THE CONSERVATORY of Music’s homegrown talents, students, alumni and faculty pulled together for “UST Christmas Concert 2025: A Season of Light and Hope,” at the Santisimo Rosario Parish Church on Dec. 2.
Featuring 10 musical ensembles and split into 19 segments, the concert sought to evoke hope in the face of adversity.
“Just as the words of Christ mark a new beginning for humanity, may the music tonight remind us of the promise of brighter days to come,” UST Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. said in his opening remarks.
Under the baton of Conservatory of Music faculty member Daniel Bartolome, the concert kicked off with the “Hallelujah Chorus,” a section from George Handel’s famous 1741 oratorio, “The Messiah.” The piece draws lyrics from the book of Revelations and celebrates Christ’s resurrection.
Among the opening performers were music groups Coro Tomasino, Liturgikon Vocal Ensemble and UST Symphony Orchestra.
The Parents Advocate for Visually Impaired Children’s Choir (PAVIC) and Aeta Community Youth Choir sang a three-way piece of “If I Were There,” “Away in a Manger,” and “Angels We Have Heard on High,” under the arrangement of Franz Laquian.
Michael Jacinto, music alumnus and Composition Department coordinator, conducted the UST Wind Orchestra in its rendition of Nigel Hess’s “Christmas Overture,” an orchestral piece interweaving traditional Christmas carols in a festive melody.
Acclaimed pianist Raul Sunico made a special guest appearance, performing his own medley of Filipino Christmas songs and an adaptation of “Mary’s Boy Child” by J. Hairston.
The duo “Fratres!” composed of Fr. Gieuseppe-Pietro Arsciwals, O.P. and Fr. Carlo Canto, O.P. performed alongside Sunico.
Capping the concert was Assoc. Prof. Herminigildo Ranera’s arrangement of “Joy to the World” and “Ang Pasko ay Sumapit,” with the audience invited to sing along as the songs were performed by the UST Symphony Orchestra.
“In spite of the difficulties, calamities and challenges, we still have the Lord that is the light and we still have hope for betterment,” Ranera told the Varsitarian.
Other participating groups were the UST Jazz Band and Singers, UST Guitar Ensemble, UST String Orchestra, and Large Ensemble Class.
‘Gift’ to the Thomasian community
“We cannot imagine Christmas without music,” Prof. Maria Alexandra Chua, dean of the Conservatory of Music, told the Varsitarian.
Anchored on the theme of light and hope, Chua said that the annual concert serves as a gift to the Thomasian community and the nation.
“In remembering the coming of Christ our Savior during Christmas, it would give us hope for a better future for our country,” she added.
For over two decades, faculty members, alumni and university choral groups have come together to open the month-long Paskuhan festivities with a repertoire that spreads the spirit of Christmas to the University.
“This is the classical concert of the highest, high-art level. It’s not only the songs that you would usually hear on the radio, but really high art—the best music offering for our Lord and Savior,” Chua said.
Pauleen Garcia, president of University-wide choral group Liturgikon, sees music as a reminder of “togetherness.”
“Being part of the Christmas Concert is a chance to share something meaningful with the Thomasian community, especially during a season that brings people together,” Garcia told the Varsitarian.
“It’s a moment to offer music not just as performance, but as a form of service,” said Garcia. David Nigel C. Cortes and John Kobe S. Balod
