Ever your Valiant Legions, Imbued with Unending Grace."
These are my favorite lines from my beloved Alma Mater's hymn, the Hymn of the Royal, Pontifical, and Catholic University of the Philippines, the University of Santo Tomas. For these lines define what UST envisions its students and alumni to be. Enlightened in the Beauty of the Arts, In the Truth of the Sciences, and in the Virtues of a truly Catholic Education. Forever showered with Grace, in every triumph and achievement, and the same Grace to accept every defeat or debacle.
The UST Hymn is not merely a hymn to exalt an institution; if you would notice, unlike other college hymns, it does not mention the name of the school or even the word Alma Mater on its words. It is universal and it would like Thomasians to share the message to non-Thomasians. Furthermore, it is a prayer asking our Almighty God for guidance and enlightenment in our quest for academic, personal, professional and spiritual excellence. The lines of this hymn and prayer should be the driving force of every Thomasian in every endeavor. Like our national anthem, our UST Hymn is part of our identity as Thomasians. And it should be inherent in every Thomasian to sing the UST Hymn with gusto.
Sadly, the truth is not all Thomasians know the lyrics of the hymn, some even not aware of the melody, and worse some don't even bother knowing the message of the hymn. A great proportion does not even bother singing it at all during events and even at the UAAP Games. It is quite disappointing that some Thomasians, despite their 4 or more years of stay at the university were not able to at least memorize the melody and lyrics of the UST Hymn. I've encountered quite several people who have graduated already from UST without even knowing how to sing our hymn. I may forgive those who have spent quite a number of years at another institution but "through and through" Thomasians have no excuse not knowing this. But let me lambast those who have memorized their other school hymns but did not bother singing the UST hymn during their stay at the University. I just simply don't get it.
The hymn is as easy to pick-up as the national anthem and yet the same people were not able to at least know the melody. And yet these people can memorize and sing Justin Bieber, Akon and Taylor Swift songs with ease. More shameful are people who don't even stay during the singing of the hymn. These are evident during UAAP Games as I have noticed. When the Growling Tigers win, many sing it but a few people leave before the hymn is sung. When the Tigers lose, only a few people sing and a great majority leave before the hymn is sung. If they don't know how to sing it, them they might as well could have stayed as a sign of respect and honor to the University.
It;s not too late to learn the UST Hymn. Especially now that our beloved UST will be celebrating its Quadricentennial. The lyrics are provided below and I embedded a video too. Isn't it embarassing when you consider yourself a Thomasian and when other people ask you to sing your school hymn , you don't even know the melody?!
The UST Hymn
God of All Nations
Merciful Lord, of our restless being
Sweep with your golden lilies,
This fountain of purest light.
Trace with the sails of the galleons,
The dream beyond our seeing.
Touch with the Flame of your kindness,
The gloom of our darkest night.
Keep us in beauty, and truth, and virtues,
Impassioned embrace
Ever your valiant legions,
Imbued with Unending Grace
VIVA SANTO TOMAS! VIVA LA LIGA EL TOMASINO!
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