MARIKINA CITY, Philippines?For Marikina City folks, not even Tropical Storm ?Ondoy? can stop Christmas.

The yuletide season in Marikina City will officially begin on Nov. 14 with the launching of its much anticipated ?Christmas Festival,? according to city officials.

The two-month festival will start with the inauguration of ?Tiangge sa Ilog? (night bazaar along the river) at 4 p.m. on the floating stage of the Marikina River Park, officials said.

Mayor Marides Fernando will lead the launch of the festival through a ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by a short program.

At the Christmas bazaar, some 700 stalls will sell a wide array of products, including shoes, ready-to-wear apparel, fashion and home accessories, gift and novelty items, kitchen gadgets, mobile phones, electronic gadgets, and fast food.

Officials said they hope that the night bazaar would help speed up the recovery of the local economy after it suffered severe financial losses from the destruction wrought by Ondoy.

Aside from the bazaar, the Marikina Christmas Festival will feature nightly shows and Christmas displays on the Animal Trail of the Marikina River Park.