NEWS|PHINMA-UPang holds 2-part First Week Hi onsite celebration in 2 years since pandemic comeback in the 50th MedTech Week

PHINMA-UPang holds 2-part First Week Hi onsite celebration in 2 years since pandemic comeback in the 50th MedTech Week

Hannah Angeli Fernandez Mendoza

Students and teaching staff of PHINMA-University of Pangasinan collectively worked together to kickstart the 2-part First Week Hi onsite festivities from July 4-9 and August 1-6, 2022, held at the university’s Students’ Plaza to welcome the student body into a brand-new academic year.

Excitement and anticipation loomed around the entire campus like never before as the University of Pangasinan brought back its grand tradition of student initiation to its premises after two long years since the start of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the First Week Hi Version 1 and 2.0. The Students’ Plaza was filled with music, educational fun and games, and wonderful festivities that many students have surely missed and eagerly anticipated.

Different themed booths with fun activities prepared by each college department were organized, with students actively engaging in giving themselves first-hand experiences on the diverse professional skills required from each course and the various student organizations that one can join over the course of their college life.

FIRST WEEK HI 2022! - CEA Students demonstrate their interactive game during the onsite festivities at the Students' Plaza, July 4, 2022.

Photo by Denisse P. Brillante

Christian David Narciso, Student Interfaith Coordinator for Roman Catholics of the University of Pangasinan College of Nursing Students Organization, shared his experience of coming into his second year and finally being able to participate in these university traditions at his college’s “Stranger Things”-themed booth. “It was beautiful—the designs, the games, and also the theme. You will feel like you’re [actually] in the series. It’s better than the virtual set-up, too; you get to personally meet and work with people, and you get to have fun with your friends in the booth.”

Having been asked how these activities would help his student journey moving forward, he chimes, “Having fun before studying is my go-to thing—the activities were nice, and I get to do them with my friends in and outside the UPCNSO. But doing those activities with my co-UPCNSO members was the most fun—as I got to know them and get close to them despite most of them being 1-2 years my senior. Through this, I got to ask them for some tips and advice that now motivate me to do better this school year.”

Carmela Tabucol, a 2nd Year student of Bachelor of Secondary Education, Major in Science, also narrated her experiences at the College of Edu- cation and Liberal Arts’ “Raya and the Last Dragon”-themed booth.

“At first, I was curious about the kinds of activities we could participate in, so I tagged along with my friends from my section so that we could take part in them together,” Tabucol recounts. “We even got a chance to win those games and take pictures together to remember them by. I was happy to finally get to meet them in person and not just seeing them through the screens of our phones anymore.”

Enthusiastically, she says that her experiences at the booths became a source of positivity for this school year. “I felt energized and challenged.” she begins, “I learned that though I may not have won a certain game, at least I was able to conquer the difficulties that came along with it. It’s motivated me to come out of my comfort zone and face this new academic year—no matter what it takes.”

On the part of this year’s batch of first-year students, new sets of booths that had different simulation activities were seen at the Students’ Plaza. Other activities like the Panuulopan at PHINMA-UPang 2.0, which featured the ceremonial torch, cauldron lighting, and a long barbecue party, were also on full display. Different freshman blocks were eager to contribute to the celebration, not minding the smell of smoke and sweat that lingered throughout their bodies at the end of the event.

It is clearly seen in these scenes of merrymaking the happiness and progress brought about by university-wide efforts—and as it is said each year, nothing else is ever asked for than the thriving success of our dear Flames.