The night sky above the southern Negros Occidental city of Bago will again blaze with brilliance as the “Lights of Bago” (LOB), the city’s most anticipated grand musical fireworks display makes a comeback on January 1, 2025, a press release from Bago PIO said.
Bago City Senior Tourism Operations Officer Mae Ann Furtos said this dazzling event not only illuminates the sky but also the hearts of every spectator, celebrating the resilience and unity of the community after a four-year hiatus brought about by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
Furtos recalled that the last physical LOB celebration was in 2020 during its 12th year.
The 26-minute musical fireworks and lights display was witnessed by at least 35,000 spectators from Bago City and other localities in the province.
Themed “A Rhapsody of Colors and Diversity,” the 2020 edition of the synchronized fireworks display underscored HIV/AIDS awareness, as well as promotion of gender equality and diversity.
It was followed by a virtual celebration in 2022, highlighting the best of LOB since its inception in 2009, she added.
It can be recalled that European Raymond Stoffel, a retired international corporate lawyer from Luxembourg, whose wife has roots in Barangay Poblacion, Bago City, started the staging of the annual event every January 1.
Stoffel had to go back to Europe which paved the way for the city government to assume the hosting of the musical fireworks display in its second year onwards.
For this year, thousands of spectators are again expected to troop to the Manuel Y. Torres Sports Center in the city’s Barangay Balingasag for the 20-minute display themed “Lights of Bago: Rebirth of Light.”
Furtos said the meticulously curated soundtrack features timeless hits from past LOB festivals, evoking cherished memories of bygone celebrations, while seamlessly blending contemporary mash-ups that capture the spirit of renewal.
“Each note and explosion tells a story of nostalgia, hope, and the promise of brighter days ahead,” the tourism officer said, adding that “this year’s theme symbolizes a bridge between generations, honoring the legacy of the past while igniting the imaginations of the future.”
The event beginning at 6 p.m. will be led by Mayor Nicholas Yulo, Vice Mayor Ramon Torres, and other city officials.
“Join us as we usher in 2025 with an unforgettable spectacle of light, music, and joy—a true rebirth of tradition, resilience, and celebration,” Furtos said.*
