Pack Of Paparazzi: UST at 400 (Quadricentennial Celebration)

Thursday, March 24, 2011

UST at 400 (Quadricentennial Celebration)

by Ruru Pilapil

January 28, 2011 marks UST's 400 years, and as an alumnus I'm there to witness the grand celebration. Together with my friends and classmates in college, we all went there to join the whole Thomasian community in celebrating UST's 400 years of existence!

I can still remember that this was the most awaited event in UST.
It's like everybody's looking forward to it! :)

Together with Jack (my officemate and also a fellow Thomasian), we went straight to UST right after work to meet our own friends and to be part of our alma mater's grand celebration. I'm with Jobelle and Carlene that night, saw lot of familiar faces, from former blockmates, professors and even friends from other colleges.

Carlene and Jobelle (UST Main Building)

It's such a wonderful feeling to be back again to that place where I spent almost the 4 happiest years of my life. :)

Jobelle and Ruru (Arc of the Century)

It was a one week celebration at UST, with different activities per day participated by students and alumni from different colleges. Night of January 27, different activities was held simultaneously on every corners of the campus like concert at the football field and unveiling of the Quattromondial monument at Plaza Mayor.

Great performance from Sarah G.

And the most awaited countdown begins, with all Thomasians guardiing the skies to see UST's Quadricentennial Fireworks display. It's breathtaking! Here are some of my shots. :D

I think you can best appreciate it here, have a look! :)

This gave me goosebumps! Swear! :) Such a wonderful night that every Thomasian will cherish for the rest of their lives. I'm so happy to be part of UST's Quadricentennial Celebration. :D

And this one I miss, UST Alumni Night held on the night of January 28. This fireworks display was more beautiful than the first one.

January 29, 2011

The next day, I went back to UST to visit Commerce Chorale's rehearsal for Himig Tomasino. And it gave me time to roam around and appreciate UST's beauty at day.

UST Quattromondial Monument

"The larger-than-life 10-meter monument made of bronze and glass was rendered by Ramon Orlina, a Thomasian architect and multi-awarded glass sculptor.

The sculpture features four human figures carrying a globe, representing the major groups of the Thomasian community—the male student, the female student, the mentor, and the monk-scholar.

Film and television actor Piolo Pascual and actress-beauty queen Charlene Gonzales, who both attended the event, modeled as the male student and mentor, respectively, while the female student was modeled by Orlina’s daughter, Monina. Fr. Rolando V. de la Rosa, O.P., Rector of the University, posed as the Dominican priest. The figures also stand for the four centuries that the University is celebrating.

De la Rosa said the Quattromondial represents UST’s timeless legacy.

“We have nothing more to boast of, we have nothing more to tell people. Because just to be here for the past 400 years is already something, it’s already an achievement,” he said.

The globe stands for globalization, an inevitable event in the 21st century. It is a combination of green glass cullets and bronze. The image displays the University’s concern for the adverse effects of progress and its efforts to adapt to change.

The globe resembles an atom, indestructible and irreducible in reference to the UST’s academic mission.

Covering the near-nude bodies is a ribbon with Latin inscriptions signifying wisdom, scholarly work, and accomplishment. The unity and fluidity of the concept signifies spirituality, said Assistant to the Rector for Administration Pilar Romero. Ana May R. De la Cruz and Alyosha J. Robillos"

Source: The Varsitarian