After two years of no in-person Christmas festivities, the City Government of Cagayan de Oro has successfully launched the annual "Pasko de Oro" on Thursday, December 1, marking the start of the Yuletide celebration in the city.

The event kicked off with a parade of six marching bands and six motorelas dressed in Christmas-themed decorations from Rodelsa Circle to City Hall.

 

Each contingent competing in the Marching Band Competition showed off their skills, performing a variety of classic Christmas songs that sparked the spirit of Christmas.

On the same day, the pre-judging of the six entries for Paskorela also commenced. Paskorela, a holiday-themed "Dress Up Your Own Motorela" competition, is one of the highlight activities of the city that honors the most common public transportation in Cagayan de Oro.

 

Following the performances was a speech from City Mayor Rolando "Klarex" Uy who began his Christmas message with an expression of gratitude to the participants of the Marching Band Competition and the Kagay-anons who were present during the event.

 

"Dako kaayo ko og pagpasalamat kaninyo nga nagmalampuson kining maong pagbukas sa kasaulogan sa atong kapaskuhan," Mayor Klarex Uy said. "Ang kapaskuhan maoy pagpangandam nato sa atong kasaulogan sa adlaw'ng natawhan sa atong Ginoo nga atong manunubos nga si Hesukristo," he added.

 

The city mayor also encouraged the public to be united for a peaceful and joyful Christmas celebration in Cagayan de Oro. "Mao ning magtinabangay kita, maghiusa kay mao ra ni akong kalipay nga ang tanang katawhan sa dakbayan matagaan nato og kahigayunan, ug labaw sa tanan nga kamo ang malipayon kaayo," Mayor Klarex said.

 

The event was brought to a close with the announcement of the winners of this year's Marching Band Competition.

 

Oro Marching Arts Guild won first place while Pilgrim Christian College and Barangay Bayanga placed second and third, respectively.

Special awards were also given to the ‘Most Lively Group’: Barangay Bayanga; ‘Most Disciplined Group’: Oro Marching Arts Guild; ‘Best in Musicality’: Pilgrim Christian College ‘Best Band Master’: Pilgrim Christian College; and ‘Best Band Majorette’: Oro Marching Arts Guild.

 

Gracing the occasion were City Councilors Maria Lourdes Gaane, Roger Abaday, and Jay Roa Pascual, the Tourism Committee chairperson.

 

The Paskorela and Marching Band competitions are just two of the several activities the City Government has prepared for Cagayan de Oro's Christmas celebration. Other events include Bangga sa Daygon, Indigay sa Parol, and Christmas Village Around the World 2022. (JAS-CIO/Photos by Rhoel Chaves Condeza-CIO)