photos and words by Guest Blogger Jocelyn E. Morano on December 1st, 2010

Butuan City – Annual Light Up Butuan of the city government have drawn big crowds from all walks of life including visiting tourists who gathered at the Rizal Park to witness the tradition of the Mayor’s ceremonial switching on of twinkling lights, the festive decorations and revelries on the first day of December.

Butuan Related: see historic Butuan as the center of trade and commerce

This is just one activity for Caraga tourist spots or your Caraga destinations when December comes.

“In this holiday season, we hope to forget some problems that comes our way, let’s enjoy the festive atmosphere and the beautiful parols we see everywhere,” said Mayor Ferdinand Amante Jr. in his message before the ceremonial switching on.

He likewise praised the leadership of Engineer Walter Butao of the Electrical Division in City Engineering Office saying, “They have done an excellent job of putting up the decorations around Rizal Park and main thoroughfares in Butuan and without their effort, Light Up Butuan wouldn’t be as great this.”

There were also Lighted parols on electric posts along G. Flores Avenue, Montilla Boulevard, Magsaysay Bridge, Diosdado Macapagal Bridge, AD Curato Street and Governor Rosales Street.

The city government have also stretched lights across city hall area and put a huge ribbon on its façade creating a gift design.

Butuan Related: see launching of Masawa hong Butuan – oldest boat in the Philippines

The Amante administration aimed to make Rizal Park and the City Hall area a family destination for the must see Christmas decorations and admire the lights during the holiday season.

To add glisten, through the City Tourism Office the city government of Butuan launched the Best Lighted Establishment and shall award 10,000 cash to those who can decorate with Christmas symbols and lights to the façade of their edifice.

The judging starts on December 6 until 10 following a criterion of: Lighting effects – 40%; presentation – 25%; materials used – 20% and design impact – 15%.

All business establishments along JC Aquino Avenue are encouraged to participate.