GEARING up for Paskuhan 2025, Thomasians came together for the “Agape,” the University’s annual Christmas gathering, marked by a community feast, the Paskuhan Mass, and a concert showcasing homegrown talents.
The celebration began with the Paskuhan Mass at Plaza Mayor presided over by UST Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P., with Fr. Ermito de Sagon, director of the Institute of Religion, giving the homily.
“Fill your hearts with love, with understanding, with respect, not with hatred. Fill your hearts with forgiveness. That is the only way by which we can actually make Christmas a very joyful and peaceful one,” said De Sagon, also regent of the Senior High School.
The Mass was followed by the “Panunuluyan” or the reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s journey while searching for a room in Bethlehem.
Students partook of the Thomasian Christmas feast, with food packs and finger foods distributed at “Hapag” stations across the campus. All University gates and entry points remained open throughout the Agape program.
Agape concert
University talents including Tunog Tomasino 2024 winning band JYVE! and street dance teams UST Prime and Galvanize took center stage at the Open Field.
Students who attended this year’s feast said it was “unique” and “refreshing” compared with previous years due to the Agape concert.
“I think [the Agape] was great, kasi na-highlight ‘yong mga talents ng Thomasian artists natin,” Journalism senior Marianna Castro said.
“Nandoon ‘yong main message ng Agape which is togetherness. ‘Yong sama-sama tayo, salo-salong nagsasaya. And some of us, tapos na ‘yong final exams. So I think refreshing siya,” she added.
First-year architecture student Hilee Peligro was also looking forward to watching Ben&Ben, a headliner of the 2025 Paskuhan concert on Friday, Dec. 19.
“Hindi ko akalain na ganito pala kasaya sa UST mag-Agape, kasi usually puro kainan lang and walang kantahan, walang lighting,” Peligro said.
Thomasians were treated to a seven-minute drone show in the middle of the Agape program, featuring the University’s iconic “Go USTe” chant.
Other performers were: INTENZYNC, Junior High School, ARCHETYPES, Archi Dance Troupe, Entrepreneurs and Economic Society, Education High School, Psych Talent Pool, and UST Mediatrix.
The Agape has been a tradition in UST since 2011.
The grand Paskuhan concert will be held on Friday, Dec. 19, the culmination of the month-long Paskuhan festivities. With reports from Czeantal Naomi P. Delos Santos
