In the context of the new normal, the University of San Jose-Recoletos is the first and only university in Cebu which did an online launching of Christmas lights to date.
USJ-R lit up its main campus on December 1 to formally usher the Josenian Christmas season.
The 20-minute virtual activity started by reminiscing the challenges encountered by the country in 2020 such as typhoons, earthquakes, and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The institution hopes for this initiative to serve as a reminder that there will always be a ray of light and hope despite the darkness that the world experiences according to Communications Officer Lorraine Mitzi Ambrad.
“The coming days might still bring us great trials but they will also give us the grace to find our redemption. And always remember, in our sufferings, we are never alone. He is with us. So never give up,” said Vice President for Academics Rev. Fr. Leo Alaras, OAR during his speech.
After which, Vice President for Finance Rev. Fr. Leopoldo Estioko, OAR gave a short message and pushed a star button which activated all of the Christmas lights in USJ-R.
Among the decorations inside the campus were a 50-foot-high LED Christmas tree, dozens of parols, and colorful christmas lights on trees. Decors depicting the nativity scene were also set up at the lobby and on the facade of the university.
The USJ-R Lighting Ceremony is an annual activity every first of December which started in 2013. Ambrad added that the institution had to push through with the tradition in a new way considering that social gatherings cannot be done at present.
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