The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, a fountain seen from a bridge outside of the campus The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas: I envy the people who study here. It is the oldest university in Asia, and being that, it has honed a lot of important people in our history. Its former students include former Bulacan Governor Wilhelmino Sy-Alvarado, former President Diosdado Macapagal, and our national hero, Dr. José Rizal. It is also the alma mater of the only prime minister of Spain with Filipino blood, Marcelo de Azcárraga Palmero. In this photo is a fountain in the university seen from the outside of the university.