Philippines University of Santo Tomas to break another major campus structure in GenSan

On April 25, the Catholic University of Santo Tomas (UST) in General Santos City in the southern Philippines will break ground on another major campus structure, the Dr. Ricardo S. Po, Sr. Integrated Innovation and Research Laboratories.

The name is after the founder of Century Pacific Food Inc., who is also an alumnus of the university.

Earlier on April 11,  Bishop Cerilo Alan Casicas of Marbel and Dominican Prior Provincial Fr. Filemon dela Cruz Jr. inaugurated the first major expansion of the UST outside Manila, which is an 82-hectare campus.

UST Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P., said UST has “newcomer” status in Mindanao and it would collaborate with other higher education institutions in the city.

The UST GenSan main building chapel was blessed on April 9, with the first Mass offered by UST Secretary General Fr. Louie Coronel, O.P. and Facilities Chief Fr. Dexter Austria, O.P.

UST officials and alumni held an outreach program at the Muslim community of Barangay Batomelong to mark the end of the month-long Ramadan fast on April 10.

For its opening in the Academic Year 2024-2025 as a branch campus, UST General Santos is projected to have an initial enrollment of 500 students in its School of Health Sciences, School of Business and Accountancy, and School of Engineering and Information Technology.

The seven-story Main Building of GenSan can accommodate up to 5,000 students and features 24 classrooms, 23 laboratories, a chapel, library, clinic, auditorium, cafeteria, organization rooms, and function halls, according to the Varsitarian, the official publication of UST-Manila.

The third bishop of Manila, Miguel de Benavides, O.P., founded UST in 1611, and Pope Pius XII named it the Catholic University of the Philippines in 1947, according to the Varsitarian.

“We stand in the majesty of a structure that not only represents bricks and mortars but embodies UST’s rich history, values, and aspirations,” said Ang during his speech at the inauguration.

He added, “This structure is a symbol of faith in God, a beacon of hope for the region and the country, and unity and cooperation amid plurality.. This is a place for interreligious and interfaith dialogue.” - With inputs from CBCP News/The Varsitarian