Christmas is the most anticipated time of
the year and everyone looked forward to celebrating this season. Because of the
worsening pandemic, celebrations were cut short and even cancelled. For the
Bigueños, celebrating the busiest and most festive season was quite a
challenge. However, the City government pushed through the so called “Artes Ita
Pascua” celebration to give hope and let the Bigueños still feel the season of
Christmas amidst this trying times but with stricter guidelines. Most of the
events were done online and others were with limited participants to comply
with the minimum Public Health Standards set forth by the local COVID-19 task
force.
To highlight the start of Christmas festivity in Vigan City, simultaneous lighting of Christmas Tree in front of Vigan City Hall and the Christmas Village at Vigan Conservation Complex Due is done annually. But because the pandemic has restricted the public to attend, they made it an online event through the City’s official Facebook page.
City events were also done in Barangay levels as well as home-based. Inter-Barangay Christmas Nativity Scene, Christmas Trees and other colorful Christmas decorations made up of recycled materials were put up in Barangay Halls.
Bigueños young and old alike were given the opportunity to take part in the month-long celebration of Christmas in the City of Vigan. Christmas Card Making Competition showcasing the children’s creativity and the practice in writing through Iloco language were one of the events. Essay competition that tackles the grown up wishes or dreams of a Bigueño that gives hope and entertainment to its readers.
Santa Baby: Photography Contest in which Bigueño toddlers dressed into their best and cutest Christmas costumes. Little Miss Santa Claus wherein the candidates ramped and showcased virtually their Christmas inspired costumes, talents and wit during their online casual interview.
Street Painting were one of the most anticipated event wherein artists from the city enthusiastically participated and showcased their creativity and passion for arts portraying Ilocano Christmas Traditions and Family Values. Lantern or Parol Making representing traditions of Filipinos on Christmas became one of the highlights which afterwards being displayed in strategic areas of the City. Lastly, the different offices of the City Government also took part in the celebration of Christmas to bring positive vibes in their respective offices through putting up of Christmas Trees and decors that were also made from recyclable materials. These goes to show that nothing, not even the pandemic can stop Bigueños from celebrating the Christmas season. The pandemic served as a reminder to us of what really matters.
(thematic assessment)
Resources:
http://vigancity.gov.ph/artes-ita-paskua-carries-on-amid-pandemic/
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