Chairperson, 2020 Festival of Lights and Music at Central
Engr. Isagani Jalbuena is this year’s Chairman of the Festival of Lights Committee.
At the onset, let me greet Centralians and friends a Blessed Christmas and a COVID-19 Free 2021!
The global pandemic has slowed down our usual Alumni Association activities and even canceled some events such as the yearly Alumni Homecoming and General Assembly held every last week of September. It is the association’s resolve, however, that the pandemic, will not stop us from celebrating the Festival of Lights and Music at Central which is now in its 29th year.
Last December 4, 2020, the CPU Alumni Association, Inc. with the full support of the university, presented the 2020 Christmas decorations and lights following strictly health protocols because of the virus. The new normal now is: wearing a face mask and face shield, and maintain physical distancing with people in your midst.
There was none of the sought after grand fireworks display by the students and the general public to witness because the campus was opened only to authorized persons. We have adjusted our nightly show from the previous years’ 5-day-a-week to a 3-day-a week for two weeks which was to conform with the health protocols and to keep our members and staff safe from the virus. Most of the nightly shows will be virtual and we believe that with this setup, we can reach a greater number of Centralians all over the world through our Facebook and YouTube platforms.
President Teodoro Robles announced in his greetings my assignment as the Chairperson for the 2021 Festival of Lights and Music at Central. Thank you Sir Ted Robles for your trust and confidence in giving me this task again for next year. Thank you also to the past Presidents of the CPU Alumni Association, Inc. for giving me this opportunity to serve my Alma Mater, CPU. It is actually my 7th year as Chairperson of this event.
The Christmas decorations and lights did not cover a wide area of the campus just like in previous years. A few campus landmarks were lighted and our main focus is still the University Church because the church symbolizes the presence of God, and God is Jesus Christ who is the Light of the World.
At this time of the year, we are reminded that God gave us Christmas because of the birth of Jesus Christ our Savior. Christmas will always give us hope and peace in our hearts. The light that emits from the various Christmas lights at Central serves as the divine light amidst the darkness caused by the pandemic.
Fellow Centralians, in the middle of the problems, brought about by the virus, sa gihapon, may ara “Kasanag kag Paglaum sa Paskwa”! Indeed, there will be light and hope this Christmas!