THE City Government of Victorias in Negros Occidental headed by Mayor Francis Frederick Palanca celebrates a global Christmas along with the 4th Kalamayan Festival with various activities at the public plaza.
The official lighting of the giant Christmas tree was held last Friday, December 15.
Seven companies and establishments in the city participated in the “adopt-a-tree” program and put up lights and decors for their respective Christmas villages at the at the plaza.
The participants include Role/Caltex/CSAV; Giah Water; Nona’s Department Store; Victorias Water District; Northern Negros Electric Cooperative; Victorias Milling Company; Villa Cristina Subdivision, Active Group, and Mellow Lights.
The celebration aims to make Victorias a happy place for its residents and guests.
Kalamayan Festival of Victorias City started in 2014.
“Kalamayan” came from the root word “Kalamay” which means sugar.
Negros Occidental, being the “Sugar Bowl of the Philippines,” is producing more than half of the country’s sugar output.
“In Negros Occidental, when we say sugar Victorias City would always come to mind,” Mayor Palanca said.
This is because of the Victorias Milling Company (VMC), being one of the earliest sugar mills in the country at the turn of the century, he added.
“Victorias City, being the home of VMC, has come up with this festival highlighting the importance of sugar to the economy and the entire province,” Palanca said.
Festival activities include drum beating competition, nightly activities, food fairs, and other events.