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LSM Community Gathers for Kantahan Finals and Annual Paskuhan Celebration
LSM Community Gathers for Kantahan Finals and Annual Paskuhan Celebration
THE NATIVITY OF JESUS. Students from 10 - St. Conrad of Parzham depicted the Holy Family of Nazareth in the 2025 Kantahan Finals (Photo by Ms. Sequeira Thornton).
The Link, December 23, 2025
By John Michael T. Cabatuando
Featuring a series of contests and liturgical events to celebrate Christmas, Lourdes School of Mandaluyong held its High School Kantahan Finals and Paskuhan Celebration on December 12, 2025, at the St. Francis Theater and Brother Juniper Square, respectively. The day consisted of a school-wide musical competition, a mini-concert held by The Lourdes Loop, a traditional Panunuluyan performance, the Greccio Mass, and the ceremonial lighting of the Christmas decorations.
CONCESSIONAIRES. Students gathered for food concessionaires near the canteen area. Goods ranged from fries and smoothies to children's toys (Photo by Mattheo Chua).
High School Kantahan Finals
The Kantahan Finals, with the theme “Philippine Musical Tribute to Faith, Heritage, and National Pride,” comprised three divisions. The Minstrel Division for Grades 7 and 8 began at 8:30 a.m., and the judges for the day were Mr. R.J. Bautista, Mr. J.R. De Guzman, and Mr. Jaime Dela Cruz.
KUMUKUTIKUTITAP. Students from Grade 8 - Bl. Cassian of Nantes performed "Kumukutikutitap" by Ryan Cayabyab after they won as the Champion in the Ministrel Division of the Kantahan Finals (Photo by Mattheo Chua).
Each section performed “Kumukutikutitap” by Ryan Cayabyab as the main piece and a specially chosen piece, which were judged on vocal quality, originality, and stage presence. The Minstrel Division winners were led by Grade 8 - Blessed Cassian of Nantes, who won the championship. Grade 8 - Blessed James of Ghazir placed first runner-up and also received the Best Costume and Best Choreography awards, and Grade 8 - Blessed Anicet Koplin of Warsaw placed second runner-up.
HETO NA NAMAN. Students from Grade 9 - Bl. Innocent of Berzo performed "Heto Na Naman" by Ryan Cayabyab after they won as the Champion in the Trouvere Division of the Kantahan Finals (Photo by Mattheo Chua).
The Trouvere Division for Grades 9 and 10 followed at 10:00 a.m. Participating sections performed “Heto Na Naman” by Ryan Cayabyab as the main piece. The championship award was given to Grade 9 - Blessed Innocent of Berzo, followed by Grade 10 - Saint Pio of Pietrelcina as first runner-up, and Grade 10 - Saint Conrad of Parzham as second runner-up. The special awards were given to Grade 9 - Blessed Innocent of Berzo, as the Best Costume, and Grade 10 - Saint Pio for achieving the Best Choreography Award.
MUNTING SANGGOL. Students from Grade 12 - St. Angelo of Acri performed "Munting Sanggol" by Ryan Cayabyab after they won as the Champion in the Troubador Division of the Kantahan Finals (Photo by Mattheo Chua).
Lastly, the Troubadour Division for Grades 11 and 12 ran at 11:30 a.m., wherein each section performed the song “Munting Sanggol” by Ryan Cayabyab. The champion of the competition was Grade 12 - Saint Angelo of Acri, with their special piece “Liman-Dipang Tao” by Ryan Cayabyab. They have also received both the Best Costume and Best Choreography awards. Grade 11 – Blessed Nicholas of Gesturi placed first runner-up, while Grade 12 – Saint Bernard of Corleone placed second runner-up.
ROCKIN' IN THE GA. Students jive as the Looptide Concert was held in the High School General Assembly Area (GA) (Photo by Mattheo Chua).
Looptide Concert
In the afternoon, the student organization The Lourdes Loop hosted an event titled “Looptide 2025: A Lourdesian Mini-Concert” at 2:00 p.m., featuring a mix of solo and group performances, including renditions by Josemaria Balignasay, Sir JR De Guzman, and several student bands like Polynomials. A school bazaar and food stalls accompanied the concert and attracted large crowds across the school.
GLORIA IN EXCELSIS DEO. As the LSM community sang the 'Gloria' for the Greccio Mass, the image of the newborn Jesus was elevated for all to see (Photo by Mattheo Chua).
The Greccio Mass
The celebration continued with the Panunuluyan at the Brother Juniper Square, recounting the time when Mary and Joseph were searching for a place to stay.
It was followed by the Greccio Mass presided over by Rev. Fr. Cesar Acuin, OFMCap, and Rev. Fr. Jusfer John Albert, OFMCap. The community participated in the celebration of the Holy Eucharist intently.
In his Greccio homily, Fr. Jusfer addressed the LSM community, "Christ is not born in paradise. Christ is born in reality. And when God enters reality, hope becomes possible again."
Christmas Lights
The day concluded with the lighting of the school’s Christmas decorations at 6:00 p.m., which marked the end of the annual Paskuhan celebration attended by students, faculty, and guests.
LIGHTS ON. The LSM community bore witness to the countdown lighting of the Christmas tree after the Greccio Mass (Photo by Mattheo Chua).
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