Himamaylan City lights up for Christmas, holds soft launching of improved plaza

The holiday cheer is in the air at the “Land of Gratitude” as Himamaylan City lit up its public plaza a week before Christmas Day.

Thousands of Himamaylanons and visitors from nearby towns gathered at the new and improved Himamaylan City Public Plaza during the grand “Paskwa sa Maylan” Christmas lights celebration on December 17, 2024.

“It is not only a lights on celebration filled with diverse performances, but also the soft launching of our new and improved Himamaylan City Public Plaza,” said Mayor Raymund Tongson during the event.

Tongson said flooding has always been a problem in the plaza for decades and its condition has never improved “but under this city administration, it has been solved and the area has improved even more.”
The celebration featured Drag Race Philippines Season 3 winner Maxie Anderson together with the Bacolod Drag Queens.

Spectators also witnessed the performances by the barangays that joined the Christmas Carol Competition.

The celebration capped off with the ceremonial lighting of the public plaza and a fireworks display.

“Many of the performers are women and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. This is another way to promote the rights of women, especially in condemning all forms of violence against them,” said Tongson.

This is also in support with the recently concluded nationwide 18-Day Campaign to End Violence Against Women and the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence.

While more improvements are underway for the plaza, the city mayor said, opening the public space signifies more blessings awaiting Himamaylanons.

“May Himamaylanons receive more blessings this Christmas. I look forward for greater things for our Land of Gratitude,” he added.* (W/ Keith Brandon/Himamaylan City Mayor’s Office photos)