Despite the downpour the "Paskwa sa Panaad" kicked off Saturday with the switching on of the lights on a 32-foot Christmas tree and at the pavilions at the Panaad Park and Sports Complex in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City.

The program started with a motorcade of Christmas floats from the Provincial Capitol Lagoon Park to the Panaad, which was participated in by Negros Occidental city and municipal mayors.

Negros Occidental Governor Joseph Marañon declared the "Paskwa sa Panaad 2006" officially open Saturday.

The "Paskwa sa Panaad" is aimed at converting the Panaad Park and Sports Complex into a Christmas Village where families can gather during the Christmas season, he said.

Marañon said he is inviting everyone to participate and enjoy the "Paskwa sa Panaad", which will end on Dec. 20.

The event is co-sponsored by ABS-CBN.

Leilani Salem-Alba, ABS-CBN Bacolod station manager, said the Panaad Park and Stadium is only alive and kicking during Panaad Festival, but this time, the merriment and amusement in the park will be experienced again with the "Paskwa sa Panaad."

The pavilions of all the cities and municipalities in the park have been decorated with glowing lights, lanterns and Christmas symbols.

Salem-Alba said they have prepared different nightly activities that will cater to the old and young at what she called a one-stop shop "Christmas Village".

The opening ceremony was attended by the mayors of Talisay, Silay, Valladolid, Murcia, Calatrava, Pulupandan, Escalante, La Carlota, Hinobaan, Silay, Pontevedra, San Enrique and Binalbagan, among others.

The winners of the Santa Claus contest were Ivan Juesna - first place, Agapito Lagrama - second place and Christopher Tiongco - third place.

The winners received P7,000, P5,000 and P3,000 in cash, respectively.

Meanwhile, the results of the Best Christmas Floats and Best Christmas Pavilions will be announced at the closing ceremony on Dec. 20, Marlin Sanogal of the Provincial Information Office said.*DMG

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