NU Baliwag continues to serve the Community with Annual "Paskonalian"

NU Baliwag’s Paskonalian has grown not just into a grand celebration of community and charity but also of holiday spirit. In 2023, NU Baliwag Executive Director Rufino Oliva led the university’s Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony, witnessed by the guests, faculty, and students.

NU Baliwag recently held its annual Paskonalian, or Paskong Nationalian, with dance and music competitions, showcasing excellence beyond academics. The event was capped off by an incredible concert-for-cause that drew 2,123 attendees to SM City Baliwag. 

Originally a straightforward live-streamed singing event featuring the talents of NU Baliwag students to raise money for the victims of Typhoons Rolly and Ulysses, the event has evolved into a grand celebration of community, charity, and holiday spirit since 2020.

With an expanded program that started with Hataw Nasyonalyan, a group dance competition, and a Battle of the Bands, followed by an exciting evening concert with rising OPM bands Matilduh, Over October, and Cup of Joe, as well as special guests, this year's Paskonalian was even more successful. With assistance from the university's Community Extension Office, the proceeds will be given to a selected community.

U Baliwag celebrates Paskonalian this 2024 with an impressive concert featuring guest performers and rising OPM bands Matilduh, Over October, and Cup of Joe. Proceeds of the concert will be donated to a chosen community this Christmas.

Paskonalian has continued to be a tool for carrying out worthwhile projects that will help the community for the past four years. Paskonalian achieved unprecedented heights in 2023 when the Student Development and Activities Office (SDAO) and the NU Baliwag Central Student Government collaborated to organize a magnificent concert that featured a breathtaking fireworks display. At Sulivan National High School in the City of Baliwag, the event's proceeds supported vegetable planting activities for a select group of students and financial literacy workshops for parents. In 2022, student bands from the NU Baliwag Center for Performing Arts participated in the same project.

In 2023, proceeds of the Paskonalian celebration were utilized to fund financial literacy workshops for parents and vegetable planting activities for selected students at Sulivan National High School in the City of Baliwag. Volunteers from NU Baliwag participated in the meaningful activity

The Dumagat community in Norzagaray benefited from Paskonalian's 2021 Christmas tree lighting ceremony for a cause, which was held at NU Baliwag. 

Paskonalian still exemplifies the genuine essence of the season by spreading happiness, encouraging community, and helping those in need. In the years to come, this yearly custom is expected to provide even more thrilling and significant experiences.