GROWING TREE. Puerto Princesa City's official Christmas tree at Balayong People's Park is getting taller every year since 2021. During the lighting ceremonies at the Palawan province capital on Friday night (Dec. 1, 2023), the tree towered at 135 feet -- from 70 feet in 2021 and 110 feet last year. (Photo courtesy of the City Information Office)
PUERTO PRINCESA, Palawan — This highly-urbanized city officially kicked off the yuletide season Friday night by lighting up its 135-foot Christmas tree at Balayong People's Park, drawing residents and tourists alike.
The tree is built taller every year to draw parallel with the city’s growing economy and tourism industry, Mayor Lucilo Bayron said during the official switch-on.
When the tree was first built in 2021, it stood at 70 feet.
Last year, the city government put up a 110-foot tree.
"Next year, it will reach its maximum height of 150 feet due to the foundation's limit," Bayron explained.
Eighteen choirs serenaded the crowd with Christmas carols.
The occasion also served as the debut public appearance of the Miss Puerto Princesa pageant candidates.
A pyromusical display capped the event.
Bayron added that the lights display “symbolizes our city's spirit, spreading joy, peace, and unity throughout this Christmas season."
The City Tourism Department drummed up anticipation for the lighting ceremonies while intensifying efforts to grow the local tourism sector, specifically by attracting foreign cruise ships to drop anchor in its ports.
On Tuesday, the 965-foot cruise ship MV Norwegian Jewel, visited the city with over 3,000 passengers and crew aboard.
Earlier in November, the Bahamas-registered MS Silver Whisper, touted as a cruise ship for the rich and famous, brought 382 vacationers to Puerto Princesa. (PNA)
