The Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, O.P. Building, or simply the Frassati Building, is a 23-storey building in Sampaloc, Manila in the Philippines. It is part of the building complex of the University of Santo Tomas.

Frassati Building
Frassati Building is located in Metro Manila
Frassati Building
Alternative namesBlessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, O.P. Building (full)
General information
StatusCompleted
Type
  • School building
Locationcorner of Cayco Street and Extramadura Street
Town or citySampaloc, Manila
CountryPhilippines
Coordinates14°36′31″N 120°59′32″E / 14.6086°N 120.9921°E / 14.6086; 120.9921
Current tenants UST Senior High School, UST College of Information and Computing Sciences, Santo Tomas e-Service Providers, UST Educational Technology Center, DOST-TOMASInno Center
Construction started2017
Completed2021
Opened2019
Cost4.0 billion
OwnerUniversity of Santo Tomas
Technical details
Floor count23
Design and construction
Architect(s)Casas Architects

The University will rename the building from 'blessed' to 'saint' once Frassati is officially declared a saint.[1][2]

Background

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The Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, O.P. Building is one of the major educational facility located at the corner of Extremadura and Cayco Streets within the University of Santo Tomas (UST) campus in Manila, Philippines. The building is named in honor of Pier Giorgio Frassati a saint in Catholicism, was officially completed and blessed on December 10, 2021.[3]

The inauguration was also in line the of several key campus developments, including the UST Link Bridge and the campus Stormwater Drainage System.[4]

Spanning 23 storeys, the Frassati Building also houses various academic units within UST, mainly accommodating the UST Senior High School, established in 2016.[5]

Additionally, the building also houses the UST College of Information and Computing Sciences (CICS), DOST-TOMASInno Center,[6] Santo Tomas e-Service Providers (STePs), and the Educational Technology Center.[7]

On August 9, 2023, the UST CICS together with the Miguel de Benavides Library launched BiblioTech Ai a interactive library on its 19th floor.[8]

Features and facilities

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The architectural design of the Frassati Building incorporates state-of-the-art amenities, including:

  • Smart classrooms
  • A two-storey library
  • An auditorium
  • A cafeteria
  • A chapel
  • Gymnasium
  • Laboratories
  • Parking facilities

Inauguration and blessing

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The completion of the Frassati Building was marked by a series of blessing rites conducted on December 10, 2021, presided over by UST Vice Rector Rev. Fr. Isaias D. Tiongco, O.P., along with Dominican Fathers. Following the external blessings, a Eucharistic Celebration was held, signifying the building's consecration and commitment to the University's mission.

Patronage

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The building is named after Pier Giorgio Frassati, an Italian activist who is considered as a saint in Roman Catholicism, for embodying "a legacy of social justice and service to the marginalized". Beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1990, Frassati serves as the patron of UST's Senior High School, reflecting the institution's commitment to "holistic education and moral formation".

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Tamio, Trisha; Serrano, Mc Neil Zyh; Serrano, Trisha Tamio and Mc Neil Zyh (2024-05-03). "From blessed to saint: UST to rename Frassati bldg". The Flame. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
  2. ^ CNA. "Pier Giorgio Frassati could be canonized during 2025 Jubilee, cardinal says". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 2024-05-05.
  3. ^ Malgapu, Hans (2022-02-23). "UST formally inaugurates Frassati Building; drainage system, link bridge also blessed". University of Santo Tomas. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  4. ^ Solano, Dawn Danielle (2021-12-10). "UST marks final construction of Frassati bldg through blessing rites". The Flame. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  5. ^ "Senior High School". University of Santo Tomas. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  6. ^ "University of Santo Tomas propels deep tech innovation as the official University Partner for TECH PLANTER in the Philippines 2024". Leave a Nest. 2024-03-19. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  7. ^ Solano, Dawn Danielle (2021-12-10). "UST marks final construction of Frassati bldg through blessing rites". The Flame. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
  8. ^ Cabato, Luisa (August 9, 2023). "UST unveils 'interactive' library for CICS students". Manila Bulletin. Retrieved April 16, 2024.