THE adaptation of Disney’s Small World at the City Hall grounds will be unveiled on Friday, December 2, as the City Government shifts to full swing for the Christmas season.
Zamboanga City Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, who will lead the ceremony, explained this year’s theme of the Christmas celebration stemmed from the simple request of a little girl for a Small World Christmas.
In bringing to the city replicas of the famous landmarks from different countries and continents, the theme is a representation of the local government’s desire to promote peace, unity, and friendship amongst all people in Zamboanga City.
Salazar extended her invitation to all residents to witness the unveiling and official lighting of the City Hall Christmas installation, which is an annual Christmas tradition of the city.
The unveiling of the Christmas decorations officially marks the beginning of the Pascua na Zamboanga (Christmas in Zamboanga) activities.
She said the Grand Switch-On ceremony of city hall will be held at 5:30 p.m.
The Christmas decorations at the scenic Paseo del Mar are replicas of the different landmarks in the world.
These include the Sydney House of Australia, Eiffel Tower of Paris, Pyramid of Giza in Egypt, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy and Big Ben of London.
The Big Ben is the nickname for the Great Bell of the clock at the north end of the Palace of Westminster in London.
City General Services Office Chief Rene Dela Cruz said the City Government spent P2 million for this year’s Christmas decorations.
Electric lanterns are also placed in the different parts of the city.
As this developed, certain streets leading to city hall will be temporarily closed effective Friday, December 2 until January 8 from 6 p.m. until 12 midnight, as the place becomes the center of attraction of people from all walks of life.
It is in pursuant to Executive Order BC-231-2016 declaring the temporary closure of Maria Clara Street, Rizal Street and Nicasio Valderosa Street and declaring said streets as walk in areas and prohibited to parking of all motor vehicles.
Included in the directive for no parking is Don Pablo Lorenzo Street abutting City Hall and Rizal Park.
The order takes effect in time with the official start of the Christmas season or Pascua na Zamboanga Festival with the switch-on ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday, December 2.
Yearly, the city hall facade is decorated to make the Christmas season more meaningful and lively, drawing people to the area.
