Xavier Days '09

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It's been a while since I last came to visit the school I graduated from. This year, I had the opportunity to come see the festivities of XU Days '09.

Sure there are still a lot of students . But it's not quite the same anymore.

They didn't have the lantern making contest this year, neither was the Christmas Tree Making Competition that I was expecting and was excited to see.

I guess I was somewhat disappointed. The lantern making contest has been like a Christmas tradition for many years. And the big part of what I really love about the XU Days is the Christmas Tree Making Competition that they didn't do this year.



They had the Christmas Carol Contest which I think just completely disregarded the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception Chapel. Did they have to do that contest in the chapel? The gym or the little theater is a more suitable venue for that.

In our time, our choir did a benefit concert inside the chapel. But that was completely different because we did solemn Christmas songs. I do not like the fact that contests are now done inside the chapel.

Although on the lighter side of things, I am impressed with the number of improved structures in the campus. The sky bridge connecting the Commerce building to the Engineering building now looks like an arch of a big ocean-vessel.

The twin buldings, CIT and Engineering buildings are not quite "twins" anymore with the CIT building bearing massive stairwell installations. Divisions were set in all places and an additional floor has been added.

I wasn't quite able to scrutinize the other buildings but I took particular time looking at the new installations of what used to be XU's twin buildings. They're no longer twins.



This is a shot, with the moon looking perfectly magnificent, of the soccerfield with the Engineering building upfront, and the beautifully lit Commerce bulding on the left. The students have gathered like in a picnic to watch a movie. There is a make-shift screen installed in the middle. If you can see a small bluescreen upfront, the movie has started running.



The Commerce building with its magnificent lights turned on, looks like a call center building in Makati.



Soccer field shot from the Commerce building. Booths were installed on the left side of the field which can't be seen from this angle.



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I read through the schedule of activies here and there weren't much even if you can read through this.

My over-all observation; it would seem that this year's Xavier Days did not meet up to it's purpose. Sure I saw bouquets of flowers in St. Francis Xavier's statue, but there were wires dangling all over, and the statue could hardly be noticed with all the flower arrangements just clumsily placed everywhere.

Xavier days in the past was commemorated with a parade around the city in honor and to honor the university's patron saint, St. Francis Xavier. In the parade, we would bring our "lantern making contest" entries along, to show the city what we created, to celebrate St. Francis' great selflessness and service.

Now, I'm not sure what it's all about anymore. They have this "Engage Dance Party" which I suppose is the climax of this year's Xavier Days.

Sad.