Roque Ruaño
Encyclopedia
Rev. Fr. Roque Ruaño, O.P. (August 16, 1877 – March 5, 1935) was a Spanish priest-civil engineer. He was known after he drew up plans for University of Santo Tomas
(UST) Main Building
, the first earthquake
-shock resistant building in Asia, which was constructed at the Sulucan property of the Dominican order
in city of Manila
.
, Spain
, Fr. Roque Ruaño submitted himself to faith of Dominican Order in 1894. He first arrived in the Philippines in the year 1904. Upon arrival to the country, he served his first few years in the Colegio de San Juan de Letran
as Father Rector. He transferred to the University of Santo Tomas
and was able to obtain a Doctorate in Civil Engineering
.
and Lingayen
, Pangasinan
. His most precious project and the same time UST's pride, the UST Main Building
, the first earthquake-shock resistant building in the Philippines. It is with no doubt the infrastructure was well made, it has withstood the challenges of time, from the World War II
, Marcos regime to the revival of democracy and until now, history is still being made. Present studies show, the design of the Main Building is consistent with modern building code and regulation.
(formerly School of Civil Engineering) of the University of Santo Tomas. The subjects he handled were mineralogy
, geology
, and harbor
s and lighthouse
s. He also became the Dean of the College and Regent from 1930 to 1935. He was also a representative in various international conventions in Tokyo
(1926), Ravenna
(1931) and London
(1932).
and A. H. Lacson Avenue
(formerly Gov. Forbes), at first it was called Architecture and Engineering Building. In its inauguration in 1950, the site was named after him, the Roque Ruaño Building which houses the students and faculty members of the Faculty of Engineering
.
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) 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...
, the first earthquake
Earthquake
An earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...
-shock resistant building in Asia, which was constructed at the Sulucan property of the Dominican order
Dominican Order
The Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
in city of 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,...
.
Early life
Born on August 16, 1877 in PalenciaPalencia
Palencia is a city south of Tierra de Campos, in north-northwest Spain, the capital of the province of Palencia in the autonomous community of Castile-Leon...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
, Fr. Roque Ruaño submitted himself to faith of Dominican Order in 1894. He first arrived in the Philippines in the year 1904. Upon arrival to the country, he served his first few years in the Colegio de San Juan de Letran
Colegio de San Juan de Letran
The Colegio de San Juan de Letran, Letran College, or simply Letran is a private Roman Catholic institution of learning located in Intramuros, Manila, in the Philippines. The college was founded in 1620. Colegio de San Juan de Letran has the distinction of being the oldest college in the...
as Father Rector. He transferred to 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...
and was able to obtain a Doctorate in Civil Engineering
Civil engineering
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings...
.
Significant design
Fr. Roque Ruaño practiced his Engineering expertise well. As a proof, he was the builder of the Dominican Residences in Baguio CityBaguio City
The City of Baguio is a highly urbanized city in northern Luzon in the Philippines. Baguio City was established by Americans in 1900 at the site of an Ibaloi village known as Kafagway...
and Lingayen
Lingayen, Pangasinan
Lingayen is a 1st class municipality in the province of Pangasinan on the island of Luzon in the Philippines. It is the capital municipality and the seat of government of the province of Pangasinan. According to the latest census, it has a population of 95,773 people in 16,467 households.Lingayen...
, Pangasinan
Pangasinan
Pangasinan is a province of the Republic of the Philippines. The provincial capital is Lingayen. Pangasinan is located on the west central and peripheral area of the island of Luzon along the Lingayen Gulf, with the total land area being 5,368.82 square kilometers . According to the latest census,...
. His most precious project and the same time UST's pride, the UST 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...
, the first earthquake-shock resistant building in the Philippines. It is with no doubt the infrastructure was well made, it has withstood the challenges of time, from the 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...
, Marcos regime to the revival of democracy and until now, history is still being made. Present studies show, the design of the Main Building is consistent with modern building code and regulation.
Life at the University of Santo Tomas
Fr. Ruaño was also a professor in the Faculty of EngineeringUniversity of Santo Tomas Faculty of Engineering
The University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Engineering, or "UST-Eng'g", is the engineering school of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines....
(formerly School of Civil Engineering) of the University of Santo Tomas. The subjects he handled were mineralogy
Mineralogy
Mineralogy is the study of chemistry, crystal structure, and physical properties of minerals. Specific studies within mineralogy include the processes of mineral origin and formation, classification of minerals, their geographical distribution, as well as their utilization.-History:Early writing...
, geology
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
, and harbor
Harbor
A harbor or harbour , or haven, is a place where ships, boats, and barges can seek shelter from stormy weather, or else are stored for future use. Harbors can be natural or artificial...
s and lighthouse
Lighthouse
A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways....
s. He also became the Dean of the College and Regent from 1930 to 1935. He was also a representative in various international conventions in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
(1926), Ravenna
Ravenna
Ravenna is the capital city of the Province of Ravenna in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy and the second largest comune in Italy by land area, although, at , it is little more than half the size of the largest comune, Rome...
(1931) and London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
(1932).
Death and honor
The good prelate engineer died on March 1, 1935, due to heart failure. In honor of his achievements, an edifice was named after him. It was in the corner of España BoulevardEspaña 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...
and A. H. Lacson Avenue
Arsenio Lacson
Arsenio H. Lacson was a Filipino journalist and politician who gained widespread attention as Mayor of Manila from 1952 to 1962. An active executive likened by Time and The New York Times to New York's Fiorello La Guardia, he was the first Manila mayor to be reelected to three terms...
(formerly Gov. Forbes), at first it was called Architecture and Engineering Building. In its inauguration in 1950, the site was named after him, the Roque Ruaño Building which houses the students and faculty members of the Faculty of Engineering
University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Engineering
The University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Engineering, or "UST-Eng'g", is the engineering school of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines....
.
See also
- University of Santo TomasUniversity of Santo TomasThe 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) - UST Faculty of EngineeringUniversity of Santo Tomas Faculty of EngineeringThe University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Engineering, or "UST-Eng'g", is the engineering school of the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest and the largest Catholic university in Manila, Philippines....
- UST Main BuildingMain 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...
- Civil engineeringCivil engineeringCivil engineering is a professional engineering discipline that deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of the physical and naturally built environment, including works like roads, bridges, canals, dams, and buildings...
- Order of Preachers