Christmas park brings yuletide cheers to Albay townsfolk

This Christmas park in Polangui town, Albay province carries the theme, “Christmas around the world,” and features a 40-meter-tall Christmas tree. (Photo courtesy of Polangui government)

POLANGUI, Albay—Residents and visitors can now experience Christmas from around the world, thanks to a theme park that the local government opened in time for the holiday season.

On Thursday, (Dec. 1), the opening of the Christmas attraction saw the lighting of a 40-meter-tall Christmas tree and a five-minute fireworks display, delighting the spectators despite the downpour. The nativity, or birth of Jesus Christ, was also reenacted during the occasion.

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“We just wanted to make the people happy and let them feel like it is the season of love. We missed this kind of celebration due to the pandemic, and this is our Christmas present,” Mayor Raymond Adrian Salceda said.

Jane Reodique, a 55-year-old resident here, said the Christmas village allowed them to get a glimpse of how the yuletide season is celebrated worldwide.

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“Our family enjoyed it since it was like visiting the landmarks in Europe, Antarctica, North America, South America, Moscow, Egypt, and Australia,” Reodique said.

Aside from the Christmas display, the residents could also enjoy shopping at the night market and food bazaar.