University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi
The Premier Dominican University of Bicol
The Premier Dominican University of Bicol
The University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi officially opened Academic Year 2025–2026 with a series of events that welcomed both new and returning Legazpi Thomasians back to campus on August 4, 2025, organized by the Religious Affairs Division together with the Supreme Student Council.
To begin the day, the University held the Mass of the Holy Spirit at the UST-Legazpi Dome, with separate celebrations for new and returning students. The Eucharistic celebration for the new and transferee students was presided over by the University Rector and President, Rev. Fr. Edwin A. Lao, O.P., together with the Dominican Fathers of the St. Raymond de Peñafort Convent.
In his homily, Fr. Lao shared a message of hope, unity, and spiritual guidance. “We ask God to bless us with His gifts, to help each other, to help every member of the UST-Legazpi community as a community of faith. Asking God to bless us with the gifts of the Holy Spirit is an efficacious, efficient, and beautiful way to seek guidance and support. These gifts can help us navigate challenges, make wise decisions, and grow in character and in faith,” he emphasized.
The celebration was followed by “Bunyag Tomasino,” the University’s formal welcome rites for new Legazpi Thomasians. This meaningful ceremony marked the students’ symbolic entry into the Thomasian community. As part of the tradition, students donned their Bikolanong Tomasino Shirts for the first time, representing their identity as full-fledged members of the academic community.
The ceremony also included the distribution of holy rosaries and a special blessing from the Dominican Fathers, using holy water and salt—a spiritual gesture that signified the University’s prayerful hopes for the journey ahead.
The Commissioning and Solemn Pledge of Faculty followed, after which students also took part in their own Commissioning and Solemn Pledge, publicly affirming their commitment to uphold the values and ideals of UST-Legazpi.
One of the most memorable parts of the day was “Dagos 2025: Lakaw Tomasino,” a symbolic student march from the UST-Legazpi Dome to the St. Dominic Grounds. There, new students passed through the ceremonial Arc—a rite of passage marking the beginning of their Legazpi Thomasian journey.
At the end of the march, they were greeted with a welcome message from the University Rector and President, followed by the Inauguration of the Tiger Statue. Inspired by the iconic tiger at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, the new statue represents strength, courage, and the enduring Thomasian spirit. It now stands proudly at the St. Dominic Grounds, where students, faculty, and administrators gathered to capture their first photos beside the University’s newest symbol.
Simultaneously, the University also conducted Orientation Seminars for new students across all departments. Elementary pupils took a campus tour; Junior High School held their orientation at the St. John Macias Student Pavilion Hall A; Senior High School gathered at the Daragang Magayon Hall; and College students attended theirs at the UST-Legazpi Dome. Department heads and office representatives introduced the students to their roles, services, and protocols, helping them ease into campus life and build familiarity with their new environment.
The opening week continued with the Mass of the Holy Spirit for returning students on August 5, 2025, held at the UST-Legazpi Dome in two separate schedules.
The first Mass, held from 8:00 to 9:30 AM, was attended by students from the Preschool and Elementary Department (PSE), Junior High School Department (JHS), College of Arts, Sciences, and Education (CASE), and College of Health Sciences (CHS). It was presided over by Rev. Fr. Junel C. Pedroso, O.P., LPT, PhL/MA, the Vice President for Administration and Finance.
The second Mass, celebrated from 10:30 to 11:30 AM, gathered students from the Senior High School Department, College of Business Management and Accountancy (CBMA), and College of Engineering, Architecture, and Fine Arts (CEAFA). This celebration was led by Rev. Fr. Edwin A. Lao, O.P., MM, DBA, the University President.
Both celebrations offered the community a reflective pause at the beginning of the academic year. They served as a reminder that the journey ahead is one best taken with God’s grace. The students were invited to open their hearts to the gifts of the Holy Spirit, to grow in character, and to walk in faith as part of the UST-Legazpi community.
The start of the Academic Year 2025-2026 at UST-Legazpi was filled with tradition, reflection, and warmth. From spiritual beginnings to symbolic gestures, the University community came together once again to celebrate a new academic year—grounded in truth, love, and gratitude.