UST Paskuhan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids UST PASKUHAN EVENT
Christmas decorations at UST. Paskuhan month, 2007
Status	Active
Frequency	Annual
Years active	25
Inaugurated	19 December 1991 (1991-12-19)
Most recent	20 December 2019
Previous event	22 December 2018
Attendance	50,000-110,000

The Paskuhan is a huge Christmas celebration at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila, Philippines. It's the biggest event of the year for the university's Christmas activities. This yearly tradition began in 1991.

Paskuhan events usually happen in the last week or on the last day before the university's Christmas break. In 2014, the date changed to December 8 because of a new school calendar. However, it was moved again to December 11 due to Typhoon Ruby.

What Happens at Paskuhan?

One of the main parts of the celebration is the Panunuluyan. This is a special play that shows the story of Mary and Joseph looking for a place for Mary to give birth to Jesus.

After the play, there is a Paskuhan Mass. The university's leader, called the rector, usually leads this church service.

Current students and university staff also get to enjoy the Agape. This is a big banquet or meal held all over the campus. The Agape at Paskuhan started in 2011. It was inspired by a similar big meal during the university's 400th anniversary celebration.

In some years, the Paskuhan celebration starts with a fun parade. Different groups from the university's faculties and colleges join in this festive march.

History of Paskuhan

How it Started

The very first Christmas celebration at the university happened on December 19, 1991. Its theme was "Thomasian Christmas, Filipino Christmas ’91."

This first event included:

• A Holy Mass held at the UST Grandstand.
• The Panunuluyan play, with students from different colleges taking part.
• A contest where students made their own lanterns.

A large 14-foot Christmas tree was also set up. Students placed donations under it for people affected by the Mount Pinatubo eruption and Tropical Storm Uring (also known as Thelma) in Ormoc City.

In 1993, the celebration was officially named "Paskuhan." It was a simple gathering led by the UST Treasurer at that time, Fr. Tereso Campillo.

A much bigger Paskuhan was held in 1994. This was to celebrate the upcoming World Youth Day 1995 in January 1995. For the first time, an 80-foot Christmas tree was featured. It was designed by Rey Mañago, a professor from the UST College of Architecture.

Later Years

In 2004, the money collected for the Paskuhan celebration was given to help people affected by four typhoons that hit the Philippines.

Paskuhan Today (2009-Present)

In 2009, Paskuhan was called "4 horas, 4 dias, 4 hundred days, 400 years." This name was part of the university's countdown to its 400th anniversary. The celebration started on December 18 at 8:00 p.m. and ended at 12:00 a.m. on December 19. This was exactly 4 days before December 22, and 400 days before January 28, 2011.

In 2012, a very important person, Very Rev. Bruno Cadoré, led the Paskuhan Mass. He is the head of the Dominican Order and the university's chancellor. The university rector, Rev. Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, gave the homily (a sermon).

In 2013, the celebration helped a good cause. All the offerings from the Mass were donated to the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda (also known as Haiyan).

In 2014, the Paskuhan events were moved from December 8 to December 11. This was because of Typhoon Ruby (also known as Hagupit). The main idea of the celebration that year was the upcoming visit of Pope Francis to the university in January 2015.

The plans for the 2015 Paskuhan were also changed due to Typhoon Nona (also known as Melor). The Mass was moved indoors to the Quadricentennial Pavilion. The concert was held at the UST Practice Gym.

Paskuhan Themes and Crowds

Light Displays and Music

The Paskuhan celebration always ends with a fantastic fireworks show. Since 2011, these shows have become "pyromusical" displays. This means the fireworks are set off to the beat of music!

In 2015, something new was added: Projection mapping. This is when images and videos are projected onto a building. The UST Main Building was used as a giant screen for this amazing light show.

Years Without Fireworks

Sometimes, the Paskuhan celebration did not have a fireworks display. This happened in:

• 2004
• 2013