By Cyrus A. Natividad

Iloilo City is one place in the country where you can watch the display of lights in parks, plazas, and other public places during the Christmas season. There are various designs and exciting sequences of lights that seem to be animated – to the delight of children, families, and passersby. The attraction almost always makes a place crowded with people. This was one reason why Iloilo City became a Center for tourism.

In particular, Central Philippine University was declared a ‘Tourism Site’ by the Iloilo City Sangguniang Panlunsod, when it passed City Resolution 2001-1140 in 2001 (Thanks to Atty. Joshua C. Alim, current president of CPUAAI- during his time at the city council). The Festival of Lights and Music at Central made CPU a distinct tourist destination during the Christmas season.

In 1991, a project called ‘Adopt-a-Tree’ was conceptualized to involve some businessmen to adorn the trees along the Alumni Promenade and Concert Park with Christmas lights. Additional areas were installed with lights and decors the following year, and more, thereafter. In 1997, during the CPUAAI presidency of Dr. Glenn Catedral, Christmas lights and decor installation in the campus were expanded; the University Church was made the main attraction during the festival.

More enhancements to the festivities included a nightly Kantahan or videoke contest. Visitors participated in the competition by singing Christmas songs. Cash prizes were given to the winners.

The opening of the Festival of Lights and Music at Central used to start on every first Friday of December. The departments, colleges, and students were assigned each night to lead in the nightly shows. Local government officials and VIP’s were invited to participate in the symbolic switching-on of the Festival of Lights and Music at Central.

The involvement of government officials and special guests at the opening added more visitors inside the campus. So too, was the fireworks display at the big field which was competitively held with other institutions around the city; the big malls had their own version of it. Sometimes a photo contest and exhibits were held with the festival theme. Photos come out mostly with images of the switching on of lights and fireworks display.

All over the campus lights were switched off with a moment of silence. The countdown was followed by a ‘big bang’ as lights were switched on – simultaneously with the release of fireworks. The colorful display of Christmas lights at the University Church and around the Big Field created a loud and approving noise from the spectators.

Families, children, and young people would walk around the campus to enjoy the spirit of the season; in the tradition of the Filipino “Fiesta sa Nayon”. Bazaars and stalls were allowed at the half-moon drive, festooned all over with lanterns and Christmas lights. Foremost were the tastes of coffee, puto bongbong, bibingka, chicharon, suman and many other native delicacies and pasalubongs. The night seemingly ended some hours after midnight; crowd of spectators took so long to clear the gate after the event.

We look back to the Festival of Lights and Music before Covid times, but gratefulness and thanksgiving must prevail for the special provision of God to our beloved Central.

This year, the Festival of Lights will open on December 10, 2021 at 4:30 pm. It will start with a White Gift Service, and then the Switching on of Lights when nighttime comes. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Lights of Hope at Central.”

For Centralians and friends all over the world, let us have a Christmas celebration centered on Jesus Christ, the reason for the season.