Giant Christmas tree wows spectators

By FELIPE V. CELINO

ROXAS City — The newly constructed giant Christmas tree placed at the Rotonda in front of the Roxas City Metropolitan Cathedral impressed several visitors and spectators in the Sinadya sa Halaran (SSH) Festival this year.

The 30-foot Christmas tree was put up for the SSH and Christmas celebrations.

It is “a symbol of hope and unity among us,” said Mayor Angel Alan Celino during the press conference dubbed "Kapihan ni Alan."

Recyclable materials were used in constructing the outdoor Christmas tree, Celino said.

The tree, Celino said, can also be dismantled and installed again in the succeeding Yuletide seasons.

The huge Christmas symbol will complement the giant mascots locally known as higantes featured in the week-long SSH Festival.

The higantes will represent different kinds of marine species and will mingle with the crowd during the Sadsad sa Kalye and Pasundayag sa Kalye (street dancing and street display), according to Gerry Pagharion of the Roxas City Press Bureau.

They also represent the "big strides or leaps" that this city has made toward progress, the SSH organizers noted.

SSH this year has the theme "Pag-ambitanay, Pagkinalipay kag Pagpasalamat (Sharing, Joy and Thanksgiving)."/PN