A NINE-MINUTE pyromusical show ended with an unmissable and resonant message to graduating Thomasians — “magsilbing liwanag sa dilim” (serve as light amid the darkness) — as fireworks in hues of UST gold and yellow — and unmistakably pink — lit up the night sky at the UST Open Field during Saturday’s Baccalaureate Mass.
Set to all-OPM music, the show concluded with SB19’s Pablo singing Rivermaya’s “Liwanag sa Dilim,” a fitting tribute to UST’s patron St. Thomas Aquinas, who once said, “It is better to illuminate than merely to shine.”
UST’s graduation rites traditionally feature a Ceremony of Light, where graduates at the Open Field light their candles from a central torch and sing the UST Hymn while looking toward the Main Building — but this year, the ritual took place indoors at the Quadricentennial Pavilion instead.
The same song also became an anthem for former vice president Leni Robredo’s impassioned but ultimately unsuccessful 2022 presidential run.
The setlist for Friday’s display included “Tingin” by Cup of Joe, “Bughaw” by Maki, “Saranggola” by Ben & Ben, “Liwanag” by The Juans, and “Palagi” by TJ Monterde and KZ Tandingan.
Pyromusical shows are a cherished tradition at UST, often featured during Paskuhan and to conclude the Baccalaureate Mass.
But this year’s Saturday show began suddenly, even as some colleges had yet to pass through the Arch of the Centuries due to the rain.
The Baccalaureate Masses were celebrated by UST Secretary General Fr. Louie Coronel, O.P., and Vice Rector for Finance Fr. Roberto Luanzon Jr., O.P.
Earlier that day, UST opened its solemn investiture rites with the Ecclesiastical Faculties, set to end on July 2 with the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery.
