A timely and deserving gift

This Christmas will be different for the residents of Zamboanga del Sur as a new “Tangub” is created in the Provincial Agro-Tourism Heritage Center in Dao, Pagadian City. It is for the first time in the history of the province that local government units, academe, industry players like cooperatives, banks and others, have joined forces to create an avenue for a Christmas treat for all Zambosurians. Many have sought Tangub and now, the Provincial Tourism, Culture and Arts Office has brought a taste of what Tangub has to offer to local residents of the City and all Zambosurians to have the spirit of Christmas felt.

Recently, on December 12, 2008, Governor Au has led that grand opening of the Pasko Nato 2008 which is an anticipated event well attended by a retinue and aficionados of festivals as many has to be seen like the 50-meter high Christmas Tree. LGU booths were lighted with festive mood of Christmas and the campuses of the JH Cerilles State College has participated in the Light-A-Tree Competition in which each campus has to decorate an entire tree and convert it into a tree of art and full of lights to symbolize the Christmas cheers.

Your humble writer has witnessed many Christmases in the past and I say this Christmas is different. Different in the sense that the Provincial Government through the eagle-eyed precision and leadership of Gov. Au, the Provincial Tourism has come out with festivities that can bring Christmas spirit to ordinary men and women, young children and elderly. I believed that Christmas, for it to become relevant has to be significantly felt by ordinary men and women, those who can not afford to buy Christmas. Buy Christmas? Absolutely, as in many other cities and countries, Christmas is being celebrated by commercialization and by monetary value. I say that sharing the spirit of Hope and Peace in Christmastime need not be expensive and one venue to feel it is the Provincial Agro-Tourism and Heritage Center because everyone got to enjoy. Feeling the breeze so unique in Barangay Dao substantiates the essence of Christmas and walking through with your treasured family members bring fresh ideas of Christmas that is honey and cozy.

As I said, “Tangub” has been created in Dao and is worth visiting until January 2, 2009. All can be found in the site including Christmas symbols, Christmas Trees, Belen, Arch and the festive mood. Imagine all these lights and the romantic feel rolled into one and experience it with your family with a sense of security and peace. One has to walk around the property and in comfy shoes as most of the site’s offering can be enjoyed by walking and feeling the breeze.

At daytime, visitors can visit the many offerings of the site including the famed Butterfly Park which is so romantic that a walk at night rekindles old flares and reignites feelings of love. Talk about romantic walk in the park and that is what you feel.

Yes, a timely and deserving gift we receive this Christmas is not to be bought but to be felt. Feel the essence and spirit of Christmas with your loved-ones in the AHC, Dao, Pagadian City. There are more to experience and the feelings one get is rewarding and rejuvenating. Feel it and experience it. Believe me, as an opinion writer, I writes so seldom but I am coming back into the fore and wanted to share what I have truly experienced. Merry Christmas to all my avid readers and of course, my friends who remained deeply committed to development and progress of the entire Zamboanga del Sur.