Justin Russel M. Vedasto, senior high student
Interview by Justine Nicole Malonzo
“‘Yung powerup na gusto ko po is, matinding patience“
Anong powerup ang wish mong meron ka ngayong Paskuhan?
“Siguro ‘yung powerup na gusto ko po is, matinding patience kasi sa mga stalls ngayon medyo mahahaba po ‘yung pila tapos ‘yung concert matagal pa ‘yung hihintayin, so powerup patience po talaga.”
How can you share the Thomasian Paskuhan spirit to those outside the University?
“Siguro through IG posts na lang po siguro kasi bawal naman po ngayon dahil Thomasian event po. Ayun po, so through social media na lang po.”
What makes this year’s Paskuhan joyful for you?
“This year’s Paskuhan is joyful to me kasi it’s my first time po, and madami po akong expectations sa event and sana po ma-meet po sana.”
Julia Samantha L. Furio, CTHM student
Interview by Justine Nicole Malonzo
“Dream cosplay ko na siya”
Who did you choose to cosplay today?
“I chose to cosplay Utahime Iori from Jujutsu Kaisen today.‘Yung pinaka known siya for, she hates gojo, or parang ‘yung pagkaano niya kay gojo, ayaw na ayaw niya sakaniya.”
Why did you choose to cosplay this character?
“Dream cosplay ko na siya ever since I got into Jujutsu Kaisen.”
Ana Chan and Sam Abantao, pharmacy students and Beatrice Abdon and Janelle Pineda, CRS students
Interview by Justine Nicole Malonzo
“We are just here to enjoy with our friends before we [go] home to our family”
How can you share the Thomasian Paskuhan spirit to those outside the University?
“I think for me, knowing that they can’t get [inside the] campus, one way we could share it to them is sharing it through social media, and I know Tiger Media is also making a live, so ‘yun, pag share ng live so they can also experience what we experience kahit they are not here physically.”
What makes this year’s Paskuhan joyful for you?
“I think to everyone, it’s joyful. It’s like the end of the long academics na very stressful, now we are just here to enjoy with our friends before we [go] home to our family.”
Lance Allison Co, senior high student
Interview by Justine Nicole Malonzo
“Kahit gaano pa kalayo ang lakarin ko ng [naka costume] po, ang mahalaga sakin ay mapasaya ko po kayo”
Who are you cosplaying today?
“The person that I’m cosplaying is Monsieur neuvillette from the game Genshin Impact. […] Basically he is the ludex of Fontaine, but he [is] also known for hydro sovereign which is basically the dragons in the game.”
Why did you choose to cosplay this character?
“Actually iba po talaga ‘yung plano kong cosplay kaso mahal po ‘yung budget so ‘yung second best na lang po na nakita ko.”
What makes this year’s Paskuhan joyful for you?
“To be honest, since ito po ‘yung pinaka first na Paskuhan ko, di po ako naka attend last year, kahit mag-isa lang po ako [ngayon] I hope to enjoy this po [to] the fullest by exploring the campus such as buying [from] the [booths], and ito nga po mapasaya ‘yung mga tao dahil sa cosplay ko po. Ang mahalaga lang naman po sakin, kahit gaano pa kalayo ang lakarin ko ng [naka costume] po, ang mahalaga sakin ay mapasaya ko po kayo. Kasi ‘yung saya ng tao is ‘yung number 1 priority namin. Shout out to HA society and 12Ha-06.”
Atty. Robert John Donesa, professor
Interview by Justine Nicole Malonzo
“We are reconnecting to that love that is pure, and authentic and unconditional”
In line with this year’s Paskuhan theme, what is something joyful that you witnessed recently?
“Iba ang Christmas ngayon because we missed it, like kababalik lang, and because of that, we missed each other’s company. Like I was reading the notes of my students, like their final requirements na parang lockdown sila and then ‘yung essence of giving, sharing, working with each other, naging limited lang sa immediate family nila. Pero iba today, because today we reach out sa mga friends, we reach out to everybody, and you could feel it in the air. There’s love, there’s ‘yung essence ng Christmas really is there.
You see ‘yung Christmas rin naman talaga natin is all about, all about being one, like we are all about […] humanity, we celebrate our humanity together. ‘Yung belen, it’s always a symbol of Christmas, it brings us to simplicity, it brings us back to the family as a core. Where love is unconditional, where love is pure and authentic, and i think that’s what we are doing, we are reconnecting to that love that is pure, and authentic and unconditional. And usually that love is from God, and we are reflecting to each other na lang because of the symbols that we are seeing in Christmas.“
Gian Shen & Sebastian Razon, vendors
Interview by Janssen Anne Versy Mendoza
“Na-miss ko ring maging student”
Is this your first time selling in Paskuhan? If not, how was your experience before?
Gian: “Second time. Pero wala ako dito last year eh.”
Sebastian: “Experience namin last year, 12:00 p.m. pa lang, dinagsa na kami ng pila. Tapos nag-extend kami kasi ‘yung mga pauwi nag request na mag extend kami. So plano na sana naming umuwi ng mga 9:00 p.m. then, nag request sila na mag extend pa kami. ‘Yun, okay naman. Masaya. May bands, may fireworks.”
What about your experience currently?
Sebastian: “This morning, okay naman. ‘Yung iba babalik daw so we are expecting this afternoon na dadagsain kami.”
Gian: “For the experience, wala pa akong masabi talaga kasi parang ngayon pa lang kami nagsisimula. Pero ineexpect na namin talaga na, ‘yun maraming bibili samin later like last year. So ‘yun, expected na rin namin na mapapagod kaming lahat.”
What is something joyful that you witnessed recently?
Sebastian: “The environment, parang lahat ng students dito parang joyful. And then every time na they walk through Onlypans [they say] ‘Uy, babalik kami’ [and] lahat sila naka smile.”
Gian: “Siguro ‘yung students […] actually, namiss ko ring maging student. Kasi once na nag work ka you work forever na eh. So minsan darating sa point na mamimiss mo maging teenager, maging student. Iba kasi pag student life eh, ‘di ba? Hindi katulad pag adulting life na parang ang dami mo nang iniintindi. So ayun, natutuwa ako na ang dami kong nakikitang estudyante.”
Anong powerup ang wish mong meron ka ngayong Paskuhan?
Sebastian: “Good health for everybody and world peace.”
Gian: “Siguro ano, flying. Parang feel ko free ako masyado pag lumilipad. Ayun lang.”
Robert Bertumen and Louis Guirnalda, UST Sinag Ballroom Dance Company dancers
Interview by Janssen Anne Versy Mendoza
“We want it to be something that everyone will enjoy—not only the audience but also the performers”
Is this your first time performing for Paskuhan?
Louis: No po, it’s our second time performing for Paskuhan.
What are your expectations for this year’s Paskuhan? What do you think makes it special?
Robert: “Sana ano, inaasahan ko ngayong Paskuhan parang maging successful syempre walang magkakamali ‘yung mga music ganon.”
Louis: “Same sentiments lang naman since it’s a university-wide event, you want it to succeed in all aspects. I understand naman na may mga shortcomings tayo lahat pero, alam mo ‘yun, since it’s Christmas season, we want it to succeed. We want it to be something that everyone will enjoy—not only the audience but also the performers. And yeah, everyone talaga.”
What are your team’s rituals before performing?
Louis: “Nagpe-pray kami, and—”
Robert: “Syempre ano, [chant] Sinag!’”
Louis: “May chant.”
What emotions are you feeling right now as you are about to perform on the Paskuhan stage?
Robert: “Kinakabahan […].”
Louis: “Siguro ano, same naman. ‘Di ‘yun mawawala as a performer, kinakabahan, ma-excite. That’s why we perform din naman talaga: to find that feeling over and over again.”
How do you feel about performing in front of the Thomasian community?
Robert: Masaya, mapapakita namin ‘yung mga talent namin. Masho-showcase namin ‘yung isa’t isa. Parang mai-introduce na rin namin ‘yung team namin. Parang maghahatak na rin kami.”
Louis: That’s true. ‘Yun nga as we’ve mentioned before, Paskuhan is a university-wide event kasi so it’s a big thing for us local performers, mga dance troupes, mga bands, kasi ‘yun nga, malaking bagay din talagang makapagperform for the Thomasian community.
Gwen Banaag and CJ Arellano, commerce students
Interview by Janssen Anne Versy Mendoza
“Uno na lang po”
Do you still have an exam today?
Gwen: “May last exam po kami, so kaya kami naka-uniform.”
How do you feel about still having a final exam to accomplish on Paskuhan day?
Gwen: “Ang hassle po kasi naka-uniform pa po kami. If pupunta po kaming Paskuhan kailangan pa naming magdala ng mga extra things para magpalit.”
CJ: “Hassle, tapos umulan din, tapos imbes na papasok kami para sa Paskuhan pero iniintindi namin last exams namin.”
What are you looking forward to during the Paskuhan festivities today?
Gwen: “‘Yung mga performers po.”
Cj: “Fireworks.”
What makes this Paskuhan joyful for you?
Gwen: “First time ko po ulit magpaskuhan after ilang years. So ayun po nakaka-excite po.”
Cj: “First time Paskuhan, and kasama ang mga friends.”
Anong powerup ang wish mong meron ka ngayong Paskuhan?
Cj: “Mataas na GWA.”
Gwen: “Uno na lang po.”
Pamei Albotra and Tedie Barcelona, One SHADE Dance Squad dancers
Interview by Janssen Anne Versy Mendoza
“One, two, three, One SHADE!”
Is this your first time performing for Paskuhan?
Pamei: “For me, it’s not my first time. It’s my second time actually.”
Tedie: “Ako first time ko magpeperform this Paskuhan.”
What makes your Paskuhan performance this year special?
Pamei: “Actually, last year, it was kind of an epic fail. Nagkaron ng bump so it’s medyo parang sayang? Ano ba, I can’t put it into words. Parang sayang, ganon. Pero for me nakapagperform naman kami and medyo sad lang kasi nahati kasi siya sa’min, and then ‘yung other half weren’t able to perform. What makes [this year’s performance] special right now is I believe I’m closer with the people I’m with, so it’s exciting to perform with them kahit it’s nerve-wracking.”
Since it’s your first time performing for Paskuhan, what emotions are you feeling right now as you are about to perform onstage later?
Tedie: “To be honest, super nerve-wracking din kasi first time ko talaga. Pero at the same time, super saya kasi parang ito ‘yung first year na as in grabe talaga ‘yung onsite talaga natin, so as in nagbubuklod talaga yung tao. So parang super kinakabahan, na-anxious ako pero at the same time parang super looking forward ako sa kung anong mangyayari later.”
What are your dance troupe’s rituals before performing?
Pamei: “For One SHADE, ‘di nawawala ‘yung paghuddle namin sa isa’t isa. [We] go in a circle, and then we hold hands.”
Tedie: “Then we pray, and then cheer.”
Pamei: “Cheer. Like para ma-hype ‘yung isa’t isa”
Do you have a specific chant when you huddle?
Pamei and Tedie: “One, two, three, One SHADE!”
How do you feel about performing in front of the Thomasian community?
Tedie: “For me, kamukha nung nasabi ni Ate Pam, very proud ako sa sarili ko right now kasi it’s been my dream since bata ako na makapagperform talaga sa big university. So it’s becoming real now. Yeah, kaya super excited ako. And kasama ko kasi ‘yung mga taong like super close ko na, and super bonded kami together and connected kaya ayun, blessed din at the same time kasi nabigyan ako ng chance to perform on a big stage.”
Pamei: “For me, it’s kind of the same naman, and also gusto ko ring i-mention na I’m really a shy person and nagkakaroon din ako ng anxiety in front of many people. But with dancing, it’s different. I want to express and I want to be more confident.”
John Thaddeus Molina, CICS student
Interview by Janssen Anne Versy Mendoza
“‘Yung mga festivities na nangyayari ngayon are just the way para makapag connect pa sa ibang tao”
Anong time pa po kayong naka-pila?
“Naka pila, I think [around 2P.M].”
Kahit na sa line ka pa lang, how is the experience so far for you this Paskuhan?
“Since first year ako, I guess wala akong basehan pa sa dating experience. Pero for now, okay lang naman. I guess normal lang naman para sa akin na mag-wait in line, dahil mayroon naman akong kikitain sa loob, halatang gusto ko pa ring pumasok.”
For whom are the flowers?
“Girlfriend ko.”
How can you share the Thomasian Paskuhan spirit with those outside the university?
“Para sa akin, para ma share ang Paskuhan spirit is that I guess makapag enjoy ka lang with your loved ones and with your friends. Basta ma feel mo lang talaga na ‘yung mga festivities na nangyayari ngayon are just the way para makapag connect pa sa ibang tao.”
What are you looking forward to?
“I’m just looking forward to listening to a lot of the [bands] kasi mahilig, at fan din ako ng mga magpeplay ngayon, so I guess ‘yun, and also spending time with my friend[s] and my girlfriend.”
Anong powerup ang wish mong meron ka ngayon?
“‘Yung red mushroom para makatalon na lang ako dito.”
Since it’s Super Mario-themed, do you have a Princess Peach?
“Right now, meron.”
Can you tell us about your Princess Peach?
“Nakilala ko lang siya actually a few days before Welcome Walk. Tapos nakilala ko siya sa discord for UST Freshies.”
Trisha Dejoras and Hanna Milanes, literature students
Interview by Janssen Anne Versy Mendoza
“All about making up for the lost time in ways you can”
How can you share the Thomasian Paskuhan spirit to those outside the University?
Trisha: “By being more welcoming […] By trying to be happy despite the circumstances, kasi ‘yun naman ‘yung spirit of Christmas, ‘di ba?”
Hanna: “Spending more time with your friends.”
What makes this year’s Paskuhan joyful for you?
Trisha: “Kakaiba din ‘to kasi nga nung pandemic, last year, parang all about adjustments.”
Hanna: “Ang dami pa ring restrictions.”
Trisha: “Oo ang dami pa ring restrictions last year samantalang ngayon, mas genuine ang vibe. All about making up for the lost time in ways you can.”
Hanna: “Tsaka ano, mas marami na rin tayong face-to-face events talaga. Para sa mga quality time people, bumabawi na tayo ngayon. Hindi ka nanonood sa cellphone or sa laptop.”
Trisha: “Mas nararamdaman mo ‘yung pagiging Thomasian mo dahil katatapos lang ng finals niyo. You get to hug your friends. You get to see them. You get to see everyone bonding with their friends as well.”
Super Mario has 32 levels in total, on a scale of 1-32 how can you rate your first semester journey?
Hanna: “Ano ba pinakamahirap? 32! Bilang third-year [student], real life starts at third year.”
Trisha: “Ako 30 kasi sobrang hirap niya pero kinakaya naman as long as may support system. Support system ang friends so in that way naiibsan ‘yung hardships.”
Hanna: “[Friends are] the silver linings.”
Anong powerup ang wish mong meron ka ngayong Paskuhan?
Trisha: “Tulog!”
Hanna: “Tulog rin.”
Trisha: “Tulog, pera, peace of mind, good grades, love life!”
Mayroon ka bang Mario ngayong paskuhan?
Hanna: “Wala. Looking for Mariong Chinito.”
Trisha: “I invoke my right against self-incrimination. Joke lang, wala rin. But I’m happy I get to spend it with my friends and people dear to me.”
Katriella Cabauatan and MJ Yamson, junior high students
“Since kasama ko sila I know may guide naman ako”
Interview by Janssen Anne Versy Mendoza
What makes this year’s Paskuhan joyful for you?
Katriella: “I think it’s because face-to-face na siya and bago ‘yung mga batches namin. So different types of people, iba’t iba ‘yung nakaka-interact naming tao. Kasi nung last year bago-bago pa since bagong face-to-face.”
MJ: “First Paskuhan ko ‘to so actually na-overwhelm ako. Pero since kasama ko sila I know may guide naman ako, and feel ko ma-eenjoy ko ‘to.”
Super Mario has 32 levels in total, on a scale of 1-32 how can you rate your second quarter journey?
Katriella: “32, kasi actually ito lang ‘yung very eventful na quarter. Nung first quarter kasi puro aral, nakakasawa.”
MJ: “Kahit exhausted ako, pero sige gawin ko na rin 32 kasi nag-enjoy na rin naman ako.”
Anong powerup ang wish mong meron ka ngayong Paskuhan?
Katriella: “‘Yung grades ko sa Physics. I think yeah, ‘yun nalang.”
MJ: “Socializing po. New student kasi ako so naninibago pa ako. So adjustment rin.”
Mayroon ba kayong Mario ngayong paskuhan?
Katriella: “It’s complicated. Hindi it’s okay, wala po. Sayang.”
MJ: “Wala rin.”
Louise Caroline Lim, student-volunteer
Interview by Justine Nicole Malonzo
“It’s a nice way to wrap up my semester”
In line with this year’s Paskuhan theme, what is something joyful that you witnessed recently?
“I think one of the most joyful things in Paskuhan right now is that the line up is good, the barricades are placed well compared to last year and the way they are controlling the population right now is also good. That’s why it’s very enjoyful, knowing that everything is organized because you can enjoy din in a manner na hindi ka maguguluhan.”
Super Mario has 32 levels in total, on a scale of 1-32 how can you rate your first semester journey?
“Probably 15, because it has been difficult but it’s also fun knowing that Paskuhan came and it’s already happening. So it’s a nice way to wrap up my semester, even though it was difficult at first.”
Anong powerup ang wish mong meron ka ngayong Paskuhan?
“One powerup that I would like is actually be invisible, kasi ang hirap makapasok sa UST when you go out now, and I just want to re-enter and re-enter, and re-enter, and go back, and re-enter comfortably without having to line up for 2 hours.”
Keanu Francois Aquino, student-volunteer
Interview by Justine Nicole Malonzo
“If I had the power, I want to heal everyone”
In line with this year’s Paskuhan theme, what is something joyful that you witnessed recently?
“Kasalukuyan, I can see that most of the students are happy, especially that the pandemic is already finished or over. So parang ngayon nagbabalik normal ang lahat, as if it was pre-pandemic era.”
Anong powerup ang wish mong meron ka ngayong Paskuhan?
“Siguro, a power that can heal everyone, especially as a volunteer in Red Cross, it’s very difficult na makakita ng patients, especially nasa gitna tayo ng kasiyahan. So, I don’t want to interrupt this kind of joyous event for all of us, so if I had the power, I want to heal everyone’s sickness and what they have today or their illnesses.”
Asst. Prof. Riaz Benjamin, marketing management department chair
Interview by Justine Nicole Malonzo
“Share and don’t even limit it to this season, extend it throughout the year, and you will feel good”
In line with this year’s Paskuhan theme, what is something joyful that you witnessed recently?
“There are so many things in one day, the most joyful is, yesterday was our Dean’s office Christmas party and Faculty of Commerce Christmas party. So, they were [also] celebrating the birthday of our Father Regent, Fr. Senen R. Ecleo, and he said a few things, and one was that, at this time we don’t have to keep the joy amongst ourselves like a family, or only our loved ones. But why not give it a try to share the joy with everyone you come across with, you got my point?
Because people are only limited to whom they know, but when you share, your time, your advice, anything, with people you don’t know even, you feel good, got it? So for me, even the depth was a message, but for me I considered it as a joy because since yesterday, even today, I did so many things. That I shared the joy to so many people that I don’t come across with, even in school I went to them, to their office I greeted them, ‘Merry Christmas,’ ‘Happy Paskuhan,’ so you don’t have to call your friends to share the joy for the season, so that is one joy.
[…] Aside from that there are many joyous things, I spent my time with my wife, with my kids, with my students, I am even entertaining them – if I show you my phone – I will tell them, in my email even, ‘oh anak give me time, you can ask me on saturday.’ Think about it, today is the last day of working day of UST, and I’m sending an email to my students – I don’t know the student is from finance, he sent me an email requesting that he wants to shift to marketing – I can tell the student, ‘oh today is the last day, but you can come after the break.’ But I told him, ‘Anak, give me time till Saturday, I’ll entertain you,’ even though officially it’s a break, I’m not supposed to do any official work, right? But that is also joy, you share, you feel good helping students, colleagues, anybody.
So, that is my advice to you also, and to your classmates, try to share and don’t even limit it to this season. Extend it throughout the year, and you will feel good.”
Romeo Perez, vendor
Interview by Justine Nicole Malonzo
“‘Yung mga nakikita ko ‘yung masasayang tao”
Kamusta ang Paskuhan experiences, first ba?
“Masaya, malimit.”
What is something joyful that you witnessed recently?
“‘Yung mga nakikita ko ‘yung masasayang tao, puro nakangiti.”F
