Like Christmas cards sprung to life, some of Bohol’s towns go all out for the holidays.
The town plaza of Sevilla is delighting visitors because of its colorful decorations.
A towering 20ft Christmas tree magnificently adorned by festive lights and traditional small “parols” (star-shaped Christmas lantern) ornaments highlighted the Christmas decor.
For the residents of Sevilla town, making their parols and Christmas trees from recycled and indigenous materials, is their way to not just showcase their creativity, but to help the environment.
The Christmas trees were made of plastic cups, wrappers, egg trays, while parols were made of corn husks, plastic forks and plastic wrappers. It took residents weeks to complete.
The “Papiskay sa Pako” is a contest initiated by the local government unit of Sevilla. It aims to help minimize the pollution brought by plastics and other household wastes.
In Pilar town, the tall Santa Claus has become the town’s center of attention, drawing people who take pictures with the Santa in the background.
The 28-foot tall object in the middle of the road wears a red suit, a white beard and black boots.
The town started the Santa Claus project in 2001. At night, a spotlight brightens it, but there are no additional ornaments or decorations for the past years.
“It’s kinda boring… it’s the same Santa Claus over the past years,” a frequent visitor said. But visitors should stay more for the LED-light cherry blossoms in front of the town building.
In Loay town, LED-light cherry blossoms and a giant “belen” (nativity scene) highlighted the town’s Christmas display.
Five giant stars were on display at Loboc town plaza. Visitors should come early to catch the performance of the world-famous Loboc Children’s Choir at the plaza. However, for those who seek tranquility, you can spend time near the river to feel the “silent night, holy night.”
Parols and hundreds of small “floating stars” littered the town plaza of Maribojoc. Visitors don’t have to worry where to eat because there are food stalls to satisfy the gastronomic escape.
It’s “White Christmas” in Inabanga town for their 21 Christmas trees and 100 parols . The highest Christmas tree measured 20 feet. The materials made out of indigenous materials. They used bamboo slits and dried “kabkaban” leaves that grow on the barks of trees that are abundant in the place.
Inabanga was the first town in Bohol to celebrate Christmas so early last Sept.
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A lantern, or “parol” in Filipino, has become more than a Christmas decoration in Filipino homes.
The Bohol Provincial Police Office (BPPO) under the leadership of Provincial Director Senior Superintendent Angeles Geñorga Jr. holds parol making contest with 48 police stations, Bohol Tourist Police Unit and Provincial Mobile Force Company competing.
The contest is first of its kind this year for Bohol PPO and the winning entry will compete at the regional level competition at Police Regional Office 7.
The judges were BPPO Press Corps president Dave Charles Responte, former Napolcom head lawyer Dionisio Calibo and Leah Amor Lanit of the provincial Napolcom Office.
In addition, PRO7 Regional Director Chief Supt. Debold Sinas will also judge the police station entries in his command visit on Dec. 17.
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