00:00The town of Putotan has once again become a colorful place,
00:03which is also considered the Christmas capital of Western Visayas
00:06for the opening of the Iwag Festival of Lights.
00:09The details are reported by Lizelle Marie Lamasan-Ejeda
00:13of the Philippine Information Agency, ILO-ILO.
00:18The Plaza of Putotan is surrounded by colorful and vibrant Christmas lights
00:23following the opening of the Iwag Festival,
00:26demonstrating that Christ is the true light that enlightens the world this year.
00:30The core reason for Christmas is Christ,
00:35and at the same time the togetherness of the Filipino family.
00:38And that's how we build together as one Putotan, one nation, one country.
00:42In every Christmas lights, fireworks, and beautiful design of the house,
00:48it brings a lot of happiness to everyone who comes here.
00:53I'm so happy to be here with my family,
00:57and I'm so excited to be able to celebrate Christmas with my family.
01:07Mayor Rafael Enrique Lazaro,
01:10Congressman Lawrence Defensor,
01:12ILO-ILO Governor Arthur Defensor Jr.,
01:15and local officials of Putotan led the switch-on ceremony.
01:20In 1997, the tradition of the Iwag Festival of Lights began,
01:25which is why Putotan was called the Christmas Capital of Western Visayas.
01:31Within 16 days, from December 16 to January 2,
01:36the various festivals of the Iwag Festival will be held,
01:40such as the Food Bazaar, Christmas Market, and Christmas Lights.
01:44We'd like to invite everybody,
01:46not only those from ILO-ILO,
01:48but hopefully who are in town for the holidays,
01:51to bring their family and enjoy,
01:53because we have a lot of things for the whole family here in Banoa, in Putotan.
01:57The holding of the Iwag Festival of Lights
02:00is a joint effort of the residents of the town,
02:04especially the group of designers of lights.
02:08It is a proof and symbol of a vibrant culture
02:12that the town of Putotan will be blessed every Christmas.
02:16From the Philippine Information Agency, Western Visayas,
02:19this is Lizelle Marila Masan-Ejeda for Malitang Pambansa.
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