PRESERVING A CRUCIAL holiday culture in the Bedan community, the University has once again welcomed the holiday season and the official outset of #PaskongBedista 2024 with a series of performances and a commemorative lighting ceremony last December 2 at the San Beda University (SBU) drive way.

Bannering the theme “Paskong Bedista 2024: Lakbay Pag-asa sa Taon ng Hubileo,” the ceremony featured performances and intermission numbers from the different colleges, institutions, and organizations of the University such as the Bedan Dance Theatre (BDT), Vasilea from the Integrated Basic Education Department (IBED), San Beda Chamber Chorale (SBCC), and Musika Medisina from the College of Medicine (COM).

Notable among the performances was the Narration of Christmas Story narrated by the Graduate School of Liturgy’s Dean, Dr. Josefina M. Manabat, SLD. Following this, students from the Senior High and College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Departments presented the Panunuluyan, a Christmas tradition in the Philippines reenacting Mary and Joseph’s search for a shelter in Bethlehem. 

Following after was Rev. Fr. Aloysius Ma. Maranan, OSB’s message to the Bedan community, telling them that “in moments of darkness that we see…it is very important that we know that behind the clouds there are the stars. That behind evening and night, the sun can rise tomorrow.”

The Rector-President further adds that “it is God who continues to make us for who we are and that is the light in our life…Jesus is telling us, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever comes to me will experience the Kingdom of Heaven.’”

After this came the most anticipated event—the lighting ceremony that was blessed and presided over by Rev. Fr. Maranan and other administrators of the University. After the countdown, the University was illuminated with the warmth of Christmas lights particularly adorned at the Red Wall, Sabater Court, Jubilee Garden, St. Maur’s Hall, St. Bede’s Hall, St. Benedict’s Hall, and outside the main gate. 

The lighting ceremony was then followed by the institutional Christmas Music Video which was in close collaboration with the Office of the Prefect of Student Activities (OPSA), San Beda Red Lens (RL), Bedan Musicians Guild (BMG), The Spires, and the San Beda College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Student Council (SC).

Prof. Marvin Reyes, PhD, Prefect of Student Activities, explained that the Music Video followed a particular story, featuring the stories of Bedans within and outside the walls of the University. He particularly highlighted the story of Joshua Nicole Alinea, a CAS student from the Department of Psychology, working part-time as a Grab and Foodpanda rider who, in the video, disclosed how his “ambition and dreams” drove him to work. Later in the ceremony, Alinea was gifted with a brand new bicycle by the University. 

In addition to that, the music video also featured a heartfelt message from the parents of the late Aaron James Saludares, honoring his memory at San Beda. This Christmas, they expressed that, despite his passing, “‘lagi mo kaming gagabayin, anak.” 

The music video closed with Christmas greetings from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in Baguio City, partnered communities, James Reid, as well as faculty and students from St. Vincent College (SVC) in Pennsylvania to which the University had an encounter through the Mobility Program last September 1.

To cap the ceremony, the College of Nursing (CON) gave the closing intermission number before the community enjoyed themselves to free refreshments.

Into the holiday season, Rev. Fr. Maranan gave his greetings to the Bedan community, saying “in the midst of all the challenges that we have—in society, in our families, and all the challenges in our academic life—we believe that we will be able to overcome them as long as we know that Jesus is in our hearts…God bless everyone, and may you have a healthy and happy celebration of a Christmas season.”