The festive Filipino brand of celebrating the Christmas season continue to flourish in Valenzuela City as the city government rolls out its series activities that reflect its pro-people view of prosperity.

Under the umbrella theme, “Tuloy-tuloy Ang Asenso,” the month-long merriment kicked off on November 25 through the traditional lighting of the Tree of Hope at the Aero Circle of the People’s Park, which was dedicated to the over 3000 out-of-school youth (OSY) beneficiaries of Alternative Learning System Project Tokbuk.

The Tree of Hope lighting ceremony has been a tradition in Valenzuela since 2004. It is regularly done late in November or early in December every year to formally usher in the Yuletide season in the city. It was aptly named the “Tree of Hope” to inspire different sectors of Valenzuelano to whom it is being dedicated each year.

The giant Christmas tree at the park stands 50 feet tall. Its main frame is composed of intertwined Christmas lights, underneath the clusters of artificial poinsettias and shiny Christmas balls. 

Project Tokbuk, otherwise known as, the “Katok para sa Magandang Bukas,” is an educational campaign of the Valenzuela local government which aims to encourage the OSYs to go back to school through ALS, so that they could have a better chance of improving their lives in the future.

The city government’s line-up of merry activities throughout the Christmas season include:

1.     Ibong Adarna Stage Production at Valenzuela City People’s Park (November 27-28, 6:00 PM)

2.     Valenzuela Food Fiesta along C.J. Santos Street (all Fridays and Saturdays of December from 5:00 PM to 2:00 AM)

3.     Voices of Christmas at the Park Inter-Parochial Choral Competition (December 9, 6:00 PM)

4.     Inauguration of Disiplina Village-Bignay (December 15, 4:00 PM)

5.     Simbang Gabi at the Park (December 15-23, 8:00 PM)

6.     Valenzuela Town Center Christmas Variety Show (December 17, 5:00 PM)

7.     Pamaskong Handog para kay Lolo at Lola (December 19 – 22)

8.     Christmas Carnival and Magic Show at the Amphitheater of Valenzuela City People’s Park (December 25, 5:00 PM)