The holiday cheer is in the air at the “Land of Gratitude” as Himamaylan City lit up its public plaza a week before Christmas Day.
Thousands of Himamaylanons and visitors from nearby towns gathered at the new and improved Himamaylan public plaza during the grand “Paskwa sa Maylan” Christmas lights-on celebration Dec. 17.
“It is not only a lights-on celebration filled with diverse performances, but also a soft launching of our new and improved Himamaylan public plaza,” Mayor Raymund Tongson said during the event.
Tongson said flooding has always been a problem in the plaza for decades and its condition has never improved, but “under this city administration, it has been solved and the area has improved even more.”
The celebration featured Drag Race Philippines Season 3 winner Maxie Anderson together with the Bacolod Drag Queens.
Spectators also witnessed the performances of barangays, who joined in the Christmas Carol competition.
The celebration capped off with the ceremonial lighting of the public plaza and a fireworks display.
“Many of the performers are women and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. This is another way to promote the rights of women, and in condemning all forms of violence against them,” Tongson stressed.
It was also in support of the nationwide 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women that ended Dec. 12, and the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, the city said in a press release Dec. 19.
While more improvements are underway for the plaza, the mayor said that opening the public space signifies more blessings awaiting Himamaylanons.
“May Himamaylanons receive more blessings this Christmas. I look forward for greater things for our Land of Gratitude,” Tongson added. | |
