THIS YEAR’S Paskuhan festivities will center on instilling gratitude for Christ’s love to the world and will begin earlier than usual, with the traditional lighting of the UST Manila campus set on Nov. 29, according to a circular from the Office of the Secretary General.
The circular dated Nov. 12 said Paskuhan 2024 would adopt the theme, “Ever Thankful, Ever Hopeful.” It was inspired by John 3:16, which describes how God gave His only begotten son, Jesus Christ, to save humanity from their sins.
“Through the aforementioned Paskuhan festivities, may we all experience the transformative power of encountering Christ and share the hopeful message of Christ’s love to the world,” the circular read.
Unlike previous years when the lighting of the UST campus commenced at the start of December, the University will officially kick off this year’s Paskuhan celebrations on Nov. 29 at 6 p.m.
Agape, where members of the Thomasian community gather for a festive communal meal, will take place on Dec. 13, while the much-anticipated Grand Paskuhan concert will happen on Dec. 20.
The Christmas concert gala will be on Dec. 2, while the Christmaseum concert will be on Dec. 5 and 6.
UST will celebrate the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Dec. 8, followed by the institutional Advent recollection and the vigil mass in honor of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary on Dec. 9.
The University will also hold the Simbang Gabi or dawn masses at the UST Plaza Mayor and Santisimo Rosario Parish church from Dec. 15 to 24. Also included in the festivities is the Paskuhan pop up village, which will be open from Dec. 2 to 7.
This year also marks a significant milestone as it is the first time that UST General Santos will hold its own Paskuhan festivities alongside those in Manila. The Mindanao campus will have its Agape on Dec. 13 and its Paskuhan concert on Dec. 18.
UST will hold an information session on the Paskuhan on Nov. 27. It will serve as a public forum for officials to announce additional details about the event, including health protocols and whether outsiders will be allowed to participate in the festivities. F
