In celebration of “Bayanihan” this Christmas season, the Malabon City government held its Christmas tree lighting ceremony with this Filipino trait as its hallmark, on Wednesday, Dec. 4.

Mayor Jeannie Sandoval, Rep. Ricky Sandoval, city councilors, and City Administrator Dr. Alexander Rosete led the lighting of the 40-foot Christmas Tree.

“Ito na ang simula ng ating pagdiriwang ng Kapaskuhan ngayong taon. Sa panahong ito, nais nating ipakita ang pagkakaisa, ang Bayanihan ng mga Malabueño na ilang beses na nating naipamalas dahil sa mga unos na dumaan at ating nalampasan ng sama-sama. Nais nating maipaalala ito sa bawat Malabueñ upang ito ay maitatak sa puso at isip at lang tandaan na tayo ay tulong-tulong para sa patuloy na pag-unlad ng ating lungsod. (This is the beginning of our Christmas celebration this year. At this time, we want to show the unity, the heroism of the Malabueños that we have shown several times because of the storms that have passed and that we have overcome together. We want to remind every Malabueño so that it can be imprinted in their hearts and minds that we are helping each other for the good of our city),” Sandoval said.

“Ang pagtutulungan at pagkakaisa ang siyang nagdala sa atin sa pag-ahon at siya ring magiging pundasyon ng ating lungsod habang ating tinatahak ang landas tungo sa mas magandang bukas (Cooperation and unity brought us to the top and these will also be our foundation as we walk the path to a better tomorrow),” she added.

Filipino singer Jose Mari Chan serenaded the audience during the program while actor Mr. Gab Lagman, and cultural arts groups, including the Tanghalang Bagong Sibol, Banda Kwatro, Banda Pula, Malabon Concert Singers, Archangel Journey’s Chorale, CMU Chorale, and drum and lyre bands joined in the celebration.

“Nais nating iparamdam ang pagmamahal at kasiyahan sa ating mga kababayan ngayong Pasko. Kaya ating siniguro na masisimulan natin ito na may ngiti sa bawat Malabueño. Ang aktibidad na ito ay hindi lang basta pagpapailaw ng Christmas Tree kung hindi isang pagpapaalala, hindi lang sa mga Malabueño, kundi sa lahat ng Pilipino, na ang tunay na diwa ng Pasko ay ang pagmamahalan, pananalig sa Diyos, pagbibigayan, at pagkakaisa (We want our people to feel the love and happiness this Christmas. So we made sure that we can start it with a smile in every Malabueño. In lighting this Christmas Tree, we are reminding not just Malabueños, but all Filipinos, that the true meanings of Christmas are love, faith in God, giving, and unity),” City Administrator D. Alexander Rosete said.

The city government also held the awarding ceremony for the winners of the “Paskong Malabueño: Christmas Community Decorating Contest” where officials and different sectors from the city’s 21 barangays participated in decorating an area in their communities with Christmas decors made out of recyclable materials.

City officials also inaugurated new vehicles, including three state-of-the-art ambulances with medical equipment that will improve the health services of the city, and tow trucks that will help in emergency and rescue operations.