{{Short description|Culmination of Christmas activities}} <!--- Don't mess with this line! ---><!--- Write your article below this line ---> {{Infobox recurring event | name = UST Paskuhan | native_name = | native_name_lang = | logo = | logo_caption = | image = UST at Christmas2007.jpg | caption = Christmas decorations at UST during Paskuhan in 2007 | status = Active | genre = <!-- e.g. natural phenomena, fairs, festivals, conferences, exhibitions, ... --> | date = <!--"dates=" also works, but do not use both--> | begins = | ends = | frequency = <!-- Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, Semi-annually, Annually, Bi-annually, 2nd Tuesday of November, etc. --> Annual | venue = | location = | coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LON|type:landmark|display=inline,title}} --> | country = | years_active = 25 | first = {{Start date|1991|12|19|df=y}} | founder_name = | prev = 20 December 2025 | next = 19 December 2026 | participants = | attendance = 48,309 <small>(2025)</small><ref>{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Patrick |date=2025-12-20 |title=Thousands flock to UST for Paskuhan 2025 amid heavy rains |url=https://mb.com.ph/2025/12/20/thousands-flock-to-ust-for-paskuhan-2025-amid-heavy-rains |access-date=2026-04-22 |language=en-US}}</ref> | area = | budget = | activity = | patron = | organised = <!--"organized=" also works--> | filing = <!-- Filing status --> | people = | member = | sponsor = | website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} --> | footnotes = }} The '''Paskuhan''' is the culmination of the university-wide Christmas activities of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines. The annual tradition started in 1991.<ref name=paskuhan1991>{{cite news|last1=Cangco|first1=Elora Joselle|title=Ang Paskong Tomasino (The Thomasian Christmas)|url=http://varsitarian.net/filipino/usapang_uste/20121217/ang_paskong_tomasino|access-date=19 December 2015|publisher=The Varsitarian|date=17 December 2012|language=fil}}</ref> The programs of Paskuhan are held during the last week or last day before the Christmas break of the university. In 2014, however, because of the change in the academic calendar of the university, it was scheduled in the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8, 2014.<ref>{{Citation|title=UST moves college opening to July site|url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/02/11/14/ust-moves-college-opening-july|publisher=ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs|access-date=December 26, 2014|archive-date=March 4, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304090913/http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/metro-manila/02/11/14/ust-moves-college-opening-july|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was later rescheduled to December 11, 2014, because of Typhoon Ruby.<ref name=paskuhan2014inq>[http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/179973/inquirerseven-ust-paskuhan-2014-yay-or-nay #InquirerSeven UST Paskuhan 2014: Yea or nay?], Lifestyle, Philippine Daily Inquirer. December 14, 2014.</ref>
==Event== One of the highlights of the celebration is the Panunuluyan or the re-enactment of the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph's search for a place for Mary to give birth to Jesus Christ. The Paskuhan Mass comes shortly after and is usually presided by the university rector. Current students and university employees are also treated in the Agape or the campus-wide banquet.<ref name=paskuhan2013/> The Agape in Paskuhan started in 2011, following the Agape of the Quadricentennial Celebration.<ref name=paskuhan2014inq/>
In some editions of the Paskuhan, the celebration started with a festive parade from the different faculties and colleges.
==History== ===Beginnings=== The first Christmas celebration in the university was held on December 19, 1991, with the theme, “Paskong Tomasino, Paskong Filipino ’91.” It featured a Holy Mass, held in the UST Grandstand, the Panunuluyan, which was participated by the different faculties and colleges, and an inter-collegiate lantern-making contest. A 14-foot Christmas tree was also erected at the UST Grandstand where students placed their donations for the victims of the Mount Pinatubo eruption and Tropical Storm Uring (International name: Thelma) in Ormoc City.<ref name=paskuhan1991/><ref name=paskuhan2004>[http://www.varsitarian.net/features/christmas_in_our_hearts Christmas in our hearts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227062848/http://www.varsitarian.net/features/christmas_in_our_hearts |date=2014-12-27 }} The Varsitarian Vol. LXXVI, No. 8 • December 16, 2004. Accessed December 26, 2014.</ref>
It was in 1993 that the celebration was formally named as Paskuhan. The celebration was a simple gathering spearheaded by the then UST Treasurer Fr. Tereso Campillo, O.P.<ref name=paskuhan19931994>{{cite news|last1=Lubang|first1=Nina|last2=Paje|first2=Kacelyn Faye|title=Ang tradisyon ng pagbibigayan sa Paskuhan (The Tradition of Sharing every ''Paskuhan'')|url=http://varsitarian.net/filipino/usapang_uste/20091216/ang_tradisyon_ng_pagbibigayan_sa_paskuhan|access-date=19 December 2015|publisher=The Varsitarian|date=16 December 2009|language=fil}}</ref>
A more festive Paskuhan was held in 1994 to celebrate the upcoming World Youth Day in January 1995. It featured for the first time the 80-foot Christmas tree, which was first designed by UST College of Architecture and Fine Arts professor Rey Mañago.<ref name=paskuhan19931994/>
===Succeeding years=== In 2004, funds for the celebration were donated to the victims of the 4 typhoons that struck the country.<ref name=paskuhan2015>Paskuhan mirrors Thomasian charity, solidarity, spirituality. The Varsitarian Vol. LXXXVII, No. 5 • December 15, 2015. Accessed March 26, 2016.</ref>
===Present day (2009-present)=== In 2009, the Paskuhan was entitled as, ''4 horas, 4 dias, 4 hundred days, 400 years'' to coincide with the university's countdown programs of the Quadricentennial Year. The celebration began at 8:00 p.m. of December 18, until 12:00am of December 19, which was 4 days before December 22, exactly 400 days before January 28, 2011.<ref name=paskuhan2009>[http://www.varsitarian.net/breaking_news/20091219/paskuhan_draws_crowd_of_50000 Paskuhan draws crowd of 50,000] The Varsitarian. December 19, 2009.</ref>
The Paskuhan Mass in 2012 was celebrated by the Very Rev. Bruno Cadoré, O.P., the Master of the Order of Preachers and chancellor of the university. Rev. Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P., the university rector, served as the homilist.<ref>[http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/286871/cbb/ust-celebrates-centuries-of-christian-faith-with-paskuhan-2012 UST celebrates centuries of Christian faith with Paskuhan 2012] [http://www.gmanetwork.com www.gmanetwork.com]. Accessed December 21, 2014.</ref>
In 2013, the celebration served for a cause as mass offerings were donated to the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda (International name: Haiyan).
In 2014, the Paskuhan festivities were moved from December 8 to December 11 because of Typhoon Ruby (International name: Hagupit).<ref>[http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/178958/usts-paskuhan-postponed-due-to-typhoon-ruby UST's Paskuhan Postponed due to Typhoon Ruby], Lifestyle, Philippine Daily Inquirer. December 6, 2014.</ref> The forthcoming visit of Pope Francis to the university in January 2015 became the main theme of the celebration.<ref name=paskuhan2014inq/>
The programs in the 2015 edition were likewise modified because of the Typhoon Nona (International name: Melor). The Mass was moved to the Quadricentennial Pavilion and the concert was held at the UST Practice Gym.
The festivities returned in-person in 2022 after 2 years of holding it virtually. The month-long celebration began on December 2, 2022, with the staging of the Christmas Concert at Plaza Mayor, opening of the campus lights, and ''Agape''.<ref name=paskuhan2022>{{cite web|url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2022/10/27/campus-press/in-person-ust-paskuhan-returns/1863899 |title=In-person UST Paskuhan returns |first=Aric John |last=Cua |work=The Manila Times |date=October 27, 2022 |access-date=December 3, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/video/news/12/02/22/paskuhan-festivities-ng-ust-nagbabalik-matapos-ang-2-taon |title=Paskuhan festivities ng UST, nagbabalik matapos ang 2 taon| work=ABS-CBN News |date=December 2, 2022 |access-date=December 3, 2022}}</ref>
The Paskuhan was also one of the events used by UST in theming the opening ceremony of UAAP Season 88 in 2025.
==Themes== {| class="wikitable" width="80%" style="font-size: 95%" |+ Titles and crowd attendance |- !width='15%' | Date !!width='35%' | Title !!width='10%' | Estimated crowd !!width='5%' | Ref. |- | December 19, 1991 | Paskong Tomasino: Paskong Filipino ’91 | align="center" | | align="center" |<ref name=paskuhan1991/> |- | December 16, 2004 | | align="center" | | align="center" |<ref name=paskuhan2004/> |- | December 20, 2006 | Pride, Puso, Pasasalamat! | align="center" | | align="center" | |- | December 15–19, 2008 | Kwentong Pasko, Kwentong Tomasino! | align="center" | | align="center" |<ref>[http://www.ust.edu.ph/index.php/university/678--ust-holds-paskuhan-2008.html UST Holds Paskuhan 2008 ] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728033958/http://www.ust.edu.ph/index.php/university/678--ust-holds-paskuhan-2008.html |date=2013-07-28 }} [http://www.ust.edu.ph UST.edu.ph] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110154921/http://www.ust.edu.ph/ |date=2014-11-10 }} Accessed December 17, 2011</ref> |- | December 18, 2009 | 4 horas, 4 dias, 400 days, 400 taon | 50,000 | align="center" |<ref name=paskuhan2009/> |- | December 15–17, 2010 | Pasasalamat sa 400 Taong Biyaya | 75,000 | align="center" |<ref name=paskuhan2011>[http://www.varsitarian.net/breaking_news/20111217/paskuhan_looks_forward_to_usts_fifth_century Breaking News - Paskuhan looks forward to UST's fifth century] The Varsitarian. December 17, 2011.</ref><ref>[http://www.ust.edu.ph/index.php/university/942-ust-holds-paskuhan-2010-as-a-celebration-of-thanksgiving.html UST holds Paskuhan 2010 as a Celebration of Thanksgiving] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728034101/http://www.ust.edu.ph/index.php/university/942-ust-holds-paskuhan-2010-as-a-celebration-of-thanksgiving.html |date=2013-07-28 }} [http://www.ust.edu.ph UST.edu.ph] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110154921/http://www.ust.edu.ph/ |date=2014-11-10 }} Accessed December 17, 2011</ref> |- | December 15–16, 2011 | Pagsalubong para sa ika-5 Siglo | 100,000 | align="center" |<ref name=paskuhan2011/> |- | December 18 and 21, 2012 | Pagdiriwang sa Pananampalataya | 70,000 | align="center" |<ref name=paskuhan2012>[http://www.varsitarian.net/breaking_news/20121222/usts_paskuhan_draws_crowd_of_70000.html UST Paskuhan draws crowd of 70,000] The Varsitarian. Accessed December 28, 2012.</ref> |- | December 20, 2013 | Pasko sa Puso Ko | 60,000 | align="center" | <ref name=paskuhan2013>[http://www.varsitarian.net/news/20131221/paskuhan_2013_draws_crowd_of_60000 Paskuhan 2013 draws crowd of 60,000] The Varsitarian. Accessed December 21, 2014.</ref> |- | December 11, 2014 | Pagdiriwang ng Pagmamalasakit: <br> Tomasino Kaisa ni Papa Francisco at ng Simbahan sa Pasko. <br> Paskuhan Full Blast | 70,000 | align="center" | |- | December 17–18, 2015 | A Thomasian Celebration of Christmas <br> and the Jubilees of Mercy <br>and 800th Dominican Foundation Year. | | align="center" | |- | December 15–16, 2016 | Paskong Tomasino Para Sa‘yo | 60,000 | align="center" | <ref name=paskuhan2016>[http://varsitarian.net/news/20161217/paskuhan-pushes-through-despite-rain Paskuhan pushes through despite rain] The Varsitarian. Accessed December 28, 2016.</ref><ref>{{Citation|title=LOOK: UST’s Paskuhan 2016: Honoring Xmas with a meaningful homily and lots of festive fun site|url=http://www.interaksyon.com/lifestyle/look-usts-paskuhan-2016-honoring-xmas-with-a-meaningful-homily-and-lots-of-festive-fun|publisher=News5|access-date=December 28, 2016|archive-date=December 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228052227/http://www.interaksyon.com/lifestyle/look-usts-paskuhan-2016-honoring-xmas-with-a-meaningful-homily-and-lots-of-festive-fun|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- | December 1–20, 2017 | K.o.K. (King of Kings) | 60,000 | align="center" | |- | December 3–21, 2018 | Light from Light, Prince of Peace | 70,000 | align="center" | |- | December 2–20, 2019 | For Unto Us, A Child is Born. | 105,000 | align="center" | |- | December 2-19, 2022 | Pananabik, Pagbabalik, Panunumbalik | 51,000 | align="center" |<ref name=paskuhan2022/> |- | December 2-21, 2023 | Witnessing the Joy of Christmas | 39,000 | align="center" | <ref>{{cite web|title=Academic ceasefire: Thomasians end term with peace-themed, rainy Paskuhan concert|url=https://abtheflame.net/culture-and-lifestyle/2023/12/academic-ceasefire-thomasians-end-term-with-peace-themed-rainy-paskuhan-concert/|work=The Flame|date=December 25, 2023|access-date=December 20, 2025}}</ref> |- | December 2-20, 2024 | Ever Thankful, Ever Hopeful | 42,000 | align="center" | <ref>{{Cite web |last=Zapanta |first=Logan Kal-El M. |date=2024-12-21 |title=UST’s grand Paskuhan concert draws 42,000 attendees |url=https://varsitarian.net/news/20241221/usts-grand-paskuhan-concert-draws-42000-attendees |access-date=2024-12-21 |language=en-US}}</ref> |- | November 28 - December 19, 2025 | Light Among Us, Hope Through Us | 48,000 | align="center" | <ref>{{Cite web |last=Santos |first=Louisse Raye Shara C. |date=2025-11-22 |title=Paskuhan concert draws 48,000, goes overtime with BINI and Ben&Ben |url=https://varsitarian.net/paskuhan-concert-draws-48000-goes-overtime-with-bini-and-benben/ |access-date=2025-12-20 |language=en-US}}</ref> |}
==Light displays== Since 2011, a pyromusical by Dragon Fireworks culminates the program. Projection mapping was incorporated in 2015, where the UST Main Building was used as the surface.
A drone show by DroneTech was introduced in 2019 during the Agape. It was used again in 2024 and 2025.
==References== {{reflist}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Garcia |first=Patrick |date=December 20, 2025 |title=Thousands flock to UST for Paskuhan 2025 amid heavy rains |url=https://mb.com.ph/2025/12/20/thousands-flock-to-ust-for-paskuhan-2025-amid-heavy-rains |url-status=live |access-date=April 22, 2026 |website=Manila Bulletin}}</ref>{{UST}} <!--- STOP! Be warned that by using this process instead of Articles for Creation, this article is subject to scrutiny. As an article in "mainspace", it will be DELETED if there are problems, not just declined. If you wish to use AfC, please return to the Wizard and continue from there. --->
Paskuhan Category:Christmas in the Philippines Category:Organized events in Metro Manila