PALO, Leyte – Few weeks before Christmas, the so-called Christmas capital of this province opened its almost month- long extravagant celebration for the yearly festivity, a tradition that had long been observed not only by residents of Palo but also by its neighboring towns, the Palo Christmas Festival.
Christmas Festival of Palo, is part of the 4P’s programs of the current municipal town mayor, Mayor Remedios “Matin” Petilla, who is also one of the personalities behind the nationally recognized festival Pintados-Kasadyaan Festival.
The 4p’s program includes Pamalandong during the Holy Week Season, Patron Han Palo in August, Pagbalik ha Palo for the Leyte Landing celebration in the month of October and Pasko ha Palo.
Palo’s Christmas celebration has became a major attraction in this part of the region as thousands of people visit the town of Palo every night just to witness the magnificent and sparkling lights of Christmas decors in strategic places like the municipal library which they converted into a house of Santa Claus and the municipal park that serves as the venue for the Belen and Christmas Tree competition.
The competitions include search for the best decorated and lighted barangay main street competition for barangays Buri, Arado, Cavite East, Cavite West, Cogon, Sta. Cruz, Naga-Naga, St. Michael, Salvacion, Guindapunan, Pawing, Baras, Luntad, and San Fernando.
The search for the best Christmas lantern; the Santa Claus making contest; the best decorated barangay hall; Best Christmas Tree using recyclable materials; the Best Belen using recyclable and indigenous materials and the best lighted and well-decorated government agency .
Aside from government agencies, business establishment are also welcome and invited to join.
Twelve barangays will compete in the Christmas tree competition, 10 for Santa Claus competition, 14 for Christmas lantern, 12 barangays for best decorated barangay and 12 for the Belen competition were listed by this year’s Christmas Festival Committee to join various competitions.
Nightly competition at the municipal plaza will also be conducted, according to Mayor Petilla like the “Paskoshion” Competition (fashion show of indigenous materials); Hip-hop Competition for Kids and Teen Category; Siday Competition; Christmas Caroling for Youth and Adult Category; Christmas Caroling – Children Category; Dance Drama Competition (For teachers); Drama Competition; and Giant Puppet Competition.
All this will commence on December 14 and will culminate after the celebration of Three Kings, added the lady mayor.
“We hope that more people will visit and join us this year because we want them to enjoy the way we celebrate Christmas here in Palo,” Petilla stressed.
The lady mayor added that in every competition where barangay is involved, they require residents to have community participation or involvement in the creation and submission of their entries.
For this year’s competition, Councilor Wilson Uy clarified that they have not increase prizes but added number of competition for Palo residents to participate.
He added that more than one million pesos was the allocated budget for the various competitions were some of the amount is to be used as prizes.
Said budget for prizes comes from the municipal coffers and assistance from the provincial government and pledges from private sponsors.
“I am sure that all residents of Palo are excited and preparing for this activity which was institutionalized by Mayor Petilla,” Uy said.
Uy added that for those who would want to visit their town, they should also visit the Saboren Christmas Fantasy House located in Brgy Luntad.
The Saboren’s Christmas Fantasy House is all ablaze with bright lights and display new Christmas decors.
This tradition of the Saboren started 25 years ago after its house owner Enrico Saboren thoughts of giving something that his neighbors would look forward to every Christmas.
No comments:
Post a Comment