UST kicks-off Paskuhan festivities with lighting ceremony, Christmas concert

As part of the University’s Christmas tradition, homegrown Thomasian talents will once again serenade the Thomasian community with joyful Christmas carols as the University of Santo Tomas (UST) holds its annual Christmas concert and lighting ceremony on December 1, 6:30 p.m. at the UST Plaza Mayor.

The 2017 UST Christmas concert titled “The Community in Songs for the Season of Light” will include a blind children’s choir from the University’s community development partner community.

The concert will kick-off UST’s traditional Paskuhan festivities with this year’s theme “K.o.K. or “King of Kings.” A Eucharistic Celebration led by UST Rector Very Rev. Fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, O.P., concelebrated with Dominican priests will commence at 4:30 p.m. followed by an Agape, where the members of the Thomasian community are treated to a University-wide feast prior to the concert.

A flash mob performance by the Thomasian community with music arranged by Conservatory of Music Dean Antonio Africa will be performed by the UST Symphony Orchestra to start the Christmas concert.

Broadway artist Nerissa de Juan’s rendition of “O Come All Ye Faithful will accompany the simultaneous campus-wide lighting followed by renowned tenors Ronan Ferrer and Randy Gilongo and choirmaster Eugene delos Santos’ performance of “Sleigh Ride” and “Jingle Bells.”

Meanwhile, UST Conservatory of Music Voice Professor and Lyric Soprano Thea Perez will perform Filipino Christmas song – “Payapang Daigdig,” with a blind children’s choir.

Also included in the roster of Thomasian performers are: soprano soloists Nenen Espina and Naomi Sison, world-class Vienna-based tenor Abdul Candao, and Europop 2015 winner Ryan Tamondong, among others.

The musical pieces are arranged by Dean Antonio Africa and conducted by renowned Filipino conductor Prof. Herminigildo Ranera.

Press release from University of Santo Tomas