UST Trivia

Aside from being the oldest University in the Philippines, here are some trivia's about UST. Enjoy knowing your university.

The España street along UST's front gate is originally part of the universities lot. When the government is buying it to the Dominican priest who runs the University. The priest ask them to name it after Spain.

You can see the Manila Bay when you are on the top of the UST Tower.

There are Chinese scribble's at the back of Benivides, believed to be tombs.

When they stared UST, there are only 3 faculty members.

There is no structure in UST that can be higher than the Main Building.

One of the requirements to become a rector of UST is the blessing of the Pope.

The first Filipino Rector of the UST is rev. Fr. Leonardo Legaspi, O.P. 1971

The Arch of centuries is carried from Intramuros to become an entrance gate of UST (students call it Intramuros today. There is an urban legend that when you go out of the university using the Arch of the Centuries before finishing your course, you will be debarred. (This is true from most of the students who tried it)

UST is older than Harvard University, DLSU, ADMU, and UP.

"University of the Philippines" is just another name suggested in replacement for the name Unibersidad de Sto. Tomas.

The UST Museum is the oldest existing museum in the Philippines

"Doctrina Christiana En Lengua Espanola y Tagala"
was the first book published nor printedin Philippines,
It was published in Manila in 1593 by the Dominican

The first book is published by UST. 

UST main library is the biggest in Asia until PUP had its Ninoy Aquino Learning Center as its library.

You can find the best rare books in the UST library like copernicus.

During the WWII, UST serves as military stronghold against Japanese occupation.

The first Supreme Court Chief Justice Cayetano Arellano is from UST.


UST is blessed by the Royal Family of Spain and Vatican to have the title “The Royal and Pontifical”


The UST main building is the first Earthquake proof building in the Philippines.


UST Main Building Tower was then served as the Kilometer 0 , since it was the highest structure during its time of establishment, currently kilometer 0 is in Rizal Shrine.


The Pope visited UST three times. First is Pope Paul VI (1970), Pope John Paul II (1983) and (1995) Pope John Paul II mentioned in his message: “As a Pontifical University , Santo Tomas has a special right to the Pope’s attention.”


The AB diploma of Rizal is from UST.


The UST Publishing House (UST Press) established 1593 older than the university itself and the second oldest next to Cambridge University Press.

(this blog is improving... if you know a trivia abou UST please post a comment.)