As the University greets the year’s most festive season, a symbolic Christmas ‘Lights On’ activity was held with a dazzling display of colors and decorations lined along Abada Avenue and the Administration Building façade last December 5, 2023.
Around 5,000 students across colleges lined up for a torch parade along Mahogany and Abada Avenues towards the sports field waving their luminous green-lighted recycled bottles which added more bursts of colors to the merry frolics and revelry of everyone.
An opening program titled, “Kapawa sang Paskwa 2023" with the theme, “Unbounded love and generosity: a Christmas celebration of open hearts and endless giving” was held around 7:00 in the evening where students and personnel listened to worship songs and testimonies of fellow students from various religious organizations.
Dr. Pilipinas Ma. Jareno, dean of Student Services and Affairs, welcomed everyone and expressed the purpose of holding the said program, which is to inspire every Cenphilian to celebrate this Season of Love and Giving.
"I hope you could be an instrument for this December for a development, a change, a transformation of your community in little means or bigger means to help others," Dr. Jareño said referring to those who have experienced tragedies and wars that are currently happening, especially the children. She encouraged everyone to express their love and gratefulness to the people who have also shown them love, and for the students to manifest the right love with the right person at the right time.
Afterwards, the hosts officially announced the opening of lights highlighting the giant CPSU Christmas tree prepared by the General Services Office headed by Dr. Moody Deocares, GSO director.
Adding flare to this occasion was the “Light A Tree” and “Christmas Village” competitions sponsored by the Supreme Student Government (SSG) themed, “LIWANAG NG PAG-ASA: CPSU Christmas Lights”, which was participated by different colleges and organizations.
This successful event was spearheaded by the OSSA student organizations headed by the Future Leaders of the Philippines (FLP), and the multi-faith organization, with the support of the SSG.
WINNERS in the “Light a Tree” competition were the College of Teacher Education (COTED), which bagged the 1st place, followed by COMRADES, and the College of Engineering. Also, for the “Christmas Village” contest, SSEAP was awarded as the winner, followed by the JPSTECH, and the ABS as the 3rd place winner. Said results were announced on December 7, 2023.
By J.A. Emoy
/ The Cenphilian Publication
Photo
Credits: R. Gamboa, J. Romero, Sir Jeric Bacongco, SSG