National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario delivered the 38th Saint Antoninus Lecture titled, “Ang Kabuluhan ni Balagtas sa Himagsikang 1896,” on April 26, 2025. The event was held at the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex and was well-attended by graduate students and faculty members from different disciplines.
Almario discussed the lasting impact of Francisco Balagtas on Philippine revolutionary thought and literature, and pointed out the intricate connections between old Tagalog poetry and poetry produced by the Spanish missionaries.
The Saint Antoninus Lecture, named after Saint Antoninus of Florence, is an annual event organized by the UST Graduate School that features individuals who have significantly contributed to the research and discourse in their disciplines. It is a continuing testament to the University’s commitment to disseminating knowledge and promoting interdisciplinary engagement with Filipino culture, history, and intellectual heritage.