SWEET SPECTACLE: ‘Candyland Christmas’ brightens Iloilo Capitol grounds

By Mariela Angella Oladive

Sugar-sweet holidays kicked off at the Iloilo Provincial Government as it opened its Candyland Christmas celebration on Friday, Dec. 5, transforming the Capitol grounds into a vibrant holiday destination filled with candy-themed installations.

Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. led the ceremonial lighting.

“This is our contribution to making the season joyful. We share this with the whole city and province of Iloilo, and the whole Philippines,” he said, noting that the holiday attraction aims to encourage visitors from other parts of the country to come to Iloilo during the Christmas season.

“If Iloilo is a known destination, more families, friends, and groups come here, which is good for our province’s economy,” he added.

The provincial government allocated PHP 3.5 million for this year’s installation, lower than last year’s PHP 4.8 million.

The opening night featured a fireworks display by Iloilo Supermart.

Adding to the festivities is the Candyland Christmas Bazaar 2025, which runs from Dec. 1 to 21 at the Capitol grounds.

Visitors can explore handmade crafts, toys, clothing, caricatures, and holiday treats, while local micro, small, and medium enterprises benefit from a larger platform to showcase their products.

The celebration also features open-air film screenings from the SINEstorya Student Film Festival of Tigbauan National High School on Dec. 5, 12, and 19.

The screenings run from 6 to 8 p.m. near the National Museum of the Philippines–Iloilo, featuring short films such as Paghugna, Pangimon, Himurat, Indis Indis, Lawod, Manggad, and Pitik.

Guests are encouraged to bring mats and enjoy festival food while watching the films under the night sky.