List of University of Santo Tomas alumni


This is a list of notable students, professors, alumni and honorary degree recipients of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. The following Thomasians were distinguished in various fields such as public service, religion, literary arts, commerce, medicine, among others. The list includes people who have studied at various levels in the university, from elementary up to postgraduate school.

National heroes

NameYear/degreeNotabilityReference
Pedro Abad Santos1891Physician and lawyer, founder of Socialist Party of the Philippines, anti-Japanese guerrilla in World War II
Gregorio AglipayA.B. 1881,
LL.B. w/ theological studies 1882–1883
Military Vicar General of the Revolutionary Government of the Philippines, Lieutenant general during the Philippine–American War, and First Supreme Bishop of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente
Felipe AgoncilloLL.B. 1879Lawyer and cabinet member
Baldomero AguinaldoLL.B.Leader of the Philippine Revolution
Sofio AlandyMember of Malolos Congress
José AlejandrinoA.B.Filipino general during the Philippine Revolution and Philippine–American War, Senator of the Twelfth Senatorial District of the Philippines
Cecilio ApostolLL.B.Epic poet of the Spanish
Gregorio AranetaLL.B. 1891Nationalist and patriot, Solicitor General 1906–1908
Jose Maria BasaFinanced the smuggling of Jose Rizal novels to the Philippines
José BurgosB.Th. 1859,
M.Phil. 1860,
M.Th. 1862,
J.C.B. 1866,
J.C.D. 1871
One of the Gomburza martyrs who were falsely accused of mutiny in Cavite by the Spanish colonial authorities
Felipe CalderónLL.B. 1893Lawyer, and politician, known as the "father of the Malolos Constitution"
Epifanio de los SantosLL.B. 1896–1898Known as "The First Filipino Academician", historian, jurist and great patriot
Marcelo H. del PilarLL.B. 1881Journalist, satirist, and one of the leading Ilustrado propagandist and revolutionary leader of the Philippine Revolution
Jose DioknoSecretary of Justice 1961–1962, anti-martial law activist, human rights lawyer, and peace advocate
Mariano GomezOne of the Gomburza martyrs who were falsely accused of mutiny in Cavite by the Spanish colonial authorities
Ladislao DiwaFounding member of Katipunan
Fernando María GuerreroLL.B.Politician, journalist, lawyer and polyglot
Emilio JacintoRevolutionary and known as the "brains of the Katipunan"
Antonio LunaBPharmPharmacist and general office who fought in the Philippine–American War
Apolinario MabiniLL.B. 1894Staunch anti-imperialist during the American occupation
Claro RectoLL.M. 1914Politician, jurist, poet and one of the foremost statesmen of his generation
José Rizal1877-1882 Foremost Filipino patriot, polymath, novelist, and reformist writer
Paciano RizalFilipino general and revolutionary
Mariano TríasM.D.Considered as the first de facto Philippine Vice President
Jacinto ZamoraJUDr. 1858One of the Gomburza martyrs who were falsely accused of mutiny in Cavite by the Spanish colonial authorities

Religion

Saints and martyrs

NameYear/degreeNotabilityReference
Saint Pedro Jose Almato Ribera AurasOne of the martyrs of Vietnam
Saint Guillaume CourtetProfessor of theology, French Dominican priest, one of the martyrs of Japan
Saint Domingo Ibáñez de Erquicia1621-1625Professor of theology, Spanish Dominican priest, one of the martyrs of Japan
Saint Vicente Liem de la PazB.Phil. 1753
B.Th. 1758
Vietnamese Dominican friar, one of the martyrs of Vietnam
Saint Tomás Hioji de San JacintoB.Phil.A Kirishitan, one of the martyrs of Japan
Alfredo ObviarTheological Studies, 1919Servant of God, whose cause of sainthood is being promoted; Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Lipa 1944–1951; Apostolic Administrator and 1st Bishop of the Diocese of Lucena 1951–1976
Saint Lucas del Espiritu SantoLecturer of arts, Spanish Dominican priest, one of the martyrs of Japan
Saint José Ma. Diaz SanjurjoProfessor of theology, one of the martyrs of Vietnam
Blessed Maximino Fernandez MarinasB.Phil., B.Th. 1888One of the martyrs of religious persecution in Spain during the Spanish Civil War
Blessed Buenaventura García de ParedesB.Th.Professor of theology and civil law, Master General of the Dominican Order 1926–1929, one of the martyrs of religious persecution in Spain during the Spanish Civil War
Blessed José María of Manila
Saint Antonio GonzalezProfessor of theology, acting Rector Magnificus ca. 1630, one of the martyrs of Japan
Saint Domingo HenaresProfessor of humanities; known for his contribution to the knowledge in fields of science in Vietnam; one of the martyrs of Vietnam
Blessed José Ma. Lopez CarilloB.Th. 1919One of the martyrs of religious persecution in Spain during the Spanish Civil War
Blessed Pedro Ibáñez AlonsoB.Th. 1915One of the martyrs of religious persecution in Spain during the Spanish Civil War
Blessed Manuel Moreno MartinezJ.C.B.One of the martyrs of religious persecution in Spain during the Spanish Civil War
Blessed Jesus Villaverde AndresTh.D. 1919Professor of dogmatic theology and canon law, Secretary General 1919–1921, Treasurer 1929–1932, Dean of the Faculty of Sacred Theology 1932–1934, one of the martyrs of religious persecution in Spain during the Spanish Civil War

Government

Presidents of the Philippines

NameYear/degreeNotabilityReference
José LaurelA.B., PhD 1919Third president of the Philippines, president of the Second Republic
Diosdado MacapagalLL.B. 1936Ninth president of the Philippines, fifth president of the Third Republic
Sergio OsmeñaLL.B. 1903Second president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, and fourth president of the Philippines 1944–1946
Manuel QuezonLL.B. 1903First president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, considered the second president after Emilio Aguinaldo

Vice Presidents of the Philippines

NameYear/degreeNotabilityReference
Jejomar BinayFifteenth vice president of the Philippines, Philippine Vice President 2010–2016 under Aquino Administration
Fernando LopezLL.B. 1925President pro tempore of the Senate of the Philippines 1958–1965; Senator of the Philippines 1947–1949; Vice President of the Philippines 1949–1953, 1965–1973; Secretary of Agriculture 1949–1953
Arturo TolentinoD.C.L. Ninth vice president of the Philippines, Philippine vice president February 16, 1986 – February 25, 1986 under Marcos Administration, 12th president of the Senate of the Philippines, also known as the "father of the Philippine Archipelagic Doctrine"
Mariano TríasM.D.Considered the first de facto Philippine vice president

Prime Minister of Spain

NameYear/degreeNotabilityReference
Marcelo AzcárragaLL.B.Thirteenth prime minister of Spain following the restoration of the Spanish monarchy and the only Spanish prime minister of Filipino descent

Chief Justices

NameYear/degreeNotabilityReference
Manuel AraulloLL.B. 1876Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines 1921–1924
Cayetano ArellanoB.Phil. 1862
B.Th. 1867
J.C.B., B.C.L. 1871
LL.B. 1876
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines 1901–1920
Ramón AvanceñaLL.B. 1898Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines 1925–1941
Roberto ConcepcionLL.B.
D.C.L. 1966
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines 1966–1973
Renato CoronaD.C.L. 2011Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines 2010–2012
Victorino MapaA.B. 1865
B.Phil., LL.B. 1877
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines 1920–1921
Andres NarvasaLL.B. 1951
D.C.L. 1992
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines 1991–1998
Diosdado PeraltaLL.B 1979Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines 2019–present

Arts, literature, and humanities

National Artists

NameYear/degreeNotabilityReference
Ernani CuencoH.S., B.Mus.National Artist for Music, professor of music, composer, and musical director
Daisy Hontiveros-AvellanaM.A.National Artist for Theater and Film, "First Lady of Philippine theater", performer, film director, and writer
Nick JoaquinA.A.National Artist for Literature, writer and journalist
F. Sionil JoséNational Artist for Literature, novelist
Ang KiukokNational Artist for Visual Arts, painter, visual artist
Leandro LocsinB.S.Arch.National Artist for Architecture, architect, and interior designer
Bienvenido LumberaA.B.J. 1950National Artist for Literature, editor-in-chief of The Varsitarian 1953, prizewinning poet, critic and dramatist
Juan NakpilB.S.Arch.National Artist for Architecture, architect, teacher and community leader
Jeremias Elizalde NavarroB.F.A. 1951National Artist for Painting
Ildefonso SantosB.S.Arch. 1954National Artist for Architecture, poet, sculptor, and writer
Rolando TinioA.B.Phil.National Artist for Theater and Film, poet, dramatist, director, actor, critic, essayist and educator
José María ZaragozaB.S.Arch. 1936National Artist for Architecture

Sportspeople

The Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas holds the most number of general championships in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines, 39 senior championships titles in 65 seasons. With a formidable athletic program in different sporting events, the university also takes part in various sports leagues such as Filoil Flying V League, Home and Away Invitational League, Collegiate Champion's League, Shakey's V-League and UNIgames; and it continues to produce top-caliber and world-class athletes for the RP National Team.

Volleyball

NameYear/degreeNotabilityReference
Mary Jean BalseB.S.Comm.Rookie of the Year, UAAP Season 67; Best Attacker, UAAP Season 70; Shakey's V-League three-time MVP
Venus BernalB.S.Comm.National team player; MVP, UAAP Season 69
Rubie De LeonFormer member of the Philippines Women's National Team
Kate Co Yu Kang2008Best Receiver, Shakey's V-League 1st Season 1st Conference
Ray Karl Dimaculangan2010Three-time Best Server, MVP, UAAP Season 71
Rhea Katrina DimaculanganB.S.S.S. 2012Best Server and MVP, UAAP Season 72
Lilet MabbayadRookie of the Year, UAAP Season 68
Aiza MaizoB.S.F.T 2011Three-time MVP in Shakey's V-League, Shakey's V-league season 5 conference 2 Best Server, Season 6 conference 1 Best Blocker, season 6 conference 2 conference MVP and finals MVP, Season 7 conference 1 Best Attacker and Finals MVP, UAAP Season 71 Best Attacker, UAAP Season 73 Best Scorer and Best Receiver
Joyce PanoBest Server, Shakey's V-League 1st Season 1st Conference
Henry James Pecaña2011Best Receiver, UAAP season 71; Finals MVP, UAAP Season 72
Roxanne PimentelFormer member of the national team
Mozzy Ravena1991Former middle blocker for UST and the national team; UAAP and V-League commentator
Nazareno Roque2009MVP, UAAP Season 70
Sisi RondinaSports Studies 2019MVP, UAAP Beach Volleyball Season 78–81; MVP and Athlete of the Year, UAAP Indoor Volleyball Season 81
Maria Angeli TabaqueroA.B.Com. Arts 2010Member of the national team
Denise Patricia TanA.B.Com. ArtsBest Setter, UAAP Season 69
John Paul Torres2010Best Scorer, UAAP Season 73; Best Attacker, UAAP Season 73; Most Valuable Player, UAAP Season 73
Alyssa ValdezH.S. 2011MVP, UAAP Season 71 and 72; Junior Athlete of the Year, UAAP Season 71

Noted honorary Thomasians

Through the years, the University of Santo Tomas has conferred the title of Doctor "honoris causa" upon exemplary men and women who have contributed to the development of Philippine society through a distinct mark of excellence and leadership in their own fields of endeavor.
NameYear/degreeNotabilityReference
Corazon AquinoLL.D. 1987President of the Philippines 1986–1992
Francis ArinzeIgbo Nigerian Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, current Cardinal Bishop of Velletri-Segni, Prefect Emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments 2002–2008
Sebastiano BaggioItalian cardinal, president of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State 1984–1990
Irina Bokova2011Bulgarian politician, incumbent Directors-General of UNESCO
Paul Josef CordesS.T.D. 2007German Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum 1995–2010
Victorio EdadesD.F.A. 19771976 National Artist in Painting
Damaskinos of SwitzerlandD.Th. 1999Senior bishop of the Eastern Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem, current member of the Holy Synod of Jerusalem
Juan Carlos de BorbónLL.D. 1974Incumbent king of Spain
Józef GlempPolish Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, Archbishop of Warsaw 1981–2006
Joseph HöffnerGerman Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church, Archbishop of Cologne 1969–1987
Alfonso López TrujilloColombian Cardinal Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church, president of the Pontifical Council for the Family 1990–2008
Chiara LubichS.T.D. 1997Italian Catholic activist and leader, foundress of the Focolare Movement
Kōichirō MatsuuraLL.D. 2006Japanese diplomat, Director-General of UNESCO 1999–2009
Douglas MacArthurLL.D. 1945American general and field marshal of the Philippine Army
Mah Soo-lay 1988Legislator of Republic of China
Frank MurphyLL.D. 1934Politician and jurist from Michigan, Governor-General of the Philippines 1933–1935, U.S. High Commissioner of the Philippines 1935–1936
Sergio OsmeñaLL.D. 1929Second president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, and fourth president of the Philippines 1944–1946
Eduardo Francisco PironioItalian Cardinal-Bishop of the Roman Catholic Church
Ricardo Po Sr.Sc.D. 2022Founder and chairman emeritus of Century Pacific Food Incorporated
Aurora QuezonPhD in Ped. 1940First Spouse of the Philippines 1935–1944, first chairperson of the Philippine National Red Cross
Rufino Jiao SantosFirst Filipino Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church 1953–1973
Jaime SinS.T.D. 1977Roman Catholic Archbishop of Manila 1974–2003
Andres Soriano 1940Businessman, entrepreneur and philanthropist; primary capitalist of San Miguel Corporation
Lucio Tan One of the most prominent business magnates in the Philippines
Tony Tan CaktiongD.B.A. 2018Founder and chairman of Jollibee Foods Corporation
Ricardo VidalArchbishop-emeritus of Cebu 1982–2010