I graduated from the University of Santo Tomas and was also an active Thomasian Volunteer since from Freshmen to Senior years. It’s been 5 years since I graduated College and a LOT has changed since I left my beloved school.
I visit the University from time to time since I have friends who are studying Medicine and I am very close to the Campus Ministry Director, Fr. Filemon “Deng” dela Cruz, O.P. He’s been our director, spiritual adviser and a dear friend too that’s why we visit him in UST if time permits us all since everyone is busy after college.
I don’t know when was he appointed as the Vice Rector for Religious Affairs and that was the time that we can’t see him that often. Still our communication is always open and one day, we met him up to discuss his ideas for the University. Ever since I knew him, he always have this passion to make every activity meaningful and enjoyable at the same time. We enjoyed our stay in UST Center for Campus Ministry as Thomasian Volunteers because of his enthusiasm and energy. His mere presence always makes us feel joyful and blessed every time we serve our fellow Thomasians in our own little way.
Anyway, back to his idea. He has this journal idea for the incoming freshmen students (which I strongly disagree because alumni has the right to have one to). It was having a Passport as their college journal. I don’t know if all his ideas were implemented but I was surprised that the UST Passport was already out to the incoming freshmen students. I knew about it when my HS friend tagged me on her sister’s UST-Thomasian Journal.
This Thomasian Journal’s aim is to help freshmen student know the University better. Even if a lot of improvements were already noticeable in the University, some students still don’t know where and what the purpose/significance of the specific place. This will aid their lack of knowledge with the University’s beauty and history. Basically, this serves as their “Diary” as they continue their education in UST. It will help them balance studies and extra curricular activities in school. It will also serve as a remembrance for each student since every milestone they achieve will be recorded in the Passport.
They University will supply different kinds of stamps that will signify each college you go to. For example, if you get the chance to know Science Building, you can go to there and secure a stamp after exploring the building. Also, I think they are thinking that whenever you got an award, say for example you graduated as a cum laude in college, a special stamp will also be available to signify your achievement. All your milestones, all your knowledge of the school are all there in that Passport. At the end of your stay in the University, that Passport will be your souvenier as you continue your journey outside the campus. It will help you remember what you did in college and somehow give you pride on whatever it is in there.
I don’t know how the University explained the Passport to the incoming students but this is how our conversation goes that night. During that time, I was very envious to all incoming freshmen students. I even want to go back to UST just to have that journal. ^_^
I really hope the Passport project will be a success. We were excited just hearing and picturing the idea. I’ll check on the Passport’s progress before the 2nd Semester ends by next year. I’ll definitely keep you posted.
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