ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA) — A twilight and simultaneous lighting of Christmas Villages of all the local government units in the province officially opened the Capiz’ Christmas Festival 2024.
The kick off of the month-long celebration dubbed “Paskwa sang Maragtas” featured the ceremonial lighting, live band, cultural performances and fireworks display at the Capiz Provincial Park in this city.
Gov. Fredenil Castro and other provincial officials are expected to lead the activity.
“This event marks the beginning of a season-long celebration, transforming Capiz into a unified Christmas wonderland filled with joy, harmony and festive cheer,” said an online post of the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office.
A competition of all the Christmas Villages, each featuring the Filipino-inspired Christmas elements depicting the way Capisnons’ celebrate Christmas, will determine the best LGUs with the most vibrant lighting displays and decorations, artistry, craftsmanship and the culture of Capisnons which serves an attraction to both local and international tourists.
The festival is also marked by about 45,000 brightly – colored Christmas lanterns which are hanged or displayed along major highways traversing provincial/ city/ municipal roads, government buildings, plazas/ parks, tourism sites, private houses, malls and other establishments in the province.
The “Paskwa sang Maragtas is also composed of various component activities which aim to transform the entire province into a Christmas village to showcase the oneness of the Capisnon community in celebrating the true essence of the Yuletide season.
These include the Parade of Giant Parols which will showcase the beautifully crafted and well-lit giant Christmas lanterns/parols with dimensions of not less than six feet tall and six feet wide. The enormous lanterns are made up of indigenous, recyclable, and eco-friendly materials and are adorned with colored lights.
The celebration will also include parol-making competition; Christmas Bazaar; kiosks or food stalls and street market; playing of traditional Christmas Carols or “daigon” in various government buildings, plazas and parks, tourism sites, malls, and other establishments; cultural performances; night tours; Christmas culinary experience and slow food sale; cultural exchanges; and fireworks displays. (AAL/PIA Capiz)
