Christmas has officially arrived in Imus City, Cavite! Last December 1, the heart of the city glowed with dazzling colors as Imuseños gathered at the iconic Imus City Plaza for the Opening and Christmas Lighting Ceremony of “Tanglaw sa Paskong Imuseño 2025: Taon ng Pagdiriwang at Pagbabahagi.”
As a proud Caviteña and someone who loves showcasing local culture and celebrations, I couldn’t help but feel the magic as the city transformed into a festive wonderland.
The Grand Lighting Ceremony
Imus City Mayor Alex “AA” Advincula led the much-awaited ceremonial lighting of the city’s giant Christmas tree, a glowing centerpiece that immediately brought smiles to everyone present. City officials, families, and excited onlookers joined in the simultaneous lighting ceremony, filling the plaza with applause, music, and that unmistakable Filipino holiday cheer.
This symbolic lighting represents hope, unity, and the warm Filipino spirit that shines brightest during the holiday season. And trust me, the energy was contagious!
Tinig at Tanglaw: The Imus Celebrity Clone Challenge
Adding extra sparkle to the night, the Office of the City Tourism and Heritage Officer introduced a fun and uniquely Pinoy competition: the “Tinig at Tanglaw: Imus Celebrity Clone Challenge.”
Ten finalists showcased their talents as they transformed into their chosen celebrity singers and icons. It’s a whole package complete with costumes, stage presence, and impressive vocals. The Ultimate Celebrity Clone winner proudly took home a 15,000-peso cash prize, making the event both thrilling and rewarding.
This competition reflects the creativity and talent of Imuseños. It’s quickly becoming a must-see attraction during the city’s Christmas festivities.
ImuSarap at Saya Christmas Bazaar: Shop Local, Support Imuseños
What’s a Christmas celebration without food, crafts, and local finds?
The celebration continued with the official opening of the ImuSarap at Saya Christmas Bazaar, featuring 55 local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
Visitors can explore a wide variety of:
- Local delicacies
- Handcrafted gifts
- Holiday décor
- Specialty food items
- Pasalubong and souvenir finds
If you’re looking for a place to shop local, support small businesses, and enjoy good food, this bazaar is definitely worth a visit this holiday season.
A City That Shines Through Sharing
At its core, Tanglaw sa Paskong Imuseño celebrates the true spirit of Christmas – pagbabahagi (sharing) and pagdiriwang (celebration). Imus continues to shine brightly not only because of its vibrant lights but because of the community that comes together to uplift one another.
Whether you’re a resident or a traveler exploring Cavite, this holiday event is a beautiful reminder of what makes Christmas in the Philippines truly magical.
“Instead of holding the usual grand annual concert, where the city often spends a significant amount, Imus chose to keep things simple this year so more of the budget can support communities affected by recent earthquakes and the typhoon. I deeply admire this gesture and I especially love that all the vendors in the Christmas bazaar are proud natives of Imus. This is what a truly meaningful Christmas celebration looks like.”
Karla Obispo, Travel with Karla