Global Christmas in Pangasinan
MANILA, Philippines — Christmas is more fun in Pangasinan with the Paskuan ed Kapitolyo highlighted by the “Christmas Around the World” theme around the century-old provincial capitol building, declared last month by the provincial board as a heritage site in the province.
At the recent launch, the story of Christmas was reenacted with some employees acting in the tableau as the giant belen or nativity scene was lit up. The lighting of the towering Christmas tree also elicited wows from the crowd.
The Christmas Around the World theme adopted by the provincial government had employees spending precious hours to bedeck the façade of their respective buildings.
It’s Christmas all over the world in Pangasinan’s decorations inspired by China, USA, South Korea and more.
From Australia to Japan, from the Czech Republic to South Korea, visitors can travel the world by going to each building in the capitol complex.
Malong building has an Australian display with the famous Sydney Opera House and kangaroos as highlights.
Palaris building went with a Korean-inspired motif highlighted by ancient dress and pottery attractions. Finance building depicts the Land of the Rising Sun’s famous cherry blossoms.
The Sison Auditorium is decorated with the Statue of Liberty while Abong na Dayew is China-inspired.
Maria Luisa Amor-Elduayan, provincial tourism officer, said, “What we are celebrating is not just the centennial anniversary of the construction of the capitol building but the sense of community of the people as they shared their talents and time to make other Pangasinenses feel the joy of Christmas.”
Construction of the provincial capitol building started in 1917 and completed in 1918 during the American colonial period. It was destroyed during World War II but was re- constructed in 1948.
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts declared the provincial capitol building as one of the eight Architectural Treasures of the Philippines due to its pre- served neoclassical architectural beauty and prestige.
