A Dominican Pillar in Philippine Historiography: Fidel Villarroel, O.P.

Abstract

Described as “the holder of the master key to UST’s past,” Fr. Fidel Villarroel, O.P. produced significant research and writing that enriched Philippine historiography. His works spanned Philippine history, Philippine Church history from the early Spanish period to the end of the Second World War. His topics included the early Dominican missionaries, Dominican saints and martyrs, Filipino heroes, and the history of the University of Santo Tomas. Aside from being the university’s foremost historian, Fr. Vilarroel holds the distinction of being the country’s most prolific saint maker. He authored the biographies of Dominican saints and martyrs from St. Lorenzo Ruiz to Blessed Buenaventura Garcia Paredes, O.P. He also authored various histories of the University of Santo Tomas, the latest of which is a two-volume work that was described as a labor of love. In writing his various works, he wrote in the context of national and global history thereby giving a proper perspective in the understanding and appreciation of history.