In Dagupan, streets aglow with Yuletide lights, decor

MERRYMAKING Students of Saint Louis University march down Session Road carrying lanterns as Baguio City officially ushers in the Yuletide season. —REDJIE MELVIC CAWIS/CONTRIBUTOR

DAGUPAN CITY, Pangasinan, Philippines — Multicolored glimmering lights are making the central business area here glow after sunset, drawing residents and tourists alike to two bridges that are bedecked with holiday decor.

Since Nov. 12, the Quintos and Magsaysay bridges that cross the Pantal River sparkle with colorful lights that come in shapes of “bangus” (milkfish), waves, stars and Christmas balls.

Several couples have held their prenuptial and predebut shoots under an arc of lights in the middle of the Quintos Bridge and along a tunnel of lights at the city plaza.

When the clock strikes at 6 p.m., people flock to these bridges for a selfie, which inspired the City Hall to launch a mobile phone photo contest.

“We did not expect the massive influx of people but we are happy that it is being appreciated by Dagupeños and Pangasinenses alike,” said Mayor Brian Lim.

‘Paskong Disney’

In Bayambang town, residents and visitors troop to the town plaza to watch a Christmas display that features Disneyland characters.

At the center of “Disneyland sa Bayambang” is an animated display that depicts the birth of Christ Jesus and other Filipino traditions on Christmas season.

Bayambang Mayor Cezar Quiambao said the “Paskong Disney” was for “every child and those who are child-at-heart.”

Enchanting Baguio

In Baguio City, hundreds of students from Saint Louis University marched along downtown Baguio on Dec. 1 carrying bright, colorful lanterns to officially usher in the yuletide season, just as Mayor Benjamin Magalong ceremonially lit the city’s giant Christmas tree.

Dubbed “An Enchanting Baguio Christmas,” the city’s yuletide programs were designed to be tourism-drawing activities “at par with other big-ticket, city-directed and city-supported events such as the Panagbenga Baguio Flower Festival,” said filmmaker Ferdinand Balanag, who curated the Christmas project.

Baguio’s peak tourism season starts in December and continues until February because of the cooler temperatures.

Balanag said the Enchanting Baguio Christmas aimed to “propagate a culture of responsible tourism, and promote our culture, our creative arts, folklore and traditions.”