Foundation University marks its 63rd year on Wednesday, July 4, with a series of activites lined up for the week.
The celebration kicks off on Monday, July 2 with a Eucharistic celebration at 8 a.m. fronting the Sofia Soller Sinco Hall to be joined by the entire FU community. The Holy Mass will be followed by a community fellowship at the FU Green, where the administrators, faculty/staff and students will have fun and games at 10 a.m.
Freshmen and transferees will have the Academic Opening Convocation on Wednesday, July 4 at 3:30 p.m. at the Sofia Soller Sinco Hall where University President Dr. Mira D. Sinco will give the keynote address.
After the convocation, the FU community will walk towards the Rizal Boulevard, passing along Colon St. for the Dal-uy ceremony at the Rizal Boulevard at 6:30 p.m.
The Dal-uy is a traditional activity where Foundationites float lighted lanterns on the sea. Each lantern contains a personal wish or prayer for the coming year.
The yellow lighted lanterns contrast with the darkened Rizal Boulevard environment, providing a picturesque and striking image of Dumaguete’s premier tourist destination.
The scenic and solemn sight will be capped by a brief fireworks display from the Dumaguete pier.
The Dal-uy is patterned after ceremonies held in many other Asian countries, as well as in the U.S. State of Hawaii.
After the ceremony, the lanterns will be collected and recycled for next year’s ceremony.
The University will hold the annual academic opening dinner at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 5.
Foundation University, founded by Dr. Vicente G. Sinco, started as a two-room Foundation College on July 4, 1949. It became a university in 1969. Aside from basic education, it also offers over 41 academic degrees through nine colleges and schools, and caters to about 3,000 students.
The theme for this year’s celebration is FU at 63: What do you want to be?
