DESPITE the “end of the world” prediction last Dec. 21, there was no stopping UST from holding its annual Paskuhan celebration.
An estimated 70,000 Thomasians and outsiders gathered for the main program at the UST Grandstand and Open Field to watch the Salinggawi Dance Troupe and performances from bands like Spongecola, 2 Years Apart, Silent Sanctuary, Letter Day Story, Join the Club, December Avenue, Mayonnaise, Paraluman, Urbandub, and Radioactive Sago Project.
Yael Yuzon, lead vocalist of Spongecola, said he was overwhelmed by the crowd’s enthusiasm.
“We played here before pero parang this year it’s different, the energy is so much. The whole time I was singing ‘Tambay’ I was thinking ‘What do I do, How do I attack this?’” he said. “I wasn’t expecting to be surprised, but, you (Thomasians) exceeded everything, again.”
Join the Club, a local band composed of Conservatory of Music alumni, also performed in the concert for the first time in five years.
“Nakakatuwa na na-invite ulit kami rito. Mixed emotions. [The last time we performed] bata pa kami, iba pa noong ang crowd ay kaklase namin, ngayon bagong generation na,” lead vocals Chris Renia told the Varsitaran.
First-time performers Silent Sanctuary and Mayonnaise became crowd favorites.
Mayonnaise lead vocalist Monty Macalino said their first performance in UST was touching because 10 years ago, he was just a part of the Paskuhan crowd.
“Sana maulit ‘to kasi sobrang saya ng paskuhan. It’s an amazing experience,” he said.
College of Fine Arts and Design alumna and Paraluman lead vocalist Madeline Ramboyong described the crowd as “very energized.”
The concert was capped by a six-minute pyromusical that played along chart-topping songs such as “Gangnam Style.”
To secure the event, the UST Security Office implemented a “buddy system,” wherein outsiders were not allowed to enter the campus unless accompanied by Thomasians, said Benjamin Zoilo Mario Ravanera III, president of the Student Organizations Coordinating Council.
The Central Student Council later hosted the Paskuhan Aftermath, an “after party” that also served as the victory party for the Growling Tigers’ victory over the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the Philippine Collegiate Championships League.
The Paskuhan celebration began on Dec. 19 with the annual Thanksgiving Mass led by Rector Magnificus Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P.
The main celebrant was Fr. Bruno Cadoré, O.P., Grand Chancellor of UST and Master General of the Order of Preachers, assisted by Fr. Vincent Ha Vien Lu, O.P., assistant to the master general for Asia-Pacific.
Love offerings during the Mass were donated to the families hit by typhoon Pablo in Mindanao.
The second day of the two-day Paskuhan festivities started with a Disney fairy tale-themed parade participated by the different faculties and colleges.
A pre-show featuring the UST Yellow Jackets, Thomasian Idol, and the 3/4 and Flooza bands was held alongside the parade to kick start the main program. Daphne J. Magturo and Nikka Lavinia G. Valenzuela
