Thomasian doctors based in the United States of America converged in full force for the 18th USTMAAA Annual Grand Reunion and Medical Convention from May 27 to 30, 2010 at the Marriott Chicago Downtown. Making this year’s reunion one of the most highly attended events of the USTMAAA, the organizers saw more than 800 Thomasian doctors participating in the affair. The four-day reunion and convention showcased a Jubilarian Dinner and Dance Night, a Gala Night Dinner, and a Continuing Medical Education Convention with the theme, “Innovative Approaches and Strategies”.

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) is all geared up for the Quadricentennial celebrations in 2011. While the activities are spread from June 2010 until January 2012, January 2011 will see a concentration of the major highlights of this milestone. The Quadricentennial Parade will be held on January 26 (Wednesday), from Luneta to UST, where each faculty or college shall have a float depicting its history, achievements, and prominent alumni. From January 26 to 28 (Wednesday to Friday), the International Council of the Universities of St.

Activities and Highlights of the Quadricentennial Anniversary of our alma mater in 2011.

While the Quadricentennial Activities and Highlights are spread throughout 2011 and 2012, there are two (3) primary activities that you should not miss:

27 January 2011 (Thursday); Football Field and Parade Ground, UST Campus
QUADRICENTENNIAL GRAND PROGRAM

EVERYTHING is going according to plan.
Three more quadricentennial projects gained ground last February 4, a week after UST sites were declared “National Cultural Treasures” by the National Museum.
A 3x1 marble University marker was unveiled during a program at the España gate attended by University officials, led by Rector Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P.
Vice Rector Fr. Pablo Tiong, O.P. said in his speech that the marker should serve as a “reminder of our fidelity to UST.”
The unveiling was followed by the groundbreaking of the Thomasian Alumni Center at the UST Gym, which was attended by members of the UST Medical Alumni Association Foundation.  read more »

THE NATIONAL Museum has declared the 82-year-old UST Main Building, the Central Seminary, the Arch of the Centuries, and UST’s open spaces as “National Cultural Treasures” ahead of the University’s Quadricentennial in 2011.

This is the first time for an educational institution to join the roster of National Cultural Treasures, with the majority of such structures being churches, and the rest being terrestrial landmarks, intangible cultural property, and movable objects.

The January 25 declaration followed the unveiling of the nearly century-old painting “The Foundation of the University of Santo Tomas by Archbishop Benavides,” restored through the Museum of Arts and Sciences’ Heritage Conservation Fund.

Section 3 of the Cultural Properties Preservation and Protection Act states that a “National Cultural Treasure is a unique object found locally, possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic, and/or scientific value, which is significant and important to this country and nation.”  read more »

THE COUNTDOWN to UST’s 400th year officially began December 18, with the annual Paskuhan program launching four "quadricentennial symbols" before a record crowd of Thomasians and outsiders that flocked to the Pontifical and the Royal University’s “most memorable” Christmas celebration.

With the theme “4 horas, 4 dias, 400 days, 400 taon,” which represented the three cultures — Spanish, American, and Filipino — that defined UST's history, the four-hour Paskuhan started with a parade of costumes from the Spanish colonial era to the 21st century.  read more »

By Cliff Harvey C. Venzon
EVERYTHING seems to be in place for the UST Quadricentennial.
On December 18, during the traditional Paskuhan, Rector Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P. will officially start the countdown to 2011, when Asia’s oldest University turns 400.
The countdown is titled ‘400 Days to 400 Years.”

Also during the Paskuhan, the theme song of the UST Quadricentennial will be sung, “Ako’s Isang Tomasino,” by industrial engineering alumnus Gerardo de Leon, who won the grand prize in the Q song writing contest.
On the same night, the quadricentennial prayer, flag, and mascot will be unveiled.
De la Rosa presented the long list of activities for the 2011 celebration during a press conference last December 11. read more »

By Danielle Clara P. Dandan

UST HAS committed to build 400 villages for the poor nationwide to mark its quadricentennial, with no less than Rector Fr. Rolando de la Rosa, O.P. calling on Thomasians to contribute in “nation-building” less than two years before the University turns 400 in 2011.

The Rector’s Report for academic year 2008-2009 last September 4 was highlighted by the ambitious project to create 400 villages with the Gawad Kalinga Foundation, the popular shelter movement of the Catholic lay group Couples for Christ.

De la Rosa noted that Thomasian volunteers have been helping the poor build houses under the Gawad Kalinga program, and that so far they have built 30 villages.

“Twelve of the 30 Thomasian villages are located in Towerville, Bulacan, which [served] as a relocation site for the former railway squatters,” the Rector said.   read more »