Last year, UPLB's Christmas season had a "white feel." This time around, it might be about good fortune but not courtesy of a wheel, but rather a gigantic Christmas tree -- the regular holiday fixture that adorns the west lawn of the AG Samonte Hall this time of the year.

Dr. Fernando C. Sanchez Jr., vice chancellor for planning and development, said that the Christmas tree has been painted with gold to symbolize prosperity and to bring luck to constituents. In keeping with the University's austerity measures, this year's tree is reusing the decors and trimmings of previous Christmas trees - from the two-dimensional star, the bamboo twigs for the tree's massive "trunk," the balls fashioned from strings tied to the branches, the assorted colorful bulbs, the strobe lights and spotlights.

Santa Claus riding his sleigh with his huge bag filled with gifts and goodies drawn by his reindeers is here again spreading the cheer as he is taking off into the night sky with Rudolph followed by Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid, and Donner and Blitzen.

The nativity scene that has for a long time been the showcase of the holiday cheer in the campus has gone back to its traditional look. Gone is the upper deck from last year's shelter but with the green and blue lights to make its aura subdued and simpler. The regular figures of Mary, Joseph, the Magi, the Three Kings and the sheep and the donkey are there in their "Milenyo art" glory. The sculptures, introduced in 2007, were made from the trunks of acacia trees felled by Typhoon Milenyo in 2006 and are the handiworks of Igorot woodcarvers.

During the formal lighting ceremony for the Christmas attractions at the Carabao Park, Dr. Enrique Tolentino Jr., vice chancellor for community affairs, said that the message of Christmas is best explained by the Nativity scene with the King of all kings descending to the world with the humility to serve and not to be served. He said that the message of humility and love are the true meaning of the Paskuhan sa Park.

Dr. Tolentino further said that the Christmas tree, the Nativity Scene and even Santa Claus and the reindeers are symbols of the deeper and more important message of the Christmas season as he expressed his hopes that the glitter of the bright and colorful decorations would not drown the message of love and humility.

An apparently delighted and satisfied UP President Alfredo E. Pascual noted in his very brief remarks, that this is proof of the unity that binds the students and the faculty of the University and highlights what is unique about Los Baños as a University town. He expressed his hopes that as the lights shine, they will provide the peace and serenity for everyone to think about the long future ahead.

The occasion also ushered in the traditional Paskuhan sa Park organized by the Office for Initiatives in Culture and Arts (OICA) headed by Ma. Theresa DV. Arejola. The OICA solicited the participation of such groups as the UPLB Street Jazz Dance Company, Harmonya, UPLB Chorale Ensemble, UPLB Sandayaw, Wyre Underground, and the UPLB Filipiniana Dance Troupe to perform during the program that followed the ceremonial lighting.

Prior to the Paskuhan sa Park ceremony, Chancellor Rex Victor Cruz formally accepted the reins of administration from Chancellor Luis Rey Velasco and had taken his oath of office as the eighth chancellor of UPLB in front of UPLB constituents.