WITH just enough moonlight bearing down on the small town’s sports complex--glow-in-the-dark costumes, colorful floats, festive music, over 4,000 dancing students, cheering crowds, grand fireworks, and the brightest smiles—came together to illuminate the Christmas Symbol of the Philippines, Tangub City, for its 50th Charter anniversary celebration through a Stadium Lights Show last Feb. 28.

Found at the southern curve of the D-shaped province of Misamis Occidental, sheltered by the mighty Mt. Malindang Range and embraced by the placid Panguil Bay, Tangub City, formerly known as Regidor until 1930, is composed of 55 barangays spread over a land area of 16,572 hectares.

This city’s culture and beautiful history are two of its diadems, though young, it is as vibrant as spring, according to the city’s first lady and former mayor, Dr. Jennifer Wee-Tan. The name Tangub came from the Subanen word “tangkub”, a rice container made of tree bark woven together by rattan strips.

50th Charter Anniversary and Stadium Lights Show

From a sleepy village to a frontier town to a dynamic city that sits on the crossroad of change, Tangub has gone the distance. Celebrating the 50th year of its Charter anniversary was an event Tangubanons looked forward to so they could showcase their creativity, resourcefulness and love for their dear city.

One of the highlights of the milestone was the Stadium Lights Festival participated in by seven clusters from different schools. Each cluster portrayed an assigned period in the history of Tangub city: ancient period, Christianization period (Spanish to American period), homestead and settlement, founding of the town, founding the Alfonso Legacy, crossroads of change, and Tangub of tomorrow.

From the moment the well-lit sports complex turned into a dark blank space with just twinkling stars and the moon serving as lights, the excited crowd grew quiet. A few seconds later, festive music gave life to flashing bright lights, glowing costumes and gleaming floats, like neon ink painting a blank canvas – a masterpiece in the making.

The city jingle “Tangub City Full of Life” pumped up the mood and gave everyone goosebumps, in a good way. Aegis band also hyped the entire city up as they sang their hearts out to celebrate with the locals after Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque gave a heartwarming speech. The event ended with a bang from a grand 10-minute fireworks display.

The success of the event revealed the dedication and love of Tangubanons led by the father of the city, Mayor Philip Tan and his wife, former Mayor Jennifer Wee-Tan, Vice Mayor Edemar Alota and the city council.