Disney-inspired floats bring holiday cheer to kids

A street parade featuring colorful Disney characters entertains residents of Ligao City on Christmas eve. MARK ALVIC ESPLANA/INQUIRER SOUTHERN LUZON

LIGAO CITY—The Christmas celebration in this city in Albay province would not be complete without the parade of floats of Walt Disney-inspired characters along Rizal Street here.

Started in 2010 and was conceptualized by former Mayor Linda P. Gonzalez, the showcase of giant cartoon characters has been the much-awaited event in Ligao during the Christmas holiday.

City tourism officer Gina Balingbing said it took them two months to prepare for this year’s event, with the help of the Department of Education and the collaborative effort of students, parents, village officials and nongovernment organizations.

The parade has 10 contingents, each of whom received P50,000 from the city government as “seed money so they won’t have to worry about the materials to be used for the beautification of the float,” Balingbing added.

Each float is 3.7 meters high and 4 meters wide.

“The main objective of the parade is to inculcate in the minds of people, especially children, that the real essence of celebrating Christmas is to bring joy. And we would like them to feel it,” Mayor Patricia Gonzalez-Alzua said.

With characters from famous movies like   “Frozen,” “Swan Princess,” “Aladdin,” “Hercules,” “Maleficent,” “Little Mermaid,” “Happy Feet,” “Lion King,” “The Pirate Fairy” and “Rio” to be represented by the 10 contingents, Balingbing said they expected to awe spectators.

Aside from the parade of floats, participants dressed in colorful costumes also danced to Christmas songs during the parade, Balingbing added.

The top three winners were to be chosen after the parade. The first-place winner would receive 50,000 plus trophy; P40,000 for the second-placer; and 30,000 for the third-place winner.

Additional cash incentives would also be given to special awardees. Nonwinners would each get P20,000 as consolation prize.