IN ANTICIPATION of its inaugural degree program, the UST Department of Modern Languages is collaborating with the Instituto Cervantes de Manila to strengthen intercultural appreciation through an open-air Spanish film screening during AB Week 2026.
As part of the weeklong celebration, the Instituto Cervantes de Manila will sponsor a Spanish-language film for “Thrive Thursday: Lights, Camera, España!” an outdoor cinema event set on Feb. 12 at 5 p.m. at the Quadricentennial Square.
According to the Modern Languages chair Asst. Prof. Royce Randall Lim, the department’s focus on Spanish cinema this year aligns with preparations for the launch of the Bachelor of Arts in Modern Languages program in 2028, which will offer Spanish as its initial specialization.
“This year’s focus on the Spanish language is particularly significant, as it aligns with the University’s historical and cultural ties to Spain and supports the offering of a degree program in Modern Languages with Spanish as a specialization,” Lim told The Flame.
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The open-air cinema format was chosen to provide Thomasians with a more inclusive, community-oriented cultural experience while building on the department’s earlier success with film-based initiatives.
During last year’s AB Month festivities, the department partnered with multiple European institutions, including Germany’s Goethe-Institut, France’s Alliance Française de Manille, and Italy’s Società Dante Alighieri Manila, for numerous indoor film programs that showcased each country’s culture.
“This [open-air cinema] format encourages wider participation and enhances the overall experience of engaging with the Spanish language and culture beyond the traditional classroom or indoor venue,” Lim added.
The event is open to all students, faculty members, and university staff. Pre-registered participants are eligible to join the raffle, where three winners will receive bilingual books sponsored by the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines.
Additionally, two registrants have a chance to win the major prize: a free level of a Spanish language course at the Instituto Cervantes.
By partnering with cultural and educational institutions, Lim said the University continues to promote language learning as an immersive and dynamic process.
“By showcasing Spanish-language films and collaborating with institutions such as the Instituto Cervantes and the Spanish Embassy, the University fosters a deeper appreciation of Spanish heritage while encouraging students to view language as a living and dynamic medium of culture, history, and identity,” he said.
Established in 1991, the Instituto Cervantes is the largest public institution dedicated to extending the reach of the Spanish language and culture worldwide.
The institute previously collaborated with the Department of Modern Languages and the UST Office of Alumni Relations in October last year for a block screening of “Una Quinta Portuguesa” during the 24th Pelikula Spanish Film Festival.
Looking ahead, Lim said the department is keen on sustaining its partnership with the Instituto Cervantes, particularly as the Faculty of Arts and Letters continues to integrate Spanish into its core curriculum.
“This shared commitment to Spanish language education further strengthens the partnership and creates opportunities for future academic and cultural initiatives,” he said.
AB Week is the faculty’s annual celebration of its founding anniversary and features activities organized by its 14 academic departments. F
