PASKUHAN 2024 will be momentous for UST as it brings its traditional Thomasian Christmas festivities to the south, with celebrations set at both the Manila and General Santos (GenSan) campuses.
In a circular dated Nov. 12, the Office of the Secretary General (OSG) announced that this year’s Paskuhan festivities would begin on Nov. 29 at 6 p.m. with the simultaneous lighting of Christmas lights and decorations at UST Manila and UST GenSan.
Hope and gratitude are at the center of Paskuhan 2024’s theme, “Ever Thankful, Ever Hopeful,” which draws inspiration from John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son.”
“This one verse, though simple, reveals the entire mystery of Christmas—the mystery of God’s immense love for us,” the OSG said. “It is a love that transcends time, extending from the very beginning of creation to this present moment, and beyond into eternity.”
The theme also encourages Thomasians to reflect on the past and, despite its challenges, to continue trusting in God and His guidance.
“Perhaps, for some of us, the year has been marked by challenges and difficulties,” the circular read. “Yet, as we reflect on this past, we realize that even in those moments of trial, God’s love was present. He never abandoned us.”
“We are surrounded by uncertainty, conflict, and challenges that may at times seem overwhelming. But as Christians, we know that Christ is our hope.”
As part of the festivities, a Paskuhan pop-up village featuring a Thomasian-made belen (creche) and parol will be launched at Quadricentennial Park on Dec. 2 at 8 a.m. It will be followed by the UST Christmas Concert Gala at the Santísimo Rosario Parish Church at 6:30 p.m.
The “Christmaseum” exhibit will be open from Nov. 25 to Dec. 20, and Jan. 7, 2025 at the UST Museum. The “Christmaseum” concert is scheduled for Dec. 6, at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., at the UST Museum.
On Dec. 9, an institutional advent recollection will be held at Santisimo Rosario Parish Church from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and will be streamed live at UST GenSan.
The Paskuhan Mass will be celebrated at Plaza Mayor on Dec. 13 at 5 p.m., followed by the Agape or the Thomasian Christmas feast at 6:30 p.m.
Simbang Gabi at UST will begin on Dec. 15 and will be held every 8 p.m. at Santísimo Rosario Parish Church and every 4:30 a.m. at the Plaza Mayor until Dec. 24.
The grand Paskuhan concert will happen at 4 p.m. on Dec. 20 at the UST Open Field.
UST GenSan
For the first time, UST will celebrate its traditional Paskuhan festivities at two separate campuses, with the branch campus in Mindanao adopting some of the Christmas activities at UST Manila.
Lights and decorations at the 82.2-hectare campus, the largest UST campus to date, will be illuminated at the same time as UST Manila, marking the start of the Paskuhan festivities there.
UST GenSan will have its own institutional advent recollection on Dec. 9.
Its staff, inaugural batch of 126 students, and invited children will join a parol-making contest on Dec. 13, followed by traditional Filipino games on Dec. 17.
UST GenSan’s Agape is set for Dec. 17 at 12 p.m, while the student’s Christmas party will start at 2 p.m.
The Panunuluyan, which is a dramatization of Joseph and Mary’s search for a suitable lodging to give birth to Jesus, will be held on Dec. 18 at the UST GenSan’s Main Building lobby.
UST GenSan will have its own grand Paskuhan concert on Dec. 18 at 6 p.m.
The Christmas break at both campuses will begin Dec. 21.
