Perhaps you have heard Thomasians call it BGPOP. That is the Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Building at the University of Santo Tomas. This twelve-story structure stands as a tribute to a remarkable figure in the university’s history. It also serves as a hub for alumni and a center for learning.
The Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Building got its name from Blessed Buenaventura García de Paredes. He was a law professor at the University and a Master of the Order of Preachers. He was martyred in 1936 during religious persecution in Spain. His dedication to the University and his ultimate sacrifice are memorialized in this building.
Before this building stood here Thomasians used a gymnasium. It was once the largest in the Philippines. The University retained the gym’s front and rear facades. They did this to honor its historic importance. The Olympic-sized swimming pool next to it was also refurbished.
Construction on the Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Building started after the old gymnasium was torn down in 2011. It was completed and opened in August 2014. Abelardo M. Tolentino Jr. designed the building. It was built to serve the growing needs of the University.
Inside the Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Building, a grand lobby welcomes visitors. A grand ballroom sits on the second floor. The Office for Alumni Affairs and offices for alumni associations occupy the third floor. The building also offers hostel accommodations for alumni.
Initially, the Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Building housed the UST Senior High School. In 2019, the Senior High School moved to the Frassati Building. Now, the Faculty of Arts and Letters and the College of Tourism and Hospitality Management call this building home.
In 2010, UST Rector Rolando dela Rosa visited Thomasian alumni in the United States. He invited them to join the quadricentennial anniversary. The UST Medical Alumni Association in America pledged US1 million for the alumni center’s construction.
The Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Building stands not only as a functional space. It serves as a symbol of Thomasian pride and heritage. It connects alumni to their alma mater. It provides a place for learning and growth for current students. It is a lasting tribute to a blessed man. The Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. Building is a center for the Thomasian community.