The Manila local government kicked off the Christmas season by lighting up its giant Christmas tree and lantern at the Kartilya ng Katipunan beside the Manila City Hall on Friday, Nov. 18.
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna-Pangan led the celebration along with Vice Mayor Yul Servo-Nieto, Manila Congressmen Joel Chua, Rolan Valeriano, Ernix Dionisio, Benny Abante, Irwin Tieng and Edward Maceda.
Apart from the 45-feet Christmas Tree, the following government offices also lit up their Christmas decorations simultaneously: National Museum, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, National Parks Development Committee, Palacio Del Gobernador, Fort Santiago-Plaza Roma, and Ayuntamiento de Manila and Metropolitan Theatre.
"Ang ilaw ay simbolo ng pag-asa na ang lahat ng ating mga adhikain sa buhay ay magkaroon ng katuparan. Hinahangad natin na sa susunod na taon ay maipagpatuloy at mapalawak pa natin ang ating kakayahan na maghatid ng kaayusan, kasiglahan at kaunlaran para sa Manileño (The light is a symbol of hope that all our aspirations in life will come true. We hope that next year we will be able to continue and expand our ability to deliver order, vitality and prosperity for the Manileños)," she expressed.
Mayor Honey reminded the public to take care and show concern for the Christmas street decorations for residents and tourists in the city.
She called on the local government units in charge of traffic, peace and order, cleanliness, and even business owners to do their part in instilling discipline in their personnel to guard the surroundings of the city's tourist destinations.
"Inaanyayahan ko kayo na makiisa na gawing masigla at masaya ang ating pasko sa buong lungsod. Gawin nating masigla ang pang araw araw na takbo ng ating mga buhay. Pasayahin natin ang bawat tahanan, tanggapan, paaralan, at iba’t ibang pamayanan. Magtulong-tulong tayo na lalong maging masaya, masigla, maaliwalas at maunlad ang kapitolyo ng ating bansa, hindi lamang ngayong kapaskuhan kundi sa mga darating pang mga araw (I invite you to join us in making our Christmas lively and happy throughout the city. Let's make the daily course of our lives lively. Let's make every home, office, school, and different communities happy. Let's help each other to make the capitol of our country more happy, energetic, cozy and prosperous, not only this holiday season but in the days to come)," she also said.
The mayor also announced that the city government will start "The Twelve Days of Christmas" activity on Dec. 1, where Christmas food boxes will be distributed to all families, especially senior citizens in Manila.
"Labingdalawang araw tayong lilibot sa iba’t-ibang sulok ng Maynila upang muling maghatid ng kalinga sa lahat ng pamilyang Manilenyo sa pamamagitan ng mga ipamamahagi nating Christmas food boxes. Gayundin, kasunod noon ang pamamahagi naman ng ating Christmas Gifts para sa ating mga minamahal na senior citizens (For 12 days, we will go around the different corners of Manila to once again to show care to all Manila families by giving them Christmas food boxes. Following that is the distribution of our Christmas Gifts for our beloved senior citizens)," shesaid.