Xavier University Festival Days 2010
By Paolo Nicolo Gaane, Philip Robert Jaramillo, and Terence John Roa
Shorter days and longer nights, a very common sign that Christmas is fast approaching. But before Ateneans enjoy this most awaited season, we take a side turn and have some fun with the feast we never miss to celebrate. It’s the Xavier University Festival Days once again!
A fulfillment of needs
As a Jesuit university, Xavier has always made it a point that everything she does will always be for the greater glory of God. This is clearly depicted in how the University is involved in different undertakings which can help engage not only its students, but also the citizens to which it grounds its roots—Mindanao. This year, however, the main engagement that the University aims to champion is the preservation of the Environment.
This year’s XU Days with the theme: “Xavier Engage: Nurture Nature,” takes another big step in advocating for the importance of the preservation of the environment to its students and the members of the community, pursuant to St. Ignatius’ value of responding to the needs of our time.
An array of possibilities
Various activities have been prepared in order to make this event successful and meaningful. One of which is the Cultural Night which will demonstrate the University’s capability to unite as one amongst the diversity. The initiatives of the University to engage in the preservation of the environment will also be presented here, with the hopes of establishing within the youth a mindset that will drive them to be aggressive leaders of the nation.
Another activity is the exhibit. This exhibit will showcase the works of the students in accordance to this year’s theme. Not only will it expose these talented individuals’ work of arts, it will also influence the audience to think critically in order to maintain the beauty of nature. This exhibit will be shown in 3D.
There will also be a dance party, which will serve as a new way of inviting the youth to participate as compared to the usual seminars that are detested by many. This way, they will be able to express their sentiments for the environment along with their peers. Their mere attendance to the party will serve as an act of reverence and support to the initiatives made by the University.
A wreath-laying ceremony for St. Francis Xavier will be done on the actual feast day, December 3. Students, administrators, faculty, and staff are expected to attend.
Other activities are the Decorate-a-Tree Contest, Christmas Carol, Hip Hop Extreme Dance Contest, and Sikad Parade around Corrales and DV Soria. Fringed activities such as horror house, color of the hour, photo wall, magic show, storytelling for children which are organized by different campus organizations will also be available for everyone. Come, let’s join the fun and engage!