By Diann Calucin
The local government of Malabon City held the opening and ceremonial lighting of "Paskuhan Village," the city's first Christmas bazaar at C4 Road on Friday, Dec. 2.
The city government said the bazaar was launched in partnership with the Malabon Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI).
PCCI Chairman Benjamin Chua said the bazaar is open to the public until Dec. 31 as part of the month-long activities for the holiday season.
Song performances from the choir groups including a symphony orchestra entertained the attendees.
A raffle draw among the visitors will also be held every Friday of December.
He said there is no admission fee to the Paskuhan Village, but there will be a registration fee of P20 per ticket to join the raffle draw.
He added that the grand prizes for the weekly raffle draw will be 60 and 32-inch smart televisions and smartphones.
Some 100 persons with disabilities (PWD) who attended the ceremony also received grocery packs.
Chua said that they will continue to distribute grocery packs to Christmas bazaar visitors in the following days.
Meanwhile, Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval welcomed the guests and bazaar visitors.
"Ngayong gabi ay idinaraos natin ang opening ceremonial lighting of Paskuhan Village. Kagaya ng mga ilaw na ito, maging liwanag sana tayo sa buhay ng bawat isa sa atin (Tonight, we are holding the opening ceremonial lighting of Paskuhan Village. Like these lights, may we serve as lights to others)," she said.
PCCI-National Capital Region (NCR) Regional Governor Higinio Sy thanked the event organizers and the business owners that supported the bazaar opening.
He said the main objective of the event is to promote small and local businesses in the city and to gain interest from investors outside the city.
"Please take your time to look around and we assure you that you would find all the items you need for your home, or sometimes for your businesses o mga regalo sa mga inaanak (gifts to godchildren). Congratulations in advance for a successful Paskuhan," Sy said.
Over 25 booths of different foods and items were opened at the bazaar, the city government said.