A Trespasser in UST

Everyday, as I pass along Espana Boulevard, I always see this:

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That archway always makes me wonder what is beyond it and what are the things that can be found inside the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas (UST). Well, I did manage to gain entry to this historic university in Manila by pretending as a UST student. I did this because I thought that the guards will not allow me to enter the campus.

As had said in the previous post, University of Santo Tomas is celebrating its 400th anniversary. This is a great celebration for UST and many Thomasians are proud of this because UST is the oldest university in Asia. Due to its 400 years of existence, UST's heritage is rich and many famous Filipinos passed through its historic archway.

Since I am avoiding guards, I entered UST through the gate along Padre Campa because I heard that it is the gate used by parishioners and outsiders who wish to visit the church inside UST campus.

The first building that I saw is the church inside the University of Santo Tomas. Unfortunately, there is some renovation being done inside the church that's why I did not manage to enter it and take some photos.

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In front of the church is the UST Grounds. This is the place where UST made their large human cross that they vied for Guinness Book of World Records.

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The large buildings in the background are the new condominiums located along Espana Boulevard.

I also got the chance to take close shots of the historic UST archway or arch-door. This is my favorite structure inside UST and I like the statue above the arch. The statue is Saint Thomas Aquinas, who is the patron of UST.

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The arch-door is just a replica of the original arch-door erected in the 17th Century in Intramuros. This arch-door survived the Second World War.

To the left and to the right are fountains  each having a statue of woman in the middle.

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A friend of mine told me that the statue in the above photo is the statue of Athena, who is the Greek goddess that personifies wisdom.

Also, I got the chance to walk through the UST arch.

Back view of the UST Arch.

I almost felt like a UST freshman student as I walk through the UST arch-door and the pathway beyond.

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The path will lead you to the main building of UST and also to the statue of an important person in the history of University of Santo Tomas.

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That person is Father Miguel de Benavides, who is the founder of the University of Santo Tomas. He came to the Philippines with the first Dominican missionaries and acted as the archbishop of Manila.

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Archbishop Miguel de Benavidez

UST has some joke about this statue. According to them, the statue of Father Benavides points to the university where students go if they were kicked out of UST. What is that university? Just ask any UST student for the answer.

My visit to UST satisfied my curiosity about this university and their campus. UST has old buildings which makes me feel like I am inside Intramuros. Well, that is not surprising because 400 years of existence of UST is an evidence of its rich heritage and great contributions to the Philippine society.

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