So much is happening at the Marikina Christmas Banchetto and Christmas Tree Lighting at the Capitol 2025
December 8, 2025, marked a significant occasion for the Marikenyos as they celebrated their cityhood, with the city administration illuminating a giant Christmas tree at the Capitol. Officially, it has been 29 years since the city’s recognition, commencing on December 6, 1996.
Since Maan Teodoro assumed office as mayor of Marikina earlier this year, numerous developments have taken place in anticipation of the holiday season. Recently, the municipal government inaugurated the Marikina Christmas Shoe Bazaar at Freedom Park in front of the Legislative Building on November 17, which will run until January 4, 2026.
Marikina Christmas Banchetto at Jacamar Street, near the Capitol, also held its soft opening on December 6 of this year, with its formal opening coinciding with the city’s celebration of cityhood and the Christmas Tree lighting today, December 8, 2025. It will also operate until January 4 of the following year. Operating hours are from 10am to 10pm, with some staying open at 4am.
Word of advice: it would be a good thing to visit the Marikina Christmas Banchetto in the evenings when all the lights come on, and the aesthetics change from wonder to awe. There’s something about night lights that brings on that certain allure!
And lastly, the recently concluded Toyota Tamaraw Foodpark event at the Marikina Town Center.
With the country experiencing turmoil with its national government of late, it was very thoughtful of our mayor to frame this holiday season as a celebration of hope.
Before the lighting of the giant Christmas tree, a program was held in cooperation with the city’s various schools, students, leaders, and heads, highlighting the city’s illustrious history, beginning with its encounters with different peoples of Asia via the Marikina River and its colonization by Spain. Filipinos (Don Antonio Tuason, and Kapitan Moy) who made a difference in the city’s early establishment were also highlighted, as their influence continues to mark the city’s culture and traditions to this day.
Kudos to Mayor Maan Teodoro for the meaningful program highlights. Thanks also go to the College of Criminology of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina, its Center for Culture and the Arts Alumni, and the Center for Culture and the Arts; the Grade 12 Arts and Design Track-Apprenticeship Program in Dance of Sta. Elena High School; the Marikina Dance Guild, headed by Ms. Elenita E. Cruz, Ms. Rizza Erika Cruz, Mr. Jordell Cadag, and Ms. Jamaica Saligao. And that’s only for the first act of the program.
For Act 2, the Special Program in the Arts headed by Miss Hannah Mariel Ocampo, Ms. Julie Ann Galit, Mr. John Paul Dagupion, and Ms. Maria Christina L. Cantalejo of Sta. Elena High School.
Act 3: the Indak Kustura Dance Company, headed by Renel Pagkaliwagan and Mr. Nicole Clavel of Marikina High School.
Act 4, the Tanglaw-HUMSS Visual Performing Arts, headed by Jairus Psalm Infante and Ms. Genevieve Daniel under the leadership of Mr. Paul Pascual, Department Head of the Humanities and Social Sciences strand of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina Senior High School.
Thanks also go to the music ensembles of Sta. Elena High School Rondalla, headed by Mr. Reymark Hipolito, and the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, with their Director for Music Ensemble, Mr. Benjie Bitoon.
The media, visual, and technical departments of Sta. Elena High School, headed by Joseph R. Boyles, teacher/mentor of the Arts & Design Track.
School leaders/heads: Mr. Dareen L. Bancod, Assistant School Principal II, Senior High School Department, Sta. Elena High School; Dr. Robert Gaviola, Senior High School Department, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina; Mr. Tiburcio A. Aplacador, Jr., Principal IV, Sta. Elena High School; Dr. Jeffrey C. Trinidad, Principal IV, Marikina High School; Dr. Franklin E. Ayuson, OIC-President, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina; and Dr. Alejandro G. Ibanez, Schools Division Superintendent, SDO Marikina.
Mr. Paul John Paul Pascual, Assistant Director and Scriptwriter; and Ms. Elenita E. Cruz, Artistic Director.
As I was going home, a procession was also being held in commemoration of the Immaculate Conception. Such a rich tapestry of culture and tradition happening in one day!
#Kapit Lang, Laban Lang
#Paskong Marikina, Paskong Pag-Asa