Yuletide Season: The Bigueños’ Way of Celebration

             Christmas is celebrated to remember the birth of Jesus Christ. As early as September, houses can be seen already with bright and colorful lights even from a distance. During this season, households are decorated with Christmas lights, Christmas trees, Christmas lanterns, and other Christmas decorations. Christmas is a day of enjoyment and happiness leading all roads to our homes. Remember the times when we were so excited at this time of the year? Just running around full of joy, young, and living carefree, we had the world at our feet. Those years when the dark sky is decorated with stars that seemed to shine brighter. How our excitement began to mount as we set up the Christmas tree and hang decorations from the long-forgotten boxes. Decorations from past years that hold memories, witnessing reflection of those exchanged smiles. It’s obvious that this holiday feels warm and joyful when it comes to celebrating it with our family members, close friends, and even our loved ones. Doing different activities and traditions really gives the greatest feelings. But with the existence of the Covid-19 Pandemic, how can we celebrate it merrily during these hard times?

              Covid-19 may have flipped over life in countries where it unleashed its wrath, but it has failed to dampen the Christmas spirit in the Philippines, where the yuletide season is celebrated as early as September. While the country remains under quarantine, Filipinos still find ways to celebrate the season and express their love to their family and friends. Despite the alert level restrictions aimed at stopping the Covid-19 on its tracks, families still gather and partake in the traditional holiday fare. Celebrating Christmas in the heritage city of Vigan during this pandemic focused on bringing out the artistry and creativity of the Bigueños, showcasing the city’s rich culture, tradition, and heritage, without dampening the city’s fight against Covid-19.

               The season officially started through the Christmas tree lighting by the city officials in front of the Vigan City Hall. According to Mayor Juan Carlo Medina, “the Christmas tree reflects the lives of every Bigueño, that hope and positivity sparks brighter than the challenges brought by the uncertain times.” The tree also symbolizes the city government’s sustainable advocacy as well as making it more environmentally friendly. Competitions were designed and crafted on the concept “Artes ita Paskua 2021,” meaning a celebration of arts adhering with the city’s meaningful advocacy. These art competitions ala Bigueño style showcased the talents, skills, and creativity of Bigueños focusing on the heritage city amidst the pandemic. It is a way of making every youth and citizen of the city aware of the importance of environmental protection while making oneself protected against the virus. It also makes them value the essence of Christmas, of giving, loving and hoping for a better future ahead. Different contested activities participated in by the Bigueños adhering to the city’s advocacy are On-the-Spot Lantern Making, Christmas Card Making, Inter-Office Christmas Tree, Christmas Street Painting, and Inter-Barangay Christmas Tree. Exhibiting the talents and artworks of every Bigueño could not only motivate more tourists to come thereby generating more income for the city government but it could also be an avenue to discover fresh, timely, and creative artworks from the youth sector. Other contested activities which highlighted the Bigueños’ talents are Sa May Bahay Christmas Carol, Santa Baby (Photo Competition), and Dokyufilm. An activity also focused on making My Grown-Up Christmas Wishlist.

             While merrymaking during the holidays will somehow ease the anxiety brought about by the pandemic, Christmas by the Bigueños will always be uniquely celebrated following the city’s exceptional culture and tradition. Sustainable plus environmentally friendly advocacy in this year’s “Artes ita Paskua” brings forth environmental concerns and rekindling every citizen’s environmental awareness to love, care, and protect the heritage city of Vigan, one of the Seven Wonders of the World so that its crowning glory will always shine the brightest in all these days to come. The pandemic is still with us so let us celebrate the yuletide season festively while making ourselves protected from the virus. Valuing and loving oneself and others is the essence of Christmas, it is the art behind the city government’s “Artes ita Paskua 2021”.

Online Sources:

Vigan City PH, Facebook, Retrieved on January 29, 2022

1. https://web.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=vigancityph&set=a.4749101885135927

2. https://web.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4808741595838622&type=3

3. https://web.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4795006040545511&type=3