WITH Davao City's early Pasko Fiesta opening, nights have been glittering and twinkling as most of the city's tourist attractions are covered with Christmas lights and winter wonderland decorations.
Last November 23, the city opened the said celebration earlier than expected to give the Dabawenyos longer Christmas celebration.
As the city economically progresses, more and more people are coming here to make a living. Most workers are away from their families thus the 17 activities featured by Pasko Fiesta will try to create a home away from home.
One of the highlights during the Pasko Fiesta opening was the City Hall Christmas light and music show with 3D projection mapping component while some performers, like the Alab Poi dancers, entertained the attending tourists and locals. It was made to be the tourist destination for this year's event.
The surprise does not end there. The city also prepared a long Christmas Tunnel of Lights at the Sta. Ana Wharf which is open to the public every Fridays to Sundays from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Under the 5,400 meters of lights, friends and families gathered to take photos and eat with their loved ones. Indeed, a home away from home.
The city has also been known to be a child-friendly city which is why Pasko Fiesta will never be complete without activities for kids. Starting 5 p.m. every day, free amusement rides and ice cream in cones are made available for children since the opening of the event.
There were also competitions prepared by the city such as Kahayag sa Dabaw, Parolan sa Barangay, Koro sa Pasko, Lamdag Parada, Banda Dasig, Tugtugan sa Pasko, and Sayaw Pasko among others. All of these activities can be watched by the locals and tourists for free.
Since the city has been strictly implementing the firecracker ban under City Ordinance No. 060-02 of 2002, the city has its own way of welcoming year 2019 in the most enjoyable and loudest way possible without the fear of casualties. Torotot Festival will be sponsored by the city’s private partner, Phoenix Petroleum.
If firecrackers were banned, Dabawenyos will have torotots for New Year celebration. In fact, Dabawenyos and Dabawenyos-at-heart will always have a special way of celebrating Christmas and New Year in the city as it had become a home of everybody.