As the holiday season unfolds, joy fills the air. Explore charming Christmas villages adorned with decorations and twinkling lanterns, where beautifully decorated trees and enchanting scenes capture the magic of this cherished time.
Each local government unit in the region has a unique way of beautifying the community and boosting the holiday spirit for a perfect Instagram post. Some areas feature artistic installations and eco-friendly decorations, highlighting their commitment to aesthetics and sustainability.
In Burauen, Leyte, an enchanting Christmas village, radiates vibrant energy next to the municipal hall. Visitors can stroll through a captivating tunnel of colorful lights and experience a magical, Disney-like wonderland.
Take a moment to immerse yourself in the mesmerizing display of giant twinkling lanterns, life-sized gift boxes, and glowing doors that lead to different worlds featuring beloved Disney characters such as Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, Frozen, Tarzan, and Moana, all of which bring joy to those who visit.
Moving to a distant town, discover built-in houses transformed into a stunning, feel-at-home Christmas village in Santa Margarita, Samar. It features a Christmas tree, a nativity set, and a dining hall for relaxation.
As we return to the City of Tacloban, one barangay is stirring up holiday cheer with a Christmas village competition organized by the Sangguniang Kabataan in Barangay 110, Utap. The competition offers a cash prize for participants.
Visitors to the city will be amazed by the giant Christmas trees, snowmen, ornaments, and Santa Claus standees that spread joy and brightness wherever they go.
These decorations help boost tourism by bringing peace and joy to community members and visitors, according to Karina Rose S. Tiopes, regional director of the Department of Tourism (DOT).
Tradisyon na sa Pilipinas na tuwing Pasko, we bring cheer to everybody. Kapag sa sarili nating bahay, hindi marangya ang decorations, pero kapag lumabas tayo, nakikita natin sa town plaza na masaya ang selebrasyon, tayo ay nagiging masaya na rin,” she said.
(It has been a tradition in the Philippines to bring everyone cheer during Christmas. Whenever our decorations at home are not luxurious, we go outside and see the joyous celebration in town plazas, which makes us smile, too.)
Many Christmas villages attract visitors from surrounding towns for picturesque photos, allowing locals to earn a living by selling food and gifts during the celebration, Tiopes added.
“Kapag mamasyal tuwing Pasko, pumupunta sa ibang bayan, tinitingnan kung gaano kaganda at kasaya ang selebrasyon, may nakikita ding nagbebenta ng pagkain at pasalubong items, in that way, nakakapag generate na rin tayo ng livelihood,” she said.
(When going on trips during Christmas, people visit other towns to see how beautiful and joyful the celebrations are. Food stalls and souvenir items are also for sale, which helps generate livelihoods.)
This aligns with President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s call to celebrate with empathy and share blessings in light of the recent calamities over the past few months.
“Alam naman natin na mayroon tayong mga kababayan na nasalanta ng sunod-sunod na bagyo, kaya’t nagkusa na ang mga LGUs kung paano ang kanilang strategies, hindi lang para magbigay saya, kundi for short-term livelihood or businesses na din,” Tiopes added.
The vibrant Christmas villages enhance the festive spirit while supporting local economies. These enchanting displays reflect Filipino tradition, inviting everyone to share joy and hope. As we gather amidst dazzling lights, we are reminded of the importance of empathy and togetherness during this cherished holiday season. (AAC/JKPA, PIA Leyte)
