Home > ADROTH Project > ROTC in the Philippines > The Spanish Years
 
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During the Spanish colonial years, there was a training course, similar to what is presently known as ROTC, at the University of Sto. Tomas. In 1762, Father Domingo Collantes, O.P., Rector and Chancellor of UST, with the aid of a segeant of the Royal Spanish Army, organized a battalion of young students for military training. They were trained to fight invading English troops of some 7,000 men, fresh from thirteen warships bivouacked in Madras.

These boys, displaying courage and commendable spirit in the face of a real war against a superior enemy, won for the university the award of "Royal Cedula" from the King of Spain, who conferred on them the title of "Regalia", and the seal of loyalty: "Muy Leal", for participating in the fight against the British.

To this day the "Muy Leal" crest remains a part of the UST ROTC seal, and was adopted by the unit's ROTC fraternity as its motto.

 
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