Last May 28 and 29, 2021, all roads led to the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Medicine and Surgery (UST FMS) sesquicentennial celebration. The inaugural ceremonies took place on the 28th of May at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Beginning with a eucharistic celebration presided over by Very Reverend Fr. Richard Ang, OP, Rector Magnificus of the university, the sesquicentennial year for the UST FMS was officially declared and upcoming activities for the celebration announced.
Thomasian physicians from near and far attended the occasion. To enable those who could not be present to still see the inaugural ceremonies, the event was livestreamed on the UST FMS page.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque, himself a Thomasian physician, keynoted the event. He reminisced about his life as a UST medical student and called on more Thomasian physicians to enter government service.
The day’s high point was the unveiling of the marker to be placed at the entrance of the San Martin de Porres Building where the FMS is housed. The marker highlights the beginnings of FMS as the Facultad de Medicina y Cirugia, which was originally located in Intramuros beginning in 1871, and FMS’s adherence to its Christian mandate and principles.
Very Reverend Richard Ang, OP, the Regent of FMS Fr. Angel Aparicio, OP, Dean Ma. Lourdes D. Maglinao, and Secretary Duque graced the unveiling. Very Reverend Fr. Francisco Timoner III, OP, Master of the Order of Preachers based in the Vatican, also delivered a message at the ceremony.
The following day, a second sesquicentennial marker at the Plaza Santo Tomas in Intramuros, original site of the UST FMS was officially unveiled.
In attendance were Manila’s two highest officials, Mayor Francisco Moreno Domagoso and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan, as well as Department of Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo.
Also present were UST’s Fr. Angel Aparicio, FMS Dean Ma. Lourdes D. Maglinao, FMS Assistant Dean Remedios Chan, and other Thomasian physicians. Both events brought much inspiration to the UST physician graduates and to their Dominican mentors, not only in celebrating the past and giving thanks for what was, but also looking forward to the next 150 years of UST FMS.
