The town of Sto. Tomas, Pampanga has come alive anew with the festive spirit of Christmas as its hosts the annual "Lubenas ning Pasku" celebration, featuring colorful parols and a picture-perfect Christmas town attraction.

Visitors are treated to an enchanting experience at a newly-developed ranch, transformed into a vibrant Christmas destination.

The ranch features a "Christmas Town" with dazzling parols and a snow-themed setup, offering a unique experience for residents and tourists alike.

"Parang nasa ibang bansa pero nasa Pampanga ka lang. Bagong attraction para sa mga bata, napaka ganda," Mikaela Regala, a visitor, said.

A central park area allows visitors to bike around and take selfies amidst the holiday decorations.

The highlight is their world-class projector display, showcasing Christmas and cartoon animations within a Disney-inspired castle.

Open from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., from Tuesday to Sunday, the park has an entrance fee of P50.

PROCESSION

The streets of Sto. Tomas are also awash with color and light as the "Lubenas ning Pasku" parade showcased not only carriages but also stunning parols crafted by residents.

The procession featured six pairs of lanterns, symbolizing the 12 apostles, led by a cross representing Jesus Christ.

At the end of the parade, patrons from each barangay joined in, adding a deeper sense of community spirit.

Fr. Ronnie Cao, Parish Priest of San Matias Apostol Parish, emphasized the significance of "Lubenas," which has roots dating back to the 1800s.

"Ang ‘Lubenas’ ay may malaking kahulugan sa ating mga pagdiriwang ng Pasko dito sa Pampanga, na nag-uugat mula pa noong 1800s," he said.

"Sa loob ng anim na taon, kahit nagpandemya, hindi namin [ini]hinto ang Lubenas. Nakita namin ang bunga ng pagkakaisa ng mga komunidad," he added.

"Ito po ay simbolo ng pagmamahalan [at] pagbibigayan. Kami po sa totoo lang, wala pong financial aid, ginawa po namin ito sa pamamagitan ng pag-ipon mula sa aming komunidad," Ofelia Nucom, one of the parol makers, said.

Some parols used creative, unconventional materials such as disposable forks, spoons, egg trays, bubble wraps, and more.

The Lubenas ning Pasku aims to preserve Kapampangan traditions while reinforcing the spirit of bayanihan and unity during the Christmas season.