Written by: Miguel Ballecer and Mary Andrew Dalogdog
Photos by: Niña Eblamo and Christian Mungcal
The university welcomed 11,335 freshmen, the first batch of USTAR passers, through a virtual welcome walk, and ROARientation earlier today.
These events, including a eucharistic celebration, were live streamed at the UST official, and UST Tiger TV Facebook page.
Eucharistic Celebration
Opening today’s celebration was a mass presided over by Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., the university rector.
In his homily, he discussed the importance of focusing on one’s goals whatever situation a student is in. "Every beginner like you holds a chance to become a master in his chosen field," Very Rev. Fr. Ang said.
At the end of the mass, the freshmen received the Thomasian welcome rites, and made a Thomasian petition for blessing.
The mass was followed by a welcome message for the freshmen from Rev. Fr. Louie Coronel, O.P., UST secretary-general. Along with his speech, he gave a teaser of the events in store for the freshmen’s ROARientation.
Welcome Walk
The virtual Thomasian Welcome Walk immediately commenced after the mass, wherein the freshmen walked through the Arch of the Centuries via the university’s Minecraft server. This signified the start of the students’ journey in the university.
The Faculty of Engineering welcomed 1,076 engineering freshmen this academic year.
Bettina Erquieza of the UST Tiger TV hosted the event.
ROARientation
With the hashtags #ROARWelcomeFreshies, and #USTROARientation2021, this year’s ROARientation started off with an opening performance by the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe, and UST Sinag Ballroom Dance Company.
A virtual amazing race, entitled “Thomazing Race” was then played via the Minecraft server, with Eya Laurel, UST Growling Tigers outside hitter, and Ivan Gordola, Student Organization Coordinating Council (SOCC) president, emerging as winners.
The race was hosted by Hans Galeria, UST - Communication Arts Students' Association (CASA) interim sports committee head for Academic Year 2020-2021; UST Yellow Jackets for the second station; and Marymon Reyes, UST Tiger TV anchor, for the third station.
A virtual tour of the university’s Central Library was shown afterwards with the following guests: Fr. Angel Aparicio, O.P., prefect of libraries; Ms. Ma. Cecilia D. Labo, chief librarian; and Ms. Raquel B. Lontoc, head librarian of General Reference and Information.
The tour was hosted by Bettina Erquieza, social media correspondent of the event.
The following games were also held to maximize interaction with the audience: “Tomasino Says” which allowed Thomasian TikTok content creators Sofia Donato, Abram Reyes, and Irish Vistan to answer questions on the Thomasian student life; and “Where to G?” which let the freshmen audience guess the venues inside the university.
Abram Reyes from the College of Science, and Hanna Marie Hernandez from the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management won each game, respectively.
The traditional storytelling of the life of St. Thomas Aquinas and St. Dominic de Guzman was then portrayed by Mr. Leo-Martin Angelo R. Ocampo, O.P. as “Kuya Tom” or St. Thomas, and Rev. Fr. Christopher Jeffrey L. Aytona O.P. as “Papa Dom” or St. Dominic.
Following this were performances about online classes by the Thomasian Media Circle and Talents (TOMCAT), and Teatro Tomasino.
The batch dance was taught afterwards by the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe using the song “Levitating” by Dua Lipa. The best performance of this dance via TikTok will be given a free cake from Wadough’s Cafe.
The event ended with the announcement of the following winners for the Thomasian Challenge: Emmanuel Ebreo, Best “GO USTE!” Cheer; Regina Montero, Best Creative Photo with a Yellow Shirt; and Edward Sta. Ana, Best in Writing the Name of their College with the non-dominant hand.
The ROARientation was hosted by Hans Kho, UST Tiger TV talents pool head, and Gayle Resubal, UST Tiger Radio disc jockey.
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