The 2019 Paskuhan festivities of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) centers on the theme “For Unto Us, a Child is Born.” This annual event commenced on December 2 at the Plaza Mayor.

The UST community has always anticipated the University’s annual Paskuhan celebration, which customarily begins with a Eucharistic celebration and the ceremony of Lighting the Campus.

UST Rector Very Rev. Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, O.P., served as homilist in the Eucharistic Celebration, which was concelebrated with the Dominican priests.  

In his homily, Father Dagohoy reminded the community that in the Advent Season, “We are called to the kind of faith that rejoices because the birth of Jesus is the surest sign of God’s grace and love for us.“

The traditional lighting ceremony for this year was graced with the presence of City of Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and UST alumna Manila Vice Mayor Maria Shielah “Honey Lacuna”-Pangan, M.D.

Mayor Domagoso signaled the beginning of the lighting of the campus when he declared, “Let the lighting ceremony of the 2019 Paskuhan begin!” The statement, met with thunderous applause from the audience, showed a campus lit in the traditional colors of red, yellow and green, while some decorations shone brightly in white, purple and blue. The brightness came from approximately two million energy-saving lights and a 70-foot tall Christmas tree. In a video clip posted by the Manila Public Information Office on its social networking pages, Mayor Domagoso thanked the University of Santo Tomas and expressed his hopes for continued partnerships with the city government for a more vibrant Manila.

Complementing the multi-colored lights in campus is an exhibition featuring almost 150 Belen held at the UST Museum and Main Building lobby, from the vast collection of Belen by Rev. Fr. Genaro Diwa. Organized by UST Museum Director Rev. Fr. Isidro D. Abaňo, O.P., the Belen exhibition is a great reminder of the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ.

In the context of sharing, the UST SIMBAHAYAN Community Development Office and Office for Student Affairs identified the needs of partner communities in one of the mission areas of the Dominican Order. The academic units responded generously to the call for giving through the Tulong Tomasino gift boxes. In turn, the University provided the traditional community meal, or agape to the members of the Thomasian community, according to the Chair of the Central Committee on University Events and UST Secretary General Rev. Fr. Jesús M. Miranda, Jr. O.P.

An added attraction for this year was a drone show that wowed the audience with two sets of aerial shows, one with 50 and the other set with 180 drones. Various figures such as spinning Christmas tree, reindeer, bells, and other figures were formed to the delight of the audience. It culminated the  opening night of the Paskuhan. The fireworks display came at the onset of the campus lighting illuminating the Main Building in dazzling colors and design. 

The lighting ceremony was accompanied by musical numbers from the UST Conservatory of Music.

            Another highly awaited Paskuhan event was the UST Christmas Concert that was held on December 5, 2019 (Preview Night) and December 6, 2019 (Community Night), at the Santísimo Rosario Parish Church (UST Chapel). Performers from the UST Conservatory of Music were Elisanta Cortes, Nenen Espina, Thea Perez, Naomi Paz Sison, Praise Ashonibare, Chelsy Franchette Rosell, Katrine Jamar Sunga, Abdul Candao, Eugene De Los Santos, Ronan Ferrer, Randy Gilongo, Lourdes Gregorio, Victor Victorino. They sang songs in line with the theme “Christmas Around the World.”

Included in the line-up was “Esta Noche,” sung by Nenen Espina with Lourdes Gregorio on the harp, and “For Unto Us a Child is Born” from George Handel’s “Messiah, The Oratorio” performed by Coro Tomasino, Liturgikon Vocal Ensemble, and the UST Conservatory of Music Choir. The singers were accompanied by the UST Symphony Orchestra, under the batons of Assoc. Prof. Herminigildo Ranera, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof. Renato Lucas, Ph.D., and Mr. Reynato Ressureccion, Jr.

The choirs of the partner community, the Aeta Community Children’s Choir (ACCC) and Parents Advocate for Visually Impaired Children’s (PAVIC) Choir also performed.  They sang “Adeste Fideles” with soprano Thea Perez and Victor Victorino on the pipe organ.                                                                                                                                                                    

UST Rector Very Rev. Fr. Dagohoy, who delivered the Welcome Remarks, said “The annual UST Christmas Concert is a way for us Thomasians to express through music our thanksgiving for the countless blessings God has bestowed upon this University throughout the years.”

The concert was attended by alumni and friends of the University that included those from the diplomatic corps, academe, and industry.  

The Paskuhan festivities reached its peak on December 20, 2019, with well-known bands including Ben & Ben, Munimuni, and Magnus Haven, performing at the UST Grandstand, and the Paskuhan Fair happening in campus. The much-anticipated pyromusical display illuminated the UST skyline at 9:10 p.m., as the finale of the traditional Paskuhan celebrations for this year.

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Title: “SAGRADA FAMILIA”

Artist: OCAMPO, Galo B.

Medium: Oil on canvas

Date: 1941

Property No.: UST-H-00188

A painting of the Holy Family in Filipino motif.

The child is at the center with arms spread to the side while the father and mother stand behind him, right and left respectively. The child is wrapped in a green printed garment. He is surrounded by a light radiating from the back. The mother is wearing a red bandanna, yellow blouse and blue skirt, all printed. The father is wearing a barong tagalog and a pointed gourd salakot. The foreground is filled with white (easter lilies). A flower-like halo composed of leaf patterns radiates behind each figure.

Note: 1941 UST Painting Contest entry; 2^nd prize winner, Religious category, entry no. 85.

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The concert featured the works of Thomasian composers from the early beginnings of the Conservatory, from the late 1940s up to the 1950s, namely, Conservatory directors Julio Esteban Anguita, Bernardino Custodio, and Alfredo Buenaventura; former faculty members Eduardo Parungao and National Artist Ernani Cuenco; recently retired faculty member Fr. Manuel P. Maramba, OSB; present dean of the Conservatory Assoc. Prof. Antonio Africa, PhD; and current faculty members Assoc. Prof. Herminigildo Ranera, Ph.D., and Asst. Prof. Leo Nilo Mangussad. It would be remembered that Dean Julio Esteban Anguita composed the music of the UST Hymn and it was orchestrated by Fr. Manuel P. Maramba, OSB. 

The entire concert was especially dedicated to Fr. Maramba who has served the University more than three decades of dedicated service, his important role in the artistic development of the Conservatory, and his lifetime achievement as concert pianist, composer and pedagogue. Before the final number of the concert was played, he was given a plaque of recognition by Dean Africa, and the Regent Rev. Father Jose Maria Tinoko, OP, JCD.

The UST Symphony Orchestra performed classical music under the baton of Assoc. Prof. Herminigildo Ranera, PhD. and Mr. Reynato Resureccion, Jr.  The Orchestra gave life to the timeless compositions of Austrian composer Franz Joseph Haydn: Sonata in C major, Hob. XVI: 50, Polish composer Frederic Francois Chopin: Polonaise in A flat, Opus 53, and French composer Claude Debussy: Etude No. 11.

The Symphony, being a resident orchestra of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, is required to hold two concerts per year at the Main Theater CCP, according to Conservatory of Music Faculty Secretary Asst. Prof. Peter John Porticos, Ph.D. The first concert was held in March of this year. “We call one or both concerts “Tribute to the Thomasian,” Porticos added.

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The Embassies of Austria, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and Sweden, in coordination with the University of Santo Tomas through the Office of Public Affairs, held “Today Is Our Future: The First Sustainable Development Goals Documentary Film Festival” from December 2 to 5, 2019 at the UST Civil Law Auditorium, Main Building.

A documentary film festival centered on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), “Today Is Our Future” featured thought-provoking films that inspired audiences, composed primarily of UST students from the Faculty of Arts and Letters, Faculty of Engineering, College of Education, College of Commerce, College of Tourism and Hospitality Management, and Senior High School, to discuss the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to consider contemporary societal challenges. It was made possible with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP Philippines) and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP).

Present were the Ambassador of Sweden to the Philippines His Excellency Harald Fries, Ambassador of Austria to the Philippines Her Excellency Bita Rasoulian, Deputy Head of Mission and Economic Counselor of the Embassy of the Netherlands in the Philippines Mr. Pieter Terpstra, and Embassy of Germany Cultural Affairs Head Mr. Kai Tomzig.

            For SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, the Embassy of Austria showed the film “The Green Lie (2017)” directed by Werner Boote. For SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, Andreas Dalsgaard and Obaidah Zytoon’s “The War Show (2016))” was featured by the Embassy of Denmark.

The Embassy of Germany showed “Thinking Like A Mountain (2018)” directed by Alexander Hick for SDG 13: Climate Action, and the Embassy of The Netherlands showed the documentary “Why We Cycle (2012),” directed by Arne Gielen and Gertjan Hulster, for SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.

Viktor Nordenskiöld’s “The Feminister (2018)” was shown for SDG 5: Gender Equality, and the Philippines’ entry was Sunday Beauty Queen (2016), directed by Baby Ruth Villarama, for SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

“The SDGs and the documentaries that show them are not part of a grim doomsday prediction. I hope that after you watch [the films] you will realize that they are, in fact, expressions of hope, tenacity and resilience–of the capability and will of mankind to choose the right path for the greater common good,” remarked Ambassador of Austria Her Excellency  at the screening of Austrian entry “The Green Lie.”

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Asst. Prof. Abigail T. Pagalilauan, a Spanish language professor from the Department of Foreign Languages under the Faculty of Arts and Letters received a grant from La Junta de Castilla Léon Spanish Government where for two weeks she was on a language immersion program participated in by  Professors of Spanish Language from around the world.  

Among the 100 applicants only six were chosen which included professors were from Scotland, Italy, Greece and the Philippines, represented by Pagalilauan. They had 40 hours of training for 2 weeks and the grade they earned can be credited as six units under the Ph.D. program at the Universidad de Salamanca and Universidad Pontifica de Salamanca in Spain. Pagalilauan obtained a grade of sobresaliente in three graded tasks: writing, speaking and teaching demonstration. Aside from the two weeks of study program, cultural trips to Castilla Leon were included allowing the participants to visit the old town of Alberca, Peña de Francia, and a visit of the Bodega de Vinos in Valladolid.

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The Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on Accreditation, Inc., (PACUCOA) once again recognized the University of Santo Tomas (UST) this year with eight awards. The awards were presented to administrative and academic officials of the University during the awarding ceremonies at the 30th Annual PACUCOA General Assembly held on December 2, 2019 at Novotel Manila, Araneta Center.

������Ƶ, which has 48 PACUCOA-accredited programs, was once again feted for having the highest number of accredited programs in the Philippines and the highest number of accredited programs in the National Capital Region (NCR).

According to the PACUCOA website, the highest accreditation is Level IV, which means that for the duration of the accredited status, the higher education institution has full autonomy for the Level IV program and has the authority to offer new graduate programs allied to existing Level IV programs. UST has 26 programs with Level IV status, and was also recognized for the highest number of Level IV accredited programs.

UST was also recognized for having the first Biochemistry program to have been granted level III re-accredited status in the NCR, and for producing graduates who obtained the highest rating in the Licensure Examinations for: Certified Public Accountants, Psychologists, Nurses, and Interior Designers.

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The UST Center for Creative Writing and Literary Studies (UST CCWLS) hosted the International Writers and Scholars Series held recently at the Conference Hall of the Benavides Library with Prof. Robin Hemley as guest speaker. Accompanying Prof. Hemley were International Programmes Senior Associate Director Ms. Lindsay T. Allen, and 18 students under the Creative Writing program of the Yale-National University of Singapore (NUS) College, Singapore.   

During his lecture titled “Travel Tales with Robin Hemley,” Hemley read excerpts from his forthcoming book “Borderline Citizen: Dispatches from the Outskirts of Nationhood.” The lecture was attended by the CCWLS Resident Fellows, UST faculty members and students who are under the Creative Writing program. After the lecture, the students from Yale-NUS College interacted with students from UST, and went on a campus tour, facilitated by the Office of Public Affairs.

A prolific writer, Hemley, who is director of the Writing Program and the Writer-in-Residence of the Yale-NUS College, Singapore, has published more than a dozen books of nonfiction and fiction, including the novel “The Last Studebaker;” “ Nola: A Memoir of Faith, Art, and Madness;” “Invented Eden, The Elusive, Disputed History of the Tasaday” which deals with the purported anthropological hoax, among others.

Hemley is a multi-awarded writer and the founder and past president of NonfictioNOW, the leading international conference for literary nonfiction. Some of his awards are the Nelson Algren Award for Fiction from The Chicago Tribune, the George Garrett Award for Fiction from Willow Springs, three Pushcart Prizes, among others.

The International Writers and Scholars Series was organized by UST CCWLS Assistant Director Ralph Semino Galán, who also served as emcee during the event. 

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Red Wednesday was started in the year 2016 by ACN in the United Kingdom through lighting up in red, the color of martyrdom, some of their infamous monuments such as the Palace and Cathedral of Westminster. In 2017, the Philippines joined in this campaign and sought the solidarity of various parishes and Catholic schools and universities which includes the University of Santo Tomas.

Now on its third year, the commemoration of Red Wednesday in UST commenced with the opening of exhibit headed by SIMBAHAYAN Community Development Office Director Prof. Arvin D. Eballo, Ed.D., at the lobby of Tan Yan Kee Student Center Building. It featured a glimpse of persecuted Christians from Mexico, Haiti, Yemen, Pakistan, Nigeria, and the Philippines. This was immediately followed by fora held at the AMV College of Accountancy Multi-purpose Hall with around 380 students who attended the morning and afternoon sessions.

UST Vice Rector for Religious Affairs Rev. Fr. Pablo T. Tiong, O.P., urged everyone to be committed Christians albeit in the face of persecution. He also emphasized that wearing red signifies that we must continue to pray for peace and harmony. Bro. Reynaldo Barnido, one of the resource speakers and the Executive Director of Duyog Marawi pointed out that Christian persecution by extremists is not just caused by religion but also affected by the political-economic system.

The event concluded with a Eucharistic celebration presided by Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo,DD. In his homily, he stressed that we must pray for the persecuted as well as the persecutors. A candle-light ceremony at UST Carillon followed the mass.

This year’s initiative was spearheaded by the Office of the Vice-Rector for Religious Affairs, SIMBAHAYAN Community Development Office, and Center for Campus Ministry.

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The Embassy of the Kingdom of Thailand in the Philippines, in partnership with PhilPost, ThaiPost, and the University of Santo Tomas, held a Philatelic Forum on November 27, 2019 at the UST Paredes Ballroom.

Titled “Bridging Generations,” the forum featured respected speakers from various fields, all linked by their shared love for the art and science of philately, or the study and collection of stamps.

Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to the Philippines His Excellency Vasin Ruangprateepsaeng graced the event as a special guest.

Sharing their experiences were ABS-CBN Digital Media Division Creative Head Robert Joseph Torres, ABS-CBN News Reporter Willard Cheng, Thailand Post Vice President for Customer Service Wiboon Sereechaiporn, and Postcrosser and Philatelist Diane Abigail Ang.

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