University of Santo Tomas - Department of Military Science and Tactics

𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐑𝐔𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐑-𝐔𝐏! 🏆

Among 17 participating schools under the National Capital Region Regional Community Defense Group (NCRRCDG), the University of Santo Tomas ROTC Unit proudly emerged as the 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧 𝗥𝗨𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗥-𝗨𝗣 in the Regional Annual Administrative and Tactical Inspection (RAATI) Competition 2026, earning an impressive overall score of 91.80%.

𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟 𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦:
🥇 Philippine College of Criminology (PCCR)
🥈 University of Santo Tomas (UST)
🥉 Marikina Polytechnic College (MPC)

Congratulations to all the Thomasian Cadets for representing the Unit and the University with utmost pride and excellence!

Go USTe! 🐯

Muy Leal!

𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝑶𝒖𝒓 𝑫𝒆𝒂𝒏’𝒔 𝑳𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔!

This recognition is a testament to your discipline, perseverance, and commitment to excellence. Amid the demands of training, leadership responsibilities, and academic pursuits, you have continued to uphold the standards of a Thomasian Cadet, proving that success is achieved through dedication and hard work.

May this achievement inspire you to continue leading with honor, integrity, and service.

Muy Leal!

𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭. 𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐚 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠.

NSTP-ROTC is a journey that shapes character, strengthens discipline, and inspires service. From civic engagement activities and leadership development programs to hands-on field training and memorable off-campus experiences, every training day is an opportunity to learn something new and become a better version of yourself.

Every lesson, activity, and challenge is an opportunity to learn, lead, and serve.

Step out of your comfort zone.
Build discipline.
Serve with purpose.

Join the 𝗚𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗽𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘁𝘀 and be part of something bigger than yourself.

See you on the training grounds, future cadets!

𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: 𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐂 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲

On 06 June 2026, the University of Santo Tomas ROTC Unit participated in a static display at Rizal Park in commemoration of the 128th Philippine Independence Day.

The static display features UST ROTC's history, achievements, and recognitions as well as the different uniforms worn by the Cadet Officers and Lady Sponsors.

Through this vibrant display of excellence and tradition, the UST ROTC Unit successfully honored the past while proving that today's youth are ready to lead and protect the future.

Muy Leal!

Happy Birthday to COL FERDINAND REY G GA MNSA (ART) PA!

Your guidance and support to the cadets reflects your dedication in shaping the future leaders of our nation. Through your mentorship, you are not only molding the character of your personnel, but also fortifying the backbone of our national defense. Your commitment serves as a beacon of inspiration for all who serve under your command.

May you continue to advocate in strengthening the defenders of our country through your leadership, wisdom, and courage.

Muy Leal!

The University joins the nation in celebrating the National Flag Day at a time when we pray for the country's healing and progress.

📸 fr. Dexter A. Austria, O.P., SThD, and Hans Malgapu

𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐨 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞: 𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐂 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬

On 20 and 22 May 2026, the University of Santo Tomas Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (UST ROTC), in partnership with the UST Golden Cross and Saber Alumni Association Inc. (UST-GCSAAI), conducted an outreach activity for public transport drivers along España Boulevard, Manila.

A total of 61 packs of essential food items were distributed to drivers as a gesture of gratitude and support for their continued dedication and service to the commuting public.

This initiative reflects the commitment of the UST ROTC Unit to uphold compassion, civic responsibility, and meaningful public service by extending assistance and appreciation to the hardworking transport drivers who continue to serve despite the daily challenges they encounter on the road.

Muy Leal!

𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐂 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐲

The University of Santo Tomas ROTC Unit marked a significant milestone with its Graduation Ceremony held last 17 May 2026 at the Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati Auditorium.

The ceremony commenced with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem, followed by an Invocation led by C/MAJ Iosef Pio E Delos Reyes 2CL. Thereafter, the Welcome Remarks were delivered by LTC XAVIER C CELESTIAL GSC PA (RES), Assistant Commandant.

Medals and awards were presented to Cadet Officers, Lady Sponsors in recognition of their exemplary service, leadership, and outstanding contributions to the Corps.

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗮 𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗮𝗹
C/MAJ Ian Drens S Santos 2CL
C/MAJ Iosef Pio E Delos Reyes 2CL

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗥𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗱𝗼 𝗥𝗼𝗾𝘂𝗲, 𝗣𝗖𝗚𝗔 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 (𝗖𝗥𝗥𝗠) 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱- Financial assistance for the uniforms of Cadet Officers and Lady Sponsors

C/MAJ Ian Drens S Santos 2CL
C/2LT Segundo Miguel W Mendioro IV 4CL
C/2LT Francis Bryan N Santos 4CL
HC/2LT Aubrey C De Roma 4CL
HC/2LT Katrice Zsa H Canales 4CL
HC/2LT Kristine A De Leon 4CL
HC/2LT Juliana Nicole V Mariño 4CL

Furthermore, Certificates of Appreciation were awarded to the cadets who emerged as champions in the 2nd NCRRCDG Military History Challenge.

Cadet Caernelle Dea C Capacia
Cadet Martin Bradley D Estrada
Cadet Jhed Allen L Revilla
Cadet Aldwayne Karl G Estrada

Following the awarding of medals and certificates, the cadets formally pledged their oath as members of the Reserve Force in an oath-taking led by LTC XAVIER C CELESTIAL GSC PA (RES), Battalion Commander of the 1304th Ready Reserve Infantry Battalion. Afterward, the Platoon Leaders of each unit received the Certificate of Completion on behalf of their respective units. COL ALDRIN F OREJUDOS (FS) PA, commandant, then introduced the Guest of Honor and Speaker, MGEN GREGORIO B HERNANDEZ JR PN (M), Commander of the National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM) and alumnus of the UST Golden Corps of Cadets, who congratulated the newly proclaimed graduates.

“𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆; 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁,”

MGEN HERNANDEZ emphasized that whether the graduates pursue military careers or civilian professions, the principles they learned in ROTC must continue to guide them. He reminded the cadets that the challenges they overcame during training are valuable investments in their personal growth, discipline, and future success.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗱𝗲𝘁𝘀! 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗹𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿, 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗻𝘄𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

Muy Leal!

𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔

On 22 May 2026, the Department of Military Science and Tactics received the Pope John Paul II Outstanding Achievement Award during the UST Student Awards 2026 held at the Quadricentennial Pavilion, for displaying excellence in the field of Military Arts, having earned the Championship title in the RAATI Competition 2025

In addition, the Cadet Officers and Lady Sponsors served as honor guards and award escorts during the Entrance of Colors and conferment of awards.

This award is a testament to the cadets’ discipline and dedication to uphold the standard of excellence, exemplifying the core values of competence instilled in every Thomasian cadet.

Muy Leal!