Tagum City in Davao del Norte is set to be the host of the country’s tallest Christmas tree.
Costing P2.4 million and at 172 feet, the Christmas tree would surpass the 100-footer Christmas tree at Araneta-Cubao.
The steel structure of the old giant Christmas tree in the Freedom Stage ground at the back of the old City Hall was dismantled last August.
“It’s Christmas Season and part of our culture and tradition is the Christmas tree. We have been doing this and as Christian people we put up symbols for our celebration of Christmas, like the Christmas tree,” Mayor Allan Rellon said.
He said it has now 10 layers to represent the 10-point agenda of Rellon’s administration.
As in the past, thousands of multi-colored small lights and beautiful lanterns are strewn around it while the apex star on top is eight-pointed. The structure is being finished by a city engineering crew.
The height of the city’s giant Christmas tree varied in time. It was former Mayor Rey Uy who started the tradition of putting it up during his one term as mayor in 2001-2003. The Holiday tree was shorter and smaller then.
The tallest height that the old giant Christmas tree had reached per record was 153 feet in 2007. In 2008 its height was lowered to 100 feet but in 2010 it was taller by six feet then made shorter at 105 feet last year.
In keeping with the city’s tradition, city streets, the Freedom Park, Rotary Park and E-Park, where a jamboree of the local boy scouts jamboree will be held in December, will be decked with dancing lights and lighted lanterns
The ceremonial lighting will be one of the activities of Tagum City which is set to honor its patron saint, Christ the King, on November 20.
