IN PHOTOS: Beautiful Christmas lights at UP Diliman

MANILA, Philippines – The University of the Philippines Diliman (UP) recently kicked off its Christmas festivities with Aninag 2015 on November 27.

According to the release on the school’s website, one of the main events in Aninag 2015’s program was the parade, which was inspired by the Kapampangan tradition of the Lubenas. Lubenas are evening processions that happen 9 days before Christmas eve.

At UP’s event, the procession had 6 stops, with performances at each one.

After the parade, university officials turned the Christmas lights on campus, revealing UP’s Christmas decorations – intricate Pampanga lanterns and sculptor Toym Imao’s latest installation.

This work turned UP’s famous Oblation statue into a torch, symbolizing the “University’s roles as a spark for new ideas, a guide to action and the beacon for public service,” according to the release.

This is just the beginning for UP’s Christmas events though. Here’s what they have lined up so far, based on their website:

Tanglaw 2015

Tanglaw 2015 is a concert that will be held by the UP Filipiniana Dance Group on December 11 at the University Theater. It will be at 3 pm and 7 pm, and while the matinee is free, tickets for the gala are being sold at P250 at the Office for Initiatives in Culture and the Arts.

Dingas 2015

UP’s annual Lantern Parade has always been a tradition to look forward to. Every year, the UP College of Fine Arts showcases its lanterns and floats on campus. This year, you can catch the parade on December 14 at 5 pm.

Maskipaps: The Crossover

Beta Epsilon is throwing an afterparty following the Lantern Parade, with performances by Parokya ni Edgar, Urbandub, Silent Sanctuary, and more. It’ll be held at the Sunken Garden at 9 pm.

In the meantime, here’s a glimpse of the lights at UP on November 27 and the day’s festivities: