THE UNIVERSITY of Santo Tomas (UST) will center its 35th Paskuhan celebration on the shared journeys of Thomasians navigating personal struggles, according to a circular from the Office of the Secretary General.
Anchored on the theme “The Star that Guides, the Joy that Binds,” the celebration will start on Nov. 7 and calls on Thomasians to share the joy of Christmas through kindness, generosity and service.
The theme, which was inspired by Matthew 2:10, serves as a reminder that the community is invited to walk together across their varied journeys in life.
“Some come with grateful hearts; others carry exhaustion, grief, disappointment, or questions that no Christmas decoration can erase. We have travelled different roads. Yet beneath the light of Christ, our many journeys become one pilgrimage, and our many stories become one community,” the circular dated Nov. 5 read.
“When Christ is at the center, we begin to see one another as fellow pilgrims walking beneath the same light. This is the Christmas invitation for every Thomasian,” it added.
The University has prepared a month-long lineup of events for the much-awaited celebration.
It will begin with the Christmaseum Exhibit at the UST Museum Gallery from Nov. 7 to Dec. 18. The exhibit will be closed on Dec. 3 and 4 to pave way for the UST Christmaseum Concert.
On Nov. 27, the University will hold the Blessing of the Belen and the lighting of the UST Manila campus at Plaza Mayor, followed by Tunog Tomasino 2026 at the Open Field. The SIMBAHAYAN AkaP community gift-giving project will also be held from Nov. 27 to Dec. 19.
The UST Christmas Concert technical dress rehearsal will take place on Dec. 1 while the gala will be on Dec. 2 both at the Santisimo Rosario Parish church.
The Paskuhan Pop-up Village will open at Quadricentennial Square on Dec. 9 until Dec. 12.
Religious celebrations will take center stage on Dec. 15, beginning with the Lightshow at the Sanrisino Rosario Parish church and Main Building at 6:30 p.m., that will mark the opening of Simbang Gabi. Masses will be held daily from Dec. 15 to 24 at 4:30 a.m. at Plaza Mayor and 8 p.m. at the Santisimo Rosario Parish church.
On Dec. 16, the UST Paskuhan Mass will commence at the Plaza Mayor at 5 p.m., followed by the Panunuluyan at 6 p.m., Paskuhan Agape at 6:30 p.m. and the Agape Concert at 7 p.m..
The celebration will continue with the Paskuhan Raffle on Dec. 18, followed by the Paskuhan Concert at the Open Field on Dec. 19 at 3 p.m., the same day the Christmas break begins.
UST General Santos will hold its own Paskuhan celebration under the theme “Sidlak: Ligaya ng Pasko, Pag-asa’y Tayo.” Its activities include the campus lighting and open house on Dec. 2, an institutional Advent recollection on Dec. 7 and a Christmas party on Dec. 11.
The campus will also hold Makibata on Dec. 15, followed by Panunuluyan and the UST Paskuhan Mass on Dec. 16, and the Paskuhan Agape and Grand Paskuhan Concert on Dec. 17. F
