Last March 25, 2011, our school (University of Santo Tomas) held it's annual Baccalaureate Mass for their senior Graduating students. This year, however, is said to be a very special year not only for the students but for the university as a whole; because the year 2011 commemorates the 400th year of the University of Santo Tomas. Founded in 1611, UST is considered to be the oldest Catholic university in Asia; and so this year marks a special event for everyone in this school.
I entered college without knowing anything about these stuff. I just know back then that I have always wanted to go UST ever since the first time that I went there back when I was in the fourth grade. Back then, I have no idea about the history of the school; I do not even know what course will I take. I just knew it even before that this will really be my school; that I will go here no matter what!
I only knew about the "quadricentennial" thing when I was already a freshman. I did not even care much about it back then; all I know was that by the time that I graduate, the school will be 400 years old already. I never knew what it entails, until now.
Being a part of the UST quadricentennial batch is indeed a great HONOR! Because just like how father dela Rosa had put it; we are NATIONAL TREASURES. This is really our destiny; and our batch will continue to live on for generations!
The Baccalaureate Mass felt so SURREAL; and I, for one, cannot believe that I was really having my baccalaureate mass on that day! Everything felt so Magical and Historic in a way; this night was definitely a Night to Remember! I wish that after 50 years, this same batch will all be able to open the time capsule altogether!
KUDOS TO US SENIORS!
UST QUADRICENTENNIAL BATCH!
Here are some pictures from that day:
Our Beloved Main Building!!! My Home for FOUR YEARS!!!! This building holds the most memories...=)..I will forever look back to this place as my sanctuary..
Our Hallways!!! This is where we ran whenever we were late! Where we sat while we were waiting for our room to be vacated..Hahaha!!!
My College friends...This picture reminds me of our FRESHMEN WALK Four years ago...Has it really been that long?
Our Grand Stand! This is where we hold our annual UST PASKUHAN...and for the seniors, this is where the last HURRAH happens every year....
Our candle...which we lit later that night as we said our pledge!
EPIC moment! We dedicated our pledge to the cross above the Main Building...=)
FIREWORKS!! Every Paskuhan, the most awaited part is always the FIREWORKS! This night, the fireworks seemed even more special! =)
My conjugals!! Bielle and Mon!!What's mine is theirs, and what's theirs is mine! hahaha!!! I will definitely miss these TWO! I practically shared everything with them!!!
My PUSHIES!!! It took us FOUR YEARS Before we were finally able to come up with our COLLECTIVE NAME...hahahaha!!! PUSH-PULL!! We were only six that night though...and we really missed those THREE!!! We will forever be "9-ball"...(that explains my fingers in this picture)
My 4A Blockmates!! We started as 4-psy-1, to 2A, to 3A...and finally to 4A!!!Being in a block really made me feel at home! It was just like high school whenever I am with these people!!We were really made up with different kinds of people, from different walks of life, and with different personalities; but this kind of diversity really made our block a FUN BLOCK!!! We were labeled as PASSIVE; but the truth is, we are very ACTIVE! haha!
My Mojo! This is Josephine Shin (Now Kamiyama). She's been my seat mate for FOUR YEARS! I would definitely miss her! She's one those people who, despite being not in the same group with her, she continues to be a good friend. Our bond is really different!
Another group shot! (though incomplete)
ARCH OF THE CENTURIES!!! This arch is a very historic symbol!!! There would only be two moments when you can pass through this arch: when you are a FRESHMAN, and incoming to the university; and finally when you are a SENIOR, and about to leave UST. No one really dares to pass through this arch while still in the undergraduate years!! Myth is that you will not graduate if you pass through this arch "UNOFFICIALLY". We passed through this arch happily that night! It was indeed a memorable experience because we really waited for four years before we passed through it again! whew!
This is AV..He has been my classmate since kindergarten until high school; and then my schoolmate up until college! He is one of my good friends!
This is JP!My classmate from elementary until high school; and then schoolmate until college! We did it! yay!
THE TIME CAPSULE!
Father rector said that inside this capsule are the names of all the "quadricentennial people"; that includes the students, the faculty, and the administration staff which belong to the quadri batch 2011!! This will be opened after 50 years! The moment when this was being stored inside this structure was a very hair-raising moment! I got a lot of goosebumps as I watched it! Amazing!
This is Ethel! My high school bestfriend! We agreed to go to UST together so that,well, we would be together!! haha!! We've had a lot of memories together while we were in this school! We enrolled here on the same day, had our ID picture taken on the same day; we would not be leaving on the same day, but I am really proud that we have survived college together!
Being in UST is indeed an HONOR and a PRIVILEGE! I will forever love this SCHOOL..
My Home, My Alma Mater, My UST!!!!
GO USTE!!!!!! =)
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