June 17, 2015, 8:40 p.m. – UST ON Wednesday launched a
coffee table book commemorating the fourth papal visit to the Pontifical
University, calling the special publication a “testimony of our
faith.”
The 160-page “Pope Francis @UST: Bringing Christ to the
Youth” contains the texts of the Holy Father’s undelivered and spontaneous
speeches during his encounter with the youth, his written message on the
University’s guestbook, and hundreds of photographs of the Roman Pontiff’s visit
to Asia’s oldest university.
UST Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. wrote the foreword,
while Secretary General Fr. Winston Cabading, O.P., the book’s editor in chief,
wrote the introduction.
Dagohoy said the Pope’s visit to UST was a “significant
occasion” immortalized by photographs shown in the book. “This book is more
than just a collector’s box. It is a general testimony of our faith and our
unwavering commitment in remembering this historic moment that touches us in
the deepest of our senses,” Dagohoy said during the launching of the book.
UST Center for Creative Writing Director Cristina
Pantoja-Hidalgo, consultant for the book’s editorial content, emphasized the
power of photographs used in the book to capture what words had failed to
illuminate.
“Some pictures are poignant like the two children gathered
into the Pope’s embrace. Some are lyrical, like the white cross, lit up against
the dark sky, and the myriad silvery lights dripping from trees and reflected
on water. Others are whimsical like the child, her face framed by a sunflower
bonnet, peering among the caps of uniformed man,” Hidalgo said. “Still, others are dramatic like the Pontiff kissing
the feet of the bleeding, crucified Savior and some have become iconic like
Pope Francis waving at the adoring crowd from his popemobile, his face lit up by
that wide, warm smile.”
Photographs included in the book were contributed by
University officials, alumni, the Vatican’s L’Osservatore Romano, and
organizations like Fotomasino, Tomasinoweb, and Red Images. Varsitarian
photographers John Paul Autor and Basilio Sepe also contributed to the book. April
Joy E. Dy
