U.S.T. Revisited

An errand had brought my feet to walk the grounds of my Alma Mater, The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, once again.

U.S.T. is the Catholic University of the Philippines founded back in 1611. Held the title for being the oldest University in Asia for a while. And for us, Thomasians, we fondly call our University, Ustê.

But enough on the trivia.

What I thought to be a pick-up and go kinda’ errand, turned into a mini-walking tour to check out the numerous facelifts done on campus grounds.

Last time I had visited the Uni was back in 2006 and the changes that I’ve recently witnessed had taken me aback. As a graduate of Year 1999, what it looks like at present is definitely unnerving.

Definitely, those UST letters found in front of the main building weren’t there before.

Yes, what used to be faculty and administration officers parking in front of the main building has been turned into a cobbled quad of sorts.

Even the Colayco Park or Bamboo, for some, had suffered the same fate. Gone are the bamboos, fish pond, gazebo, wooden deck and benches, plus the stone benches that lined the shaded and somewhat secluded walkway.

Colayco Park sits between the Main Building, rear entrance to Civil Law, and the infamous University Central Library. Bare, bare, BARE.

Thomasians can now only enjoy the park on the sidelines. Er, unless you prefer sitting on the pavement under the sun. I appreciate that they kept some of the trees, though! A bit of green surroundings can do the students good.

Then again there’s the UST-Tan Yan Kim Student Activity Center now. It’s situated right in front of the Central Library. It used to be a park that has that stone statues of saints standing in a circle.

Another relatively new structure is the multi-level parking with restos and such. I remember them building a multi-level steel parking but I didn’t expect it to look as modern as this. Gah. Something to match the architecture of Fra Angelico and the Student Center perhaps?

Good thing the Field and the Grandstand still looks the same.

Also, that the UST Hospital now is properly “labelled” to avoid confusion. LOL.

And now, for you Commerce studes who have laboured four (4) years of sitting on old armchairs with no A/C and jurassic tech —

Students are now saved from blistering heat from El Nino with them fully-A/C’d rooms PLUS they have this sensor at the entrance and chips on their IDs. Too bad for them, though. I used to get in with just a smile and a wink. Kidding. LOL.

(Yes, I had worn an all-white uniform!)

I’m glad that the Pav (Pavilion) still looks the same. Ah, memories.

But the experience, both good and bad, had left me nostalgic. Remembering friendships, academic achievements, and love (I wonder where and how he is now, heehee).

What about you guys? When was the last time you’ve visited your Alma Mater? I’d also love to know where you guys went to Uni! Have you seen changes, drastic or otherwise? Let’s all take a trip down memory lane!

P.S. All you Thomasians, holler back!

Photos taken with a Nokia E71. (Security wouldn’t allow the big-ass camera, pah.)

Photos: Copyright © 2008 Sasha Manuel

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