University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary Building explained

Building Type:Ecclesiastical and educational building
Architectural Style:Art Deco
Location:España, Sampaloc, Manila
Owner:University of Santo Tomas
Coordinates:14.6103°N 120.9892°W
Architect:Fernando H. Ocampo Sr.
Architecture Firm:Arguilles & Ocampo Architects
Embedded:
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Designation1:PNCT
Designation1 Date:January 25, 2010
Designation1 Number:1–2010[1]

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]

Architecture

Santísimo Rosario Parish
Other Name:UST Chapel
Coordinates:14.6103°N 120.9892°W
Country:Philippines
Denomination:Roman Catholic
Religious Order:Dominican Order
Dedication:Our Lady of the Holy Rosary
Status:Parish church
Functional Status:Active
Architect:Fernando H. Ocampo Sr.
Parish:Santísimo Rosario
Deanery:Our Lady of Loreto[10]
Archdiocese:Manila
Province:Manila

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]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: National Museum of the Philippines Annual Report 2010 . . 2011 . June 13, 2020.
  2. http://santisimorosario.net/ Santissimo Rosario Parish of the University of Santo Tomas
  3. http://www.ust.edu.ph/index.php/university/838-national-museum-declares-ust-structures-as-national-cultural-treasures.html National Museum declares UST structures as National Cultural Treasures
  4. http://ustmuseum.ust.edu.ph/media/photo-gallery/album.aspx?id=Xm5lN9lOIcBWv04gO0%2BlEZ%2BuHxxv6TvPTqURLnlXQRE%3D Formal Declaration of UST National Cultural Treasures
  5. http://www.varsitarian.net/news/20100127/ust_sites_declared_national_treasures UST sites declared 'National Treasures'
  6. http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/artsandbooks/artsandbooks/view/20100125-249246/UST-landmarks-declared-National-Treasures UST landmarks declared ‘National Treasures’
  7. http://www.mb.com.ph/node/239854/u UST landmarks to be declared national cultural treasures
  8. http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/182741/lifestyle/culture/ust-spots-declared-cultural-treasures UST spots declared cultural treasures
  9. Untitled . Plaque inside building. . UST Main Building, near the front entrance of the UST Museum of Arts and Sciences. en, fil. January 25, 2010.
  10. Web site: Vicariate of Our Lady of Loreto. Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Manila. April 27, 2023.
  11. Book: Lico, Gerard. Arkitekturang Filipino: A History of Architecture and Urbanism in the Philippines. The University of the Philippines Press. 2008. 978-971-542-579-7. Quezon City. 339.