THOMASIANS NOW have better access to the University’s collection of rare and historical manuscripts, including the National Cultural Treasure Baybayin scripts, following the launch of the Archivo de la Universidad de Santo Tomás (AUST) official website on July 16 at the Miguel de Benavides Library.
The website would create more opportunities for researchers, educators, students and heritage advocates to study the preserved accounts of centuries-long Dominican and Filipino heritage, according to Secretary General Fr. Louie Coronel, O.P.
“We are launching this digital platform for everyone to enter into a bold step toward greater accessibility, scholarly engagement and institutional memory,” Coronel said.
He added that the archives are more than just a collection of historical documents, photos and artifacts as they could now bridge generations through the new online platform.
Fr. Gaspar Sigaya, O.P., AUST’s acting archivist, said the website could be a gateway for users to examine and share past stories.
“Now we can explore our collection by our fingertips anywhere—local, international and beyond. We are also ready to go to the moon. By our fingertips, we can check our collection, uncover the stories that shape our past, inform our present and inspire our future,” Sigaya said.
The AUST has some of the country’s most notable archival records, including the grades of Filipino heroes such as Emilio Jacinto, Apolinario Mabini, Jose Burgos and Jose Rizal.
Prior to the website launch, researchers must submit a valid identification card and a request letter through email three days before visiting the UST Heritage Library, while undergraduates must secure approvals through a signed access form.
Alumni and visiting researchers must pay a library fee upon arrival to secure their permit and to view the historical documents, photos or artifacts.
The collection of Baybayin scripts, the grades of some of the country’s national heroes and other historical resources may now be viewed online exclusively by Thomasians until July 31, and by the public starting Aug. 1.
The website was developed by UST Information and Communications Technology Office interns and College of Information and Computing Technology students Albert James Asuncion and Joshua Padlan, along with the Santo Tomas E-Service providers.
Asuncion said it took them four months to finish the website’s development from its initial design planning on March 21 to its final testing on July 10.
“We conducted several trials, especially since there are databases connected to it, so we were checking if the website itself could detect them,” Asuncion told The Flame.
Among the main challenges he faced was incorporating the “feel” of the UST Archives into the website’s design to ensure that visitors would immediately distinguish the identity and essence of the University’s archives upon visiting the site.
“It was an important task assigned to me. I really wanted to capture the website in a way that would reflect the atmosphere of the archives so that users would immediately recognize it,” he said.
Some of the website’s features include the collections page, which provides a preview of the various documents housed within the archives, along with catalogues available for browsing, Department of Information Technology Assoc. Prof. Maricel Balais said.
Balais added that the website also contains the archives’ services section, which outlines the theories, policies, and procedures on access, including guidelines on data privacy and proper material usage.
Instructions on retention policies and distribution restrictions are provided for onsite visitors, while all forms for archival visits are readily accessible on the website and can be downloaded either as PDFs or images, she said.
Balais urged Thomasians to explore the newly launched website and to share their feedback so they could help improve the platform’s features and user experience. F — Kayla Gonzalez
