WITH the theme “A Gliterry Christmas,” twelve motorela drivers from different barangays of Cagayan de Oro City took part in the “Paskorela,” the annual parade of Christmas-decorated motorelas across the city last Saturday, December 10.
The Paskorela parade, which started around 1:30 p.m. at the Rodelsa Circle and proceeded to circle Divisoria to end at Kiosko Kagawasan, is a part of the Pasko de Oro program of the City Tourism Office.
Students from the different schools in Cagayan de Oro City such as the Bulua Central School and the Pedro "Oloy" Roa Elementary School also took part in the parade with their drum and lyre bands and their Christmas costumes which were all in line with Pasko de Oro's core theme.
"As we all know, motorelas are very uniquely from here in Cagayan de Oro city. If you look at it, from the design to the name and everything about it is very Kagay-anon. This is why we chose motorelas to be paraded as part of the Pasko de Oro as a way also to promote what is ours and also what is Christmas for the people here in Cagayan de Oro city," said Eileen San Juan, the city’s Local Economic and Investment Promotions Officer.
As the event was a competition, a lot of effort was given in the decoration of the twelve participating motorelas. The first place motorela is by operator Elma Abao who won P40,000. This champion motorela featured a “belen,” a bundle of gifts, and is studded with Christmas bells on its top with passengers who were dressed as little Santa Clauses. Its driver posed as a Filipino Santa Clause who is riding his motorela around the city.
A snowy Christmas was featured by the second placer motorela by Rowen Abao who won P25,000. Landing on the third place is the Santa-costumed motorela by operator by Celso Pagumpana who was given P15,000.
All the twelve motorela participants were encouraged by San Juan and the City Tourism Council to not remove their motorelas' Christmas design all throughout the Christmas season so that they will take part in the spreading of the Christmas spirit in the city.
"Indeed the motorelas this year are more creative than those of the past years. It is also amazing to know that people are now more willing and excited to join the Paskorela parade celebration," added San Juan.