Malabon City Mayor Jeannie Sandoval led the lighting of the 40-foot giant Christmas tree at the Malabon Welcome Park in Letre, Barangay Tonsuya on Friday, Dec. 1, to start the city's celebration of the holiday season.
Other decorations, including parol or lanterns and 10-foot Christmas trees, and lights placed around the park and other areas in the city were also lit.
"Sabi ko nga, beyond the lighting, ang mga palamuti, ang mga dekorasyon, siyempre po, ang pag-iilaw sa Pasko ay nagbibigay ng pag-asa sa ating mga kababayan. Ito po'y naghuhudyat ng pagmamalasakit natin, pagmamahalan, pagtutulungan sa ating kapwa, pagkakaisa natin. (Like what I said, beyond the lighting, the decorations, of course, the Christmas lighting gives hope to our people. This signals our concern, love, cooperation with our neighbor, our unity)," Sandoval told reporters.
"Usually po iniisip natin ang Pasko po ay para sa bata, ang Pasko po ay para sa kasiyahan, makakakita tayo ng maraming Christmas lights. Pero higit sa lahat, ang tunay ba diwa ng Kapaskuhan, dapat nating alalahanin ang kapanganakan ng ating Panginoon. Ito po ay nagsi-symbolize sa pagmamahalan, pagmamalasakit, pagtutulungan (We usually think that Christmas is for children, for fun, we will see many Christmas lights. But above all, we should remember that the true spirit of Christmas, the birth of our Lord. This symbolizes love, care, cooperation)," the mayor said.
"At siyempre, nandidito lang naman po kami lalo na pamahalaang lungson ng Malabon. Di namin kayo pababayaan at siyempre kasama niyo kami sa lahat ng inyong pinagdadaanan. Sana naman makapagbigay kami ng ginhawa, makapagbigay kami ng pagmamahal, at maramdaman po natin ang diwa ng Pasko hindi lamang doon sa mga material na mga gamit, mga possessions, kundi isapuso natin, maisadiwa natin ang tunay na ibig sabihin ng Kapaskuhan (And of course, we are just here, especially the city government of Malabon. We will not leave you and we are with you in everything you are going through. I hope we can give comfort, we can give love, and we can feel the spirit of Christmas not only in the material things, possessions, but let's take it to heart, we can celebrate the true meaning of Christmas)," she added.
She also said that city employees and residents may expect Christmas gifts from the local government, while programs to provide aid to Malabueños are still ongoing.
City administrator Dr. Alexander Rosete said that they want to make the celebration of Chistmas memorable for the city residents and visitors.
"Inaasahan namin na ang galak at saya na nararamdaman ng mga pamilya at kaibigang nagtipon-tipon dito ngayong gabi ay mananatili sa kanilang mga puso nitong Pasko hanggang sa bagong taon (We hope that the joy and happiness felt by the families and friends gathered here tonight will remain in their hearts this Christmas through the new year)," Mayor Jeannie said.
Different chorale groups, celebrity Jameson Blake, comedians Amazing Peanut and Big Mouth also attended the event to entertain the residents.
Present during the event were former Malabon City Representative Ricky Sandoval, city councilors, city department heads and employees, guests, and city residents.