There will also be the Grand Thomasian Family Day; the USTv Students' Choice Awards Quadricentennial Edition; the Quadricentennial Conference on Learning Technologies; the International Conference of the Universities of St. Thomas (ICUSTA); Presentation of the 400 Titles of UST-published books and publications (with the Coffeetable Book as the 400th title); the Quadricentennial Exhibit at the UST Museum Main Hall; Operetta on the Life of Msgr. Benavides; Q Fashion Show; Rosarium (a vigil and visit of the Our Lady of the Rosary and the Our Lady of La Naval, and the blessing of the Rosary Garden); UST Exhibit at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France; Unveiling of the UST Martyrs' Monuments; and the inauguration and blessing of the UST Gymnasium.

Another notable event is the unveiling of Ramon Orlina's glass-and-brass sculpture, Tetraglobal, modelled by UST alumni Piolo Pascual and Charlene Gonzales.

For the culminating activity in January 2012, there will be a grand production number dubbed as the 40,000 Voices Presentation.

Candy points out: "[The quadricentennial] is going to be a very momentous event. If you're not here, sayang, you'll miss it. kasi this is a part of history, e. Hindi naman lahat ng establishment at unibersidad ay umaabot ng apat na daang taon. At hindi naman pag dumating ang apat na daang taon ay buhay ka pa, di ba?

"So, kumbaga, isang celebration ito not only for the Thomasians but for life itself and for every Filipino because here in our country, there is a university na umabot ng apat na daang taon. Kaya iniimbitahan namin ang lahat na pumunta at makisaya, dahil hindi naman ito exclusive, ito ay open to the public."

Fr. Abaño also feels lucky to be part of this momentous occasion. "We're very fortunate na andito tayo sa time that this celebration ay gagawin. I'm inviting all the Thomasians, the alumni, the students, everyone, for a chance to participate in this historical event because this is not only the history of UST but the history of the Philippines."

COPING WITH THE CHANGING TIMES. Established in 1611 by Miguel de Benavides, O.P., UST is the oldest extant university charter in the Philippines and in Asia. It is the only institution in the country that offers Sacred Theology, Ecclesiastical Philosophy and Canon Law courses.

How does UST cope with the changing times in terms of offering quality education?

"Siyempre, continuous ang aming faculty development, we give premium to research that's why we now have the Thomas Aquinas Research Complex, aside from having other centers for research. Tapos, we also have publications, international linkages with universities. We have international students, too, though we are also limiting their numbers because of course, we want to prioritize and we don't want to displace our very own Filipino students na magagaling din naman," answers Fr. Abaño.

National heroes José Rizal, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Emilio Jacinto, Antonio Luna, Apolinario Mabini, Felipe Agoncillo, and Claro M. Recto are among those who studied in UST.

Thomasians who have become Philippine Presidents were Manuel L. Quezon, Sergio Osmeña, José P. Laurel and Diosdado Macapagal.

Chief Justices Cayetano Arellano, Victorino Mapa, Ramon Avanceña, Jose Abad Santos, Roberto Concepcion and Andres Narvasa are also alumni of this educational insitution.

National Artists Nick Joaquin, Leandro Locsin, F. Sionil José, Bienvenido Lumbera, Ang Kiukok, Victorio Edades, Rolando Tinio, Daisy Hontiveros-Avellana, Ernani Cuenco, Arturo Luz, Ildefonso Santos and Gerry de Leon are also products of UST.

Among other celebrities and entertainment personalities that either studied or finished high school and college education at UST are Aiza Seguerra, John "Sweet" Lapus, Angel Locsin, Albert Martinez, Ali Sotto, Arnold Clavio, Charlene Gonzales-Muhlach, Ciara Sotto, Dominic Ochoa, Eula Valdes, Gretchen Malalad, Jao Mapa, Lourd de Veyra, Piolo Pascual, and Sarah Geronimo.

Candy Pangilinan's blog "Candidly" has the details, CLICK HERE.