University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary Building

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]}

University of Santo Tomas Central Seminary Building
Santísimo Rosario Parish
General information
Type	Ecclesiastical and educational building
Architectural style	Art Deco
Location	España, Sampaloc, Manila
Coordinates	14°36′37″N 120°59′21″E
Completed	November 13, 1932 (1932-11-13)
Owner	University of Santo Tomas
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Fernando H. Ocampo Sr.
Architecture firm	Arguilles & Ocampo Architects
National Cultural Treasures
Designated	January 25, 2010
Reference no.	1–2010[1]

Architecture

Central Seminary Building

Santísimo Rosario Parish
UST Chapel
The chancel of the parish church
14°36′37″N 120°59′21″E
Country	Philippines
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Religious order	Dominican Order
History
Status	Parish church
Founded	April 26, 1942 (1942-04-26)
Dedication	Our Lady of the Holy Rosary
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Architect(s)	Fernando H. Ocampo Sr.
Completed	November 13, 1932 (1932-11-13)
Administration
Province	Manila
Archdiocese	Manila
Deanery	Our Lady of Loreto[10]
Parish	Santísimo Rosario
Clergy
Priest(s)	Rev. Fr. Paul Reagan O. Talavera, O.P. (Parish Priest) Rev. Fr. Isidro C. Abaño, O.P. (Parochial Vicar) Rev. Fr. Dexter A. Austria, O.P. (Attached Priest) Rev. Fr. Maximo P. Gatela, O.P. (Attached Priest) Rev. Fr. George Phe Mang, O.P. (Attached Priest)

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]

Gallery

• UST Central Seminary Building
• 
  View from Gonzales Drive, with carillon
• 
  Closeup of façade
• 
  Closeup of the left side carillon
• 
  Regular fenestration
• 
  Entrance to Santísimo Rosario Parish Church
• 
  Columns

• Santísimo Rosario Parish Church
• 
  The nave from the entrance
• 
  The coffered ceiling
• 
  Organ in the choir loft
• 
  Balcony seats
• 
  Window designs
• 
  Altar
• 
  Viewed from the chancel