UST ‘Paskuhan’ returns after 3 years

THE University of Santo Tomas’ in-person Paskuhan concert brought the festivities back to España on Monday after a three-year absence due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s concert was the first in-person Paskuhan since 2019, as UST held the annual event online in 2020 and 2021.

This year’s theme is “Heroism in Us,” reflecting the courage and resilience of the community in waging the fight against the pandemic.

“The primary thing that set aside the Paskuhan this year is the feeling of finally coming home to a house full of your beloved family members. The whole community, alumni or not, are back in the arms of our dear alma mater,” UST alumnus Kurt Dynel Malaca said.

Gates opened early at 8 am as the university staff and facilitators were expecting long queues of spectators. 

Over 51,000 Thomasians – both students and alumni – filled the UST Plaza Mayor, according to the university official school publication The Varsitarian.

UST Paskuhan kicked off with a Christmas raffle, with prizes from the event’s sponsors and partners.

Around 8 pm, the concert started, filling the university grounds with youthful festivity. University organizations and other guest performers, such as Lucy, Sean Archer, Illumina, Kenaniah, Soapdish, Dotty’s World, Earl Generao, brought the house down.

To spice up the event, UST invited performers including singer-songwriter Adie and OPM bands Mayonnaise and Lola Amour.

Dance performances for the UST Paskuhan 2022 came from university dance troupes like 1Shade, Ba Dauncén, College of Science DT, Engineering DT, Intenzyc-CTHM, Nursing DT, Paci Rhutmos, Pharmacy DT, UST Prime, UST Salinggawi DT, UST Sinag Ballroom, and UST Yellow Jackets.

The event finale was an extravagant and colorful display of fireworks to celebrate the revival and success of the Paskuhan event and to honor the university.

UST started its annual Christmas tradition in 1991. This month-long holiday celebration often begins with the lighting of the university and is followed by various university-wide activities.

In the past years, the UST Paskuhan was usually open to the public. However, non-Thomasian companions weren’t allowed to enter the university premises for this year’s event.

Photo credit:John Daniel J. Esguerra