Koronadal Lights up for PasKoronadal
Paskoronadal 2019, got bigger, brighter, more interactive, imaginative and spectacular.
Two thousand four hundred stars and glittering lights illuminate Koronadal as Christmas lights up and down the city are switched on last December 8,2019 just in time to welcome the festive season.
“Sa Bagong Koronadal, ikaw ang Star ng Pasko” is the official theme to this year’s Christmas decorations.
Meanwhile, Koronadal takes pride in having one of the country’s longest, fun-filled and colorful observance of the PasKoronadal Christmas festival from December 16-31, celebrating Christmas the Koronadaleños’ way.
“Aside from sharing and giving, the message of hope is the real essence of Christmas. To most of the Christians, star symbolizes Christmas, so during our planning session, we took the challenge to install a 120 ft. Christmas tree although at first, we are thinking that it would be impossible in our part with our meager budget but now, it’s a reality”, City General Services Officer Gemma Amor E. Panza said in a message.
With brightly lit streets which aims to raise spirits of passersby, this year’s design showcases lighted star-shaped lanterns known as “parol” hanged in street lights, about 12 ft. in height lighted with strands of colorful bulbs, led and hose lights among other glittering trimmings. Parol is one of the most iconic symbol of Filipino Christmas spirit and now locally made by the city’s indigenous people, the Blaans of Barangay Assumption and San Isidro. The city roundball undergoes a festive facelift where a fabricated 12 ft.up to 3 ft. lighted structures erected giving real treat to travelers.
“We conducted an inventory of the decorations used in the previous year so we could re-use it. During our planning with KICP Manager Elric Batilaran, we developed a scheme to provide the indigenous peoples (IPs) in San Isidro and Assumption a “parol” making livelihood project with the support of IPMR Antonio Abing who organized the group”, Panza said.
The City Hall grounds turned into a glittering array of lights, gently illuminating the landscape in morphing colors. A wide selection of Christmas décor, grand displays of lights and the spectacular dancing fountain became a popular tourist attraction for the public every night.
“A Unifying Administration, that is what Mayor Ogena envisioned, where all sectors can take part and do their share. And we are indeed grateful with the support of the business sector through a cash donation of P100,000 for the purchase of décors and lightings. Further, offices at the regional center anchored their ‘Paskuhan Village’ to the city’s theme.”, Panza said.
The splendid climate of the yuletide season is expected to bring new thrills, glitz and frills to the city of warm-hearted and peace-loving people as the City of Koronadal offers nightly get-aways. The Paskoronadal is an annual celebration organized by the city government to offer Koronadaleños a Christmas, full of new shows, sights, music and attractions.