Good morning, everyone!

As for this day, we will be your guide while exploring this wonderful
historic places inside University of Santo Tomas!

I am Jeff Telin, a sophomore from College of Engineering.

And I am Rhaiherna Sayanan, from College of Nursing.

Before we start, may we ask everyone to please give your full attention to everything we share
for you to not to miss this marvelous journey. So, buckles up, future Thomasians!

Did you know that the University of Santo Tomas (UST) is the oldest existing university in Asia?
In terms of student population, it is the largest Catholic university in the world in a single campus. The
institution was established through the initiative of Bishop Miguel de Benavides, O.P., third Archbishop
of Manila. On July 24, 1605, he bequeathed the amount of one thousand five hundred pesos and his
personal library for the establishment of a “seminary-college” to prepare young men for the priesthood.
Those funds, and his personal library, became the nucleus for the start of UST and its library.

First, we are here in the Arch of the Centuries, in Filipino, Arko ng mga Siglo. This part of the
arch, which is the half facing the main building is from the the original arch when the campus was still in
the Intramuros. While the other half is already just a replica. If you're a freshie, you would get to
experience the yearly tradition of entering the arch, which is called the "welcome walk". Unfortunately,
for senior high school students, you would have to enter the arch informally, because the tradition is
only open for college students. But don't worry, the SHS community have their own way of welcoming
the students. Also, a warning, if you are already a student of UST, refrain from exiting the arch because
there is a rumor that if you will exit the arch you won't get to graduate or you'll get debarred.

Second is the Carpark. You might wonder, "What's so great with the carpark? It's just a parking
area." and yes, as the name suggests, it's a parking area for cars. But here, you can find the different fast
food chains. The Thomasians often come here for quick meal and photocopies. If you belong to
bourgeois class, maybe buy a good products. Accountancy students are lucky because right above the
carpark are their classrooms.

For our third distination, we are in the Field and Grandstand. Christmases and some other
events or celebrations were often happen here. You can also find here the grandstand. We usually
spend our Physical Education day here, but it still depends on the P.E. you will get. If you get dancing,
you will have your lessons on the QPav, if swimming it happens usually in swimming pool. I usually
passed here when I'm going home or going to my building. While walking here, you'll meet different
kinds of people, like football players training for their next UAAP, engineering students doing god-
knows-what to the field, frisbee players, volleyball players, or just plain old students just hanging
around. It's basically the hangout of all the Thomasians. While in the night, this are is the hotspot for
couples and students trying to get hold of that UST WiFi.

Our next stop is the Quadricentennial Pavilion or most commonly known as QPav. This is also
another location where we spend our P.E. classes for dance, fitness, and many others. This is also where
most athletes train for UAAP. There are basketball players, volleyball players, taekwando, fencers, and
many more. This is also where we buy our UAAP tickets which has a student discount, and where we
hangout because there is air-conditioning and strong WiFi.

Next is our most awaiting, the symbol of UST, the Main Building. One of the mistakes of some
visitors and freshies is that they are making the sign of the cross in front of the main building. But to
remind everyone, the main building is not a church building. You can find here the administrative center,
museum of arts and sciences, college of science, faculty of civil law, and faculty of pharmacy. The main
building is also the first earthquake proof building in the Philippines. It was designed by Fr. Roque
Ruaño. The statues you see when you pass by the building is the UST Tria Haec, which represents hope,
love, and faith. The karenderia on the top of the building is really amazing, I suggests you to try their
open sandwiches. In front of the main building, you will see the lover's lane and the plaza benavides. As
most Thomasians say, if you will be kicked-out from UST, Miguel de Benavides will teach you where you
will go.

Let's continue in the Buenaventura Garcia Paredes Op Building, in short, the BGPOP. Although
the admin doesn't want us to call it BGPOP because it sounds like K-Pop, and for them, it seems like
we're slandering the name of Fr. Buenaventura. But it's already embedded among the SHS community,
so they can't do much anymore. This building is filled with memories of regret, sorrow, and happiness.
Sadly, the incoming senior high schoolers and IICS, their building will be outside UST, the Frassati
building. Even though the facilities are beautiful, you won't be allowed to go outside during lunch or
recess, for SHS only.

We are here at the Quadricentennial Square, or QPark for short. It lies in between the main
building and main library. Different kinds of Thomasians will you see here. Sometimes, someone are
dancing, while sometimes, you will see students doing their performance tasks. This is the Thomasians
meet-up place, all things happened here, it's also good to hangout here because it is cold during
afternoon and it also has a fountain.

This is the UST Rosarium. It is located right beside the QPark. There are several monuments here
that signify the beads of the holy rosary. The design follows a contemporary zen garden. This is where
the most Thomasians chill because of its relaxing atmosphere.
 Lastly is the Main Library. This is our haven during our break—specifically the science and
technology area because it's so cool inside. We often hang here during online quizzes because the
library provided computers and the WiFi is stronger. There's a cafe here, social sciences section, music
section, technical section, and many more.

Well that's about it guys. You'll probably discover more wonderful places here in our beautiful
campus. I hope you guys enjoy our journey and will continue to pursue your school year with more fun
and exciting activities. Enjoy and have fun as long as you can!