GUAGUA -- This town's Mayor Dante Torres led government officials, municipal employees and local residents in the lighting of the town's Christmas lanterns at the Plaza Burgos, a tradition that has been observed since 1995.
Torres led the early evening program on Tuesday at the Plaza Burgos Gazebo where 31 lanterns, symbolizing the town's 31 barangays were simultaneously lit along with the Christmas lights and dozens of other lanterns from the different business establishments of the town.
"This is a yearly event that calls to mind the need for unity not just during the Christmas season but all year round," Torres said, adding that the lanterns symbolize the light from every Guagua resident regardless of political or religious background.
Torres said that the tradition had been a yearly spectacle that attracts locals during the lighting. The ceremonial lighting on Tuesday featured performances from local artists as well as choirs from local schools and the municipal government.
Torres said that the event has become a yearly activity for families and friends to come together. The event is part of the town's fiesta celebrations on December 8 and kick-off for the Yuletide season in the town.
While the lighting of the lanterns was just started in 1995, Guagua town has been known to erect pagodas and other decorative themes at the Plaza Burgos in anticipation of the fiesta and Christmas since the 50's 60's and 70's.
The lanterns are located at the Plaza Burgos park inside Barangay Plaza Burgos. The barangay was named after the plaza that was in honor of the one of martyred priests on the onset of the Philippine revolution against Spain. The area is the town's commercial and social district.