MONTEVISTA, Compostela Valley province -- Have you ever been to Disneyland or entered the castle of the "Beauty and the Beast" or of "Sleeping Beauty?" What about meeting Snow White and her seven dwarves, that adorable fawn Bambi, Pocahontas, the Little Mermaid, Winnie the Pooh, Lilo and Stitch, or Donald Duck? And of course, who wouldn't miss Minnie and Mickey Mouse? They're all here--and more! This time, they are adorned with Christmas lights only on this year's 16th Diwanag Festival celebration here.
Diwanag Festival is one of the much anticipated events every Christmas season in Compostela Valley province that showcases different concepts every year. It officially opened on December 14 as "Diwanag goes...Disneyland on Christmas" bearing the theme, "Tatak Montevistahanon, atong mahalon, atong amumahon, behikulo aron ang lungsod magmalamboon."
"Bisan sa kagamay sa atong lungsod, bisan ug 3rd class municipality lang apan nailhan kita dili lang sa tibuuk nasud sa Pilipinas kun dili damgo nato nga mailhan kita sa tibuuk kalibutan," Mayor Eutropio Jayectin said.
The Diwanag festival already made its mark and is a consistent National Pearl awardee on best tourism practices under the municipal category conferred by the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines and the Department of Tourism.
Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy expressed his congratulations to the local government unit (LGU) for sustaining the revelry and coming up with new surprises each year as he also extended his well wishes to the towns people.
With the Disneyland theme, the dazzling lights will amaze you no end as it offers a wide array of Christmas lights display at the sprawling municipal plaza. The amazing displays are actually part of the Christmas lights competition from the 20 participating entries under the inter-barangay category, four teams from the inter-LGU offices, and the six entries in the inter-school category.
As if the stunning display of lights are not enough, nightly presentations will also entertain you to no end.
Starting December 15 until 26, variety shows sponsored by different agencies will be showcased such as Educators Night, Live concert, Women's night, Broadway show, D'Voice singing competition, Dance craze, comedy show, and congressional night.
The Governor's Bulawan night will also be graced by celebrity Sunshine Cruz and local talents on December 19. A food court is also available offering a wide variety of delicious but affordable food.
Indeed, it is a "shining, shimmering---and more splendid" Diwanag festival in Montevista this Holiday season!
(Getting there: Montevista is about a two-and-a-half hour ride away from Davao City via private vehicle. It is the next town after Comval's capital town, Nabunturan, going north bound.) (Fe F. Maestre/PR)