No pandemic can stop the Christmas spirit in Bulacan as Governor Daniel Fernando and Vice Gov. Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado lit up the Christmas tree during the ‘Paskong Bulacan, Pag-iilaw ng Krismas Tree’ held in front of the Capitol building here on Friday night.
The program started with a parade of eight Christmas Carrozas made up of indigenous materials around the Capitol compound prepared by Parokya Sagrada Familia from Barangay Sta. Cruz, City of San Jose Del Monte while the Hiyas ng Bulacan Brass Band serenaded Bulakenyos with Christmas songs in front of the Capitol.
The governor emphasized there are still many reasons to be thankful of despite the present circumstances.“We are lucky that we have reached this year’s relaxation despite what the country has experienced. Let us thank God for the salvation of us all. This is the year of thanksgiving, especially to our health and essential workers as well as to various sectors in the province. The lighting of this Christmas tree signals the revival of hope in our Bulakenyos, ”he added.
The 35-feet Christmas tree is surrounded by Singkaban lanterns and has 1oo, ooo Christmas lights and wired balls built in front of the capitol.
Before the lighting ceremony, the Provincial History, Arts, Culture and Tourism Office announced the winners for the Online Song Writing Competition “Bagong Himig ng mga Bulakenyo sa Bagong Normal” in which Ferry M. Baltazar from the town of Guiguinto with his song composition ‘Paskompleto’ (Paskong Bulacan) with his lyricist and interpreter Gerald F. Tapaya won first place and took home P20,000 cash prize and a trophy while Michael A. Fresnoza also from Guiguinto who composed and interpreted the song ‘Ganyan ang Pasko sa Bulacan’ landed on second place and won P15,000 cash prize and a trophy; the song ‘Pasko ng Bagong Umaga’ composed and interpreted by Euphonyka from CSJDM bagged the third place and took home P10,000 and a trophy; Hipolito S. Martin from the town of Hagonoy won fourth place with his song composition ‘Tuloy ang Diwa ng Pasko’ and received P7,000 and a trophy and ‘Pasko Natin’ which is composed by Era Velnan from Calumpit town, written by Ray-Ann Keith Sta. Ana and interpreted by Sound of Era Band won fifth place with P5,000 cash prize and a trophy.
Other entries received special awards with P2,000 cash prize and certificates including the Bulakenyo Choice Award which is given to ‘Bagong Himig Paskong Bulakenyo’ composed and written by Ryan M. de Vera and interpreted by Genesis Bryan B. Reyes from Calumpit; Best Interpreter Award awarded to Mark Angelo Homer’s ‘Kwentong Pasko ng Bulakenyo’ interpreted by himself along with Angel De Leon, Kristine Musni, Baironne Santos and Daniel San Miguel from Bulakan town; and Best Video award was given to ‘Pasko ng Bagong Umaga’ composed and interpreted by Euphonyka from CSJDM.