WITH COVID-19 making it near-impossible to bring social gatherings in the university premise, the Supreme Student Council of Lingayen Campus is undeterred to bring back the Students’ Festival with more exciting virtual activities as the new normal.

The council announced last March 9 (Tuesday) the comeback of the fest which is considered as one of the biggest student events, to give break and bring relief from all the stresses and pressures of the academic year.

“We are more than happy to announce that the pandemic will not stop this year’s Students’ Festival. Bouncing back from the suspension of last year’s ‘Gali la’, we are proud to present the FIRST VIRTUAL STUDENTS’ FESTIVAL,” a statement from council’s Official Facebook page.

For this year, the fest is scheduled on March 25-26, bannering the theme: ‘#QuaranThings: PSUnians fresh beginning’.

“The Student Fest can be an outlet to help students express themselves in a creative and productive manner despite the struggles they face on their online classes,” said by Shayzon Mayr delos Santos, over-all Chairperson of the event.

Through the years, the event is known as the home of different activities like Binibining Ikatlong Lahi, Clash of the Colleges (Talent Contest), Bingo Bonanza, Fun Booths, Battle of the Bands, among others.

“As we adapt to online interactions, we learn more ways of utilizing the internet we use for our learning,” delos Santos added as the fest is set to accommodate student-participants through Zoom platform and Facebook live.

He added that some of the most awaited events from last year’s festival will be carried in the online platforms like the mainstream Taraki tan Limgas na PSU, and Kansyon Singing Competition.

This year, the council added some of the quarantine go-to activities such as TikTok video challenges, and online forum dubbed as “Tara, Kape, Usap Ulit Tayo”.

Moreover, some student organizations will spearhead events in line with the celebration which include: ‘Language Festival’ of the Linguist’ Guild; ‘Juana Laban sa Pandemya:Kaya!’ of the Junior Social Workers Association of the Philippines; and ‘Bio-net’ of the Students’ Alliance of Future Biologists.

With no end to the pandemic in sight, an active participation is still expected to give sigh on the student struggles on the virtual classes.

“We will always come back to shine better, brighter and stronger, bringing our very own Students’ Festival,” the chairperson excitedly exclaimed. /mmpd