The Rationale
This year is no longer just about celebrating CST-R’s 86th, but it is more on marking the apparently long walk to the centennial.
As the world and the community face multiple obstacles in all forms from all fronts, CST-R no longer stands on a pedestal of legacy. CST-R now is challenged to keep pursuing its sworn mission and to keep fulfilling the vision created for all Thomasians.
But the greatest challenge of all no longer depends on external aspirations, deliverables and validation. The quest now is one that requires a journey inward—the Thomasian’s individual search for the one Truth. In this particular quest, CST-R, as a center of Augustinian Recollect education and formation, provides more than just direction and leadership. CST-R gives accompaniment to all Thomasians. CST-R walks with every Thomasian.
Thus, this year’s 86th Anniversary Logo and Theme are deeply anchored on the
2026-2027 Motto of the Order of Augustinian Recollects: Accompanying Towards the Truth.
CST-R’s theme is an echo of the pedagogical dimension of the Order’s motto that “The Augustinian educational tradition understands formation as a process of shared search for the truth.”
Upon close examination of the logo, the figures ‘8’ and ‘6’ are linked, a symbol of how CST-R is a companion for all members of the Thomasian Community in this shared quest. Both figures also appear to each have a straight brace holding them upright. One symbolizes Caritas or charity, the other symbolizes Scientia or knowledge. These are the very pillars of Augustinian Recollect education and formation that set Thomasians apart from the graduates of all other private institutions.
That the 86th logo itself features the Order’s visualization of the motto means a concrete Thomasian commitment to the ideals and evangelical goals of the Order despite CST-R’s marked uniqueness and diversity.
Two figures representing not only the years of CST-R’s existence but also the very essence of Thomasians in red and gold are united into one circular frame—an embrace that proves how Thomasians are Always United, Siempre Unidos.
The 86th Founding Anniversary Logo is the work of Ron Gabriel Q. Tambiga of Grade 11-OLMC. As an amateur visual artist, this logo is Tambiga’s first publicized work. Rev. Fr. Monday Benjamine Edobor, OAR and Mr. Jazer Jude Jakosalem gave technical assistance to digitize the artwork.
