THE BACCALAUREATE Mass of the Class of 2026 will again be held at the Quadricentennial Pavilion (QPav) to avoid disruptions in case of downpours.
After rains forced last year’s open-air Baccalaureate Mass to be rescheduled indoors, the University moved the 2026 sendoff event to the QPav, dividing the May 29 Mass into two sessions.
In a memorandum released by the Office of the Secretary General (OSG) on May 27, the University will send off graduating students in two sessions: morning and afternoon, as the number of graduates will exceed the 5,000-seat capacity of the QPav.
The OSG advised students to “come prepared” by bringing umbrellas and raincoats as protection against possible heavy rain during outdoor activities.
Graduating students from the following academic units will have their Baccalaureate Mass at 9:15 a.m.:
- Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
- Faculty of Arts and Letters
- College of Commerce and Business Administration
- Conservatory of Music
- College of Nursing
- College of Rehabilitation Sciences
- College of Fine Arts and Design
- UST Alfredo M. Velayo – College of Accountancy
- College of Information and Computing Sciences
The morning Mass will be presided by UST Rector Fr. Richard Ang.
Graduating students for the morning batch must assemble in their respective areas at 8 a.m., while pre-Mass activities are set at 9 a.m.
The Baccalaureate Mass at 1:15 p.m. will be for the graduating students from the following academic units:
- Faculty of Theology
- Faculty of Philosophy
- Faculty of Canon Law
- Faculty of Civil Law
- Faculty of Pharmacy
- Faculty of Engineering
- College of Education
- College of Science
- College of Architecture
- Graduate School
- Institute of Physical Education and Athletics
- College of Tourism and Hospitality Management
- Graduate School of Law
The afternoon Mass will be presided by Vice Rector Fr. Isaias Tiongco, O.P..
Graduating students in the afternoon batch must assemble in their respective areas at 12 p.m., while pre-Mass activities are set at 1 p.m.
Students are also advised to wear their Type A uniforms and identification cards when accessing buildings.
Post-Mass activities
The University has prepared an outdoor post-Mass program to be held at the UST Grandstand and Open Field, beginning 6:00 p.m.
The event proper includes the Parade of Colors, Graduation Message, blessing and imposition of the Thomasian Mission Cross, the “Lumina Pandit” Ceremony of Light, a “contemporary, Gen-Z” themed fireworks display, and the Triumphal Exit through the Arch of the Centuries.
Students from the morning batch are advised to assemble inside their respective buildings and designated rooms while awaiting the post-Mass activities.
The University will be observing a car-free day during the celebration.
Academic units are also encouraged to “express celebratory creativity” through costume masks, handheld props, and placards during the processional and recessional walks, as long as “solemnity, safety, and order of the celebration” is maintained.
“Creative expressions or gimmicks may be displayed only during the official roll call of
Academic Units in the Post-Mass Program in the open field, and strictly not during the
Mass at the Quadricentennial Pavilion,” the memorandum read.
“As our graduating students of the Class of 2026 triumphantly walk through the Arch of the Centuries, the symbolic portal of the University, may they continuously illuminate the Church, the nation and the global community with faith, hope and love (cf. 1 Cor 13:13),” the OSG memorandum read.
