[bg|velada_tomasina|4|110|random|Velada Tomasina]
TRAVELLING to the past need not be confined to books or the movies – Thomasians made time travel possible by recreating the atmosphere of 19th-century University of Santo Tomas (UST) through the “Velada Tomasina.”
UST stepped back in time last Jan. 25 with a “living tableau” wherein students, administrators, faculty members, support staff, and alumni in period costumes flocked to the Plaza Mayor, which was made to look like the old Plaza Santo Tomas in Intramuros, UST’s home for three centuries.
“‘Velada’ is a Spanish word that means ‘big celebration.’ That’s why Velada Tomasina is a celebration that aims to look back and remember the meaningful history of our University to prepare for its future,” Assistant to the Rector for Student Affairs Evelyn Songco, the “Velada” organizer, said in Filipino.
Students “mingled” with prominent Thomasian heroes who studied in the University during the last quarter of the 19th century, such as Jose Rizal, Emilio Jacinto, and Apolinario Mabini, while striding along reproductions of the facades of the old UST campus and Sto. Domingo Church at Benavides Park, which was transformed into “Ciudad Santo Tomas.”
At 9 a.m., a wreath was laid at the Benavides Monument as “a ceremonial gesture of reverential recognition” to Msgr. Miguel de Benavides, O.P., UST’s founder and the third archbishop of Manila.
“It’s our way of saluting him, our fellow Dominican, the archbishop who founded the University of Santo Tomas,” Vice Rector Fr. Pablo Tiong, O.P. said in his remarks. “He started with a small contribution, and after four centuries, here we are now.”
A historical marker proclaiming UST as a National Historical Landmark was unveiled at the base of the monument by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) chairwoman Maria Serena Diokno, National Commission for Culture and the Arts executive director Emelita Almosara, Tiong, and Fr. Florentino Bolo Jr., O.P., secretary general of UST.
UST was declared a National Historical Landmark by NHCP Board Resolution No. 5. “The University has been a witness to many historical events since the Spanish [colonial] period up to the present,” Diokno said. “UST has a rich collection and archives, one reason why it was declared a national [historical landmark].”
The marker, which recalls the momentous events in the history of UST and the significant people who had studied in its halls, was supposed to be placed at the main gate on España Boulevard but was installed instead at the side of the Benavides Monument facing the Main Building due to “traffic issues,” UST Department of History chair Augusto de Viana said. Putting the marker at the base of the Benavides Monument was more significant as more Thomasians would be able to see it, he said.
The historical marker serves as a recognition of the “big role” UST played in cultivating professionals who have become saints, heroes, and servants of the Church and the nation, Songco said. “[This marker] also serves as a reminder of and a challenge to the capability of our University, and to every Thomasian to carry on our tradition of excellence, service to others, and loyalty to our beliefs and principles,” she added.
Tiong said in his remarks: “Having a historical landmark testifies that we have contributed to the history of our country and we have a lot to thank God for—for His blessings to the University throughout the past four centuries.”
Members of Artistang Artlets, the official theater guild of the Faculty of Arts and Letters, portrayed Jacinto and Mabini in a monologue, while students from the College of Education told a brief history of UST.
“Alam natin na ang nakalipas ay hindi na puwedeng ulitin, ngunit kinikilala natin ang kahalagahan ng pag-alala, pagbalik-tanaw, at pasasalamat sa Maykapal. Bawat pasasalamat at balik-tanaw sa mga pagsubok at biyaya ng Diyos ay hakbang pasulong sa pagyabong ng ating pananalig, pag-asa, at pag-ibig,” Tiong said.
The Rector was not present during the unveiling of the historical marker as he was called in for a meeting by Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto, papal nuncio to the Philippines. Charmaine M. Parado and Azer N. Parrocha
