It is known that St. Paul University Philippines (SPUP) is more than a century-old seat of excellence that has been making a difference globally. Throughout the years, it has been steadfast in providing quality, Catholic, and Paulinian education towards the holistic development of every Paulinian. Hence, the celebration of this year’s founding anniversary is anchored on the theme “SPUP@116: Improving the quality of life through Pauline Values”. This theme recognizes SPUP’s efforts to continuously hone and equip the members of the Paulinian community to become responsible citizens that generate ideas and solutions that contribute to a better understanding of the world.

SPUP celebrated its 116th Founding Anniversary on May 10 – 13, 2023 through a series of festivities organized by the Paulinian Student Government (PSG). This included a thanksgiving mass, a wreath laying ceremony, the Paulinian Bazaar, Teatrong Paulino, and Alumni Agape.

Thanksgiving Mass:

The celebration began with a thanksgiving mass at the Our Lady of Chartres Chapel presided by Rev. Fr. Bernard Corpus (Parish Priest, St. Peter’s Metropolitan Cathedral Parish).  Rev. Fr. Adalbert Barut (Rector, Ermita de San Jacinto), in his homily, the importance and significance of SPUP in providing education and in strengthening the Catholic faith among the people of Tuguegarao and Cagayan.

Wreath Laying Ceremony:

Following the thanksgiving mass, Paulinians gathered around the Labyrinth for the wreath laying ceremony, led by Sr. Maria Lirio Gavan, SPC, (Superior, SPUP-SPC Local community/Vice President for Finance, along with Dr. Agripina B. Maribbay, (Vice President for Academics). The said ceremony began with the entrance of colors lead by the Basic Education Unit (BEU) CAT Troop followed by the singing of the Philippine National Anthem. The wreath laying ceremony was preceded by a solemn procession from the labyrinth to the SPUP Historical Marker.

The wreath symbolized inclusion, unity, wholeness, infinity, and focus. It represented that as a community, SPUP collectively honors its past, seizes the present, and fosters its future. As a flourishing academic community, SPUP endlessly strives for excellence in the various field of expertise; strong faith and devotion towards God; and sustainability for the environment and communities across the world. It also served as a symbol of Paulinians being lifelong learners, aware of the significance of life; keeps track of, manages and evaluates his/her own thought processes, performance, and behavior, and accepts and seeks new challenges in learning.

After the ceremony, the BEU High School Drum and Lyre Corps fired up the musical accompaniment as they led the parade through to the Students’ Center for the opening of the Paulinian Summer Fest.

Paulinian Bazaar:

At the Student Center, the festive element continued to ignite the excitement. The BEU Elementary Drum and Lyre Corps complemented the High School Corps with their uproarious performance. Sr. Maria Lirio Gavan, SPC and Dr. Agripina B. Maribbay led the ribbon cutting ceremony — a rite that signified the formal and official opening of the said summer fest activities.

Paulinian Summer Fest was an activity initiated by the Paulinian Student Government in collaboration with the different school-wide councils, clubs, and organizations. This was to mobilize them to encourage their fellow students, and the rest of the Paulinian Community to patronize local products, Hence, the theme: “Supporting Local, Transcending Local.” The Bazaar served as a metaphorical reminder that in order to flourish and make a difference globally, the members of SPUP community must embrace and live up first their identity as Paulinians and as Filipinos.

Products such as souvenirs, pastries, refreshments, and other sorts of goods were made available. There are also services offered such as a Photobooth, a booth for messages and song requests, an “open mic ”for those who wished to perform live, and computer formatting services by the students of BS Computer Engineering.

Teatrong Paulino:

Along with the Paulinian Bazaar, the Paulinian Summer Fest also featured the Teatrong Paulino held at the BEU Gym. The activity was an inter-department competition that provided students the opportunity to showcase their creativity and acting skills through a theatrical performance. Hence, participants delivered spectacular performances that revolved around The Memories of a Paulinian.

Participants were from the School of Arts, Sciences and Teacher Education (SASTE), School of Business, Accountancy, and Hotel Management (SBAHM), School of Information Technology, and Engineering (SITE), and School of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences (SNAHS). While the esteemed board of judges were Mrs. Jessievic Pico, (Head, Religious Education); Mr. Moises Calucag, (Head, Campus Ministry), and Dr. John Kit Masigan, (Coordinator, BEU-Grade School).

SBAHM highlighted the memories of Paskuhan and the College Orientation Program. SNAHS and SITE on the other hand featured stories of Alumni and how their Paulinian Attributes helped them in their professional career. SASTE emphasized the importance of discipline, proper decorum, and academic excellence. With all the nostalgia and recollection, the result declared SNAHS as 3rd Runner-up; SBAHM as 2nd Runner-up; SITE as 1st Runner-up; and SASTE was hailed as the Champion for the Teatrong Paulino 2023.

Alumni Agape:

After three years of virtual activities, a face-to-face celebration of Alumni Homecoming was held. Foregoing the traditional motorcade, the alumni preferred a “heritage walk” (campus tour) and were mesmerized by the improvement of SPUP campus. They reminisced about the places where they played, prayed, socialized, studied, and did some “mischievous streaks” of their youth.

An Alumni Mass was held in thanksgiving to God and for the prayer intentions of all SPUP alumni around the world. It was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Bernard Corpus, also an alumnus of SPUP. It was followed by the launching of the “SEARCH FOR OUTSTANDING SPUP ALUMNI” which will be celebrated in 2024.

The Alumni Agape was continued at the Global Center. Intermission numbers were provided by local and international students, after which the alumni gleefully grooved to the tune of the dances of their time. The community singing of the Paulinian Hymn capped off the homecoming celebration. 

The Paulinian Summer Fest 2023 was formally closed by The Paulinian Student Government. The announcement of winners for Teatro Paulino and Paulinian Bazaar was announced and recognized. The PSG through Mr. Rucelj Pugeda (PSG Adviser), Ms. Krisha Berbano (PSG President) and Mr. Yowelle Ched Sedano (PSG Vice President) and officers spearheaded the activity.