"Paskwa sa Isla" 🎄 (Christmas on the Island): Experiencing Christmas at the Guimaras Provincial Capitol 🥭

Hello, fellow HIvers and adventurers!! 🤗

I'm super excited to share a slice of my recent evening with you all..
I literally just walked in the door from a fantastic, colorful night out here in Guimaras, Philippines,, and I couldn't wait to spill the beans!! 😁

Forget the beaches for a moment,, tonight, we're diving into the heart of the island's Christmas spirit: the Guimaras Provincial Capitol Grounds for their annual celebration, the "PASKWA SA ISLA!" 🎄

🎄 What is "Paskwa sa Isla"?

"Paskwa sa Isla" simply means "Christmas on the Island"...
And let me tell you, Guimaras knows how to light up the night and celebrate..
This year's display is a total feast for the eyes, especially for someone who loves finding bright, vibrant spots on the map!!

✨ The Capitol Grounds Come Alive!!

The moment you walk onto the grounds, you are greeted by an explosion of light..

The Mango Christmas Tree 🎄

Guimaras is the home of the sweetest mangoes 🥭 in the world and they definitely own it!!
The centerpiece is a giant Christmas tree completely surrounded with sparkling lights and these big, bright yellow mangoes!!
It’s the perfect blend of holiday fun and local pride..

The Tunnel of Lights

Right beside the tree, there's a dazzling tunnel of sparkling golden lights..
Walking through it feels like stepping into a fairy land.. 😁
It’s definitely a spot where everyone stops for that perfect, glowing photo!!

The "🥭 Guimaras" signage

The iconic and huge "🥭 Guimaras" signage is also shining brightly, welcoming everyone to the festivities..
And yes, there is a giant and glowing mango 🥭!!

🏝️ A Miniature Tour of the Island

One of the coolest things they have this year is a collection of miniature displays showcasing the island's famous tourist spots!
It's like a tiny and lighted map you can walk around..
It was so much fun seeing all the landmarks shrunk down and twinkling which gave light to the dark evening..

I've only had a chance to quickly edit a couple of these mini-displays, but I wanted to show you a sneak peek.. 😁

The Trappist Monastery

They had a beautifully handcrafted miniature of the Our Lady of the Philippines Trappist Monastery, complete with glowing lights and a tiny Christmas tree!!
The statues of ST. Benedict and ST. Bernard also has mini versions..
(maybe I can share the link from my previous post about the Monastery in my next post, so you can see the differences between the miniature and the real-life monastery) 😁

Alobijod Beach Area

A cute beach scene representing the Alobijod Beach Area was also on display, featuring tiny palm trees and miniature boats near the shore.. There were also mini cottages that resembled the cottages on the beach.. It was so fun to look at..

I've got more pictures of the other miniatures (like the lighthouse and other churches) that I need to polish up, so stay tuned for a Part 2 blog post entirely dedicated to these awesome, tiny tourist spots!!

If you ever find yourself in Guimaras during the holidays, make sure to mark the Provincial Capitol on your map..
It’s a wonderfully festive and unique way to experience the island’s Christmas magic!!

Thank you so much for reading.. I'll be resting now.. Have a great day 🌞

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