Fueled by ambition and boundless talent, the annual University Vision-Mission Week (UVMW) soared to new horizons with Adhika: Kislap ng Husay Lasalyano. Commemorating decades of Lasallian faith and excellence, a myriad of activities glimmered throughout June in reverence of the University’s 115th founding anniversary. From interactive activities to the highly-anticipated Animusika 2026, this year’s UVMW took off with a stellar burst of energy.
Kindling Lasallian aspirations
Kicking off the month-long festivities, Lasallian devotees congregated in prayer and thanksgiving for the Live Jesus in Our Hearts Worship Concert at the Henry Sy Sr. Hall grounds last June 3. Drawing a sizable crowd, the concert commenced with a Holy Mass and ruminating talks by Fr. Migs Ramirez and Bro. Audee Villaraza. Hymns and student performances illuminated the space before a humble candle-lighting ceremony flickered flames of devotion to the Blessed Sacrament.
The spirit of reflection persisted two weeks later with the UVMW Opening Mass at the Most Blessed Sacrament Chapel, commemorating De La Salle’s enduring mission. Complementing the solemn festivities, the Manila campus bustled with excitement as bazaar stalls lined the pathways from the Yuchengco Lobby to Velasco Hall, boasting food concessionaires, merchandise, and ornamental curiosities.
Bolstering the spirit of UVMW, a menagerie of fundraising activities spread across the campus. Arcadia brought the thrill of racing simulators and video-game staples like Mario Kart, Just Dance, and Nintendo Sports to the USG Open Space and Yuchengco Cave. Across the tracks, Chasen Blooms at St. Mutien Marie Hall blended matcha-making and flower arranging into a meditative communion of friends and lovers. Simon Says, BINGO! uplifted the St. Mutien Marie Hall with competitive revelry and exciting prizes, such as shampoo, cooling fans, and Polaroid cameras.
As UVMW settled into stride, the Lasallian Enrichment Alternative Program (LEAP) carried the momentum forward. Under the theme Isang Nayon, Isang Layunin, a total of 135 classes were conducted from June 19 to 26. Among the highlights were the dashing yet fluid moves of “Pitik Queen” Ian Mark Kamangkang during Own the Beat! and the nostalgic return to classic Filipino outdoor games in PaLSSiklaban. Classes also ventured beyond the horizon, delving into the aromatic landscapes of Southeast Asian coffee in Brewing Kopi Across the SEA and championing the Palestinian cause through Spark Change: Illuminating Voices and Stories Through Candle-Making.
A celestial symphony
Basking in cosmic fanfare, Lasallian artistry took center stage on June 17 as budding musicians showcased sonic brilliance during Archer’s Got Talent. Dance group AJA-I electrified the Natividad Fajardo-Rosario Gonzalez Auditorium with a radiant performance that filled the halls with infectious energy, crowning them the Lasallian Showtime champions. Runners-up Overtime and Jacob brought the heat on with soulful numbers that made the audience sway, nod, and tap in unified rhythm.
Meanwhile, the Battle of the Bands amped up the competition as six groups collided in passion, grit, and supernova talent. Rising above the crowd, champions Superstition transported audiences into a dimension of euphoria. However, pressure remained as runners-up Anima and ALB tailed closely with their own high-velocity sound.
A testament to the healing nature of music, SIGLAYA: Sinag ng Kalusugan invited senior citizens from neighboring communities to a morning of wellness. Music reverberated across campus as participants danced Zumba, engaged in educational forums, and received comprehensive health kits.
Closing the month-long festivities with a shockwave of energy, UVMW concluded with Animusika 2026, staged at the Henry Sy Sr. Hall grounds on June 26. Though ground-level slots capped the crowd at only a thousand, the air hummed with excitement as Lasallians tuned into the concert from corners near and far. With the newly-installed LED wall in the Yuchengco Lobby courtesy of DLSU-PUSO, the concert’s magnetic pulse radiated far past the barricades.
Despite the scattered drizzle, the concert burned bright as OPM artists Over October, SUD, Armi Millare, Waiian, and Jhayvot G propelled Filipino artistry into orbit. Headlining the night with pure nostalgia, Apo Hiking Society returned the celebration home to familiar roots.
Beyond the limelight
For all its shining moments, UVMW 2026 was not left unscathed in its parade of festivities. The annual rush for Animusika tickets became one of the week’s loudest frustrations, as all 1,000 slots were claimed within two minutes of registration. Many students aired concerns over access, with some pointing to the early release of the form to committee members as the main culprit, though this remains unverified.
Delays and cancellations further tested the week’s momentum. Animusika was delayed for an hour due to weather constraints, while events such as Pairfect Strokes, Make the Face, Match the Sound, and GPThink were called off altogether, with the previous two, notably, being scrapped without any due announcement. Attendance also thinned out in some events, most apparent in Archer’s Got Talent, which barely filled half of the Natividad Fajardo-Rosario Gonzalez Auditorium.
However, there were moments that softened the strain. For the first time, all LEAP classes were made free of charge, a welcome change after years of troubled operations and issues of transparency. The issuance of digital cards streamlined student attendance, preventing forged cards from being used as proof of participation. The clarion calls of Lasallians also kept Animusika afloat despite the rain threatening to wash the night away, allowing the program to end before midnight.
Ultimately, UVMW 2026 stood as a testament to aspiration in motion. While imperfect—and, at times, unruly—it ascended with a surge of energy that gave Adhika a lasting shine long after the lights faded.
