UV holds first Christmas tree and Belen lighting event

The University of the Visayas (UV) held its first ever Christmas tree-lighting ceremony yesterday at the lobby of its main campus in downtown Cebu City, with a Christmas Belen as centerpiece.

Christmas tree lighting ceremonies have become a common sight in several giant establishments in Cebu to usher in the Christmas season.

For the first tree-lighting event, UV offered a different kind of spectacle to students and visitors as not only an eight-foot decorated tree was lit up but the lobby also featured a Christmas Belen, a tableau representing the Nativity scene.

The event yesterday was graced by Jose “Dodong” Gullas, the executive vice president of UV and chairman of The FREEMAN, who promised that this initiative will carry on for the next years to come.

He admitted that the idea of setting up a Christmas Belen was conceived by his wife, Nena.

On adding a Christmas Belen, Gullas said his intention was to highlight and promote local traditions since the customary Christmas tree can be traced back to foreign origins.

“Christmas will not be complete without the Belen,” he said in an interview prior to the evening program.

Internationally renowned UV Chorale performed several Christmas songs, including the Cebuano-language song, “Ania na ang Pasko.”

Gullas said the university executives were excited to present something new to the students.

Wanting to impart a deeper meaning of Christmas to students, Gullas said that Christians observe Advent in anticipation of the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ so every individual has to prepare a space for Him in their lives.

Zandro Ponce, who heads the group, said the design is inspired by classic Christmas themes red and green dominant colors.

The lighting of the Christmas tree and Belen gained applause from the audience. In addition to UV Chorale, the event also featured performances from JRG (Jose R. Gullas) Visayanian Halad Orchestra and Filipiniana Dance Group.