Paskuhan focuses on forthcoming papal visit

Dec. 12, 2014, 11:52 p.m. – AN ESTIMATED 70,000 people
flocked to UST on Thursday for this year’s Paskuhan celebration, which focused
on the upcoming papal visit and featured the return of the yearly fireworks
display.

The University-wide celebration had the theme “Pagdiriwang
ng Pagmamalasakit: Tomasino Kaisa ni Papa Francisco at ng Simbahan sa Pasko.”

During Holy Mass, UST Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P.
called on Thomasians to ready themselves for Pope Francis’ visit next year. The
Pontifical University will host the Pope’s encounter with the youth as well as
a meeting with leaders of other religions on Sunday, Jan. 18.

Dagohoy also asked Thomasians to eagerly await and prepare
for the commemoration of the birth of the Savior amid advent season.

“Tanggalin natin ang mga bara sa daan [at] patagin natin ang
baku-bakong lupa sapagkat darating ang Panginoon,” Dagohoy said in his homily.

The festivities started with the singing of the official
theme song of the papal visit followed by the traditional “Panunuluyan,” a
re-enactment of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph’s search for a place for the birth of Jesus Christ.

After Holy Mass, Thomasians were treated to free food during
the agape. Popular local bands like Spongecola and Silent Sanctuary, and disk
jockeys Callum David and Ace Ramos, performed at the UST Parade Grounds.

“This crowd is amazing. Basketball pa lang, I would watch
games, tapos napapansin ko `yung UST crowd watching, sila `yung
pinaka-energetic, pinaka-bibo, pinaka-alive, [at] pinaka-supportive,”
Spongecola front man Yael Yuzon said during their performance.

The crowd was treated to a 10-minute pyrotechnic display.
Last year’s celebration was scaled down to donate part of the Paskuhan budget
to victims of typhoon “Yolanda.”

To control the flow of visitors, the security office
implemented a “one outsider-visitor per Thomasian” scheme.