BACOLOD City – This city kicked off the Christmas celebration with the launching of the 1st Bacolod Festival of Lights, in partnership with STI West Negros University (WNU), on Saturday, Dec. 1.
The parade of lights was held on Lacson Street, starting from Benigno S. Aquino Drive to Rizal Street, and converged at the Bacolod City Public Plaza for a program.
During the program, city officials led by mayor Evelio Leonardia, representative Greg Gasataya, vice mayor El Cid Familiaran, and councilor Em Ang, led the switch-on ceremony of the Christmas lights at the plaza.
Joining them were city administrator John Orola, city tourism officer Ma. Elma Gerasmo, and barangay officials.
STI WNU, formerly West Negros College, has been celebrating the annual Parade of Lights for 25 years now.
STI WNU students paraded colorful lanterns depicting various sea creatures, in line with the theme “A healthy sea, a life of glee,” to campaign for the preservation of marine life.
The program at the plaza was highlighted by the Christmas messages of city officials and performances by STI WNU students.
The event was institutionalized by a city ordinance, entitled “Bacolod Festival of Lights,” declaring the first Saturday of December as an annual celebration of the Festival of Lights in Bacolod.
The ordinance was authored by Ang, chair of the Sangguniang Panlungsod committee on tourism.
Ang said the objectives of this celebration are to develop the creativity of the participants in lantern-making, give opportunity to reflect the real essence of Christmas, and promote tourism in the city. (Bacolod City PIO/PN)
