By Nimfa Estrellado Quezon Province launches "PASKONG QUEZONIAN 2024" with dazzling lights and cultural performances, offering com...
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| Quezon Province launches "PASKONG QUEZONIAN 2024" with dazzling lights and cultural performances, offering comfort to typhoon-affected communities. (Photo from Doktora Helen Tan) |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon – To uplift spirits and bring hope to communities still recovering from the devastation of recent typhoons, Quezon Province illuminated its Provincial Capitol with a dazzling display of Christmas lights on Friday, November 22nd. The event marked the official launch of "PASKONG QUEZONIAN 2024: Christmas in COCOlandia," a vibrant celebration designed to offer comfort and joy to residents.
The evening commenced with a warm welcome, showcased through the graceful "tagayan" ritual dance performed by the talented Tempsicuarean Performing Arts group. This traditional dance, featuring the offering of wine, symbolized the province's hospitality and set a joyful tone for the night's festivities. The performance also served as a unique tribute to the coconut, a staple crop of Quezon, interwoven into the dance's movements and symbolism.
Perez Park, in the heart of Lucena City, one of the surviving public recreation areas with a sunken design in the country built during the early years of American colonization, will be a focal point of the celebrations, was transformed into a mesmerizing spectacle of festive cheer. Twinkling lights and shimmering decorations adorned every corner, creating a dazzling display that brought solace and hope to those who had endured the recent storms.
The official lighting ceremony was a highlight of the evening, drawing crowds of locals to witness the illumination of the Provincial Capitol. Mayors, vice mayors, town officials, department heads, Capitol employees – everyone serving the province of Quezon was present, joined by many residents from the surrounding communities.
This show of unity demonstrated the collective spirit of the province. Despite facing numerous typhoons, the people of Quezon came together to celebrate the true spirit of Christmas – cooperation and love – shining through the darkness.
Adding to the enchanting atmosphere, a portion of Perez Park was transformed into a magical lighted butterfly garden for the Christmas season. With the neoclassical- and art deco-inspired provincial capitol building serving as a stunning backdrop, this captivating display added a touch of wonder to the celebration.
At the forefront of this initiative were Governor Angelina "Helen" Tan and Provincial Tourism Officer Nesler Almagro, Chairman of the Committee on Tourism. With the support of various government agencies, they ensured "PASKONG QUEZONIAN 2024" would be a beacon of hope and resilience for the province, bringing much-needed Christmas cheer to the community.
Governor Tan expressed her gratitude to travel operators from other provinces who continue to include Quezon in their itineraries, recognizing their contribution to boosting tourism and supporting the local economy.
In her address to the crowd, Governor Tan shared a message of faith and resilience: "We have faced many challenges," she began, "but this celebration is a testament to our gratitude and faith. Quezon is a blessed province, and our people are resilient."
She then recounted her own experience during Typhoon Pepito: "We may have worried after Typhoon Pepito, but we remain thankful. I personally monitored the storm throughout the night, praying for the safety of our towns."
She continued, emphasizing the importance of unity and gratitude: "While other provinces suffered greatly during Typhoon Kristine, we were spared the worst. This Christmas, let us come together and show our gratitude for the blessings we have received. We are a community united in prayer for the continued safety of our province and our country."
As a symbol of unity and hope, the province unveiled its official 2024 Christmas ID, continuing the tradition of uniquely themed IDs. Following the 2022 "Christmas Healing" ID and the 2023 "Makulay ang Pasko" ID, this year's design embodies the spirit of "Magsama-sama ngayon Pasko" – a call for togetherness, collective healing, and thanksgiving.
The night sky then erupted in a breathtaking fireworks display, signaling the start of a joyous Christmas season in Quezon. The celebration continued with captivating musical and dance performances of talented artists such as Antoinette Suayan, Ryan Sabacod, Dylan Ganecera, and Ms D and Company graced the stage with their performances., showcasing the vibrant culture of the province.
This year's "PASKONG QUEZONIAN" holds special significance as it follows a series of powerful typhoons that impacted the region. Super Typhoon Pepito brought heavy rains and strong winds to the province in mid-November, causing flooding and damage. Governor Tan emphasized the importance of the Christmas celebration in providing comfort and a sense of normalcy for residents who endured these hardships.
"This Christmas season is a time for us to come together as a community and support one another," the Governor stated. "Despite the challenges we have faced, the spirit of bayanihan (community cooperation) remains strong in Quezon. We are grateful for the resilience of our people and the unwavering support we have received from across the country."
Governor Tan invites everyone to experience the magic of the dazzling Christmas lights illuminating Quezon's Provincial Capitol, symbolizing hope and resilience this holiday season, especially at Perez Park, aglow with lights from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily until January 7.
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