SIX community bands and six motorelas decked in holiday-themed decorations paraded within the city at 1:30 pm yesterday, as Cagayan de Oro begins this month’s Yuletide celebration with its annual Christmas festivities: “Pasko de Oro.”
Those who participated in this year’s ‘Marching Band Competition’ are the Oro Marching Arts Guild, Silverianz DBC, the community bands of Barangays Lumbia, Bayanga, and Patag, and Pilgrim Christian College.
Oro Marching Arts Guild bagged first place, followed by Pilgrim Christian College. While Barangay Bayanga placed thirds.
The other special awardees were Barangay Bayanga (Most Lively Group), Oro Marching Arts Guild (Most Disciplined Group and Best Band Majorette), and Pilgrim Christian College (Best in Musicality and Best in Band Master).
The parade started at the Rodelsa circle and ended outside city hall where City Mayor Rolando ‘Klarex’ Uy delivered his Christmas message to residents.
At around 5 pm, the city began its countdown to light up the City Hall, Gaston Park, and Ysalina Bridge in its “Festival of Lights,” the city’s annual Christmas lighting ceremony to welcome the Yuletide season.
Simultaneously, the entries from 11 barangays participating in the “Christmas Village Around the World 2022” and the parols of the 22 establishments, private individuals, and national agencies participating in this year’s “Indigay sa Parol” has been lit up as well. (CIO)
