Pagadian City Paskuhan 2009 Opens With Grand Festivals

PAGADIAN CITY, Philippines - Pagadian government officials led by Mayor Samuel Co kicked-off activities presenting the Paskuhan 2009 and formally opened the month-long festivities with fanfare albeit in simplicity.

The program, held Tuesday at the Taklobo Stage in Plaza Luz, was attended by officials and employees of the Pagadian and Zamboanga del Sur provincial governments.

Provincial Governor Aurora Cerilles and Major General Romeo Lustestica, commander of the Army's 1st Infantry Division, were also present during the affair.

Like in the past Paskuhan, the opening of the festival coincided with the lighting ceremonies of the giant Christmas tree installed inside the plaza, the Christmas countdown and simultaneous lightning of all Christmas décor contest entries and a grand fireworks display.

Co earlier had a conference with the media in the afternoon before the program opening.

A nightly Christmas variety show until Dec. 31 will have local bands and performers from the academe and nongoverment organizations showing their singers, dancers in various musical performances.

The mayor mentioned many as he expressed his appreciation, which included Priscilla Fernandez, of the City Tourism Office; the City Council and the Green House personnel headed by his wife and First Lady Ilang-ilang Co, who is also in-charge of the Christmas decoration around the city and the Plaza Luz.

“Christmas and new year is also a time for us to evaluate the year-ending and make plans for the coming year. We should therefore be thankful that the year 2008 and 2009 has been generous to Pagadian City,” Co said in his speech.

The mayor likewise thanked President Gloria Arroyo and provincial officials for the continued and effective transfer of the regional offices from Zamboanga City to Pagadian, including the multimillion airport and wharf projects in the city.

“We have also seen the improvement of our business climate here with the introduction of the City Council’s investment incentive where many entrepreneurs have invested in the city,” Co said.

He also noted the increasing tourist arrivals in Pagadian as a result of the peaceful atmosphere. “Let us always give our best ug magtinabangay ta tanan,” Co urged his constituents.

“We are also thankful to Almighty God that no major calamities occurred in our city so that funds that should have been spent for calamities can now be spent for more infrastructure projects in the city,” he concluded.

As for Cerilles, she said that by seeing the gathering of people of all walks of life in Plaza Luz, “We are breathing the air of the yuletide.”

“This gesture embodies of wishes, hopes and aspirations of a joyous season and a bountiful and a peaceful year 2010, commemorating the birth of our savior Jesus Christ who carries the tidings of peace and goodwill toward man,” she added.
“It is an act of faith that should encourage all of us to world for peace and harmony that empower us to achieve great things and win over the many challenges of life.”

“The decorations we put on the tree signifies the message of regeneration that in God’s grace and mercy, we shall attain genuine renewal in our lives, in our society and our country at large.”

“Ang tinuod nga kausaban sa katilingban nga atong gipangandoy matuman lamang kung kita naumol dira sa gugma sa Dios. When there is love we can conquer every problem, hardship and trials. We are in the winning side when we have the love of god in our hearts,” said the governor.

“This festive atmosphere is our way of demonstrating our love and thanksgiving to God. This is our way of believing that with god’s and providence we could get by with all the circumstances we are facing and once more bind ourselves together in building a peaceful and progressive city and the province,” Cerilles ended.

The Paskuhan ‘09 is also a kick-off activity of the Pasalamat Festival 2010, the city’s fiesta that gives honor to its Patron Saint, Sto. Niño.(Pinoy Preview / Michael Medina and Jong Cadion)


Link:http://pinoypreview.blogspot.com/2009/12/huge-crowd-witness-paskuhan-09-opening.html