Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez is expected to lead the lighting ceremony at the Bacolod Public Plaza on December 10 at 6 p.m., while the Festival of Lights for the Bacolod City Government Center will on Dec. 7.
With the theme “Paskwa sa Plaza,” the city aims to bring back the joy and festivity of the Christmas season. “We want to share the spirit of Christmas as meaningful to everyone, and through this initiative, we’re creating a space for families to celebrate,” said Chief Tourism Officer Ma. Teresa Manalili, chairman of the “Adopt a Tree” program.
The plaza has around 100 trees, and the committee expects most of them to be illuminated. This initiative led by our local government and supported by the community including barangays, local businesses and institutions like hotels and schools, pasalubong centers, hospitality accommodations, and brewery companies, travel and tours, families and individuals who have already pledged their support to the program.
Joining Manalili and the Tourism team on the committee are Loben Ceballos of the City Engineer’s Office, EA Nancy Discutido of the City Mayor’s Office, Dr. Anna Laarni Pornan of Disaster Risk Reduction and Management, Victor Espina of the General Services Office, Ma. Fe Trespuentes of BENRO, Brenda Burdeos of the City Cooperative and Livelihood Development Office, Carmela Gamboa of the Public Information Office, Lea Carmela Zayco of the CMO Sectoral Office, and Ret. P/Gen. Primitivo Tabujara of POSO, with the support of City Administrator Lucille Gelvolea PhD, and Secretary to the Mayor Karol Joseph Chiu.*
