It’s been almost forty years since I left the portals of this university, the Royal and Pontifical Catholic University of the Philippines. I spent nine years of my young life in this school. University of Santo Tomas, four years in high school and five years at college.
I miss this place. I miss the wide campus and the early morning masses before attending class. I miss the friends I made during my high school years and those I met when I worked at the main library for two years.
UST Paskuhan 2017. Photo courtesy of Manila Bulletin.
According to Wikipedia, “The Paskuhan is the culmination of the university wide Christmas activities of the university. The annual tradition started in 1991.The programs of Paskuhan were held during the last week or last day before the Christmas break of the university.” The picture shows the crowd of students who attended the last Paskuhan yesterday. The front image with the Christmas tree is the grandstand where major activities are held. In the background is the main building of the university (right) and on the left is the Fathers’s Residence, the Santisimo Rosario church and the UST Seminary at the back of the building.
The university has been visited by three popes, the latest was Pope Francis last January 2015. I was in high school when Pope Paul VI celebrated mass there. Inside the UST Museum, one can see the Papal chair used by Pope John Paul II. He visited it twice back in 1981 and 1995.
It’s been in existence since 1611, It’s composed of colleges, faculties, schools and institutes and confers several undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate degrees. St. Thomas Aquinas is its patron.
Looking back, I practically grew up here. Spending your teens and early adult life in an institution such as this was a big privilege. Acquiring a Catholic education was an advantage.
Proud alumna here. Go, go USTe.
Dreams And Escapes 
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