Ten places to go this December for a Merry Christmas! in Iloilo

A list of 10 nice places to go in Iloilo this December:

1. Pototan Town Plaza

Deemed by the Department of Tourism as the “Christmas Capital of Western Visayas”, Pototan fills it’s sprawling plaza with a flurry of colorful lights every December, attracting people from all over Iloilo and nearby provinces in Panay Island.

2. Central Philippine University Campus

The Opening of Lights remains to be one of the best features of CPU before the end of the year. This year, it opens on December 7, 2006 and is highlighted with a fireworks display. Although by now it has already passed, there’s still the Christmas lights display, which will last for the rest of December.

3. Angelicum

A wondrous sight to behold at night is the Lizares Mansion, now the Angelicum School, known as one of Iloilo’s most iconic antillian (heritage) houses built in testimony of Iloilo’s booming sugar industry during the colonial period. Every year, the main building of Angelicum becomes the subject of amusement as thousands of Christmas lights literally adorn every inch of its facade further enhancing the charm of this magnificent edifice.

4. Tultugan Festival of Maasin

The Tultugan Festival is celebrated in Massin Town on the 4th week of December. Tultugan, a native bamboo percussion instrument used by natives long ago as a tool for communication and as a musical instrument. With its ultimate reputation as the Bamboo Producer in the Region, Maasin the festivity with a rich display of Bamboo Products attracting investors, collectors and aficionados from around the country. the gem of the exhibition is the tribe competition that utilizes bamboo as their primary material for costumes and even musical instruments. (Iloilo Province Tourism Office)

5. Alimodian’s Festival of Lights

Alimodian, one of the most visited towns in Iloilo, celebrates it’s Festival of Lights on December, adorning their Plaza with beautiful Christmas lights and star-shaped lanterns called “parols”.

6. Janiuay’s Festival of Lights

The whole month of December is a festive and joyful period for the people of Janiuay as thousands of bright neon lights shine throughout the night from its town plaza. The event is celebrated as a time of goodwill, drawing families and friends together, reminding them of God’s gift of a savior to humankind. Serving as its centerpiece is the 16-foot waving Santa Claus, greeting every guest visiting the town. A potpourri of special events adds to the festive spirit of the occasion. (Iloilo Province Tourism Office)

7. Shopping in the Metropolis

During the yuletide season, malls in the city go all out in getting a big slice of the huge inflow of holiday shoppers. From the outside to in, these shopping centers are adorned with nice Christmas-themed decorations. It is also during this time that SM City hosts the annual “Giant Parol Making Contest”, which showcases the creativity, skill, and ingenuity of Ilonggos. Not forgetting the small shops of the city, Calle Real composed of J.M. Basa, Iznart, and Aldeguer Sts. is the prime place to go for shopping and bargain hunting for very affordable items.

8. The City Nightlife

The nightlife is as lively as ever during December. If you like to checkout the party scene in Iloilo, Smallville Complex is the best choice to enjoy the night away. If you like the night to be a bit mellow, excellent restaurants all around the city are nearby for a gastronomic delight.

9. Santa Barbara’s Display of Lights

Santa Barbara is fast becoming an economic bloc in the province of Iloilo with the near completion of the new airport of international standards and its eventual operation on March 2007. During this December, Santa Barbara unveils a magnificent display of lights in its town plaza to show people the bright future ahead of this promising town.

10. Simbang Gabi

“Simbang Gabi” is a practice deeply rooted in Ilonggo’s faith. Simbang Gabi or Mass at Dawn is a nine-day novena to the Blessed Mother. The novena begins December 16 as early as 4 in the morning and culminates with the “Misa de Gallo” on Christmas Eve to welcome the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. In some churches, the panuluyan is reenacted showing the effort of Joseph and Mary to find a suitable birthplace. The experience of sunrise at Iloilo’s old churches is just divine.

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