Solemnity prefaced Pag-iilaw 2021, as the event on Dec. 3, 5:30 p.m. at Quezon Hall took time to remember the faculty, staff, and research, extension, and professional staff (REPS) who passed away during the pandemic.

The annual ceremony of UP Diliman heralding the start of Christmas festivities on campus was livestreamed simultaneously on UPD’s official YouTube channel and Facebook page. The broadcast began with a pre-program video about the art installation “Sambabaylaan” by College of Fine Arts faculty member Abdulmari Toym de Leon Imao Jr., and testimonials from some UPD personnel.

Art installation. Drawing inspiration from the pre-colonial “babaylan” as healers and mediators between the community and the cosmos, as well as the Palawanon or Tagbanua ritual dance “pagdidiwata” (used to implore the aid of spirits to intervene in times of crisis), several higante-like lanterns were added to the existing installation art in and around Quezon Hall.

A large babaylan lantern can be seen on top of the marker at the corner of Commonwealth Avenue and the University Avenue.. Installed in each of the central streetlamp posts along the University Avenue are figures of a babaylan in various stages of the pagdidiwata, alternating with lanterns representing the breath of life and the astral soul. The final lantern is that of a shooting star suspended above the Oblation itself, which Imao calls “a heavenly gift that bridges the earth and the heavens.”

The streetlamp posts along the Academic Oval were decorated with bird-shaped lanterns, while large identical babaylan-shaped lanterns were placed in front of key vehicular entrances and institutions that contributed to UPD’s fight against COVID-19: UP Health Service (UPHS), isolation facilities Kamia Residence Hall (KRH) and Molave Residence Hall (MRH), the UP Genome Center (UPGC), and the College of Human Kinetics Gymnasium (CHK) where the UP CHK-QC vaccination site is located.

In memoriam. The program officially began with a tribute to UPD constituents who died during the pandemic.

The segment began with Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Ma. Theresa Payongayong performing a dramatic reading of National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario’s “Hindi Panooring Pangmadla ang Dalamhati” followed by an enumeration of the names and home units of those who passed away by Vice Chancellor for Administration Adeline Pacia, Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development Raquel Florendo, Vice Chancellor for Research and Development Gonzalo Campoamor II, and Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Louise Jashil Sonido.

While this was going on, live footage of artists Art Boyet De Mesa, Kaye O’yek, Sam Penaso, and Noel Oler Cuizon performing inside “Pagtawid,” site-specific art installation at the University Amphitheater played in the background.

Consisting of three staircases made up of twigs, dried leaves, Inabel fabric and other recycled materials enclosing several monoprints, “Pagtawid” was a collaboration between Imao and Asian Cultural Council grantees Cuizon, Penaso, Irma Lacorte, and Kat Palasi. The live performance direction and light design were done by fellow grantees Jose Estrella and Barbie Tan-Tiongco.

This was followed by a live Pagdidiwata performance by the UP Filipiniana Dance Group held at Quezon Hall lobby.

In her message, Vice Chancellor for Community Affairs Aleli B. Bawagan, chair of the year-end program steering committee, likened the University and its frontliners to a babaylan, guiding and protecting the community from the pandemic.

In his message, delivered by UP Vice President for Public Affairs Elena E. Pernia, UP President Danilo Concepcion said the lighting of the Christmas lanterns is a symbol of hope.

After an intermission performance of National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab’s “Paskong Walang Hanggan” by Cherry Garlan Caballero, the College of Music (CMu) Chamber Ensemble, and the Himig Sanghaya Chorale, Chancellor Fidel R. Nemenzo delivered a pre-recorded message praising the UPD community’s resilience and initiative during the second year in lockdown.

“Hindi tayo nagpatalo sa pandemya. Naging mas malikhain tayo sa pagtuturo at pananaliksik. Hindi tayo tumigil sa paglilingkod. At pinalawak pa natin ito hindi lang sa loob ng pamantasan kundi pati sa mga karatig komunidad. Dahil may pandemya man o wala, hindi natin dapat kinakalimutan ang ating misyon bilang isang pambansang pamantasan,” he said.

Master of ceremonies, Prof. Oscar Serquiña Jr., Ph.D. (College of Arts and Letters), then conducted a video call to representatives of UPHS (Dr. Myrissa M. Alip, M.D.), UPGC (Prof. Cynthia Saloma, Ph.D.), MRH (Dr. Oliva Basuel, M.D.), KRH (Dr. Art Catli, M.D.), and the CHK (Prof. Maria Dulce Natividad, Ph.D.), who were standing beside the lanterns in their respective locations.

Each representative delivered a short message on the activities and achievements of their institutions during the pandemic and conveyed their holiday greetings to the audience.

At Bawagan’s signal, every lantern was switched on for the first time, bathing the academic core in holiday light. Every minute or so, live footage of the various lanterns were shown on the livestream.

The final festive segment featured a medley of Grace Nono’s “Ani,” Chino Toledo’s “Sambayan,” and Felipe de Leon’s “Payapang Daigdig” performed by Caballero, the CMu Chamber Ensemble and the Himig Sanghaya Chorale.