation is and will be known as the "Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas" and abbreviated as "University of Santo Tomas", "that the corporation is located in Manila with its main office at 139 Calle de Sto. Tomas, Intramuros"

At the beginning of the 20th century, a 21.5 hectares land at the Sulucan Hills in Sampaloc, Manila

Sampaloc, Manila

was donated by Francisca Bustamante Bayot to the Dominican fathers for the University's expansion outside the Intramuros campus. In 1927, Main Building, the first earthquake-proof building in the Philippines, was then inaugurated at the Sulucan site.

For the first time in the history of UST, the Faculty of Pharmacy opened its doors to women in the academic year 1924–1925. It was one of the first universities in the Philippines to become co-educational when it admitted women. There were 24 women enrollees out of the 93 who matriculated for the said Faculty that school year. The University, however, had been granting certificates through the School of Midwifery since 1879. Permission was given to the College of Education in 1926, to Faculty of Philosophy and Letters in 1927 followed by the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and College of Commerce in 1932. The admission of women no longer became an issue in later years. Only the Faculties of Sacred Theology, Canon Law, and Philosophy remained exclusively for men.

In 1925, it became one of the first universities in the Philippines to require the use of English as a medium of instruction, to replace Spanish. When it was appropriate to Filipinize the administration, Fr. Leonardo Z. Legazpi, O.P. became the first Filipino Rector of UST on October 9, 1971.

Title of Pontifical University

On September 17, 1902, in his constitution, Quae Mari Sinico, Pope Leo XIII

Pope Leo XIII

Pope Leo XIII , born Vincenzo Gioacchino Raffaele Luigi Pecci to an Italian comital family, was the 256th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, reigning from 1878 to 1903...

bestowed upon the University the title of Pontifical University

Pontifical university

.

This title may be considered a reiteration of the honor and protection previously granted when, in 1619, the Holy See had already issued the brief "Charissimi in Christo", which enabled students who had studied in the Dominican Colleges of the Indies for five years to receive degrees, in 1629 and 1639 by Pope Urban VIII, and in 1645, when Pope Innocent X

Pope Innocent X

converted the College of Santo Tomas into a University.

UST is Asia's only remaining Pontifical university. Annuario Pontificio

Annuario Pontificio

The Annuario Pontificio is the annual directory of the Holy See. It lists all the popes to date and all officials of the Holy See's departments...

, the annual official directory of the Holy See, in its edition for the year 2000, lists all the Catholic and or Pontifical institutes of higher learning, grouping them into two categories: Roman Ateneums and Catholic Universities. Only 24 are called Pontifical, and of these 24, six are located in Rome (Gregorian University, Lateran University, Urbanian University, University of Santo Tomas (known as The Angelicum), Salisian University and Holy Cross University); three are in Europe; fourteen in Latin America; and one in Asia, this one being the University of Santo Tomas of Manila. The oldest university to be denominated by the Holy See as Pontifical is the Jesuit Gregorian University in Rome. Although founded in 1551, it was Pope Pius IX who, in 1873, permitted the school to assume the title of ‘Pontifical University.’” All the other abovementioned 23 universities received the title of Pontifical in the 20th century. The University of Santo Tomas of Manila, the oldest of them, is second only to the Gregorian University to be declared Pontifical by the apostolic constitution Quae Mari Sinico in 1902.

Tricentennial celebration

For five days, on December 16–20, 1911, the University celebrated its 300th Anniversary. The main features of the celebration included: a Solemn High Mass in honor of the founder of the University, Msgr. Miguel de Benavides, O.P.; the unveiling of the commemorative plaque for the festivities; the unveiling of a plaque placed at the pedestal of the statue of Benavides in the College site in Intramuros

Intramuros

; the laying of the foundation stone for the future building at University in Sampaloc

Sampaloc, Manila

; and a big banquet.

Around 300 guests, both civil and ecclesiastical authorities, professors, and alumni of the University attended the banquet at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran

Colegio de San Juan de Letran

The Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Letran College, or simply Letran is a private Roman Catholic institution of learning located in Intramuros, Manila, in the Philippines. The college was founded in 1620. Colegio de San Juan de Letran has the distinction of being the oldest college in the...

. The solemn investiture of the latest graduates of the University was held in the Santo Domingo Church.

The laying of the cornerstone of a new building of the University in Sampaloc

Sampaloc, Manila

was hailed by the people. On the last day of the celebrations, a fireworks display was held.

Pope Pius X, and members of the Philippine Hierarchy sent congratulatory messages to the University on the occasion of its Tricentenary celebrations.

World War II

During World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

, the Japanese converted the campus into a internment camp for civilians, foreigners and POWs. War crimes against American soldiers (Filipino soldiers were granted amnesty) and civilians living abroad occurred in Santo Tomas.

On the evening of January 2, soon after the Japanese forces entered Manila, as well as on January 3, many Americans and other Allied citizens were taken to the University Camp. The camp population totaled 3,259 of which 2,200 were American, 74 British, 920 Dutch, 28 Polish, 36 Mexicans and 1 Nicaraguan.

All the buildings of the University in Sampaloc

Sampaloc, Manila

with the exception of the Seminary, the Printing Press and two first floors of Main Building were occupied. The war internees occupied three floors of the Main Building, the entire Education Building (presently UST Hospital), the Domestic Science building, and the School of Mines building. Communication between them and the outside world was prevented by the Japanese as much as possible.

Outside fences in España

España Boulevard

España Boulevard is the main thoroughfare of Sampaloc district, Manila and the extreme western section of Quezon City. It is an 8-lane divided arterial road and is a component of one of the radial roads of Metro Manila — Radial Road 7 or R-7. España's name is taken after the Spanish name of...

avenue were completely covered with tall sawali (woven bamboo matting), while the concrete walls on all other sides of the Campus remained high, preventing view between the internees and the outside world. The years of Japanese occupation were years of great suffering for the internees.

The University authorities cooperated with the internees and the Japanese officials. They were given several duties by the Japanese, which they performed. Dominican Fathers were still allowed to direct the use of disposition of the University buildings, equipments, and power plant, although subject to the final approval or disapproval of the Japanese authorities.

During the liberation of Manila buildings of the University in Intramuros

Intramuros

, as well as in Sampaloc were damaged or destroyed. The facility in Intramuros was burned on February 8, 1944. As for those in Sampaloc, though they were not destroyed, yet some portions were slightly damaged during the shellings, including the rooms on the West of the Main Building, some rooms of the Education building, and the University gymnasium.

There were about 335 casualties among the internees, 35 died and 300 were wounded. Some were buried in a vacant lot outside the Forbes gate, and others were buried inside the campus.

The Dominicans, who introduced the first printing press in the Philippines, were fortunate to have been able to transfer the UST printing press from Intramuros to the España campus in the nick of time in 1940, a year before the Pearl Harbor bombing.

Title of Catholic University of the Philippines

On April 30, 1947, Pope Pius XII, through the Decree "Sacrae Congregationis de Seminariis et Studiorum Universitatibus", bestowed upon it the title of "The Catholic University of the Philippines". The UST is the only Catholic university in the region and in terms of student population, the largest Catholic University in the world located in one campus.

Semiseptcentennial celebration

Filipino rectors
Name	Years of rectorship

Rev. Fr. Leonardo Z. Legaspi, O.P.	1971–1977
Rev. Fr. Norberto M. Castillo, O.P.	1982–1990
Rev. Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P.	1990–1998
Rev. Fr. Tamerlane R. Lana, O.P.	1998–2006
Rev. Fr. Ernesto M. Arceo, O.P.	2006–2007
Rev. Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P.	2008–present

Throughout 1961, the University celebrated its 350th year. The principal festivities such as the alumni banquet and the Gala Concert were held on March 4–7, 1961.

Pope John XXII sent a warm personal letter to the University. He called the University "Christianae Sapientiae emicantissimum" or the "most resplendent light of Christian Wisdom" in the seven page communication dispatched to Manila from the Vatican through the Apostolic Nuncio. Through the Rector Magnificus, the Holy Father extended his felicitations on the University's golden jubilee and maternal blessings for continued growth, prosperity, and peace. He also congratulate the University for being "A very valid bulwark of Christian civilization".

Modern history

Today UST has a total enrollment of approximately 45,000 students, 33,000 undergraduates and 5,000 students in Medicine, Law, and the Graduate School. The University admits about 8,500 new students out of 50,000 applicants per year.

After 400 years, the University has five clusters of discipline: Science and Technology; Arts and the Humanities; Education and the Social Sciences; Medicine and Health, and the Ecclesiastical Faculties – spread over 19 faculties, colleges, and institutes.

Since its establishment in 1611, the University's academic life was interrupted only twice: from 1898 to 1899, during the Philippine Revolution against Spain, and from 1942 to 1945, during the Japanese occupation of the country. In its long history, the university has been under the leadership of more than 90 Rectors. UST's first Filipino rector was Fr. Leonardo Legaspi, O.P. who served UST from 1971–1977. Its current rector is Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P.

In recognition of its achievements, a number of important dignitaries have officially visited the university, among them, during the last three decades: His Holiness Pope Paul VI

Pope Paul VI

Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...

on November 28, 1970; His Majesty King Juan Carlos I of Spain

Juan Carlos I of Spain

Juan Carlos I |Italy]]) is the reigning King of Spain.On 22 November 1975, two days after the death of General Francisco Franco, Juan Carlos was designated king according to the law of succession promulgated by Franco. Spain had no monarch for 38 years in 1969 when Franco named Juan Carlos as the...

in 1974 and 1995; Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa , born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu , was a Roman Catholic nun of Albanian ethnicity and Indian citizenship, who founded the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India, in 1950...

of Calcutta in January 1977 and again in November 1984; Pope John Paul II

Pope John Paul II

Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...

on February 18, 1981 and January 13, 1995 (as part of the World Youth Day 1995

World Youth Day 1995

World Youth Day 1995 was a Catholic youth festival that took place from January 10–15, 1995 in Manila, Philippines. It was the first time for an Asian country to host the event...

Quadricentennial celebration

The agenda ahead of the University's quadricentennial in 2011 includes the introduction of new academic programs, improvements in the University's infrastructure, and other projects to raise UST’s national and international prominence and promote its role as a social catalyst.

Plans to open satellite campuses in Santa Rosa, Laguna and another in General Santos City are being put in place.

Physical developments for the Sampaloc campus are ongoing. The Plaza Mayor in front the Main Building, together with the Quadricentennial Square which will feature the Tetraglobal sculpture, the Quadricentennial Fountain, and the Quadricentennial Alumni Walkway were constructed in 2006. To accommodate the needs of extra space for the growing number of student activities, the UST Tan Yan Kee Student Center was built in front of the Miguel de Benavides Library. The more than 80-year old Main Building, and the artifacts and art works in the UST Museum of Arts and Sciences were recently placed under the preservation of the UST Heritage Conservation program in December 2008.

The UST Benavides Cancer Institute, part of the five-year redevelopment plan and expansion of the UST Hospital

University of Santo Tomas

for its 60 year celebration and the quadricentennial celebration, was also established in the year 2006.

Part of the University's infrastructure modernization is the construction of the P800-million, state-of-the-art, four-storey gymnasium capable of seating 5,792, designed by Thomasian architects José Pedro Recio and Carmelo T. Casas. The construction is now in full swing after university officials, led by Rector Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P., led its groundbreaking ceremonies last August 2008.

The UST Publishing House in 2001 launched its quadricentennial project, “400 Books at 400!”. From theology to literature to medicine-related disciplines written in both Filipino and English, the Publishing house is more than half way in completing its race.

Evolution of seals


1619–1773	1773–1854	1734–1855	1828–1856	1845–1880	19th Century Coat of Arms


1868–1935			1875–1909 Minor Seal	1875–1909 Rose Vignette	1935–1938 Seal used during the Commonwealth of the Philippines from 1935–1946


1937–1946 Seal used during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines from 1942 to 1945	1957–1983	1980's	2000's	2011	2011

The official seal used by the University in 1868 to 1935 was a cardioid

Cardioid

A cardioid is a plane curve traced by a point on the perimeter of a circle that is rolling around a fixed circle of the same radius. It is therefore a type of limaçon and can also be defined as an epicycloid having a single cusp...

shield. On top of the seal was the world, the emblem of the university. A figure of a dog which symbolized fidelity was also seen together with the world. Below it was the sun of Aquinas. Just below the sun were three ovals. The left oval contained the Pontifical arms symbolizing the Apostolic concession by which the the College of Santo Tomas was raised to be a university. The center oval contained the Dominican cross. It was also surrounded by white lilies and crowned by a star. The right oval contained the national arms of Spain

Coat of arms of Spain

(coat of arms of the Spanish East Indies

Spanish East Indies

Spanish East Indies was a term used to describe Spanish territories in Asia-Pacific which lasted for three centuries . With the seat of government in Manila, the territory encompassed the Philippine Islands, Guam and the Mariana Islands, the Caroline Islands, and for a period of time, parts of...

) to indicate the protection which Philip IV

Philip IV of Spain

Philip IV was King of Spain between 1621 and 1665, sovereign of the Spanish Netherlands, and King of Portugal until 1640...

vouchsafed to the University. On the topmost portion of the three ovals was a the world, the emblem of the University. The shield was surrounded by the Golden Fleece

Golden Fleece

In Greek mythology, the Golden Fleece is the fleece of the gold-haired winged ram, which can be procured in Colchis. It figures in the tale of Jason and his band of Argonauts, who set out on a quest by order of King Pelias for the fleece in order to place Jason rightfully on the throne of Iolcus...

.

The 1935–1938 seal, 1937–1946 seal, and 1957–1983 seal had changes depending on the government/regime the Philippines had. The 1935–1938 seal contained the coat of arms of the Commonwealth of the Philippines

Commonwealth of the Philippines

The Commonwealth of the Philippines was a designation of the Philippines from 1935 to 1946 when the country was a commonwealth of the United States. The Commonwealth was created by the Tydings-McDuffie Act, which was passed by the U.S. Congress in 1934. When Manuel L...

. The coat of arms of the Spanish East Indies was retained in the 1937–1946 seal. The 1957–1983 seal replaced the coat of arms of the Commonwealth of the Philippines with the coat of arms of the Philippines.

When a new seal was unveiled in June 2011, it received several negative feedback from the students through social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. The changes were made after the Curia in Rome

Roman Curia

The Roman Curia is the administrative apparatus of the Holy See and the central governing body of the entire Catholic Church, together with the Pope...

suggested for a uniformity in the titles and name of UST. The university's council of Regents decided to include UST's name in the new seal and drop the titles of Royal and Pontifical because they are not part of the official name of university. The seal was revised a month after and is currently being used today.

The present seal bears the honorific titles and the name of the university.

Degree-conferring colleges

Faculties/Colleges/Institutes/Schools		Date of formal establishment
Sacred Theology, Faculty of University of Santo Tomas Faculties of Ecclesiastical Studies The University of Santo Tomas Faculties of Ecclesiastical Studies are the ecclesiastical schools of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines.Ecclesiastical Faculties consist of academic programs being offered since the University was...	1611	1611 as Faculty of Theology, Oldest in the University
Philosophy, Faculty of University of Santo Tomas Faculties of Ecclesiastical Studies The University of Santo Tomas Faculties of Ecclesiastical Studies are the ecclesiastical schools of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines.Ecclesiastical Faculties consist of academic programs being offered since the University was...	1611	1611, Oldest school of Philosophy in the Philippines
Liberal Arts, Faculty of (defunct)	1611	1611
Canon Law, Faculty of University of Santo Tomas Faculties of Ecclesiastical Studies The University of Santo Tomas Faculties of Ecclesiastical Studies are the ecclesiastical schools of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines.Ecclesiastical Faculties consist of academic programs being offered since the University was...	1733	1681 as an integral course of Moral Theology, 1733 as Facultad de Derecho Canonico, Oldest canon law school in the Philippines
Civil Law, Faculty of University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law The University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law or "UST Law" , is the law school of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines....	1734	1681 as an integral course of Moral Theology, 1682 as "Jurisprudencia", 1734 as Facultad de Derecho Civil, Oldest of all Civil Faculties
Morals, Sacred Scripture & Liturgy, Faculty of (defunct)	1825	1825
Drawing and Painting, School of (defunct)	1865	1785 (started in)
Medicine & Surgery, Faculty of University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery The University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery is the medical school of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines....	1871	1871 as Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Oldest school of Medicine and Surgery in the Philippines
Pharmacy, Faculty of University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Pharmacy The University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Pharmacy is the pharmaceutical school of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines....	1871	1871 as Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Oldest school of Pharmacy in the Philippines
Notaries, College of (defunct)	1875	1875
Matrons, School of; or Midwifery, School of (defunct)	1879	1879
Ministering Surgeons, School of (defunct)	1880	1880 as "Cirujanos Ministrantes"
Pharmacy for the Practitioner, School of (defunct)	1880	1880
Arts and Letters, Faculty of University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Arts and Letters The University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Arts and Letters, popularly known as "UST Artlets" or "UST AB", is the liberal arts college of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines....	1964	1896 as Facultad de Filosofia y Letras
Sciences, Faculty of (defunct)	1896	1896
Dentistry, College of (defunct)	1904	1904
Engineering, Faculty of University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Engineering The University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Engineering, or "UST-Eng'g", is the engineering school of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines....	1907	1907 as School of Civil Engineering, 1939 as Facultad de Ingeniería
Education, College of University of Santo Tomas College of Education The University of Santo Tomas College of Education, popularly known as "UST-Educ", is the teacher education/nutrition and dietetics/library and information science school of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines...	1926	1926
Liberal Arts, College of (defunct)	1926	1923 (opened in)
Science, College of University of Santo Tomas College of Science The University of Santo Tomas College of Science, popularly known as "UST Science", is the Pure Sciences school of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines....	1964	1926 as College of Liberal Arts
UST High School University of Santo Tomas High School The University of Santo Tomas High School , established on June 6, 1928, is the high school department of the University of Santo Tomas , located at Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines. This school has 4 years of high school, starting from 1st to 4th year high school...	1928	1928
Architecture, College of University of Santo Tomas College of Architecture The University of Santo Tomas College of Architecture is the architectural school of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines....	1930	1930 as Department of Architecture (under Faculty of Engineering), 1938 as School of Architecture and Fine Arts, 1946 as College of Architecture and Fine Arts, 2000 as College of Architecture
Commerce and Business Administration, College of	1934	1934 as College of Commerce, 1988 as College of Commerce and Accountancy 2007 as College of Commerce and Business Administration
Graduate School University of Santo Tomas Graduate School The University of Santo Tomas Graduate School is the graduate school of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines....	1938	1938
Normal School (defunct)	1940	1940
Elementary School	1941	1941
Music, Conservatory of University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music The University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music, popularly known as "UST Music", is the music school of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines....	1945	1945
Nursing, College of University of Santo Tomas College of Nursing The University of Santo Tomas College of Nursing, popularly known as "UST Nursing", is the nursing school of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines....	1946	1946 as School of Nursing
Education High School University of Santo Tomas Education High School The University of Santo Tomas - Education High School, popularly known as UST-EHS or UST Educ High, is a laboratory school for the training and formation of future good efficient Catholic teachers. At the same time however, it extends opportunities to the bright but financially handicapped youth,...	1950	1950
Nutrition, Institute of (defunct)	1970	1970
Technological Courses, Institute of	1972	1972
Theological Formation, Institute of University of Santo Tomas Faculties of Ecclesiastical Studies The University of Santo Tomas Faculties of Ecclesiastical Studies are the ecclesiastical schools of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines.Ecclesiastical Faculties consist of academic programs being offered since the University was... Sisters Institute for Theological Formation	1978	1978 an institute affiliated to the Faculty of Sacred Theology
Rehabilitation Sciences, College of University of Santo Tomas College of Rehabilitation Sciences The University of Santo Tomas College of Rehabilitation Sciences, popularly known as "UST-CRS", is the rehabilitation sciences school of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines....	1993	1974 as Institute of Physical Therapy
Fine Arts and Design, College of University of Santo Tomas College of Fine Arts and Design The University of Santo Tomas College of Fine Arts and Design, popularly known as "UST – CFAD", is the fine arts school of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines....	2000	1935 as a Department of Fine Arts, 1938 as School of Architecture and Fine Arts, 1946 as College of Architecture and Fine Arts
Accountancy, Alfredo M. Velayo College of University of Santo Tomas Alfredo M. Velayo College of Accountancy The University of Santo Tomas Alfredo M. Velayo College of Accountancy, or "UST AMVCoA" or "Santo Tomas Accountancy", is the business school, specialized in Accountancy and Management Accounting, of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila,...	2005	1988 as College of Commerce and Accountancy
Tourism & Hospitality Management, College of University of Santo Tomas College of Tourism and Hospitality Management The University of Santo Tomas College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, popularly known as "UST-CTHM", is a college, specializing in Travel Management and Hotel and Restaurant Management, of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila,...	2009	2006 as Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management, 2009 as College of Tourism and Hospitality Management

Non degree-conferring departments

Institutes/Departments		Date of formal establishment
Physical Education & Athletics, Institute of	2000	1929 as Department of Physical Education
Military Science and Tactics, Department of	1936	1936
Religion, Institute of University of Santo Tomas Institute of Religion The University of Santo Tomas Institute of Religion, or "UST-IR", is the theology-teaching department of the University of Santo Tomas for the civil sciences....	1933	1933 from the Department of Religion
Languages, Department of (defunct)	2006	1938 as Department of Tagalog and Department of English, incorporation of an institute in Spanish in 1948, incorporation of all languages in 1979, revision in 2006
Social Sciences, Department of	2007
History, Department of	2009	1967 as Institute of History
Filipino, Department of	2010	2010 as an independent department (from the Department of Languages)
English, Department of	2010	2010 as an independent department (from the Department of Languages)
Philosophy, Department of	2010	Separated from the Department of Humanities which was also reestablished in 2006
Literature, Department of	2010	Separated from the Department of Humanities which was also reestablished in 2006

External links

University of Santo Tomas - Official website
UST Miguel de Benavides Library
UST Museum of Arts and Sciences

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