THE UNIVERSITY marked the beginning of the annual Paskuhan festivities with the lighting of the Manila campus on Friday, Nov. 28.
Decorations and elements from last year’s Paskuhan and the UAAP opening ceremony in September, such as lighted gift boxes and entranceways, were repurposed to turn the campus into a “Wondrous Garden.”
The lighting ceremony opened with a liturgy, followed by a light show at the Main Building, which lasted for 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
It was followed by performances from the UST Galvanize Dance Troupe, The Liturgikon Vocal Ensemble and Coro Tomasino.
Four Thomasians biked from Plaza Mayor to light the Christmas tree at the UST Field.
The bikers, who were dubbed“Bringers of Light,” were Fr. Dexter Austria, O.P., director of the Facilities Management Office, Central Student Council President Annie Agon, UST Tiger TV talent Kody Huang, and Chrisna Granil, special projects head of Tiger Media Network.
The Paskuhan 2025 Station ID, titled “Ang Presensiya Niyo Ang Pinakamagandang Regalo,” premiered at the end of the ceremony.
Enrique Duero, co-director for marketing and sponsorship of the Thomasian Media Circle and Talents (TOMCAT), said the event drew an estimated 10,000 Thomasians.
“Tunog Tomasino,” an annual battle of the bands hosted by TOMCAT, coincided with the lighting ceremony.
Academic units celebrating milestone years were commemorated in the ceremony: Education High School (75 years), Conservatory of Music and College of Nursing (80 years), College of Architecture (95 years), and the College of Education and the College of Science (100 years).
UST General Santos likewise lighted its campus decorations and Christmas tree on Nov. 28, in rites led by Fr. Edmund Nantes, O.P., associate vice rector for administration and finance.
The UST Paskuhan Mass and Agape Concert are set on Dec. 17. The Grand Paskuhan Concert will be on Dec. 19. With reports from Alexandra S. Demaisip
