One of the cultural icons of the University of Santo Tomas, it is often the site of important campus events. The Thomasian Welcome Walk is UST's tradition of welcoming the freshmen by passing through the arch. The passing through happens once more after the baccalaureate mass when the graduating class exits through the arch, signifying the completion of their student life in the university.
History
The north side of the present-day Arch of the Centuries served as the arch door portal to the university when it was still in the walled city of Intramuros. The university's oldest floor plan, created by Juan Peguero, the procurator of the Dominican Province of the Philippines from 1675 to 1677 and from 1680 to 1684, designates the arch door as the Puerta del Colegio. The arch door faced the first Benavides Statue, which was located at Calle Postigo and Calle de Santo Tomas.[1]
The Battle of Manila in 1945 left the 17th-century campus completely destroyed. In 1953, UST rector Jesus Castañon ordered that the arch door, one of the few structures that survived, be transferred to the Sampaloc campus. Carmelo Flavier Pablo of C.F. Pablo and Son, a precast contractor, was hired to dismantle the ruins piece by piece and transport them to the present campus. The structure took the contractor a year to complete. It was finished and inaugurated in 1954 and became formally known as the Arch of the Centuries.[1][2][3]
On 25 January 2010, it was declared a National Cultural Treasure, along with the UST Main Building, the Central Seminary Building, and the university field by the National Museum of the Philippines.[4]
The Puerta del Colegio as seen in the Intramuros campus.
The statue of Thomas Aquinas above the attic story was inaugurated on 21 December 1955. The saint is portrayed as a young and energetic man seated on a chair. This depiction of Thomas Aquinas is similar to the painting by Justus van Gent and Pedro Berruguete.
Two female figures flank the Thomas Aquinas statue. The female facing west holds a cross in her right hand and an admiralty pattern anchor in her left hand. The female facing east holds a torch in her left hand, while her right arm rests on a winged wheel. These two figures correspond to the two fountains on both sides of the arch, the Fountain of Divine Wisdom and the Fountain of Human Wisdom (Fountain of Knowledge). The replica of the façade, the statues, and the bas-relief panels were also done by Carmelo Flavier Pablo.[1]
Directly above the arch is the main inscription, which is different on both sides. Flanking the main inscriptions are four bas-relief panels depicting the life of Thomas Aquinas.[1][5]
Two angels giving him the girdle of chastity (Southwest panel).
Thomas Aquinas speaking to an icon of the crucified Christ (Southeast panel).
Southwest panel
Southeast panel
Northwest panel
Northeast panel
Below the main inscription is a coat of arms that features a double-headed eagle. The coat of arms is similar to the one used by Charles I, the King of Spain when the Philippines was discovered.[6]
The main façade consists of two columns on each side of the archway. The columns are of Doric order. The spandrels of the archway consists of Baroque reliefs.[5]
Columns on the south (front) side
The main arch way
Columns on the north (back) side
Inscriptions
South inscription
North inscription
The main inscription on the south (front) attic reads:
Ecclesiae Lvmini Orbis Illvminatori Capacitatis Abysso Theologorvm Theologo, Doctorum Maximo Scientiarvm Omnivm Architecto Divinae Volvntatis Fidelissimo Interpreti Angelico Doctoris S. Thomae Aqvinati Hoc Svb Ipsvs Angelica Tutela Manilanvm Collegivm Favste Ac Feliciter Avctvm D.O.S.O.
To the light of the church, illuminator of the world Abyss of learning Theologian of theologians, greatest of doctors Architect of all sciences Most faithful interpreter of the will of God Angelic doctor Saint Thomas Aquinas This college in Manila is auspiciously and felicitously expanded under his angelic tutelage.
The main inscription at the north (back) attic reads:
Anno MDCCCCLV Ab Electo Patrono Divo Thoma Angelico Doctore Ominum Scholarvm Catholicarvm LXXV
Year 1955 75 years since the Saint Thomas angelic doctor was elected patron of all catholic Schools
On the left pier facing España Boulevard is a commemorative plaque honoring José Rizal, and on the right pier is a plaque honoring Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon.
The bronze marker on the side of the left pier tells the history of the arch. The words underneath it read, Gateway to the history of the finest breed of Filipinos, a reference to the UST alumni.[7]
Current traditions
Freshmen pass under the arch as part of the welcoming rites to the university. Candidates for graduation also pass through under the arch during a parade after their baccalaureate Mass.[8][9]
There is an urban legend that claims prematurely exiting the arch before graduation would lead to a student’s debarment.[10]
In 2015, Pope Francis passed through the arch during his visit to the university.[11]
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