It's the month of December! And because it's that time of the year when Christmas is in the air, here's my humble tribute to spreading the glorious spirit with my walking adventure.
But before that, did you know that the Philippines holds the official record of celebrating the longest Christmas season on the planet? That's right. It begins as early as September as soon as Jose Mari Chan, a beloved Filipino balladeer, sings his iconic Christmas tunes over the musical airwaves. (His catchy songs aren’t the only Christmas signals though, lol.) The celebration extends as far as the first week of January to commemorate the “Day of the Three Kings”, an important feast day of the Roman Catholic Church.
However, in the Philippine city of Cebu, the Christmas festivities would even stretch until the world-acclaimed Sinulog Festival, an annual religious event scheduled towards the end of January - paying tribute to the island’s patron saint.
Just like other famous global cities, the Christmas tradition was very much alive and kicking in Cebu City. And if you happen to walk around this tropical metropolis at night, you'll discover a plethora of Christmas decorations literally adorning most places with their glittering, shining, and spectacular bright lights!
A remarkable site that has become one of my favorite strolling havens is Cebu I.T. Park, a technological hub hosting BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) companies including corporate, residential, hospitality, food & beverage, retail, and commercial establishments. Let's say it's also a lifestyle destination where you've got everything you need merged into one splendid location.
During this cherished season, this bustling landmark lighted up with all its Christmas ornamentations. And the moment I approached its entry gates, I was immediately drawn to its dazzling setup of illuminated decors, most especially to Santa’s golden sleigh. Hmm…but where were the reindeer? Did they hide somewhere?
Sure enough as I walked further inside, I came across Santa’s reindeer, particularly the famous Rudolph since all of them had red-lit noses. These adorable creatures were standing tall along the sidewalks, guiding the long paths for thrilled visitors like me. Have you noticed?
As I continued walking deeper into the park's interior, more captivating Christmas lights greeted me. This time sparkling trees cladded with tiny LED bulbs caught my attention. They served as welcoming lampposts where pedestrians crossed the street islands. What a magnificent sight!
Right across them were round, square, and star-shaped light boxes with vivid patterns that glowed intensely. My eyes were attracted to them right away due to their embedded artistic yellow geometries.
Strolling further ahead on the other sidewalks, I also encountered more Christmas-inspired contraptions that were outlined with lighting strips. They resembled gift boxes with ribbons. Nearby was a massive ball-shaped Christmas ornament that stood at the entrance of one of their corporate offices. Isn't that an amazing work of art? Again, more light boxes depicting the seasonal ambiance were also scattered at strategic points where passers-by could capture plenty of photo opportunities.
If there were Christmas lighting spectacles that absolutely impressed me, they were the elaborate ornamentation that adorned the street’s pedestrian lanes. I was definitely mesmerized by the amount of creative lighting fixtures that greeted and entertained people as they passed underneath these incredible displays.
On another road island not too far away, I also found a clever Christmas artwork that was eye-catching due to its simple creativity. Those glowing bulbs definitely caught my eyes!
Moreover, other pedestrian lanes where foot traffic was heavy with people were also installed with lavish Christmas lights. Visitors can easily witness the pure extravagance of the brightly lit exhibitions celebrating the Yuletide season.
However, that was not all. Even Cebu I.T. Park’s primary shopping mall certainly didn't disappoint! Inside, lots of illuminated Christmas decorations were installed including a few non-seasonal details. Looking at the lovely people sitting at the benches and seeing the smiles on their faces gave me a sense of personal satisfaction - knowing that they were indeed joyous about the surrounding experiences.
I ended my long yet interesting walk at the mall’s atrium area where dozens more of related decorations were displayed.
Without a doubt, the Christmas season at the Cebu I.T. Park was obviously thriving with so much glamour, style, and vibrance. And with its fascinating light shows, ornaments, and elements that complemented the overall atmosphere, I can truly say that the heartwarming celebration was powerfully active!
What about your city? Are the festive Christmas lights already up and running? Share your stories and images here.
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I did know that the Philipines has a long christmas period and decorations but didnt know its the longest in the world, they sure do it so well
Thanks for joining the Wednesday walk
Have a great day
That's right. The Philippines celebrates Christmas quite seriously and extravagantly, thus the cultural traditions keep getting stronger every year. It's most probably also due to her dominant Roman Catholic population. The spectacular Christmas lights plus other decorations definitely add to the wonderful experiences of the Yuletide season. Have an awesome one! ☺️
Indeed joyful Christmas season seeing the colorful lights!
Cebu is really a progressive city and had everything. No need to go in Manila though I am curious, how much now is the daily wage?
The Christmas season is definitely alive in the Philippines! And it shows in the decorations, culture, and heartwarming nature of Filipinos.
Cebu City in particular is not behind in their special tribute to the Yuletide celebrations. The island has become one of the country's top-ranking financial hubs. I'm not sure about their minimum wage though. ☺️
Happy New Year 2025. Blessings to you and your family. Success
Happy New Year @doriangel and to your beautiful family! Here's to the best for 2025 and beyond! 🎉🍷
What a festive sight, indeed! Christmas is truly in the air. 🎄✨️🌃
Absolutely, whenever you are in the Philippines, get ready for the longest Christmas celebration in the world! Enjoy! ☺️
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Cool, thanks for the update @worldmappin! ☺️
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