Smiles and awe filled the Southwestern University PHINMA campus as the Cobras community gathered for the annual Star Lighting Ceremony of the Festival of Lights last December 6, 2024, at the PHINMA Hall grounds.
The daylong festivities began with Kidsmas 2024, this year featuring children from the Pamtambayayong Foundation, Balay Bantayanan, and neighboring barangays Sambag I and Sambag II.
The children received gifts and enjoyed various activities organized by the university administration in collaboration with the Supreme Student Government (SSG) and ComDev Team.
Winners of the recently concluded Chorale competition College of Dentistry, who reigned this year’s Chorale competition serenaded the community – alongside College of Optometry and College of Radiologic Technology serenaded the community with their festive and melodic tunes.
Setting a solemn tone to the occasion, SWU PHINMA COO Cheryl P. Chan and SSG President Rance Martel officially opened the event with a candle-lighting ceremony.
Cobra’s community were awed by the majestic fireworks display, complementing the golden glow of this year’s PHINMA Hall Christmas tree and the vibrant parade of lanterns crafted by the various university departments.
In an interview with The Quill, Martel reflected on the challenges faced in organizing the event.
“On our part, the most difficult challenge was the last-minute mishaps in the event that we the SSG had to save and adapt to because we also want the event to run smoothly even if it takes a toll on us by the end of the day. ‘For the Cobras’ is what we say in the face of adversities.” He said.
Martel also expressed his gratitude to the office of Student Life and the Marketing department for their collaborative efforts and mentioned how the long-standing tradition means to the whole student community.
“It’s important to understand that the meaning of Festival of Lights is different for every student. They can depict it the way they want to, as how they want to end their year, the memories they shared, the struggles and the success,” he added.
Meanwhile, in an interview with The Quill, Vice President for Student Life Maita Magalong shared the administration’s contributions to the event’s respect.
“I know that this will stand out because of the preparations that we have made and how we made sure that each part of the program has a real meaning that hopefully will touch the lives of those who will be here to witness the opening,” she said.
After a year of being instated as Vice President of Student Life, Magalong mentioned that this is her first time celebrating the event as part of the Cobra Community.
Hinting something grander, Magalong asserts things to look forward to for next year’s celebration.
Festival of Lights has been an annual tradition for Cobras – giving hope, joy and making each and everyone feel the yuletide season in their considered second home.
