Roque Ruaño facts for kids

Roque Ruaño Garrido (born August 16, 1877 – died March 5, 1935) was a Spanish priest and a talented civil engineer. He is famous for designing the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Main Building. This building was the first in Asia built to resist strong earthquakes. It was constructed in Manila on land owned by the Dominican Order.

Early Life and Studies

Roque Ruaño was born on August 16, 1877, in Palencia, Spain. In 1894, he joined the Dominican Order. He first arrived in the Philippines on July 21, 1904.

When he first came to the country, he served as the Father Rector at the Colegio de San Juan de Letran. Later, he moved to the University of Santo Tomas. There, he earned a special degree called a Doctorate in Civil Engineering.

Designing Strong Buildings

Father Roque Ruaño was very skilled in engineering. He designed and built the homes for the Dominican Order in Baguio and Lingayen, Pangasinan.

His most important project was the UST Main Building. This building was the first in the Philippines designed to withstand earthquakes. It was built so well that it has survived many challenges over time. It stood strong through World War II and other difficult periods. Even today, studies show that its design still meets modern building safety rules.

Life at the University of Santo Tomas

Father Ruaño was also a professor at the School of Civil Engineering at UST. He taught subjects like mineralogy (the study of minerals) and geology (the study of Earth's structure). He also taught about harbors and lighthouses.

From 1930 to 1935, he became the Dean of the College and a Regent. He also represented the university at important international meetings. These meetings took place in Tokyo (1926), Ravenna (1931), and London (1932).

Remembering Father Ruaño

Father Roque Ruaño passed away on March 1, 1935, due to heart failure. To honor his great work, a building was named after him. This building is located at the corner of España Boulevard and A. H. Lacson Avenue in Manila.

When it was first built, it was called the Architecture and Engineering Building. But in 1950, during its opening, it was officially named the Roque Ruaño Building. Today, this building is where students and teachers from the Faculty of Engineering and the Institute of Information and Computing Sciences study and work.

See also

• University of Santo Tomas (UST)
• UST Faculty of Engineering
• UST Main Building
• Civil engineering
• Order of Preachers