RELIT ESPAÑA

For the first time since the dawn of the COVID-19 pandemic, UST Paskuhan Festivities were held in an in-person setup, with the theme, “Pananabik, Pagbabalik, at Panunumbalik,” launched with the Panunuluyan at Plaza Mayor last December 1, 2022.

The opening mass, Panunuluyan, was followed by Agape, a Greek word for the “highest form of charity and love” and is also known as the traditional Thomasian Christmas Feast, held the following day.

Before the Agape’s program proper, students claimed the food packs provided using the food stubs distributed by the University from November 26 to December 1, 2022. Each student was provided one food stub throughout that time period.

UST Rector Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P. presided over a bestowment of blessings, which commenced the tree-lighting event. Assistant to the Rector for UST General Santos, Academician Prof. Maribel G. Nonato, PhD, and Assistant to the Rector for UST Sta. Rosa, Prof. Philipina Marcelo, PhD, led the ceremonial lighting of the Christmas tree.

Following this were the performances of Original Pilipino Music (OPM) by the UST Symphony Orchestra, UST Singers, Liturgikon Vocal Ensemble, Coro Tomasino, conductor Micheal Jacinto, and musicians from the Conservatory of Music.

The UST Rector then officially declared the formal opening of the Paskuhan Festivities 2022. lights, parols, and the University’s Christmas tree were lit followed by a majestic display of fireworks. Thereafter, a traditional siren located at the top of the UST Main Building was rung as a call to Thomasians from around the world.

Very Rev. Fr. Ang pondered on the essence of this year’s

Paskuhan in his speech to the Thomasian community, serving both as a reflection of the year passed and a reminder for the year ahead.

“Mayroong pananabik [sa ating] pagbabalik sa Unibersidad [at] panunumbalik, which is the act of restoration,” Fr. Ang emphasized in his message.

On December 7, the University-wide Advent Recollection was conducted via Zoom and was preceded by the Paskuhan Mass and the start of Simbang Gabi on December 16. Being the most-anticipated festivity this Paskuhan season, about 51,000 Thomasians were in attendance for the Paskuhan Concert last December 19 which was kick-started with an exhibition performance by the UST Yellow Jackets (YJ) in front of the UST Main Building.

“This is our reward for our finals week and hopefully we all did well. This is different kasi it’s a Monday, different from our previous Paskuhans, we had Thursdays and Fridays. So hope [that] we could all enjoy this as a reward after the exam,” UST Chemical Engineering Society (ChES) Adviser Engr. Aldrin Lorrenz Chan, MSc, said.

Meanwhile, UST Civil Engineering (CE) Department Chair Engr. Rajiv Eldon Abdullah, MEng., mentioned, “I think this Paskuhan is a redemption and is also a part of hope din kasi we’re transitioning back to more on-site classes. It’s nice to see happy faces ngayon and sana okay lahat ng grades nila for final exams.” Guest performer Earl Generao set the stage for the concert as the first act. This was followed by other guest performances from Dotty’s World, Kenaniah, and Soapdish.

UST Faculty of Engineering’s (FoE) band Illumina also graced the stage, together with fellow Thomasian bands Lucy and

Sean Archer. This lineup emerged as winners from the “Tunog Tomasino: Stellaris Bound” battle of the bands held earlier this month.

“Wala kami masabi, iba kasi yung experience, matagal na naming pinangarap ‘to, ito na yun. Sana maenjoy niyo ‘yung Paskuhan niyo this year lalo na at kababalik lang natin,” Illumina said after their performance.

College-based and university-wide dance troupes, including UST Salinggawi, who bagged the 3rd place in the recently concluded UAAP Cheerdance Competition, and Engineering DT jived with the crowd with their dance performances.

The concert welcomed three guest performers to the stage. Solo artist Adie serenaded the crowd with his heart-melting song, “Tahanan,” among others. Returning for their third Paskuhan guesting, Lola Amour energized the crowd with their hits “Pwede Ba” and “Fallen.” To end the night, prominent OPM band Mayonnaise hyped the Thomasian crowd with their hit songs “Tayo na lang Dalawa,” “Bakit Pt.2,” and their famous “Jopay.”

The Paskuhan celebration was concluded with the much-awaited eight-minute pyro-musical fireworks display with the Paskuhan theme and the singing of the UST hymn.

CE sophomore Timothy Sagun said, “Singing along with the crowd and witnessing the eight-minute-long fireworks display really made my first face-to-face Paskuhan a memorable one.”

University officials announced that both face-to-face festivities were held exclusively for Thomasian students and alumni. In anticipation of the large volume of attendees, the University declared the Thomasian-exclusive festivities a carless day. Long entrance queues were also present due to heightened security measures amid the pandemic.