The City Government of Antipolo celebrates Christmas that will make Mother Earth proud.
Antipolo’s Disneyland-themed Christmas tree is made of some 12,000 recycled plastic bottles, cups, and cartons.
The lighting ceremony of the eco-friendly tree was attended by Rizal Governor Rebecca Ynares, Vice Mayor Josefina Gatlabayan, Antipolo City first lady Andrea Ynares, congressmen Romeo Acop, Chiqui Roa-Puno, and Robbie Puno, Antipolo city and barangay officials, and provincial board members.
The event served as the kick-off to the city’s month-long tourism-oriented Christmas Fiesta which included a grand parade, drum and lyre and marching band contests, the Mutya ng Antipolo pageant, the earth-friendly parol and belen design contest, musical concerts featuring rock bands Imago and Grace Note, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the traditional Simbang Gabi, the Bida sa Kusina Series, and the 143rd Sumulong Day Bigsayawit in tribute to its homegrown patriot Don Juan Sumulong.
According to Mayor Casimiro “Jun” Ynares III, Antipolo has been implementing earth-friendly concepts for its Christmas celebrations in the past few years as its commitment to environmental sustainability in its governance programs.
He said their eco-friendly thrust is in compliance with the YES (Ynares Eco-System) to Green Project which covers clean and green environment and livelihood opportunities through recycling and utilization of raw materials and local produce byproducts.