No rainy weather can stop everyone in Lucena as they gathered around to witness the exciting switch-on ceremony and fireworks display at one of the famous parks in Lucena City: Perez Park. And here I am, watching everyone opening their umbrellas and immersing themselves in deep conversations while waiting for the program to start.
Entertaining vibes set the mood when several hit songs were played by local marching bands. Hearing those sounds of trumpets and percussions, wave of emptiness surged through me as I missed playing with the band. To get myself back to the reality, the opening program woke me up where prominent local figures Gov. Helen Tan, Vice Gov. Third Alcala & Provincial Administrator Manny Butardo gave their welcoming remarks.
In the blink of an eye, hundreds of lights flickered from the ground until the highest peak of all light installations from the first block, giving the park a glowing life of itself. Aside from that, festive lighted hollow archway tunnels were displayed in the middle of the park to give visitors a welcoming magical experience as they walked inside these illuminating lights. My jaw dropped since this was the first time in my life to watch this moment.
Moreover, the fun was just the beginning when flying shells soared into the sky as they exploded into gigantic bursts loud enough to hear the fireworks. Blue, red, yellow: varieties of colorful fireworks illuminated the dark sky which tiny droplets of rain could not extinguish the sparks of. Many varieties of fireworks: chrysanthemum, willow, and snowball kinds left trails of wisps that radiate the black portrait of the sky. The sight of people’s faces left in awe and amazement, specifically, the shimmer reflected in their eyes.
I waited as soon as the people leave this magical place due to the rain. However, I stayed because I love the sounds of rain droplets falling from the sky. I noticed that there are four blocks in the park that exhibit their own set of luminescent features: Block 1, located at the famous park cave and playground, shows the garden full of tall light roses that set off a heavenly glow to the surroundings. Looking closely, light roses slowly switched their colors randomly from red to green. Meanwhile, as I walked upstairs, my head glanced up to see the famous Singaporean-inspired installations in the middle of this block. This was surrounded by lights in forms of golden reindeers, angels, Christmas trees flashed off with their vibrant colorful lights, keeping the eyes of the audience on it. Apart from that, I looked away and there’s an animated show projected onto the white walls of the Capitol building with warm shades of red designs and Christmas trees with Santa Claus.
After I finished taking the video of those mesmerizing light displays, I walked down the zigzag ramp heading the Block 2. This place is where the rock monument containing names of 43 municipalities of Quezon, and the festive hollow archway tunnel leads to the famous Belen Nativity scene. I felt like as if I was the main character of night while walking inside the tunnel. The third one was the Block 3: this one’s magical as small golden reindeers and tall lotus installations were scattered in this area.
Then, in the last block, I hurriedly went over there where former President Manuel L. Quezon’s statue and the large fountain are found. It was serene and peaceful. Walking around, I noticed the park was surrounded by small candlelight installations with red flames on top of them, as well as trees were decorated with long strings of red and green lights and star-shaped installations that only reach up to the person’s head. Surprisingly, there were three reindeer and two snow face–in-hole stands in front of Quezon’s statue which everyone can put there face into and take pictures on. But I never took photo with it since I was all by myself that night.
In the end, what a wonderful sight to behold, especially no matter how heavy the weather is, nothing can stop the Filipinos from capturing the most awaiting moment to start their Christmas here in Perez Park as the Christmas spirit in Quezon Province bounces back to life.
