UST Paskuhan sets a good mood for all the students, professors and UST administration set aside academics and business for a moment and take a chance to take a grasp of the Yuletide spirit.
The theme was “4 Horas. 4 Dias. 400 Days. 400 Taon” to simply explain that the event would be held for 4 hours, 4 days ’til the actual day to start off the 400 days countdown.. The countdown starts now. Time is ticking for the 400th year anniversary of my alma mater, the University of Santo Tomas . The main hosts were then introduced UST alumni Miriam Quiambao who looked dashing with her all white gown and Kim Atienza who still sported his ranger hat while JC Cuadrado hosted the raffle drawing segment.
The winning entry for the Q Song Writing contest was also played, entitled "Ako'y Isang Tomasino", music and lyrics by Gerardo De Leon, arranged by Jimmy Antiporda an alumnus of the Faculty of Engineering. Upon hearing the song without interiorizing the lyrics, the Q Song didn't appeal to me that much since it sounded like a theme song from a teleserye. But just this morning, I read the lyrics and I realized that the song really captured the essence of being a Thomasian,
Nalagpasan mo ang mga pagsubok
Di mabilang na mga bagyo
Kahit ilang baha man ang danasin
Kasaysayan mo'y hindi kayang anurin
Ang 'yong sahig, dingding, mga pintuan
Saksi sa 'yong dakilang nakaraan
Tinamnan ng tama puso't isipan
Mga bayaning sa silong mo ay nanahan
CHORUS
Nag-iisa ka lang
Pinagpalang Pamantasan
Apat na siglo ng nagtuturo sa kabataan
Pagmamahal sa Diyos,
Karunungang may dangal
Ako'y nagagalak matawag na Isang Tomasino
Ang ngalan mo'y hindi nadudungisan
Ilan mang siglo pa ang magdaan
Dahil ang Diyos ika'y iniingatan
Tunay kang binasbasang paaralan
CODA
Nagsisilbi sa kapwa
Naglilingkod sa bayan
Nagmamahal sa Diyos
May karunungan, may dangal
Ako'y nagagalak ako'y isang Tomasino!
It was then followed by 9-minute Fireworks display which would the crowd. If you think the performances were over, well think again. Sandwich also graced the event with their music undoubtedly appealed to the Tomasinos. The event ended around 1am with the anticipation for the upcoming Quadricentennial heightens.
Plus the momentous incident at Welcome Rotonda..."Takbo Arturo.." Starbucks till dawn. Left for dead till 8 am. Got home at 10am.
