By Cyrus A. Natividad

CPU Communications Director Rev. Francis Neil Jalando-on leading the closing prayer.

The 29th Festival of Lights and Music @ Central was switched on last Friday, December 4, 2020 at 6:00PM despite the prevailing weather condition. An ominous dark cloud was seen in the horizon earlier, but the ceremony successfully moved on with the opening program and switching on of lights at the Administration Building. The theme for this year is “Kasanag kag Paglaum sa Paskwa”.
Rev. Cris Amorsolo V. Sian, University Church Senior Pastor led the Invocation. He declared that “Jesus Christ is not only the light of our lives, but the light of our souls”. The singing of the Philippine National Anthem and Alma Mater song was led by Mrs. Crista S. Huyong, Coordinator, CPU Cultural Affairs Office

The main gate and the whole part of Central Philippine University fence along Lopez Jaena St. in Jaro were brilliantly adorned with colorful Christmas Lights; the Rex D. Drilon Administration Building was lighted as well.

No outsiders were allowed inside the campus to adhere to safety health protocols. Visitors and residents from neighboring barangays, however, patiently waited outside of the gate for the switching on.

In his Christmas Greeting, Engr. Isagani Jalbuena, Chairperson of the 2020 Festival of Lights and Music @ Central thanked all the people behind the Festival of Lights.“ Amid the problem of pandemic, it did not stop Central Philippine University from holding its opening of lights program”, he said. He further added that there is a divine light amid the darkness brought by the pandemic”.
CPU Alumni Association, Inc. (CPUAAI) President Atty. Joshua Alim and CPU President Dr. Teodoro C. Robles delivered their Christmas greetings to all.

Atty. Alim acknowledged his family who came home from Europe, and his CPU Alumni family. He recalled the time when CPU was strucked by typhoons and hardships, but which “we did not give up.” He thanked the CPUAAI Board of Trustees and everyone who did their best for the opening of lights.

Dr. Robles, acknowledged that, “Despite the hardships, there is an opportunity that we haven’t seen before, this is the technology that allowed us to be watched worldwide. Hundreds of thousands of our alumni are watching the opening of lights online”. He also acknowledged the Centralian front liners all over the world.
On virtual platforms, Hon. Arthur R. Defensor Jr. (Governor, Province of Iloilo), Hon. Julienne L. Baronda, (Congresswoman, Lone District of Iloilo), Hon. Jeffrey Ganzon (Vice Mayor, Iloilo City ) Atty Helen J. Catalbas, (DOT6 Regional Director) and Ms. Junel Ann P. Divinagracia, (Iloilo City Tourism Officer) expressed their Christmas messages online during the program.

The live program and switching on of lights were shown worldwide thru the CPU Channel TV Facebook page and youtube channel.