The University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines marks a variety of traditions largely influenced by the Spanish and Filipino Dominican culture. Many are annual events, such as religious assemblies marking the start and end of the academic year, a welcome walk for new students, as well as intercollege sport competitions and talent exhibitions. Christmas is celebrated in a month-long festivities culminated by the UST Paskuhan. Many Roman Catholic feast days are also celebrated.
Catholic traditions
Misa de Apertura As a catholic university, UST opens each school year with the Mass of the Holy Spirit called as Misa de Apertura.Headlines: UST shifting to July–May school calendar by Helen Flores, Philippine Star. August 6, 2017.UST shifts school calendar for 2014–2015, to start in July by Julliane Love De Jesus, Philippine Daily Inquirer. August 6, 2017. The mass is usually officiated by a bishop, concelebrated by the Prior Provincial of the Dominican Province of the Philippines, the Rector of the university, and priests of the Priory of St. Thomas Aquinas, and clergy studying or teaching in the university. The Mass is held at Santisimo Rosario Parish, and is participated by all faculty members (donning their academic dress) and university officials, and selected student representatives. The opening of the school year is formally declared by the Apostolic Nuncio or his delegate, in consonance with the status of UST as a pontifical university.
The following is a short and incomplete list of bishops and priests who presided over the University's Misa de Apertura: +Bishops/Priests who served as Main Celebrant of the Misa de AperturaAcademic YearBishop/PriestPosition at the time of the CelebrationCurrent PositionRef.2009–2010Very Rev. Fr. Quirico T. Pedregosa Jr., OPPrior Provincial of the Dominican Province of the Philippines Vice Chancellor of the UniversityActing Regent, College of Science2010–2011Most Rev. Edward Joseph AdamsApostolic Nuncio to the PhilippinesRetired2011–2012Very Rev. Fr. Quirico T. Pedregosa Jr. OPPrior Provincial of the Dominican Province of the Philippines Vice Chancellor of the UniversityActing Regent, College of Science2012–2013Most Rev. Giuseppe PintoApostolic Nuncio to the PhilippinesRetired2013–2014Most Rev. José S. PalmaArchbishop of Cebu President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the PhilippinesArcbishop-Emeritus of Cebu2014–2015Most Rev. Francisco M. de LeonAuxiliary Bishop of AntipoloBishop Emeritus of Antipolo2015–2016Most Rev. Socrates B. VillegasArchbishop of Lingayen–Dagupan President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the PhilippinesArchbishop of Lingayen-Dagupan2016–2017Rev. Fr. Filemon I. Dela Cruz, Jr. OPVice Rector for Religious Affairs of the University of Santo TomasPrior Provincial of the Dominican Province of the Philippines Vice Chancellor of the University2017–2018Most Rev. Roberto MallariDiocese of San Jose (Nueva Ecija)Bishop of Tarlac2018–2019Most Rev. Gabriele Giordano CacciaApostolic Nuncio to the PhilippinesApostolic Nuncio to the United States of America2019–2020Most Rev. Rex Andrew AlarconBishop of DaetArchbishop of Cáceres2020–2021Very Rev. Fr. Napoleon B. Sipalay Jr. OPPrior Provincial of the Dominican Province of the Philippines Vice Chancellor of the UniversityBishop of Alaminos2021–2022Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, OP, PhDRector Magnificus of the University of Santo TomasRector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas2022–2023Most Rev. Mylo Hubert C. VergaraBishop of Pasig Vice President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the PhilippinesBishop of Pasig2023–2024Most Rev. Cerilo Alan U. CasicasBishop of MarbelBishop of Marbel2024–2025Most Rev. Napoleon B. Sipalay Jr., OPBishop of AlaminosBishop of Alaminos2025–2026Most Rev. Marcelino Antonio M. Maralit Jr.Bishop of San PabloBishop of San Pablo2026-2027Cardinal Pablo Virgilio S. DavidBishop of KalookanBishop of Kalookan
Feasts The University observes liturgical celebrations celebrated on the general calendar, such as:
Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception on December 8, celebrated as a national and university-wide holiday. A University Vigil Mass is often celebrated in the afternoon of December 7. The Simbang Gabi Masses take place at the Plaza Mayor (dawn Masses of December 16–24) and at the Santisimo Rosario Parish (evening of December 15–23) The Christmas Eve Mass on December 24 takes place at the Plaza Mayor, usually presided by the Prior of the Priory of St. Thomas Aquinas. The Vigil Mass on the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God on December 31 takes place at the Santisimo Rosario Parish-UST, usually presided by the Rector Magnificus of the University of Santo Tomas. The University Mass on Ash Wednesday, marking the beginning of the Season of Lent takes place at the Plaza Mayor at 5:00 pm, preceded by confessions at the Benavides Park. During the Paschal Triduum, the Mass of the Lord's Supper takes place at the Plaza Mayor, culminating with the Vigil at the Altar of repose at the Parish Church. The Celebration of the Lord's Passion on Good Friday and the Easter Vigil take place inside the Parish Church. These services are presided by the University Rector, the Prior of the Priory, and the Parish Priest.
A number of liturgical feast days are proper to the University of Santo Tomas, such as:
Saint Thomas Aquinas, titular patron of the University, celebrated as a Solemnity on January 28, a University holiday. A triduum is celebrated from January 24–26, with the University Mass being held on January 27. Saint Dominic, founder of the Order of Preachers, celebrated as a Solemnity by the whole religious congregation on August 8, which is also a holiday in the University. A triduum is celebrated from August 4–6, with the University Mass celebrated on August 7. Our Lady of the Rosary, celebrated by the Santisimo Rosario Parish, located within the University Campus on the first Sunday of October. The celebration begins with the entronement rites on the day before the first Novena day. Colleges, Departments, and Offices, take turns in sponsoring the Novena Prayer and Masses. Mass for deceased members of the Thomasian Family, celebrated on the month of November Blessed Buenaventura García de Paredes and the Thomasian Martyrs, celebrated on November 6
Christmas celebration
The university starts the Christmas festivities with opening of the campus lights and the UST Christmas Concert. The UST Christmas Concert features talents from the UST Conservatory of Music, UST Singers, Coro Tomasino, Liturgikon, Conservatory Chorus Class, and the UST Symphony Orchestra. Traditional Filipino and foreign Christmas classics are performed in the event. At the end of every concert, the UST Symphony Orchestra and performers lead the audience in singing some songs such as "Ang Pasko ay Sumapit."Lifestyle – Ringing of Martyrs’ Carillon to open 2012 UST Christmas Concert Gala by Dexter R. Matilla, Philippine Daily Inquirer. November 28, 2011.
The Christmas Concert Gala began in 2003 when the UST secretary-general Fr. Isidro Abaño, O.P., envisioned a musical concert that would bring together world-class Thomasian talents who would perform for UST students, faculty, alumni, friends, and benefactors. Initially, the concert helped raise funds for the various projects of the university, such as scholarship grants of the students of the UST Conservatory of Music, but since 2008, it has also contributed in UST's heritage-conservation efforts.The Christmas Gala Story ustchristmasconcert.com. Accessed November 29, 2011 Maricris Zobel, socialite and an art patroness, has been the co-chair of the organizing committee since then. Proceeds of the Christmas Gala has been allotted for the victims of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng in 2009,Concert gala ushers in holidays in UST by Francis T. Wakefield, Manila Bulletin. December 16, 2009. restoration of various paintings, and construction of the UST Museum of Arts and Sciences Hall of Visual Arts in 2011.Breaking News – UST Museum opens Visual Arts Gallery The Varsitarian. November 20. 2011, 11:17 a.m.
Various organizations like the Belo Medical Group, the San Miguel Corporation, the Enrique Zobel group of companies, and the Singapore Airlines have become presenters of the event.Lifestyle – UST Christmas Concert dazzles and elevates by Pablo A. Tariman, Philippine Daily Inquirer. December 4, 2011. In 2010, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs hosted the opening of the concert and the Lumina Pandit, an exhibit for the quadricentennial festivities.Public Information Service Unit – DFA Hosts UST Exhibit and Christmas Concert DFA.gov.ph. Accessed November 29, 2011
At the ninth Christmas Concert Gala on December 1, 2011, the newly installed Martyr's Carillon at the façade of the Santisimo Rosario Parish was rung by the Professor Raul Suñico, Dean of the UST Conservatory of Music.Campus Beat – Carillon bells open UST Christmas Concert Gala, Manila Bulletin. November 24, 2011.
Paskuhan
Primered by the Eucharistic Celebration, the Paskuhan is the Thomasian way of celebrating Christmas. It is one of the most awaited events of the year, showcasing different performances from different student organizations, and live bands, which is complemented with a show of pyrotechny.Feel the spirit of Christmas in the metro by Mhelind Mendoza, Experience Travel and Living. August 6, 2017.
In the 2011 celebration, the crowd was estimated at 100,000.Breaking News – Paskuhan looks forward to UST's fifth century The Varsitarian. December 17, 2011.
University Retreat The University, through the Office of the Vice Rector for Religious Affairs, conducts a three-day university wide retreat for its academic and administrative officials, support staff, faculty members, and students. University administrators and academic officials, faculty members, and support staff attend the retreat in-person, while students are to follow the retreat through secured livestreaming platforms.
The tradition of the University-wide Retreat began in 2010, in preparation for the UST Quadricentennial Celebration, on November 3–5, 2010, held at the SMX Convention Center Manila. Succeeding retreats have been held at the Quadricentennial Pavilion, except in 2022, when, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the Philippines, the retreat was held in Santisimo Rosario Parish, while being livestreamed in social media platforms, and participants were distributed in other University buildings.
Cardinals, bishops and priests, both from within and outside the Dominican Order, are invited to either preach a session, or celebrate the Eucharist during these days.
Baccalaureate Mass The Baccalaureate Mass for the graduating students is led by the Rector of the university. The mass is followed by the Ceremony of the Light and the Sending-off Rites. The Sending-off Rites is a processional march from the UST Grandstand to the back of the Arch of the Centuries.2016 UST Baccalaureate Mass: Heat, Rain, Rainbow-Inked Uniforms and Goodbyes wheninmanila.com • August 6, 2017.
The Mass takes place in the UST Grandstand traditionally. In 2016 and 2025, however, the university decided to hold it in the Quadricentennial Pavilion because of the inclement weather.Growling Tigers take part in UST's 2016 Baccalaureate Mass ABS-CBN Sports • August 22, 2017. In 2020 and 2021, due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Baccalaureate Mass was livestreamed from the Santisimo Rosario Parish.Rector highlights gratitude, contentment in Class 2021’s virtual baccalaureate Mass University of Santo Tomas • July 27, 2021. In 2022, the in-person Baccalaureate Mass returned and was celebrated over a period of two days for batches 2022 (June 3, 2022), 2021 and 2020 (June 4, 2022) .UST holds first in-person back-to-back Baccalaureate Masses in three years • August 25, 2022.