A Symphony of Lights at the heart of CDO

Every year Cagayan de Oro always has something up its sleeves for kagay-anon to be proud of and for guest to enjoy, it is also one of this city’s most colorful attractions this yuletide season located at the heart of CDO – City Hall.

For years, City Hall has kept its lively tradition of lighting up its entire building with beautiful displays of lights, cheerful Christmas music, and other eye catching decorations that captivates onlookers, and mesmerizes them to stand in awe of how this city always manages to top itself from its previous motif and theme every year.

Dubbed as the “Symphony of Lights,” a spectacular fusion of lights and sounds created by the Teatro ng Tunog at Liwanag it is part of this city’s annual Christmas event Pasko de Oro and was formally switched on last December 3 with its magnificent display of bright lights that seemingly synchronizes with the tune; it also features lasers and smoke machines.

The grand unveiling surely captured the imagination and the spirit of Christmas as it was flocked by hundreds of kagay-anons during its formal launch, and it even flooded social media with photos and videos.

We have an intern all the way from Bukidnon State University (BSU) main. It was his first time to witness the show and mine up-close, as I was not here during its launching.

In anticipation, we along with other people waited patiently for it to begin – Then, a calm and lovely voice coming from the speakers finally indicated it was time.

“Each year brings a new set of challenges, each year, we do our best to surmount them, We celebrate the year that was, the partnerships we forged, the friendships we upheld, the battles we won, the work we put in, the rewards we reaped, We express our deep and profound gratitude for the grace and blessings that God has so lovingly granted us, and we take a moment to enjoy ourselves, each other, our city, and experience in awe and wonderment the miracle of light, the enchantment of music, the wonder of technology,” she said.

People that came out of St. Augustine Metropolitan Cathedral also stopped in amazement of how the lights move to the rhythm of the beat, as if telling a story.

“It is beautiful, the lighting of the City Hall conveys the very message of hope. It relives the feeling of experiencing Christmas for the very first time as a kid; feeling the childhood magic, peace, the love and the essence of unity among the citizens of Cagayan de Oro and its government,” Edwin Manda Jr., 4^th yr BAEL student BSU said.

Meanwhile, Fronting the City Hall is the historic Gaston Park, which also has its own unique side to it that complements the Symphony of Lights with its “Musical and Dancing Fountain” and soon – if plans pushes through the Cagayan de Oro River would reflect Ysalina Bridge’s very own festive lights (fingers cross).

It is also important to note that CDO also has a rich Filipino-Chinese heritage in this city that goes way back; our shared culture and history stems deep throughout Cagayan de Oro and to its people. With that in mind, we get to enjoy more of City Hall as it would continue to keep it lit until the Chinese New Year.