Countdown to 400 begins! - UST Paskuhan and Quadricentennial Countdown 2009

The countdown starts now. Time is ticking for the 400th year anniversary of my alma mater, the University of Santo Tomas. Last night was not the usual “Paskuhan” that we, Thomasians and outsiders, celebrate as the highlight of our yuletide line-up of activities. It’s bigger and definitely an activity not to miss because this year they’ve incorporated the countdown to UST’s 400 years. The event was entitled Countdown Count.Me.In.: 4 Horas 4 Dias 400 Days 400 Taon.

"It will start at 8 o'clock p.m. of that day, which is four hours to 12 o'clock a.m. of December 19. This is, in turn, four days to December 22, the actual 400 days before the 400th anniversary on January 28, 2011," explains UST secretary-general Fr. Isidro Abaño, O.P. (PEP)

The event started around 7:45 with the Costume Parade of the different faculties of the college. In my opinion, the costume parade could be made better. Nonetheless, the Faculty of Engineering and College of Tourism and Hospitality Management stood out with their Carnival Rio inspired theme while the College of Architecture brought back the 70’s and 80’s with their Retro inspired costumes. Also, the College of Commerce and Faculty of Arts and Letters showed the Filipino Pride with their props and costumes.

The College of Nursing…err, wore the ROTC uniform. I didn’t like our college’s theme, which was something connected to the wars during the past but I just have to mention that Paolo Torralba played the role of the Statue of Liberty nicely. Go Kuya Paolo! There were also parade participants who took the theme of Japanese and EDSA II with UST’s own version of Cory Aquino. The costume parade was done to symbolize the different era’s the university has gone through throughout the ages

After that, there was a performance from the UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe who recently succumbed to 4th place in the recent UAAP Cheerdance Competition. (Anong konek?haha at talagang succumbed pa ung term ko) Then the UST Rector gave an opening remark followed by an opening prayer with 400 students lighting their candles (I was one of those people! Hurrah! Nakakakilabot talaga un kasi buong field punong puno ng candle light).

Here's the video:

As we finished, the spot light turned to the Main Building where a person was rappelling towards upwards the building. (Kala ko magpapakamatay na), as he reached the top, he just jumped of the building through the aid of a zip line with fireworks at his back. I didn’t really figure how they managed to put fireworks at his back without burning him and then several people went to the top of the main building holding a torch. (Ninoy Aquino style) I thought they were to belt out “Di ka nag iisaaaa…”. I'm glad they didn't.

The program proper started with a a girl doing a fire dance followed by a Christmas-inspired dance number by the Salinggawi Dance Troupe. The main hosts were then introduced 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 official Quadricentennial Countdown Clock, sponsored by Swatch , was also unveiled in the latter part of the program.

The winning entry for the Q Song Writting 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 especially the lyrics that went like,

"Nalagpasan mo ang mga pagsubok Di mabilang na mga bagyo, kahit ilang baha man ang danasin, Kasaysayan mo'y si kayang anurin"

 Here's the video of the Q Song sung by Rap Salazar, Apple Chiu and Aicel Santos:

It was then followed by 9-minuite Fireworks display which wow-ed 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 1pm with the anticipation for the upcoming quadricentennil heightens.

**UPCOMING EVENTS**

Grand opening celebration on January 28, 2011 - opening ceremony for the year-long celebration.

Pope Benedict XVI might grace the celebration.

UST is also planning to extend an invitation to the Spanish Royal family

“Lumina Pandit (spreading the light)- An Exhibition of Historical Treasures." A showcase of collections from UST Central Library, including the original Nicolas Copernicus’s book on the heliocentric theory; incunabulae or books that were created before the invention of printing press; and the Doctrina Cristiana, the first printed book in the country.

Simbayan 400 (Launching of the Quadricentennial outreach community); Unveiling of the restored 1911 Commemorative Painting and the declaration of the UST Main Building as a National Heritage Landmark at the UST Museum; UST’s Longest Living Rosary (wherein Thomasians will pray the rosary around the entire UST campus, good enough for the Guiness Book of World Records); the Lumina Pandit: An Exhibition of Historical Collections; the annual Christmas Concert Gala; Operas by the UST Conservatory of Music Featuring Cavalleria Rusticana and Gianni Schicchi with guest alumni at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP); Quadricentennial Thomasian Personality: The Search for Mr. & Ms. Quadricentennial; and then the Grand Celebration on the January 27-28, 2011.

The Lumina Pandit exhibit, which will run from June 17, 2010 to January 30, 2011, will showcase precious and significant collection of books–including a rare original (1887) copy of Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere and Doctrina Christiana, the first book ever published in the country–and other materials accumulated by the UST Library through the years that reflects the growth of the nation and the unfolding of UST’s history.

There will also be the Grand Thomasian Family Day; the USTv Students’ Choice Awards Quadricentennial Edition; the Quadricentennial Conference on Learning Technologies; the International Conference of the Universities of St. Thomas (ICUSTA); Presentation of the 400 Titles of UST-published books and publications (with the Coffeetable Book as the 400th title); the Quadricentennial Exhibit at the UST Museum Main Hall; Operetta on the Life of Msgr. Benavides; Q Fashion Show; Rosarium (a vigil and visit of the Our Lady of the Rosary and the Our Lady of La Naval, and the blessing of the Rosary Garden); UST Exhibit at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France; Unveiling of the UST Martyrs’ Monuments; and the inauguration and blessing of the UST Gymnasium.

Another notable event is the unveiling of Ramon Orlina’s glass-and-brass sculpture, Tetraglobal, modelled by UST alumni Piolo Pascual and Charlene Gonzales.

For the culminating activity in January 2012, there will be a grand production number dubbed as the 40,000 Voices Presentation.

Proud to be Thomasians at 400!

Photos courtesy of Robert James Revera

Source: Phillipine Entertainment Portal and The Varsitarian - Christmas Special

The author does not claim full ownership of the content, pictures and videos in this article.