UST Plaza Intramuros

The Plaza Intramuros is a park located in the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines. It contains the Arch of the Centuries, Fountain of Wisdom, and Fountain of Knowledge.^[1]

Park layout

The Arch of the Centuries prominently stands at the center of the Plaza Intramuros. The arch was the main doorway to the university when the campus was still in Intramuros from 1680 to 1941. The central lower section of the original facade was transferred piece by piece and reconstructed in the Manila campus in 1954. It is flanked by the Fountain of Wisdom and the Philippine flagpole to its west, and the Fountain of Knowledge and the UST flagpole to its east.^[2]^[3]

A university marker made of marble was unveiled in 2010. It features the name of the university and the foundation year. A time capsule was placed inside it after the baccalaureate mass in 2011. It contains the names of the class of 2011, the P200 UST commemorative bill, commemorative coins, other quadricentennial souvenir items, and news articles.^[4]^[5]

Before the university marker was constructed in 2010, UST did not have a sign on its entrance or in any of the buildings inside the campus. Also, the previous university seal only had the light blue shield and UST's symbols, and did not include any text. The Arch of the Centuries served as UST's signage.^[6]

Fountain of Wisdom

Also called the Fountain of Divine Wisdom, it consists of a barbed quatrefoil-shaped basin. The fountain features a sculpture of a lady standing on top of a lotus flower while holding a bible. The bible's cover depicts the image of the Lamb of God. The lotus flower bowl is carried by four phoenixes. It is surrounded by four deers and open shells.^[7]

Fountain of Knowledge

The fountain also features a sculpture of a lady on top of a lotus flower while holding a globe. The lady stands on a cylindrical pedestal adorned by the early disciplines offered in the university, namely the Caduceus for medicine, the Balance Scale for law, the Bowl of Hygieia for pharmacy, the ionic order for architecture, the atom for the sciences, and the total station and tripod for engineering. The lotus flower bowl is carried by four sphinxes. It is surrounded by four owls of Athena and open shells.^[8]^[9]

Recent history

In 2015, Pope Francis entered the UST campus through the Arch of the Centuries. He was then escorted to a nearby papal chair to sign on the UST guestbook.^[10]

During the Paskuhan 2022, the Arch of the Centuries and the two fountains were lit with Philippine superhero-inspired lights.^[11]

References

^ Lapeña, Carmela (January 29, 2010). "UST spots declared cultural treasures". GMA Network. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
^ Enano-Estopace, Eden (February 6, 2011). "UST's big birthday bash: Tradition and change". The Philippine Star. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
^ "University of Santo Tomas". Love the Philippines. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
^ "Alumni Center, UST marker, 'Simbahayan' launched". The Varsitarian. February 18, 2010. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
^ "Rector: 'You have not only survived, but prevailed'". The Varsitarian. April 12, 2011. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
^ "New UST logo draws cheers, jeers". The Varsitarian. June 24, 2011. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
^ "Manila's Pontifical and Royal Campus (Part 1)". The Urban Roamer. May 5, 2011. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
^ Fusio, Christine (April 10, 2016). "#InquirerSeven Most photogenic places in UST". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
^ Kelly, Sean (April 13, 2022). "The Owl of Athena: Symbol of Wisdom". Classical Wisdom. Retrieved February 19, 2024.
^ Macairan, Evelyn (January 19, 2015). "Pope Francis third pontiff to visit pontifical university". Philippine Star. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
^ Prado, Jheng (December 3, 2022). "UST Paskuhan 2022 celebrates "Heroism in us"". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila. Retrieved February 21, 2024.