THE PYROMUSICAL display that traditionally caps UST’s sendoff rites for graduating students will bring a “contemporary Gen Z” feel, the head of the Facilities Management Office (FMO) said.
In an interview with the Varsitarian, FMO Director Rev. Fr. Dexter Austria, O.P., said this year’s pyromusical display would evoke “passion toward the future” among graduating students set to exit the Arch of the Centuries.
“It’s not nostalgic. It’s not like reminiscing. It’s upbeat. It’s contemporary. It’s very Gen Z. You will understand how to be young as you are, you’re able to dream,” he said.
“You’re able not just to dream of your future but what happened in the past. You need to merge the two to experience what life here in UST is all about,” he said.
Austria also said pyromusical display would be about “learning how to look at the future” and how to stand on one’s own feet.
“It’s about enjoying the life of a student. We don’t even call it graduation, we call it commencement exercises. It means it’s the beginning of a new chapter,” he said.
Austria said the display would last eight to nine minutes and feature seven to eight tracks, consisting of foreign and local songs. The setlist will combine “contemporary music and graduation themes.”
He hinted at “something new” during this year’s fireworks show, which will again be designed by Dragon Fireworks.
“May aabangan na not too drastic pero bago lang ng kaunti. We will be introducing something new dito sa [Baccalaureate Mass],” Austria said.
Contingency plans in case of rain
Austria said the University was planning to hold the Baccalaureate Mass at the UST Open Field following tradition.
However, officials are also planning for contingency plans in case of heavy rain and other unforeseen circumstances.
“Plan A is still outdoors…but we are also preparing for Plan B or even Plan C because of what happened last year. We are ensuring that the [Baccalaureate Mass] will still push through,” he said.
The FMO director said one of the alternative plans is to conduct the ceremony indoors at the Quadricentennial Pavilion, similar to last year.
The 2025 Baccalaureate Mass was postponed and held the following day at the Quadricentennial Pavilion due to a sudden rain storm.
The graduating students were divided into two batches with one holding the ceremony in the morning and the other in the afternoon.
The 2026 Baccalaureate Mass for graduating students is set on May 29.
