BACOLOD CITY – Holiday cheer filled the air in the “Land of Gratitude” as Himamaylan City, Negros Occidental lit up its public plaza a week before Christmas Day.
Thousands of Himamaylanons and visitors from nearby towns gathered at the newly improved Himamaylan City Public Plaza during the grand “Paskwa sa Maylan” Christmas lights-on celebration on December 17, 2024.
“This is not just a lights-on celebration filled with diverse performances, but also the soft launching of our new and improved Himamaylan City Public Plaza,” said Mayor Raymund Tongson during the event.
Tongson highlighted that flooding had plagued the plaza for decades, but “under this city administration, it has been resolved, and the area has improved even more.”
The celebration featured Drag Race Philippines Season 3 winner Maxie Anderson alongside the Bacolod Drag Queens.
Spectators were also treated to performances by barangays that joined the Christmas Carol Competition.
The event concluded with the ceremonial lighting of the public plaza and a vibrant fireworks display.
“Many of the performers are women and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. This is another way to promote the rights of women, especially in condemning all forms of violence against them,” Tongson said.
The initiative aligns with the recently concluded nationwide 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women and the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence.
While further improvements are planned for the plaza, Mayor Tongson emphasized that opening the space signifies more blessings for Himamaylanons.
“May Himamaylanons receive more blessings this Christmas. I look forward to greater things for our Land of Gratitude,” he added.
