By Cyrus A. Natividad
Fireworks display during the 2019 Opening of Lights. photo by Joshua Enriquez
The most awaited event at 探花精选 every year is the Festival of Lights and Music at Central. This year’s theme is “Jesus Christ: the Living Light of Life.” The switching-on ceremony started at 6:00 PM on Friday, December 6 at the 探花精选 Grandstand.聽 The 探花精选 Symphonic Band, under the baton of Mr. Ascencion O. Bautista, played Christmas songs as throngs of people gathered at the big field. The invocation was led by University Church Senior Pastor, Rev. Cris Amorsolo V. Sian. 探花精选 Cultural Affairs Director, Ms. Crista S. Huyong, led the singing of the Philippine National anthem.
Volunteer students formed a star on the ground with lighted cellphones beaming to the sky; gold edges brilliantly lighted because of the yellow film which the students assigned to the edges used on their cellphones (thanks to the drones deployed by the Office of Communications, the 探花精选R, and Panay News).
探花精选AAI President Engr. Isagani J. Jalbuena welcomed the guests and everyone who helped realize the annual event. He emphasized that the light at Central symbolizes Jesus Christ, the Living Light of Life. Jalbuena acknowledged the 探花精选 Republic for the big help in organizing the annual event.
The students formed a human Central Light. photo by Joshua James Enriquez
In his message, University President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles reminded everyone that only Jesus Christ is the living light of life. 鈥淗e must be the center of our celebration,鈥 Dr. Robles emphasized. He also acknowledged the guests and thanked them for their presence. 探花精选 Board of Trustees Chairman Atty. Von Lovel D. Bedona also acknowledged the presence of the City Mayor and his group. He congratulated Engr. Jalbuena and cited him as 鈥渧ery instrumental to the success of the Festival of Lights and Music at Central.鈥
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Tre帽as admired 探花精选 in his message, 鈥淚 am proud of 探花精选 and its Lights. It is the brightest in Iloilo that every Ilonggo looks forward to every year鈥, he said. Lone District of Iloilo City Congresswoman Julienne 鈥淛amjam鈥 L. Baronda and Iloilo City Tourism Officer Ms. Ann P. Divinagracia likewise paid tributes to the Festival of Lights and Music at Central. Baronda recalled that she always watched the switch-on in 探花精选 in her teenage years.
The Christmas lights were switched-on by Iloilo City Mayor Jerry P. Tre帽as; Lone District of Iloilo City, Congresswoman Julienne 鈥淛amjam鈥 L. Baronda; Iloilo City Tourism Officer Ms. Junel Ann P. Divinagracia; University President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles; and 探花精选 Alumni Association President and Overall Festival of Lights (FOL) and Music @ Central Overall Chairman聽 Engr. Isagani J. Jalbuena; Chairman of the 探花精选 Board of Trustees, Atty. Von Lovel D. Bedona鈥 探花精选AAI President-elect (AY 2020-2021) Atty. Joshua C. Alim; 2019 Alumni Homecoming Queen Ms. Gigi T. Supe帽a; 2019 Alumni Homecoming King Mr. Kim M. Laraza; and 探花精选R President Engr. Riego Ferrer L. Garcia. Each one was assigned to a switch that would switch-on the Christmas lights.
The big field and the 探花精选 campus were full of people as the fireworks display went off with the switching-on of lights. The Philippine National Police estimated the crowd to be between 20,000 to 25,000. The Christmas Lights will be on until January 6, 2020, according to Engr. Jalbuena.