Christmas season officially began in UP Diliman (UPD) on Dec. 5 with the Pag-iilaw para sa Pasko (Pag-iilaw), the annual lighting ceremony that marks the start of celebrations all over the campus.
Following the theme Abé-abé/Kaisa, the Pag-iilaw featured performances by the UP Filipiniana Dance Group, the UP Pep Varsity Drummers, Sydney Alipao and Matt Bargo, Brian “Naia” Black, and Abelardo Voices from the UPD College of Music (CMu).
The event highlight was the unveiling of the University’s primary holiday decorations, located at the Oblation Plaza and around The Oblation.
UPD Chancellor Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II said the ceremony serves as both a celebration and an activity that supports his strategic direction to make UPD a cultural haven.
“Isang haligi ng misyong ito ang ating plano na gawing masigla at makulay na pook kultural ang ating kampus. Tunay na ang sining, ang musika, teatro, biswal na sining at iba pang anyo nito ay makapangyarihang pwersang nagbubuklod sa mga tao at nagbibigay buhay sa ating komunidad,” he said.
The Pag-iilaw marks the start of the year-end program activities on campus. The next official event is Pamaskong Handog ng UPSO at Abelardo, a Christmas concert on Dec. 12 at the UP Theater, headlined by the UP Symphony Orchestra (UPSO), the UPSO Symphonic Chorus, and the CMu Choral Class.
Capping off the festivities will be the annual UP Lantern Parade, which will be held on Dec. 17 starting 4 p.m. at the Quezon Hall Amphitheater and the UP Academic Oval.