BACOLOD CITY — Thousands of Bacolodnons did not miss their chance to witness the lighting spectacle at the public plaza here despite the ongoing health crisis brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mayor Evelio Leonardia led city officials during the lights-on ceremony that turned into a "MassKara Party in December.”
The public plaza glowed with Christmas colors as 95,000 lights transformed the historic bandstand into a glittering "Light Castle," while the symbolic Jubilee Tower became the "Tower of Lights."
Police Maj. Ramel Sarona, head of Police Station 1, said he deployed personnel to ensure that health protocols were observed, despite the huge volume of crowd.
A "Tunnel of Light” also indulged visitors for a photo opportunity because of the neon hues that clothe the 40-foot passageway, giving the public plaza a trio of Instagram-worthy installations.
The lighting spectacle was sponsored by business mogul Dr. Andrew Tan, an adopted son of the city and Bacolod's honorary mayor, who also installed more than 19,000 lights at the Bacolod City Government Center last Nov. 29.
Leonardia said the event is dedicated for the people of Bacolod.
The festive mood gave Leonardia the opportunity to assure constituents that Bacolod will be "back on track" once the pandemic is over.
"Bacolod will grow the way it was before. We will continue to progress and we will bounce back stronger,” the mayor said.
The Christmas lights and decors at the plaza will remain until the celebration of the Bacolaodiat Festival in February 2022, while those at the historic Jubilee Tower will stay year-round, Executive Assistant Sandra Sycip said.