THE GRAND Paskuhan concert on Dec. 20 will be limited to Thomasians and alumni, marking the third consecutive year outsiders are barred from attending the event.
The annual concert, which concludes the University’s month-long Christmas celebration, would be exclusive to members of the Thomasian community anew to ensure their safety and to tighten campus security, according to Secretary General Fr. Louie Coronel, O.P.
“Because of the directive of our officials, still the same status quo… We need to really have tight security especially to take care of the people inside [the campus], so it will only be for Thomasians still,” Coronel said during the Paskuhan info session on Wednesday, Nov. 27.
In 2022, the University held its Paskuhan celebrations onsite for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic but only Thomasians and alumni have been allowed to attend since then.
In addition to the concert, a fireworks display is scheduled to cap off the evening celebration.
Campus Safety and Security Office Director Assoc. Prof. Juliano Parena said the closing of the gates during the Paskuhan concert would depend on the crowd density but Thomasians and alumni are encouraged to be on campus already by 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., respectively.
Bringing deadly weapons, glass items, flammable materials, large bags, alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, e-cigarettes and focused light devices are prohibited during the Paskuhan events. Security and medical personnel will also monitor the events inside and outside the campus.
No ticketing system will be implemented this year as Thomasians will only be asked to present their school ID to enter the campus, while alumni are required to fill out a pre-registration form and present their alumni card.
Agape, the traditional Thomasian Christmas feast to be held on Dec. 13 and the Paskuhan concert will be declared carless days to avoid traffic congestion around the campus. Selected gates will be open for entry and drop-off points: Gates 1 and 3 in España, Gate 14 in Lacson and Gates 9 and 10 in Dapitan. Gate 11 will also serve as the only entry gate for alumni attendees.
The month-long festivities will also extend to UST General Santos (GenSan), which will host its first-ever Paskuhan concert on Wednesday, Dec. 18. The Mindanao campus will also hold the Agape and the Panunuluyan, or the reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s search for a room in Bethlehem, on the same day.
The lighting ceremony in the España campus will take place simultaneously with that of the GenSan branch on Nov. 29, Coronel said. The event at the GenSan campus will feature decorations highlighting Mindanaoan designs, he added.
The UST Santa Rosa will also be lit up for Paskuhan, the date of which is yet to be announced.
UST will also organize a Paskuhan raffle draw ahead of the concert, the proceeds of which will be allotted to scholarship grants and the SIMBAHAYAN Community Development program. Thomasians from the Mindanao campus may also participate in the raffle.
The University will hold the Simbang Gabi or dawn masses from Dec. 15 to 24. Other festivities include the Paskuhan pop-up village, which will take place from Dec. 2 to 6.
The Christmas break will begin on Dec. 21, while regular classes for the second term of the academic year will start on Jan. 13. F — S. C. Garcia
