University of Sto. Tomas (UST) Celebrates its 400th Anniversary

The oldest university in the Philippines and in Asia has already kicked off its celebration of its 400th founding anniversary. Students, faculty members, staff, alumni and friends of the University Of Sto. Tomas gathered in fanfare to celebrate four centuries of educating the Filipino youth.

The year-long celebration will include academic gatherings, sports, concerts, film festivals, contests, fund-raising, charity works, social action and religious activities.

Father Rolando de la Rosa, the university rector expressed,

"Other schools say they have produced presidents but we have produced national heroes and saints.”

UST which is older than the famous Harvard University has been the seedbed of Philippine heroes like our very own Jose Rizal and intellectual giants who shaped the nation.

It also boasts of the oldest of the oldest medical school in the country, oldest theology school, oldest journalism school in the country to name a few.

Just this morning as I was preparing for work, I heard in the news that UST is also planning to expand its network of Dominican schools. In particular, they are planning to put up UST campuses in Santa Rosa in Laguna and in General Santos City.

Happy 400th Anniversary USTE!