The 411-year-old University of Santo Tomas (UST) illuminated their historic structures on campus in yellow and blue as they stood in solidarity with Ukraine.
Officials of the institution prayed for peace and the end of hostilities between Ukraine and Russia in time for Lent season.
“Our National Cultural Treasures are illuminated in blue and yellow tonight in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Ukraine. May the hostilities end at the soonest possible time to prevent further bloodshed. We pray for peace as we begin the Season of Lent,” UST wrote online.
Four of UST’s structures have been declared as National Cultural Treasures: the main building, the Arch of the Centuries, the Central Seminary, as well as its grandstand and open spaces.
According to the Cultural Properties Preservation and Protection Act, 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.”
The University of Santo Tomas is the oldest university in Asia and was founded in 1611. UST welcomed Pope Francis on campus when the Catholic leader visited the country in 2015.
