CABANATUAN CITY – From the southernmost city of Gapan to the northern San Jose, local government units have set up joyous and thematic displays to make Christmas a merrier season among townsfolk and tourists.
In the middle, the city government of Cabanatuan has decorated historic Plaza Lucero with inviting floral lights as the provincial government dressed the Old Capitol up with Christmas display.
Gapan City Mayor Emerson Pascual said kilometer-long tunnel lights, made of at least 27,500 bulbs and 2,000 lanterns was designed to bring delight to his constituents and local tourists.
Dubbed as “Masigla ang Pasko sa Gapan,” the display also features a 115-foot Christmas tree of 120,000 bulbs and 34,000 decorative materials.
It stands side by side with the holiday-lit giant Ferris wheel that also serves as a giant lantern, overseeing the entire city and nearby towns.
To complete the essence of Christmas, Pascual said, a huge nativity scene or Belen was placed beside the plaza’s stage.
“Ang gusto ko lang ay maging masaya ang mga taga-Gapan,” said Pascual.
In San Jose City, palay-designed lights spread throughout the national highway as the city hall compound turns into a virtual ricefield during nighttime.
Thirteen high schools and colleges have created huge lanterns out of recyclable materials.
“Ang San Jose ay ay isa sa mgapinakamalaking rice producer ng Nueva Ecija,” said Mayor Mario Salvador, adding his constituents have their own share of problems due to very low price of palay.
Science City of Muñoz, meanwhile, boasts of lights at city hall and primary streets featuring products of scientifi c institutions such as the Philippine Rice Research Institute, Philippine Carabao Center, and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, among others.
The Central Luzon State University and PhilRice also have their own bright stars on display.
