Manila’s ‘Paskuhan’ enthralls

Domagoso makes a pitch for Mehan Garden festivities, bazaar

Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso and Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna are inviting the public to visit this year’s “Paskuhan sa Maynila” at the Mehan Garden near the city hall.

Domagoso and Lacuna opened the festival immediately after the conclusion of the “Manila EntrePinoy StreEAT Food Festival” last month.

The “Paskuhan” is highlighted nightly by a lights-and-sounds show and a bazaar selling various gift items and food.

The mayor said the food festival generated a total income of P2.7 million for the small businesses that participated which, in turn, created at least 200 jobs from 12 to 30 November.

Domagoso commended permits bureau chief Levi Facundo, Fernan Bermejo of the Public Employment Service Office, and local tourism chief head Charlie Dungo for putting

up the Yuletide festivities.

Facundo reported to the mayor, who is running for president next year, that the food festival was an instant hit to people who wanted to eat out and sample various mouth-watering offerings.

The vendors reported selling out early all their day’s smorgasbord of treats.

According to Facundo, the “Paskuhan” is open daily from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. up to 1 January 2022 and entry will be allowed only until 10:15 p.m. It will be closed, though, on 24 and 31 December.

Facundo assured that all participating merchants and workers in the festival are fully vaccinated and that enough policemen will be around for the safety and security of the visitors.

Among the attractions are the light shows four times every night, an arcade, a TikTok booth, daily performances and, soon, arcade games like shooting and darts galleries.

The “Love” structure is also back by the colorful fountain, with about 70 retail stores offering clothes, toys, accessories, perfumes and food like shawarma.

“Let us support the city government’s efforts to help small businesses and create job opportunities as well,” Domagoso said.

PHOTOGRAPH BY RIO DELUVIO FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE @tribunephl_rio Ablaze at night Christmas lights bring holiday cheers at the sprawling University of Santo Tomas campus in Manila. Established in 1611, the Royal Pontifical University is the oldest-existing learning institution in Asia.

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF KR DE ASIS/MPIO AMONG the hot sellers are native ‘kakanin’ like the puto bungbong being steamed before being slathered with margarine and topped with coconut and brown sugar.