Module 2:

A Christian Call and the Thomasian Response

Welcome to Module 2! How was your experience reading and doing
activities of Module 1? I hope you were able to understand and have a clear
grasp of the different concepts regarding the NSTP History and Good Citizenship
Values.
In this module, you will encounter two lessons: First part will lead you to a
deeper understanding and appreciation of human dignity with a keen sensitivity
to the needs of others especially those who suffer in poverty and crisis in life. The
second part emphasizes the Thomasian core values and response to the
Christian call which is further explained as you go along the module.
At the end of this module you are expected to value human dignity through
practicing the teachings of the Catholic Church and the Thomasian core values
and ideals in everyday life.
Lets no w go to Lesson 1.
Lesson 1: Advocacy to Christianity
At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
1. Evaluate ones own point of view regarding human dignity
2. Demonstrate identifiable characteristics of being a Filipino Catholic
I. Man: Image and Likeness of God
So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
And God blessed them. And God said to them, Be fruitful and
multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over
the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over
every living thing that moves on the earth.
(Gen. 1:27-28)
and
The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and
breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a
living being.
(Gen. 2:7)

Humanity is the pinnacle of creation. Being made in Gods image,

humanity has intrinsic worth. Human beings alone, among all of Gods creation,
have the breadth of God blown into their nostrils
Human dignity is the intrinsic worth that is inherent in every human being.
From the Catholic perspective (among other Christian perspectives), the source
of human dignity is rooted in the concept of Imago Dei (Latin for "image of God"),
in Christs redemption and in our ultimate destiny of union with God.
Human dignity therefore transcends any social order as the basis for rights
and is neither granted by society nor can it be legitimately violated by society. In
this way, human dignity is the conceptual basis for human rights. While providing
the foundation for many normative claims, one direct normative implication of
human dignity is that every human being should be acknowledged as an
inherently valuable member of the human community and as a unique
expression of life, with an integrated bodily and spiritual nature.
In Catholic moral thought, because there is a social or communal
dimension to human dignity itself, persons must be conceived of, not in overlyindividualistic terms, but as being inherently connected to the rest of society.
Because the tradition emphasizes the integral nature of our body and spirit, the
human body takes on greater significance and value than in the prevailing
dualistic conception of the person.
a. Man: Soul, Intellect and Will
Mans dignity comes from having a soul. The soul is his principle of life. It
is what gives him a spiritual nature. It is what makes him like God for it enables
him to think and to want. The power which enables man to reason out things is
called his intellect. The power which allows man to decide and to carry out that
decision is called his will.
Because man has a soul, he can be called a person. A person is a being
with a rational nature. Man is called the image of his Maker precisely because he
is rational. He shares something in common with God and angels: his intellect
and will.
Man can have a sense of humor. Only men can find two things that are
absurd or unrelated to each other amusing. Only man can joke or laugh; not even
the hyena can equal man in finding wit in contradictory situations. Man can do so
because he has a mind.
With an intellect, man can search for the truth. As a consequence, he
studies the world around him in order to better understand and do things
accordingly. With this knowledge he can work for the good of others by producing
or making things. He searches for what is real until things are revealed to him

with the aid of his sense. But always something will be missing from the entire
puzzle for his mind is not as encompassing as his Makers. But it will still be a
light in the dark, enough for him to live in peace.
With his will, man can choose the good. But then not all good things are
of the same quality, there are good things that are higher than others. It is up to
man to identify the higher good so he can choose it.
b. Mans Goals
As a person, we have two goals: the temporal and the ultimate. Our
temporal goal is to be able to develop ourselves and take an active role in the
society. Our ultimate goal is to be in union with our Creator. Our intellect enables
us to acquire the necessary knowledge about the meaning of life. Thro ugh it, we
are able to discern whether our action is right or wrong. On the other hand, our
human will enables us to act on our discernment. As persons, we are able to lift
our thoughts to the ideals and are able to make judgments. While we all share in
the image and likeness of God, we are not all the same. Each and every one of
us is unique.
As Christians, do you realize these valuable intrinsic capacities that God
has endowed us? That of being in the image and likeness of God?
In the previous readings, you learned about the person created in the
image and likeness of God. Now, the second half of the first module will make
you discover the persons communitarian nature, your responsibility and
realization of ones worth.
II. Distinctive Characteristics of a Filipino Catholic
We, Filipino Catholics, in particular are people who have experienced in
one or another that our Filipino identity, meaning, suffering, commitment and
world-view are all tied to Jesus Christ. Like a diamond with a thousand faces,
Christ is able to reveal to every person and nation, their own unity, truth and
value. (de la Cruz Jr., O.P., 1997. p. 18)
Thus we Filipino Catholics are those who:
As baptized into discipleship of Jesus Christ, discover our identity as
adopted children of our Father and as members of Christs Body, the
Church, inspired by Mary our Mother;
In the breaking of bread around the table of the Lord, find meaning in
sharing ecclesial fellowship with one another and with Christ, their Priest
and Eucharist;

In meeting the Crucified Savior, are sustained in the sufferings and

hardships of life, and receive forgiveness for their sins through his
Sacraments;
Commit ourselves to our Risen Lord and his mission through the gift of
Faith, celebrated in great Hope in the Sacraments, and lived out in Love
and service of their fellow-men;
From our world-vision led by the Spirit of the Risen Christ, are
experienced in the Christian community, the Church, which sustains us in
our pilgrimage of life-in-Christ;
Approach and live out this Christian life within the powerful inspiring
presence of Mary, our Mother and Model.
When we deal with each other, we should do so with the
sense of awe that arises in the presence of something
holy and sacred. For that is what human beings are: we
are created in the image of God

(Economic Justice for All Pastoral Letter on

Catholic Social Teaching and the U.S. Economy
U.S. Catholic Bishops, 1986. #28)

a. Gods Two Greatest Commandments

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing
that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the
commandments, which is the most important? Love the Lord your God with all
your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your
strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no
commandment greater than these.
(Mark 12:28-31)
Read the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) in the Bible or click the
link below to know more about this story:
http://www.jesuswalk.com/lessons/10_25-37.htm
Did you like the story? Have you had any experience before wherein in an
instance you feel like the Good Samaritan? Narrate your story and share it in
our discussion forum.
This story is a classic example of pagmamahal to other people, the
pagpapahalaga concept, which will be explained in the next lesson.

III.

The Concept of Pagmamahal and Pagmumura

Franciscan venerable Juan de Oliver wrote his Tagalog
Declaracion de los Mandamientos de la Ley de Dios between 1585 and
1590. The First Commandment he rendered as Ybiguin mo ang Dios,
Lalo sa Lahat.
The reasonable man, one who has discernment, distinguishes
within his heart what is good and what is evil; he esteems the precious,
and the worthless. Would a man be considered right if he treats equally
everything, both the good and the evil as if they were the same, and if he
regards as equal both that which is precious and that which is worthless,
or that is which is worthless with that which is precious? Would not the
person be blind if he treats that which is black as if it were white, and that
which is white as if were black? Is it correct to treat the cheap and the
costly as if they were equal? The devil and the God?
If God is greater and most precious of all, why do you not esteem
and love and cherish Him above all?
The devil, the anito, if the most worthless, ugly, evil-minded, a
murmurer against his God, why is he not treated as the most worthless of
all, why not shown cruelty, why not forgotten as worth nothing?
Pagmamahal, is a disposition of one being towards another being,
by which a degree of value is expressed or symbolized. Conversely,
pagmumura is the inclination to behave toward another who has been
considered as valueless or cheap. Thus, when Fray Oliver tells the
Tagalogs in Balayan, Anot minomora ninyo ang Dios?, he is speaking
specifically not of blasphemous speech uttered against God, but of actions
that bespoke the lack of recognition of the true worth of the Creator to His
creatures (Hornedo, 1997).
Thus, a parent who loves his children not only sees to it that they
do not come to harm, but also actively promotes their growth into mature
people. He feeds them and educates them. He chooses their schools and
helps them decide on the careers that they will take. While there are
parents who would manipulate their children to suit their personal
convenience, the nagmamahal, or caring, parent appreciates and
enhances the value the children by every means possible (Hornedo,
1997).
There are numerous examples wherein we can attest to this
concept of pagmamahal; one is by means of studying well in school since
if a student puts value to studying then he/she knows the importance of
education as well as his/her parents hardships or efforts in trying their

best to provide their child with good education. Let us cite another
example, a student who addresses his/her teacher in a proper manner,
i.e., Maam, Sir, Ms. or Mr. is deemed respectful to a person in authority.
Can you now give other examples like weve mentioned? Discuss
these with your classmates in our Discussion Forum.
The totality of those acts by which valuing is expressed are known
in Tagalog as pagpapahalaga (to appreciate value), and pagmamahal (to
love). A thing is mahal (high-priced, dearly loved) because it is mahalaga
(valuable). Pagmamahal, therefore, is intimately and essentially bound up
with halaga. And to love, therefore, is both to recognize worth or value and
to act in a manner consistent with the preservation and enhanceme nt of
the value of the minamahal (one considered of great value).
And even today, pagmumura sa kapwa (speaking to another in
demeaning language) is, in fact, a verbal expression of how little a person
values another. In times past when pedigree was considered material to a
persons social worth, Filipinos demeaned other by calling anak ng puta
(offspring of a whore). In cultures where pagpapakatao (behaving as a
human being) is regarded as valuable, they demean others by calling
them hayop or animal. Thus, pagmumura is the demeaning of
someone, whether by language or by deed, as there is slander by word
and slander by deed (Hornedo, 1997).
But pagmumura is the demeaning of someone not only by
language but also by deed. When a man sees to it with great care to
educate his children, he is expressing in deed his value for the children.
But when he acts towards the servants who might be as old as his
children with abuse and desecration, he is in effect devaluing their worth
and stunting their personal growth. By the premises we have set above,
this parent shows pagmamahal toward his children but pagmumura
towards the servants. Here is where the judgment of universal
pagmamahal lies (Hornedo, 1997).
Time has really gone through some visible changes, changes in
traditions and values particularly. Gone are the days when Filipino children
used to exercise the Filipino tradition of pagmamano to elderly people
when meeting them on the streets as sign of respect, when young adults
have strict curfews, and are not allowed to go on dates except in social
gatherings together with their families or with a chaperon. We see many
deformities and decay in our moral values today, the pagmumura
concept as explained by Dr. Florentino Hornedo is true in these modern
era, when youngsters engage into drugs, premarita l sex and abortion. We
can also cite simple examples that relate to the concept of pagmumura,
one example is when one person tries to make his way on a queue

bypassing other people who are hours waiting patiently on their line. I bet
if anyone of us experiences this kind of rude and ill-mannered person, we
will surely crack our heads in anger. Or in a bus or LRT station, on your
way to school, you suddenly see a very old lady, standing and adjacent to
the very old lady is a robust, young man sitting comfortably in his seat, you
suddenly wonder, if that man will ever offer the poor old lady his seat.
Have you ever been that rude, ill-mannered person who makes his
way in a queue? Or that insensitive young person who never offered a
seat to the poor lady in a bus?
We can cite many examples i n our day-to-day dealings with other
people wherein we can say that there is valuing of ones worth and dignity.
As a student, do you genuinely greet your professors when meeting them
outside the classroom as a sign of respect? Or when a classmate of yours
asks for your help since you are more knowledgeable of one of your
subjects, would you offer him/her your time? When you do tediously your
assigned tasks at home, e.g. you are asked by your parents to regularly
wash the dishes every after dinner, do you accomplish the work
wholeheartedly or you complain first?
As a student, give concrete examples on how you can show
Pagmamahal in simple actions. Give at least 5 examples. Share your
answers in our Discussion Forum.
Catholic Teaching on the Life and Dignity of the Human Person: Every
human person is created in the image and likeness of God. Therefore, each persons life
and dignity must be respected, whether that person is an innocent unborn child in a
mothers wombor even whether that person is a convicted criminal on death row. We
believe that every human life is sacred from conception to natural death, that people are
more important than things, and that the measure of every institution is whether it
protects and respects the life and dignity of the human person.
(USCCB Administrative Committee, Faithful Citizenship: A
Catholic Call to Political Responsibility, p. 13)

Human dignity has faced numerous challenges that awaken the

Catholic Church therefore; previous Popes came up with various
encyclicals that addresses these issues. To learn more about these
encyclicals, click the link below:
http://www.papalencyclicals.net/
I bet you have learned a lot from the first part of this module, you have
gained insights as regards the topic on human dignity. As students of this
prestigious Catholic University, you should be aware of how the Catholic Church

in particular views human dignity and how the Church defines and explains the
moral thought of human dignity. You as Thomasian students should live your life
with dignity.
Sometimes, we give more emphasis on the physical aspect of our body
rather than the more important spiritual aspect of our humanness. Other than our
physical body, we have our soul which gives life to our earthly body. Our intellect
and free will shapes our moral fibers, no matter what choice we make in our
lives, good or bad has a resounding effect or impact in our soul.
We often neglect that being one true Filipino Catholic entails a lot of
valuing our traditions and practices which include celebration of feast day of
patron saints, baptism, first communion, confirmation, ordination of priests, etc.
We Catholics usually attend but do we really imbibe the very essence of going to
Sunday masses? Or do we just attend the mass for the sake of mere
attendance since we oftentimes observe people attending mass but engaging
into gossiping inside the Church, sleeping during the Homily, texting while inside
the chapel, or even group of friends making use of the sacred place as their
venue for meeting, wearing improper dresses or clothes while attending the
mass, attending only a portion of the mass, e.g. during Homily or during the
offertory?
We have also learned that the true concept of Pagmamahal is respecting
and honoring ones worth. Attention and value is given to a person if he is
important to you. You treasure his value, meaning you honor his dignity as a
person. Pagmumura on the other hand is demeaning ones worth. If the person
is not important to you, you dont put any value or he is worthless to you. Every
human being is entitled to be valued and his importance should be
acknowledged. Just like you and me, the other people are also created by God
therefore, whether you know the person or not, you should value him and respect
his dignity as a person.
As a Thomasian student, you are therefore challenged to be the modernday Good Samaritan, to value other human persons.
Lesson 2 :Thomasian Identity and Response
Thomasian greetings! Now that you have learned the value of man and his
dignity and have discovered who you are and your abilities as an individual, let
us now situate ourselves in a Catholic institution. As it enters its 400 years of
existence, the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas will mold and
direct us as we journey in the challenges in our life, our studies and be of service
to the community as a Thomasian.

Objectives:
At the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
1. Familiarize the Thomasian Code of Honor and Responsibilities
2. Practice ones roles and responsibilities as a Thomasian through works
and services.
I. Introduction: Thomasian Code of Honor and Responsibility
Do you still remember when you passed the USTET, and decided to be a
member of the Thomasian family? Being accepted in this university out of the
thousands who took their chances makes you stand out. As you become a
member of the Thomasian community, you have to know and learn by heart the
Thomasian code of honora code that will reflect our duty and responsibility as
a Thomasians.
Thomasian Code of Honor
I am a Thomasian. On my honor, I shall strive always to uphold
truth and justice, to make conduct accord with the highest
ideals of the University as a Catholic and Dominican institution.
I shall be honest. I shall not lie, I shall not cheat, I shall not steal.
Nor shall I tolerate the acts of those who do. I shall be true to
the Thomasian values of competence, commitment and
compassion. My goal is nothing less than to incarnate the truth
of Christ in my life.
These I profess in faith, I hold firm in hope, I bear witness to in
love, by Gods unending grace.

As Thomasians, we must know our responsibilities, not just as a student

in the University and as a member of your family but also as part of our
community and beloved country. Remember that responsibility is not just as
one word. According to Stephen R. Covey of The Seven Habits of Highly
Effective People, responsibility is but two words combined together
response and abilitythe ability to choose your response. Highly
proactive people recognize responsibility. They do not blame circumstances,
conditions, or conditioning for their behavior. Their behavior is a product of their
own conscious choice, based on values, rather than a product of their conditions
or based on feelings.

"You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances,
the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself."
Jim Rohn (A Joseph Campbell Companion)
The University sets and lays down the ideals and values in which the
Thomasian must acquire and develop. One example is RESPONSIBILITY:
Responsibility to discover oneself and be at his/her best, responsibility to serve
and reconnect with our brothers and sisters who are victims of natural disasters,
hunger, homeless, illiteracy, abuse, poor in the heart and soul, losing hope,
astray and hurt. This is the time to start our mission as God wanted us to be in
one of His commandment: Love thy neighbor as I have loved you.
II. Thomasian Ideals and Inspiration
Now, let us first look at the people who have provided us with the
Thomasian ideals and inspirations, and from where these have originated and
developed. They are St. Dominic, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Martin De Porres,
some Thomasian alumni and honorary. This is the time to know them and be
inspired by their actions:
A. St. Dominic de Guzman and the Dominican Ideals
Do you ever wonder why we dont have classes every August 8 in the University?
It is because we celebrate the feast day of Saint Dominic. He is the founder of
the Dominican Order (O.P.) and is one of the patron saints of the University.
St. Dominic was born to a family of nobility in Caleruega, Spain. He grew
up in a family of saints. Despite of his nobility, the young Dominic always had a
heart for the poor.
The following are the ideals which inspires the Dominican Order and the
Thomasian community.

FIDELITY. St. Dominics fidelity to the Catholic Church inspired

the Dominican ideals of seeking the truth through contemplation
and sharing the fruits of ones contemplation with others.

STUDY. In order to find the truth that one seeks, one has to
study not just for a day, or a year or four years, but
continuously. When St. Dominic founded the Order, among the
first things he did was to draw up a program of study. While its
not the purpose of the Order, study was a necessary means
through which the order can achieve its mission of preaching

and saving souls. It was his means to find the truth. It was his
means to fight the enemies of the truth.

PRAYER. St. Dominic knew this very well. To be holy, one has
to be in constant communion with God. Through prayers, ones
faith is nurtured and becomes steadfast in what he/she is doing.

ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT. One truly shares the fruits of his/her

contemplation not in room but among people. Dominicans
choose to actively interact with the people; preaching to them
the truth of the faith. They needed to study. They are committed
to the cause of saving souls and this means being with the
people. St. Dominic himself went from one place to another
preaching on foot carrying in his heart the Dominican motto
VERITAS (TRUTH)

SIMPLICITY and EVANGELICAL POVERTY. The Dominicans

of the 13th Century were mendicant friars. They lived in
simplicity. St. Dominic himself had to sell his books so as to be
able to help alleviate the condition of the poor (books are
important possession back then). Such detachment from
material things made it even easier for the Dominicans to live a
life of holiness.

The life of St. Dominic was one of tireless effort in the service of God. This
athlete of Christ always conquered himself before attempting the reformation of
others. While he journeyed from place to place, he prayed and preached almost
uninterruptedly. His penances were of such a nature as to cause the brethren,
who accidentally discovered them, to fear the effect upon his life. While Dominic's
charity was boundless, he never permitted it to interfere with the stern sense of
duty that guided every action of his life. If he abominated heresy and labored
untiringly for its end, it was because he loved truth and loved the souls of those
for whom he labored. He never failed to distinguish between sin and the sinner.
(St. Dominic. http://www.3op.org/stdominic.php)

Now that we have identified St. Dominics ideals, do you think you
share the same values? Knowing how St. Dominic lived a life of principle,
what can you do to live a life similar to his? Share your thoughts in our
discussion forum.
B. St. Thomas Aquinas
The life and works of St. Thomas, the patron Saint of the University have
been a source of inspiration to every Thomasian. His faithful observance of the
ideals set by the Dominican Order made him a great student, teacher and a

saint. Besides, being holy and humble with which he lived his life, his other
characteristics that are worth emulating are the following:

INTELLIGENCE. When St. Thomas was five years old, his family
placed him under the care of the Benedictines of Monte Casino. His
teachers were surprised at the progress he made, for he surpassed
all his fellow pupils in learning as well as in the practice of virtue.

PERSEVERANCE and CHASTITY. When he became of age to

choose his state of life, St. Thomas renounced the things of this
world and resolved to enter the Order of St. Dominic in spite of the
opposition of his family. In 1243, at the age of seventeen, he joined
the Dominicans of Naples. Some members of his family resorted to
all means over a two year period to break his constancy. They even
went so far as to send an impure woman to tempt him. But all their
efforts were in vain and St. Thomas persevered in his vocation. As
a reward for his fidelity, God conferred upon him the gift of perfect
chastity, which has merited for him the title of the "Angelic Doctor".

MEEKNESS. After making his profession at Naples, he studied at

Cologne under the celebrated St. Albert the Great. Here he was
nicknamed the "dumb ox" because of his silent ways and huge
size, but he was really a brilliant student. At the age of twenty-two,
he was appointed to teach in the same city and began to publish
his first works. After four years he was sent to Paris. The saint was
then a priest. At the age of thirty-one, he received his doctorate.

PASSION and GREATNESS. St. Thomas not only wrote (his

writings filled twenty hefty tomes characterized by brilliance of
thought and lucidity of language), but he preached often and with
greatest fruit. He left the great monument of his learning, the
"Summa Theologica", unfinished, for on his way to the second
Council of Lyons, ordered there by Gregory X, he fell sick and died
at the Cistercian monastery of Fossa Nuova in 1274. St. Thomas
was one of the greatest and most influential theologians of all time.
He was canonized in 1323 and declared Doctor of the Church by
Pope
Pi us
V.
( so urce :
http ://www.ca tholi c.or g )

TRUTH. St. Thomas never grew tired of seeking the truth and
preaching about it. Not everyone agreed with him but he continued
to persevere. His commitment to search for the truth did not
decrease nor waver.

St. Thomas lived a life following the ideals set by the Dominican Order
and in constant search for the truth. He never stopped studying and doing
great works in honor of God. As a Thomasian, what do you do in order to
exhibit the values of our Patron Saint that you have acquired in your
second year of study at our university? Share your thoughts in our
discussion forum.
St. Martin De Lima (St. Martin De Porres)
St. Martin De Porres a Dominican priest was declared "Blessed" by Pope
Gregory XVI and he was canonized by Pope John XXIII on May 6th, 1962 before
a crowd of 40,000 people. St. Martin de Porres continues to be greatly revered,
especially in the Americas, for his commitment to racial and social justice.
St. Martin de Porres became the patron saint of African-Americans,
barbers, hairdressers, race relations, and social justice, those with mixed race
heritage, poor people ,nurses and health care assistants shown in the following
virtues manifested in his life.

EQUALITY. St. Martin often challenged his brothers on their racial

attitudes .

"Compassion, my dear Brothers, is preferable to cleanliness. Reflect that

with a little soap I can easily clean my bed covers, but even with a torrent
of tears I would never wash from my soul the stain that my harshness
toward the unfortunate would create.
- St. Martin De Porres, spoken to his Dominican brothers when
admonished for bringing an elderly, dirty beggar off the streets and
allowing him to take the saint's o wn bed while he cared for the sick man.
Equally legendary was his love of animals. He would feed and heal all
animals that came into his vicinity and they understood and obeyed him.

(St. Martin De Porres. http://www.aquinasandmore.com/catholic-artic les/St.-Martin-de-Porres-the-Saint-of-theBroom/article/181)

CHARITY and HUMILITY. St. Martin de Porres' charity made him

the patron saint of social justice. Martin fed, sheltered and doctored
hundreds of families. He also provided the requisite dowry of 4,000
pesos to enable at least 27 poor young women to marry. Last, but
not least, he established the Orphanage and School of the Holy
Cross which took in boys and girls of all classes and taught them
trades or homemaking skills. Over much criticism, he insisted that
the school staff be well-paid so that they would give their best
service. He also extended his healing gifts -- going to the servants'
quarters and treating their ailments.

DISCIPLINE. St. Martin's spiritual practices were legendary. He

would often fast for extensive periods of time on bread and water.
He loved all-night vigils, frequently praying by lying down as if
crucified, sometimes kneeling but, miraculously, a foot or more off
the floor. He would "take the discipline", scourging himself with
chains, three times a day: for the souls in Purgatory, for
unrepentant sinners, and, finally, for his own soul.

Today, St. Martin de Porres is commemorated by a school building that

houses the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, College of Nursing and College of
Rehabilitaion Science of the University of Santo Tomas
A disciplined life coupled with charity and humility is what St. Martin De
Porres have showed the world during his lifetime. Now, the difficulty in our world
is so much the same as when it was his time. In our everyday life we see the
same problem of social injustices and inequality. As a NSTP student, how can
you help to lessen the problems of social injustices and inequality? Share your
thoughts in our discussion forum.
There are also other Dominican saints who are kno wn for their
pastoral works, faith and helping the poor in which can be our source of
inspiration in our day to day living such as St. Catherine of Siena- named
as Doctor of the Church, St. Antoninus of Florence - a social reformer,
Bartolome de Casas- defender of human rights etc.
III. The University of Santo Tomas as Catholic Educational Institution
The University as an educational institution molds the students
Thomasian identity. To know more about the long history of the Royal and
Pontifical Catholic of the University of Santo Tomas you can visit this link:
www. ust.edu.ph
Thomasian Alumni and Honorary
It makes us feel proud and privileged to know that there are great men
and women who have walked the same path, hallways and corridors like
you in this university. As Prof. Evelyn A. Songco, Ph. D puts it, UST is a
university of heroes and saints and it made her wonder how the
University will bring forth other Thomasians who will serve as inspirations
to others.

Among the exemplary Thomasians are the following:

Mother Theresa is one of the honorary of the University of Santo

Tomas. She devoted herself and life into working among the
poorest of the poor in the slums of Calcutta. Although she had
no funds, she depended on Divine Providence, and started an
open-air school for slum children.
UST is also a home of famous heroes such as Dr. Jose Rizal,
Apolinario Mabini, Marcelo H. del Pilar, Antonio Luna and
others.
Philippine presidents like Manuel L. Quezon, Diosdado
Macapagal and others are also alumni of the University.

Do you know other Thomasians worth emulating? What qualities do they

possess that makes them worthy Thomasians?
You can read the outstanding performance of the university in the different
fields
of competence
in: http://www.ust.edu.ph/the-university/licensureperformance-rankings/
Go USTE!
Proud to Be Thomasian!
IV: THE THOMASIAN THREE CORE VALUES
The Three (3) Core Values are morals that must be developed in very
Thomasian. These values distinguish us from other universities and provide a
distinction that marks us as we strive for globalization. These are the three core
values: Competence, Compassion and Commitment.
A. COMPETENCE
Every Thomasian should manifest competence. Our life and work should
always be an example of adherence to truth and intellectual creativity. We are all
expected to be specialist in our chosen field in discipline. This means that as a
student, you are expected to study well in preparation for the kind of life you wish
to lead in the future. And since your future starts now, you have to strive to
become a competent student.
Being a competent student means doing ones best. Are you satisfied with
just doing the least because it is the easiest? Being the best that you can be
does not mean competing with each other, it means competing with yourself.
You are a Thomasian! Be the best that you can be!

B. COMPASSION
Every Thomasian lives not only for himself/herself, but also for the people
in his/her family, community and country. This means that you and I should also
look into the concerns of others. Compassion is passion that is directed towards
people in need. It enables us to focus on others and not on ourselvesgiving our
time, talent and treasure and if necessary, to self sacrifice.
Competence, coupled with CHRISTIAN COMPASSION ensures the reign
of Gods love and mercy. You and I are called to serve our less fortunate
brothers and sisters with competence and compassionate hearts. As a student,
you can do this by being involved in community service programs in your parish,
school or locality.
C. COMMITMENT
Every Thomasian is expected to exercise his/her work, profession, or
mission in life with deep COMMITMENT. You and I are called to give ourselves
fully to the ideals that we, Thomasians, hold dear as we make our presence felt
in the world of work. By the examples of our lives we should serve as
courageous Christian witnesses, together making Gods creative, redeeming and
renewing presence felt anywhere we are.
Following the example of our Patron Saint, Thomas Aquinas, we should
commit ourselves to search for the truth unceasingly. In this day and age when
truth can be distorted using information technology, every Thomasian should
commit to the pursuit of truth always.
Competence, Compassion and Commitment are the values we should all
strive to live up as hallmarks of our identity. These are values we can use as we
take our first steps into the worldknowing that we are Thomasians, that name
comes with the responsibility of constant striving to ca rry out works of greatness
in honor of our God.
Do you think you already possess these values? Among these values,
what would you like to develop more in yourself now? Share your thoughts in our
discussion forum.
V. The NSTP Thomasian
Tired of waking up early in the morning every weekend, preparing all
things needed for community service, having long travels, feeling nervous and
scared? These are the reactions and emotions felt by some NSTP Thomasian

students when meeting and helping different kinds of people through different
kinds of community services including teaching in the different partner
communities of the University. Although for a very short span of time, these
mixed feelings will fade away when its time to say goodbye. For every volunteer,
there is a realization that will be left in their hearts and minds. It is the reality that
we need each other and we are blessings to one another.
As you enrolled in the UST NSTP Community Service Training Program
(CWTS) or Literacy Training Program (LTS) you have already engaged yourself
in volunteerism. Looking forward to do service that will suit your ability to serve
others while studying, not minding what grade you will be receiving in this two
courses, but having the thought of sharing what you have and showing what you
can do with compassion, competence, and commitment for the sake of others,
not asking for anything in return, that is self- sacrifice and volunteering.
To conclude, we are all created in the image and likeness of God. As His
children, He bestowed on each one of us a mission- a mission that we are all
responsible to be of service to our least brothers and sisters and be stewards
of all the things He created.
As Thomasians we are always in search for truth in this challenging and
complicated world: a Thomasian who lives and is guided by the inspiration of St.
Thomas our patron saint, and by the preachings of St. Dominic and the long
history of our University. We have our own identity as a Thomasian, we are
compassionate, competent and committed.

REFERENCES
Books
De la Cruz Jr. Filemon, I., OP. Catechism for Filipino Catholics
Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. Intramuros, Manila, ECCE
and Word & Life Publications :1997. pp. 18
Hornedo, Florentino H. Ph.D. Pagmamahal and Pagmumura: Essays
Quezon City, Office of Research and Publications: 1997. pp. 148-153
De Oliver, Juan. Declaracion de los Mandamientos de la Ley de
Dios: 1585-1590

Websites
Church Encyclicals. http://www.papalencyclicals.net
Economic Justice for All Pastoral Letter on Catholic Social Teaching and the
U.S. Economy U.S. Catholic Bishops, 1986. #28.
http://www.osjspm.org/economic_justice_for_all.aspx
Parable of Good Samaritan.http://www.jesuswalk.com/lessons/10 25-37.htm
St. Dominic. http://www.3op.org/stdominic.php
St. Dominic , St. Thomas and St. Martin De Porres. http://www.catholic.org
St. Martin De Porres.. http://www.aquinasandmore.com
USCCB Administrative Committee, Faithful Citizenship: A Catholic Call to
Political Responsibility, p. 13.
http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/catholicteachingprinciples.shtml
Outstanding Performance in the Licensure Examinations
http://www.ust.edu.ph/the-university/licensure-performance-rankings/