The University of Santo Tomas formally welcomed almost 13,000 tertiary level and post-graduate freshmen on August 6, 2018 through the tradition
known as the “Thomasian Welcome Walk and Welcome Rites” led by UST Secretary-General Rev. Fr. Jesús M. Miranda, Jr., O.P.
Coming from their respective buildings, the freshmen of AY 2018-2019, guided by their corresponding student leaders, entered through the historic Arch of the Centuries, facing the iconic Main Building and catching
a glimpse of the bronze statue of UST founder Archbishop Miguel de Benavides, O.P. The Arch was the gateway of the University while
it was still in the Intramuros campus.
The ‘walking-through-the Arch’ serves as a Rite of Passage for the freshmen
marking the beginning of their academic life as full-fledged Thomasians. As they entered the Arch, the students were also accompanied by their respective deans, regents, and other academic officials who joined them at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion for the Eucharistic Celebration and Welcome Rites that followed the Welcome Walk.
The students were divided into the morning and afternoon sessions with the Welcome Walk for the morning group scheduled at 9:00 a.m., while the Walk for the afternoon group started at 2:00 p.m.
The Eucharistic Celebrations which were concelebrated with the Dominican
Fathers were also conducted in two batches. The Holy Mass for the morning session commenced at 10:30 a.m. presided by UST Vice Rector Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P. For the afternoon batch, UST Rector Very Rev.
Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, O.P., was the main presider in the Eucharistic Celebration that began at 3:30 p.m.
Love offerings during the Offertory were allocated for the partner communities of the Tulong Tomasino program of the UST SIMBAHAYAN Community Development Office.
For the high school freshmen Rite of Passage held on August 2, almost 4,000 students participated. Their welcome rites included a general orientation program titled #ALAB2018 and a Eucharistic Celebration led by UST Vice
Rector for Religious Affairs Rev. Fr. Pablo T. Tiong, O.P., concelebrated with UST Junior High School Regent Rev. Fr. Rodel Cansancio, O.P., UST Senior High School Regent Rev. Fr. Ermito de Sagon, O.P., and UST SHS Assistant Regent Rev. Fr. George Pe Mung, O.P
