By David Vera
A giant Christmas tree made of bamboo was lit during the Pasko ha Palo celebration on Saturday, December 14, at the municipal plaza. Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla and Leyte Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla led the ceremonial switch-on of the tree and other Christmas decorations at key locations, including the public market, Purisima Bridge, and Bernard Reed Bridge.
Mayor Petilla said the bamboo Christmas tree represents resilience and highlights the town’s ongoing efforts to promote bamboo planting. The initiative aims to develop an engineered bamboo industry to support Leyte’s coconut industry. The local government has started planting giant bamboo varieties at a former dumpsite, which is being converted into a bamboo park.
As part of the holiday events, Mayor Petilla also inaugurated the Saboren Christmas Fantasy House in Barangay Luntad. The Saboren family opens their home every December, displaying miniature Christmas villages, Santa Claus figures, and decorations sourced from the United States, Italy, and Germany. Visitors lined up to enter the house after the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Pasko ha Palo is part of the town’s 4Ps tourism program, which also includes Pamalandong ha Palo (Holy Week observance), Patron ha Palo (town fiesta every August), and Pagbalik ha Palo (Leyte Gulf Landings commemoration every October). The program aims to promote tourism and preserve the cultural heritage of Palo.