Janiuay And Pototan: A Holiday Trail of Lights
In the Philippines, Christmas is a time for family and for generosity. Everyone who participates in holiday activities has traditions marked by family reunions, gifts and candy for children, gifts for the poor, Midnight Mass, singing of carols, Christmas trees, ornaments in brightly-colored lights, and much more.
In Iloilo, the preparation of Christmas varies by towns and as early as the first week of December, some are busy planting modified Christmas trees in their municipal plazas that provide the towns’ landscape with a source of visual interest throughout the Christmas season. Others decorate their plazas almost as profusely as they would indoors. One common trend for towns is to plant trees outdoors after the holiday. This trend grows in strength in the future, making real estate industry more conscious of how much value landscaping can add to their properties.
And because of this, some towns have become a community of experts and decorating enthusiasts not only because it's fun, but they have a deep rooted passion for celebrating and spreading the joy of the Christmas season. They hand-make each ornament with pride, placing the mini lights so closely that shapes can easily be identified from near or far.
The fashion of the illuminated outdoor tree is very widespread. The emergence of this tradition reflects the increasing appreciation Ilonggos have for the importance of the season of joy and hope. And in the province of Iloilo, Christmas season means the celebration of the FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS for Janiuay and IWAG CHRISTMAS LIGHTS FESTIVAL for Pototan.
Continuing this wonderful holiday tradition begun as a gift to the community headed by their very supportive and active tourism-oriented municipal mayors, Dr. BIENVENIDO P. MARGARICO of Janiuay and PABLO L. PEREZ of Pototan, both festivals welcomes all who seek the true spirit and meaning of Christmas. The celebration is to enhance the warm feelings that the Christmas season brings and to provide entertainment for all members of the family, particularly the children.
Volunteers and municipal staff begin working on the festival as early as the last weeks of November. Their municipal plaza surrounds visitors with the traditional sights and sounds of this wondrous holiday season. Few holiday celebrations can hope to compare with the grandeur offered by both towns’ Christmas park setting. With outdoor animated and Christmas lights, lighted Christmas decorations, Christmas lawn ornaments, holiday yard art with lights, and religious-themed lawn ornaments are this town’s excellent choices for their outdoor Christmas tree decorating.
These Christmas displays supply commodities often lacking on our rural landscape: color and light. Indeed, ever-greens and outdoor lighting, whether used in conjunction or not, form the backbone of Christmas in rural Iloilo. Christmas tradition such as the Festival of Lights Celebration of Janiuay and IWAG Christmas Lights Festival of Pototan reminds us all that Christmas is a season of joy, sharing, compassion, and peace.
Walk through a beautiful celebration of lights that features stunning works by many of these town’s most talented craftsmen, sure to amaze all. Everyone can stroll through their wondrously decorated plazas. Janiuay’s Festival of Lights opened in December 8 till the 31st; the IWAG Christmas Lights Festival of Pototan runs from Dec. 16, 2007 to Jan. 1, 2008.