Celebrasyon ti Paskua dagiti Bigueños
Naragsak
ti paskua kadagiti bigueños. Christmas is no different for the citizens of
Vigan, better known as Bigueños. Like Filipinos, we bigueños love to celebrate
this festive season, and it's something everyone anticipates months before
December. The spirit of Christmas is often felt in the Philippines as early as
September, which locals refer to as "Ber months," it's no surprise
that the event is celebrated with excitement in every home in the city. And
like any other city in the world that celebrates Christmas, the city of Vigan
has its way to celebrate the season, and one of those is decorating public
buildings or structures.
The streets of Vigan are full of warm, glittering lights and adorned with Christmas decors as kids roam around singing Christmas carols; locals and tourists alike enjoy the nightlife in this historical city while others opt to attend the Simbang Gabi. One of the most awaited events during the season is the annual Christmas Tree unveiling and lighting in the heart of Vigan-- its citizens gather as a crowd to watch the dazzling display of bright lights. The Provincial Capitol also decorates the place with lights and displays with themes varying every year. That is the typical Christmas for many bigueños pre-covid times; now that we are under lockdowns and the virus is just around the corner, we bigueños still try to celebrate the holidays as safely as possible. With little to no caroling, the restriction of tourists in scenic spots, limited crowds during Simbang Gabi, the mandatory wearing of facemasks and face shields, the widespread use of hand sanitizers or alcohol, social distancing, and a lot more.
With
that said, our methods of commemorating holidays may have evolved, but we must
not lose sight of the cause for their occurrence. Let us celebrate in our
little ways; it's alright if it is not grand or extravagant, that doesn't
diminish the essence of why we celebrate Christmas. After all, the true meaning
of Christmas is the celebration of God's ultimate gift: the birth of Jesus.
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