Samar kicks off X’mas celebration

CATBALOGAN CITY, Samar, Dec. 5  -- Key officials led the lighting of a giant Christmas tree at the capitol grounds here Sunday night, signaling the start of the Yuletide season in Samar, one of the poorest provinces in the country.

“Let us welcome the most wonderful time of the year with joy in our hearts, love and cheer in our homes, and prayers for peace and prosperity all over our province,” said Samar Governor Sharee Ann Tan-de los Santos.

The local government launched the Christmas Light a Tree competition wherein trees at the city’s Imelda Park were beautifully adorned to entertain visitors.

Winners of the competition will receive PHP70,000 for first place, PHP50,000 (second place), PHP40,000 (third place), PHP30,000 (fourth place), and PHP20,000 (fifth place).

Before the lighting of the giant Christmas tree, the provincial government opened the 2nd Spark Samar Kids Can Bazaar at the capitol gymnasium, a highlight of the local Christmas celebration.

Kids Can Bazaar is a program of the provincial government that aims to help secondary students earn through the products they produce in the classroom.

Among the products displayed at the bazaar were native delicacies, processed food, mats, and other local products.

“The Kids Can Bazaar is a way of making the students appreciate the skills training program of the Department of Education. They will also realize the importance of money if they earn it themselves,” Tan added.

Samar‘s poverty incidence stands at 46.9 percent, according to the 2015 survey of the Philippine Statistics Authority. (RTA/PNA)