The chilly air, Christmas lights, and students cramming for their finals mean the holiday season is here. For those in the Tomasian community, it means another spectacular “Paskuhan” is just around the corner.
Every year, at the start of December, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) celebrates Christmas with “Paskuhan,” the universitywide yuletide event. It required endless planning months in advance to create the stunning designs in the campus. Last year, people were in awe of the campus’ “Tangled”-inspired lanterns. Now UST is bringing back the magic with a “Harry Potter”-theme “Paskuhan.”
Magic and spells
“Harry Potter” has always been a beloved movie, having transported us to a world filled with magic and spells. Kids wish to attend the prestigious school of magic, Hogwarts, and be sorted into their respective houses.
Incorporating the “Harry Potter” theme allows Tomasians to relive their childhood dreams.
UST’s historic surroundings make the perfect canvas to reimagine the magical world of “Harry Potter” with colorful, shimmering lights at night.
The colors of the lights represent the houses of Hogwarts (Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, Slytherin). Floating candles surround the statue of UST founder, Dominican priest Miguel de Benavides. A 70-foot Christmas tree stands on UST’s main field.
UST’s “Paskuhan” festivities kicked off first week of December with Agape, in which students and faculty came together to celebrate the Holy Eucharist at Plaza Mayor.
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso attended the event to formally open the lighting of the Christmas décor.
This year’s theme also features a live drone show in the campus. At night and with the campus lights off, drones placed at the center of the field were programmed to fly in the air to salute the successful Southeast Asian Games with the Philippines as host country.
This must be UST’s grandest lighting yet. Seeing all of the designs come to life truly takes Tomasians back to the magical world of Hogwarts.