Christmas Symbols Festival in Tangub City Winners Announced

After a series of judging (three to be exact), the winners of this year's Christmas Symbols Festival in Tangub City has been announced. 

It was another successful year for the organizers of the yearly Christmas Symbols Festival in Tangub City where local and national agencies in the city participated to bring the audience a feel of Christmas around the world.

Here's the list of the winners in the Category A contest:

Top 8 Winners

1st Place: Cerro Santa Lucia in Santiago, Chile / NMSC

2nd Place: Trevi Fountain in Italy / GADTC

3rd Place: Solfar Sunboat in Iceland / TCNHS

4th Place: Castle Rock of Norway / CEO

5th Place: Gardens by the Bay of Singapore / DPWH

6th Place: Osaka Castle if Japan / Unified High Schools

7th Place: Statue of Liberty of USA / CPDO CWSDO CAO TCWD

8th Place: Mount Temple of Jerusalem / DMDTMH

Ranking of the rest of the contingents:

9th: Arabic Incense Burner Monument of Doha Quatar / Central District

10th: Dun in Malaysia / Southwest District

11th: Legoland Billund Denmark / CAGO DAR

12th: Port Arthur Church if Australia / South District

13th: Wat Phra Singh in Thailand / National Agencies

14th: Magellans Cross in Philippines / North District

15th: Pura Ulun Dano Ball Indonesia / CTO Accounting

16th: Taj Mahal in Agra India / CHO POPCOM PNRC

Celebrate Christmas and New Year at Park Inn by Radisson Davao

This festive season, treat yourself with a sumptuous meal at Park Inn by Radisson Davao. Experience Park Inn's delectable culinary treats on Christmas and New Year's Day. 

On December 24, Park Inn will have a holiday buffet that will give you the season's finest flavors, from your favorite Smoked ham to a mouth-watering appetizers and other main courses. You may sing along with the Christmas carolers while they perform popular Christmas songs while you are feasting on a gratifying dinner feast at RGB Bar & Grill. You can also enjoy Park Inn's luscious desserts which will surely satisfy your sweet cravings during the yuletide season. Christmas Eve buffet is at P750.00 net per person, inclusive of bottomless juice. The premium buffet which entitles you to unlimited beers and spirits from the open bar, all the way until 10PM is priced at P1,350.00 net per person.

Assorted Desserts : RBG Special Christmas Log Cake, Park Inn Themed 2015 Cake, Mini Pavlovas, Strawberry & Oreo Cheesecake, Assorted Fruit Tartlets & Rainbow Cupcakes

On New Year's Eve, RBG will have a Carnival theme with activity booths for children and parents to have fun. Enjoy a gastronomic treat featuring intercontinental dishes and RBG's specialties such as the Crispy Boneless Lechon de Leche, Drunken Seafood, Pulled Pork Ragout, and Greek Chicken. The New Year's eve buffet is priced at P950.00 net per person, inclusive of bottomless juice.The buffet premium costs P1,450.00 net per person which includes unlimited beers and spirits until midnight.

Smoked Holiday Ham with thick cinnamon sauce & RBG Crispy Boneless Lechon de Leche

Seafood Salad : Davao Sefood with Pomelo Vinaigrette

Greek Chicken : Heavily spiced chicken, black olives, peas, colorful bell peppers & drizzled with ranch sauce

Beetroot Salad : Tossed in basil-balsamic vinaigrette & fresh greens

Beef Shank Asado: Oriental sauce braised beef shank

Drunken Seafood : Squid, tuna, shrimp, malasugue, shells in white sauce and white wine

Coctel de Camaron : Mexican shrimp cocktail

On Christmas and New Year's Day, Park Inn also offers breakfast and brunch buffet. Breakfast buffet which is priced at P550.00 net per person is open from 6AM to 10AM while the brunch buffet is open at 10AM to 2PM for only P650.00 net per person.

For reservations and inquiries, you may call Park Inn by Radisson Davao at 272 7600 or email them at reservations.davao@parkinn.com. 

Celebrate Christmas Around The World in Tangub City

One of the must-see destinations in the Philippines during Christmas season, Tangub City offers an amazing display of Christmas symbols during the most celebrated holiday in the country.

Dr. Jennifer Tan, Chairperson of Tangub Tourism Council and the wife of Mayor Philip Tan narrated that it all started in 1992 with a very simple Christmas Tree made of indigenous materials and over the years it has become more and more festive and colorful. It was during the Christmas season of 1995 when the local officials of Tangub decided to make it big. It was then named the Christmas Symbols Festival which became a hit to both locals and visitors alike. 

Mayor Philip Tan and Dr. Jennifer Tan

Tangub's Christmas Symbols Festival started with a free theme where participants are allowed to make their own interpretation of the Christmas symbols. In the year 2012, the organizers have decided to introduce a theme to make it more appealing. Now on its third year, the Christmas Around the World theme has been gaining attention from both locals, Mindanaoans from nearby towns and cities and even Filipinos from all over the Philippines. There are even foreigners who visit Tangub just to see the amazing display of Christmas symbols. I must say, I am very impressed by the ingenuity and creativity of the Tangubanons.

Replica of the soon to be constructed Panguil Bay Bridge displayed at the Christmas Symbols Festival in Tangub City. Also known as the Bridge of Peace, Panguil Bay Bridge will connect Misamis Occidental and Lanao del Norte provinces

The Christmas Symbols Festival is participated by different local and national agencies in the city. The most interesting part of the festival is the display of booths in the plaza replicating popular tourist destinations in a certain country, the Giant Lanterns displayed at the Tangub Cathedral and the Christmas Arches erected in different locations within the city welcoming guests to Tangub.

Here's a glimpse of the participating entries to this year's Christmas Around the World in Tangub City.

Statue of Liberty, USA 

Pura Ulun Dano Ball, Indonesia 

Magellans Cross, Philippines 

Solfar, Iceland 

Trevi Fountain, Italy 

Osaka Castle, Japan 

Cerro Santa Lucia, Chile 

Castle Rock, Norway 

Dun, Malaysia 

Mount Temple, Jerusalem 

Legoland Billund England 

Gardens by the Bay, Singapore 

Arabic Incense Monument, Qatar 

Port Arthur Church, Australia 

Taj Mahal, India 

What are you waiting for? Visit Tangub now and be amazed of the colorful Christmas Symbols Festival. It will run until January 10, 2015.

Thank you...

My visit to Tangub will not be possible without the help of Enrico Dee of www.byahilo.com, Mayor Philip Tan and his wife Dr. Jennifer Tan, Vice Mayor Edemar Alota, Mr. Jojin Pascual, Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe's choreographer, Tourism Officers Ms. Wipa Kilat and Ms. Nadie Agot, the friendly and hospitable people of Tangub and of course to my travel buddy for this trip, Claire Madarang.

With Claire, Dr. Jen and Vice Mayor Edemar