University_of_Santo_Tomas_Central_Seminary_Building

University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary Building

University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary Building

Ecclesiastical and educational building in Sampaloc, Manila

The University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary Building currently houses the Santísimo Rosario Parish, the Central Seminary, and the Faculties of Ecclesiastical Studies of the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas in Manila. The parish was canonically inaugurated on April 26, 1942, by Michael J. O'Doherty, the Archbishop of Manila.[2] On January 25, 2010, the National Museum of the Philippines formally declared the Central Seminary Building as a National Cultural Treasure.[3][4][5][6][7][8][9]

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Architecture

Central Seminary Building
Quick Facts Santísimo Rosario Parish, Country ...

The Central Seminary of the University of Santo Tomas was designed by Fernando Hizon Ocampo Sr. It was built in the 1930s. The plan of the seminary was configured in the form of the letter E, with courtyards bisecting the wings. The boxy building had an elongated frontage assembling a continuous band of balconies and windows on the second and third level. The structure's horizontally-oriented massing was broken by an engaged central section at the main entrance and two other similar treatments at the end portions. An art deco relief, bud-like finials, and a tableau embellished the stepped pylon at the entrance.[11]

Official declaration

Section 3 of "The Cultural Properties Preservation and Protection Act" states that a "National Cultural Treasure is a unique object found locally, possessing outstanding historical, cultural, artistic and/or scientific value which is significant and important to this country and nation." This recognition marks the first ever inclusion of an educational institution among the ranks of National Cultural Treasures, with the majority of structures being churches and the rest being terrestrial landmarks, intangible cultural property and movable objects. As heritage sites, they will be accorded protection and recognition, giving importance to their witness of 400 years of tumultuous Philippine history.[3][5]

  • UST Central Seminary Building
  • View from Gonzales Drive
  • Regular fenestration
  • Entrance to Santisimo Rosario Parish Church
  • Columns
  • Santisimo Rosario Parish Church
  • View of the nave from the entrance
  • The coffered ceiling
  • Organ on the balcony
  • Balcony seats
  • Window designs
  • Altar
  • Viewed from the chancel

References

  1. [1]
    "National Museum of the Philippines Annual Report 2010" (PDF). National Museum of the Philippines. 2011. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  2. [2]
    Santissimo Rosario Parish of the University of Santo Tomas Archived September 13, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Santissimo Rosario Parish website accessed October 26, 2012
  3. [3]
    National Museum declares UST structures as National Cultural TreasuresUniversity of Santo Tomas website accessed October 27, 2012
  4. [4]
    Formal Declaration of UST National Cultural Treasures Archived July 28, 2013, at the Wayback MachineUniversity of Santo Tomas Museum of Arts and Sciences website accessed October 27, 2012
  5. [5]
    UST sites declared 'National Treasures'The Varsitarian website accessed October 27, 2012
  6. [6]
    UST landmarks declared ‘National Treasures’The Inquirer website accessed October 27, 2012
  7. [7]
    UST landmarks to be declared national cultural treasuresThe Manila Bulletin website accessed October 27, 2012
  8. [8]
    UST spots declared cultural treasuresGMA Network website accessed October 27, 2012
  9. [9]
    Untitled (Plaque inside building) (in English and Filipino). UST Main Building, near the front entrance of the UST Museum of Arts and Sciences: National Museum of the Philippines. January 25, 2010.
  10. [10]
    "Vicariate of Our Lady of Loreto". Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
  11. [11]
    Lico, Gerard (2008). Arkitekturang Filipino: A History of Architecture and Urbanism in the Philippines. Quezon City: The University of the Philippines Press. p. 339. ISBN 978-971-542-579-7.
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