THE UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas barricaded its tiger statue because students kept leaving coins in its mouth after wishing to pass exams.

The official student publication The Varsitarian said that the statue situated in Plaza Mayor was cordoned off to keep individuals from “defiling” it.

Aside from coins, students also placed instant noodles, sticky notes, calamansi and other items inside the tiger’s mouth.

UST Office of the President Director of the University’s Facilities and Management Office Fr. Dexter Austria urged the students to pray instead of putting objects inside the tiger’s mouth.

The move to cordon off the tiger statue drew mixed reactions, with some saying that while the tiger is secured, the barricade is not a good sight.