Silay City Christmas Village 2011
The Silay City Christmas Village 2011 at Silay City public plaza will have its switch-on ceremony and opening program at 6:30 pm on December 9.
Mayor Jose Montelibano said that Silay City Christmas Village is a replica of Christmas tradition in Silay wherein as early as 1840, jornaleros and hacenderos converge at the public plaza in front of the church to celebrate the Birth of Jesus Christ.
Montelibano added that the making of the Christmas Village is a collective effort of Hugyaw Silay Inc., barangay councils, city officials and employees, Department of Education and Friends of Tourism Silay.
Silay Christmas Village won a national award from the Department of Tourism and Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines as Outstanding Festival – Cultural Category.
Special features at the village include 16 Christmas archs, 21 five-foot tall angels, life-size Belen characters, 40-foot tall Christmas tree, food court, cultural arena, games and amusement, tiyanggi and delicacy area.
Ver Pacete, tourism officer, said that Christmas pilgrims and tourists could be accommodated to a guided tour at the Christmas Village during the Christmas season.
Marjorie Bastida, English supervisor, said that Sayawan at Awitan sa Pasko (DepEd – Silay Night) will highlight the village evening activities with the hallmark events from the four districts of Silay City Division with the participation of violinists from Special Program in the Arts of Dona Montserrat Lopez Memorial High School and Third District champions, and pre-school teachers.
Christmas messages will be given by Mayor Jose Montelibano and Dr. Milagros Gonzales, schools division superintendent.
The switch-on ceremony will also coincide with the display of lights by San Diego Pro-Cathedral managed by Rev. Fr. Abenir Pineda in coordination with Parish Pastoral Council and other religious organizations.
Thelma Quevenco, project coordinator, said that Silay City Government and the Parish of San diego are working hand in hand to bring out the message of Christmas on the theme, Paskwa: Paghigugma, Paghidait kag Pag-alagad sa Banwa.
Prepared by;
GERLE HIILADO – SULMACA
Press Coordinator
