Incoming college students of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) were among the people affected by the COVID-19 lockdowns. What could have been an exciting welcome tour for them turned into a quiet and isolated virtual tour indoors. 

Good thing, the members of UST Minecraft brewed something that would excite the new UST students even if they are far away from school. 

The virtual campus tour features the premises and the iconic structures of the 409-year-old University. The video helped freshmen explore the 21.5-hectare UST-Manila campus.  

The UST Minecraft Launch and Tour began synchronous streaming at the UST Tiger TV Facebook page on August 29, 2020 with builders and representatives of the different faculties, colleges, and institutes introducing the virtual UST campus to the community.

Last Monday, February 16, 2021, The Varsitarian, UST’s official publication, announced that UST Minecraft was recognized at the first AcadArena Awards. 

The group bagged the “Project of the Year” award, beating the Ateneo de Manila University and the Technological University of the Philippines respectively.

Institute of Information and Computing Sciences student Charles Nobleza, who led the project, said that the support they garnered from the Thomasian community helped them earn a nomination for the event.

“The UST administration and the public allowed the project to make a significant impact on campus esports and the gaming community itself,” the student told The Varsitarian. 

Asked if Nobleza and his team still have something up their sleeves, the student said that besides, the ‘Welcome Walk 2020’ virtual school tour, they are also planning to make virtual events like the Baccalaureate Mass, and the University of Santo Tomas Admission Rating (USTAR).

“We are currently working on making the other traditional events possible such as the Baccalaureate Mass and maybe host a tour for USTAR applicants in order for them to have a glimpse of what to expect if they pass and study here at UST,” Nobleza said.

As of this post, the virtual campus tour has already gained 1.3 million views and more than 60,000 comments.