The holiday spirit in the city got a boost when the annual Christmas Festival of Lights was held on Saturday, Dec. 2 in Bacolod City.
The Christmas lights festival is an annual project of STI West Negros University in cooperation with the Bacolod City Government.
STIWNU and the LGU forged the partnership for the holiday event in 2018 after Councilor Em Ang authored a city ordinance institutionalizing the Christmastime festival, which was started by West Negros in 1996 as the Parade of Lights. The event was launched under former President Suzette Agustin as a major activity of Physical Education students, who were then holding lanterns and candles as they walked from the City Plaza to the campus.
STI continued the observance when it took over the school management in 2013. Innovations were introduced, including the use of floats and colors to represent the different colleges as well as choreography for lantern bearers.
The activity this year was highlighted by a parade by members of the university community with floats of the university’s eight colleges, and an arena competition.
Also participating in the parade were Department of Education students and the drum and bugle corps from Bacolod City, Murcia and Bago City.
The parade to the Bacolod City Government Center took off from the STIWNU campus at Burgos Street passing the East intersection and the Circumferential Road.
The university also fielded a float graced by Mr. and Ms. STIWNU Kent Sander Tsushima and Jhela Mae Velasco.
Despite the late-afternoon rain, the program at the BCGC proceeded with Mayor Albee Benitez, in his brief talk, extending his holiday greetings. Right after the program, the mayor led the countdown for the switch-on of lights on the giant Christmas tree and other decorations at the BCGC grounds.
Rep. Greg Gasataya also attended the event along with councilors. Celia Flor, Em Ang, Al Victor Espino, Simple Distrito, Israel Salanga and Pao Sy.
Councilors Ang, Flor and Distrito are members of the CFOL Management Committee along with College Deans.
The 2923 CFOL Management Committee is headed byB Dr. Ryan Mark Molina, STIWNU executive vice president and chief operations officer.
The college deans are Dr. Sharon Rose Medez (Arts and Sciences), Dr. Mima Villanueva (Business Management and Accountancy), Dr. Nicholas Caballero (Criminal Justice Education) Dr. Lilybeth Eslabon (Education), Dr. Fely Altalaguire (Engineering),
Genevieve Tan (Hospitality and Tourism Management), Dr. Mae Lodana (Information and Communication Technology) and Graduate School OIC Mylene Bautista.
Also at the program were Dr. Mima Villanueva, VP for Academic Affairs, Dr. Eric Berroya, VP for Administration Dr. Rey Eslabon, AVP for academic affairs and chairman of the CFOL Organizing Committee; Caesar Pacalioga, AVP for student affairs services, and Eunice Custodio, human resources director.
The theme this year is “Be a Star This Christmas”. The focus of the celebration, Dr. Molina said, “encourages every individual to shine and use his/her gifts to touch the lives of others and have a positive impact in the community.”
This is a season about giving and not getting, he further said as he reiterated the reminder: “Jesus is the reason for the season.”
The College of Engineering Orange Erudites retained top honors in the area competition with the Blue Guardians of the College of Education and the CBMA Yellow Tycoons placing first and second runners-up, respectively.
Dr. Molina reiterated his acknowledgement and appreciation to members of the university community and the working committee “for the job well done.”
The event was covered by Radyo Bandera, student reporters Kyrie Ferrer, Blessie Joyce Jayme, Ree-Anne Gayatin and Donna Marie Alimpolo, as well as STIWNU employee Krishna Salcedo and BA Communication students. | Yasmin Pascual-Dormido
