‘ P a s ko n g M a s a y a ’, a n n u a l Yu l e ti d e c e l e b b r i n g s t o g e t h e r B U f a m i l y

Bicol University held its annual Yuletide activities dubbed “Paskong Masaya: A
Merry BU Christmas Special Year 2,” from December 7 to 15, 2022 involving all
colleges, and institutes, bringing together the seven campuses across the university.
The opening celebration was sponsored by the Institute of Physical Education,
Sports, and Recreation (IPESR), University Student Council (USC), and the BU General
Alumni Association Inc. (BUGAAI). Each day, a holy mass was presided by Most Rev.
Joel Z. Baylon D.D., Bishop of Legazpi, at the Sacred Heart Chapel.
The program proceeded at the Four Pillars where Christmas cheers and dances
were performed highlighting the lighting ceremonies and the unveiling of the Belen
display. There were also food caravans and Christmas villages stationed near the
pillars.
On December 8, the College of Medicine (CM) and College of Education (CE)
sponsored the activities. Despite the declared national holiday and inclement weather,
the Christmas program presentations went on as scheduled at the CM building.
Christmas cheers and dances from the staff and students were also performed.
The following day, the College of Arts and Letters (CAL), College of Science (CS),
and College of Nursing (CN) were assigned to host the celebration. This time, it was
held at the BU Amphitheater. The involved colleges showcased their talents by
performing a skit with songs, some in choir, and with instrument accompaniment,
dances, and solo numbers.
On December 10, Saturday, the College of Engineering (CENG), College of
Industrial Technology (CIT), and the Institute of Design and Architecture (IDeA) hosted
the program. The celebration carried on at the BU Amphitheater following a liturgy in the
Sacred Chapel.
During the program, the IDeA director himself, Arch. Leo A. Del Rosario,
performed a song number with his guitar. Additionally, the hosts quizzed the audience
on Christmas-related topics, and the crowd was thrilled with the "hep-hep-hooray"-
inspired game they called “CENG-CIT-IDEA”. Three winners were ultimately
announced. Christmas cheers, solo performances, and dance numbers were also
showcased.
On Sunday, The College of Business, Economics, and Management (CBEM) and
the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP) led the Paskuhan in the
university. The presentation was made memorable by the Christmas yells and dances.
A "hep-hep-hooray" game was also played by the audience. A series of dance and
musical acts followed.
 The next day, the Gubat Campus (GC) and the National Service Training Program
(NSTP) hosted the Paskuhan. Students and staff also performed their Christmas
presentations. Dr. Rosemarie R. Jadie, the director of the GC, led a Bible quiz and gave
prizes to those who correctly answered. Pastores, group dances, solo numbers, and
other palaro, like "bring me" and "hep-hep-hooray," were performed as the show went
on.
On December 13, the Polangui Campus (PC) along with the Office of the Vice
President for Research, Development, and Extension (OVPRDE) sponsored the BU
Yuletide celebration. Christmas songs and dance numbers were also performed, some
in a form of modern-pop, Christmas themed dances, solo, duet, and group singing
performances. Various palaro was also conducted such as “bring me” and “shake it off”.
The next day, Tabaco Campus (TC), College of Agriculture and Forestry (CAF),
and the General Administration and Support Services (GASS) collaborated for the BU
Paskuhan.
Office of the Student Affairs and Services (OSAS) Dean, Dr. Baby Boy Benjamin
D. Nebres III, was also present to show his support as part of GASS. BU President
Arnulfo M. Mascariñas was also in attendance where he delivered good news to the BU
personnel regarding their Christmas bonuses. He also mentioned that as his stint as BU
President draws to a close, he said that this will be his final Christmas celebration as
president.
“Seeing everybody in Bicol University happy, that makes my heart grow fonder. It
really makes me happy. Something, which I couldn’t explain,” he said.
Performances from the students and staff of TC, CAF, and GASS were also
showcased. Some intermission numbers were sung in a video-singko style where the
audience joined the lead singers in their performances. The program concluded with a
dance number that involved all audience in the venue.
On December 15, the Graduate School (GS), Open University (OU), Jesse M.
Robredo Institute of Governance and Development (JMRIGD), and College of Law (CL),
joined forces to mark the conclusion of the week-long BU Paskuhan.
After a holy mass at the Sacred Heart Chapel, the program was brought back in
front of the BU Four Pillars where performances from students and staff highlighted the
celebration. Some performances flaunted their neon-themed dances and Zumba
moves, traditional pastores, solo, and group intermission numbers.| by Arnold C.
Noda, CPRO