Dapitan City mayor plans a yearly ‘Pasko sa Nayon’

PAGADIAN CITY, Dec. 24 (PNA) -–Mayor Rosalinda Jalosjos of Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte, is eyeing to make the “Pasko sa Nayon” as a permanent activity every Christmas Season.

The “Pasko sa Nayon” is the giving of free snacks to churchgoers after attending “Simbang Gabi”- an early morning mass.

Monsigñor Jun Villamil said Jalosjos’ plan came after the latter has observed that the activity has added color to the “Simbang Gabi” and has become the attraction especially to the children.

The free snacks is given by the Dapitan City government through the City Tourism Office.

 
Private individuals have also contributed in giving free snacks, mostly native delicacies.

The Simbang Gabi starts December 16 and ends on Christmas Eve.

City Tourism Officer Apple Marie Agolong said the “Pasko sa Nayon” was patterned after the “Pista sa Nayon.”

The “Pista sa Nayon” was conceptualized and first adopted last July when free snacks were provided to churchgoers attending the week-long Novena mass before the celebration of Dapitan City fiesta known as the “Kinabayo Festival.”

“It was repeated during the Simbang Gabi due to some request of the Dapitanons and with the support also of some individuals who in one way or the other shared their blessings,” Agolong said. (PNA)
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