Arch of the Centuries
Encyclopedia
The Arch of the Centuries is a monument
in the University of Santo Tomas
(UST) at Manila
, that stands fifteen meters away from the University's main vehicular entrance along España Boulevard
. It is declared by the National Museum as a National Treasure, it serves as the link of the campus with its Intramuros roots and its Spanish heritage. It has become a symbol of learning—the portal to greatness under which students and alumni (such as Rizal, Mabini, Quezon and Osmeña) have passed. UST landmarks declared ‘National Treasures’ Manuel Maximo Lopez del Castillo-Noche, Philippine Daily Inquirer
. Published 01-25-2010
The Arch of the Centuries was originally erected in 1611 at Intramuros
, where UST was originally found. When the University transferred to its present location at Sampaloc
, the Arch was also carried piece-by-piece and was re-erected at the front of the main vehicular entrance of the University.
The original Arch which faces the Main Building
was the main doorway to the university building before it was destroyed during World War II
when it was at Intramuros. A newer arch faced España Boulevard, which is a reconstruction of the original arch.
The Arch contains Doric
column
s, but is Baroque
in its details. The inscription on the arch says "Gateway to the history of the finest breed of Filipinos," a reference to the numerous alumni who have made an impact in Philippine history
. On the left pillar of the facade facing España Boulevard is commemorative plaque honoring national hero
José Rizal
, and on the right pillar is another plaque honoring President
Manuel L. Quezon
; both being UST alumni.
On the sides at the top of the Arch are panels depicting the life of Saint Thomas Aquinas
, the patron saint of the University and of all Catholic schools.
All incoming students (freshmen and transferees), as parts of their initiation rites into the University, known as the Thomasian Welcome Walk are required to pass through under the Arch. Candidates for graduation, on the other hand, also pass through under the Arch during a parade after their Baccalaureate Mass. This tradition started on June 2002. Fireworks display ends the passage and signals the party afterwards. The parade, either of freshmen or graudating seniors, is done per college/faculty in random order.
There is an old superstition that while studying at the University, one should not pass under the arch until he graduates. If done so, an event will happen that will bar his graduation from the University.
Monument
A monument is a type of structure either explicitly created to commemorate a person or important event or which has become important to a social group as a part of their remembrance of historic times or cultural heritage, or simply as an example of historic architecture...
in the University of Santo Tomas
University of Santo Tomas
The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines , is a private Roman Catholic university run by the Order of Preachers in Manila. Founded on April 28, 1611 by archbishop of Manila Miguel de Benavides, it has the oldest extant university charter in the...
(UST) at Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, that stands fifteen meters away from the University's main vehicular entrance along España Boulevard
España Boulevard
España Boulevard is the main thoroughfare of Sampaloc district, Manila and the extreme western section of Quezon City. It is an 8-lane divided arterial road and is a component of one of the radial roads of Metro Manila — Radial Road 7 or R-7. España's name is taken after the Spanish name of...
. It is declared by the National Museum as a National Treasure, it serves as the link of the campus with its Intramuros roots and its Spanish heritage. It has become a symbol of learning—the portal to greatness under which students and alumni (such as Rizal, Mabini, Quezon and Osmeña) have passed. UST landmarks declared ‘National Treasures’ Manuel Maximo Lopez del Castillo-Noche, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Philippine Daily Inquirer
The Philippine Daily Inquirer, popularly known as the Inquirer, is the most widely read broadsheet newspaper in the Philippines, with a daily circulation of 260,000 copies. It is one of the Philippines' newspapers of record...
. Published 01-25-2010
The Arch of the Centuries was originally erected in 1611 at Intramuros
Intramuros
Intramuros is the oldest district in the present day city of Manila, the capital of the Republic of the Philippines. Nicknamed the "Walled City", Intramuros is the historic fortified city of Manila, the seat ot the government during the Spanish Colonial Period. Its name in Latin, intramuros,...
, where UST was originally found. When the University transferred to its present location at Sampaloc
Sampaloc, Manila
Sampaloc is a district of Manila which is primarily a residential and educational center. Part of the Malacañang Palace is located in Sampaloc. The University of Santo Tomas, University of the East Manila are part of the University Belt to name a few, the famous Dangwa flower market at Dimasalang...
, the Arch was also carried piece-by-piece and was re-erected at the front of the main vehicular entrance of the University.
The original Arch which faces the Main Building
Main Building (University of Santo Tomas)
The Main Building of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines functions as the university's administrative center and home of the Faculty of Civil Law, Faculty of Pharmacy and the College of Science. The Main Building is also the home of the Museum of Arts and Sciences.-Building:The...
was the main doorway to the university building before it was destroyed during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
when it was at Intramuros. A newer arch faced España Boulevard, which is a reconstruction of the original arch.
The Arch contains Doric
Doric order
The Doric order was one of the three orders or organizational systems of ancient Greek or classical architecture; the other two canonical orders were the Ionic and the Corinthian.-History:...
column
Column
A column or pillar in architecture and structural engineering is a vertical structural element that transmits, through compression, the weight of the structure above to other structural elements below. For the purpose of wind or earthquake engineering, columns may be designed to resist lateral forces...
s, but is Baroque
Baroque architecture
Baroque architecture is a term used to describe the building style of the Baroque era, begun in late sixteenth century Italy, that took the Roman vocabulary of Renaissance architecture and used it in a new rhetorical and theatrical fashion, often to express the triumph of the Catholic Church and...
in its details. The inscription on the arch says "Gateway to the history of the finest breed of Filipinos," a reference to the numerous alumni who have made an impact in Philippine history
History of the Philippines
The history of the Philippines is believed to have begun with the arrival of the first humans via land bridges at least 30,000 years ago. The first recorded visit from the West is the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan, who sighted Samar on March 16, 1521 and landed on Homonhon Island southeast of Samar...
. On the left pillar of the facade facing España Boulevard is commemorative plaque honoring national hero
Philippine National Heroes
A national hero of the Philippines is a Filipino who has been recognized as a hero for his or her role in the history of the country. Loosely, the term may refer to all Filipino historical figures recognized as heroes, but the term more strictly refers to those officially designated as such...
José Rizal
José Rizal
José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda , was a Filipino polymath, patriot and the most prominent advocate for reform in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. He is regarded as the foremost Filipino patriot and is listed as one of the national heroes of the Philippines by...
, and on the right pillar is another plaque honoring President
President of the Philippines
The President of the Philippines is the head of state and head of government of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of the Philippine government and is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines...
Manuel L. Quezon
Manuel L. Quezon
Manuel Luis Quezón y Molina served as president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines from 1935 to 1944. He was the first Filipino to head a government of the Philippines...
; both being UST alumni.
On the sides at the top of the Arch are panels depicting the life of Saint Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas
Thomas Aquinas, O.P. , also Thomas of Aquin or Aquino, was an Italian Dominican priest of the Catholic Church, and an immensely influential philosopher and theologian in the tradition of scholasticism, known as Doctor Angelicus, Doctor Communis, or Doctor Universalis...
, the patron saint of the University and of all Catholic schools.
All incoming students (freshmen and transferees), as parts of their initiation rites into the University, known as the Thomasian Welcome Walk are required to pass through under the Arch. Candidates for graduation, on the other hand, also pass through under the Arch during a parade after their Baccalaureate Mass. This tradition started on June 2002. Fireworks display ends the passage and signals the party afterwards. The parade, either of freshmen or graudating seniors, is done per college/faculty in random order.
There is an old superstition that while studying at the University, one should not pass under the arch until he graduates. If done so, an event will happen that will bar his graduation from the University.