AS the year 2024 unfolds, Wilcon Depot, the Philippines' leading home improvement and construction supply retailer, continues to give back to the community.

With the recent event, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) celebrated a momentous occasion with the groundbreaking ceremony of the UST – Dr. William Belo Interdisciplinary Research Institute in Santa Rosa, Laguna, on Jan. 26, 2024.

The UST — Dr. William Belo Interdisciplinary Research Institute is a pioneering initiative to advance research and foster collaboration across various disciplines. Named after the Wilcon Depot founder and chairman emeritus, Dr. William Belo, who is also a philanthropist and advocate for education, the institute is set to become a hub for innovation and breakthroughs.

During the ceremony, key figures from the University and the community shared their excitement about the potential impact of the UST — Dr. William Belo Interdisciplinary Research Institute.

The UST — Dr. William Belo Interdisciplinary Research Institute is poised to become a landmark institution in Santa Rosa, Laguna, attracting top researchers, scholars, and students worldwide. The University looks forward to the facility's completion and the opportunities it will provide for collaborative research and innovation.

The event also featured a ceremonial capsule laying and soil turning, signifying the official start of construction. Attendees witnessed this historic moment with anticipation for the institute's transformative impact on research, education, and community engagement.