ILOILO City – It’s a colorful puff of Christmas in this southern city.
Mayor Jerry Treñas on Friday officially switched on the Giant Christmas Tree and Christmas Parol (lantern) of Hope at the Garden Atrium, Festive Walk Mall in Mandurriao district.
The around 200 giant parols were an initiative of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Iloilo (PCCI).
Treñas thanked the PCCI and other stakeholders such as Megaworld for partnering with the city government.
“Governance should always be a shared responsibility. It is not only the responsibility of the governor but also of the governed,” said Treñas.
According to PCCI president, Atty. Jobert Peñaflorida, the goal of their giant parols initiative is to bring joy to the Ilonggos as the city gradually eases pandemic quarantine restrictions.
The project began in 2019. From 1,700 lanterns that year to 700 lanterns in 2020, only two hundred parols are now being displayed along the Diversion Road and Calle Real.
“While fewer in number, the parols will continue to inspire us to recover together,” according to the PCCI.
For Treñas, the giant parols signify every Ilonggo’s hope, resilience and faith amid the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.
“This will come to an end. We will go back to normal again. Life goes on while we take care of everyone,” Treñas said.
This year’s parols are in the Christmas colors of red, green and yellow gold.
As in previous years, persons deprived of liberty in the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology worked on the lanterns, giving them additional livelihood.
The lighting ceremony was also graced by Jogie Viceo, Megaworld township director ; Karmela Jesena, general manager of Festive Walk; PCCI-Iloilo officers and members headed by Dr. Sandra Sarabia-Gomez (chairman and head, Christmas Parol Committee), Atty. Jobert Peñaflorida (president) and parol committee members and directors, Maritess Lim, Alma May Tayo and Vincent Abellar./PN
