08 June 2013, 12:39 a.m. – MORE than 11,000 freshmen passed through the historic Arch of the Centuries during the official welcome ceremonies on Friday afternoon.
The now full-fledged Thomasians went through the traditional rite of passage while cheering for their respective colleges, to the drumbeat of the UST Yellow Jackets.
A solemn Eucharistic Celebration followed, with Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. telling freshmen to seek God’s help in harnessing their talents and abilities.
In his homily, Dagohoy emphasized the role of faith in truth-seeking, and said UST was the place where Thomasians could find the “missing piece” in their lives.
“God wants us to remember that the missing part is something that He also cares about … We can’t find what we are missing without Him,” Dagohoy said. “In harnessing and in finding, we need God. Wherever you go, that missing part of yourself and the emptiness in your life can only be filled up by God.”
Thomasians should be inspired by the lives of martyrs, heroes and successful alumni that UST had produced through the centuries, he added.
“May you be inspired by the lives of our Thomasian martyrs who [had] dedicated their lives in the pursuit of truth and [had] committed themselves in their faith and their love for others,” he said, adding that “God must have loved UST so much” because of its roster of saints and heroes.
In a chance interview, Secretary General Fr. Winston Cabading, O.P. said the annual rite was scheduled early to avoid heavy rains.
“We thought that if we pushed it further like we used to, maaabutan na naman ng rainy season,” Cabading said.
The traditional rite of passage through the Arch of the Centuries gave freshman students a sense of connection to UST’s 402-year-old history, he added.
The welcome ceremonies were not without incident, however.
The Freshmen Welcome Party was supposed to be held in Plaza Mayor at 7 p.m. after the Mass, but was postponed due to heavy rains. The new date for the party has yet to be determined. Celton F. Ramirez
This is so amazing! DAPAT KINUHANAN AKO NG SOLO. That would be awesome. :bd
more than 11,000 freshmen? why does UST need to accommodate such a huge number of students? for profit? hope UST does not sacrifice quality for quantity.
more than 11,000 freshmen? why does UST need to accommodate such a huge number of students? for profit? hope UST does not sacrifice quality for quantity.