DAVAO CITY — Christmas season officially began here with the opening of the month-long festivities for the "Pasko Fiesta sa Davao 2023" on Tuesday night highlighted by the Dan-ag Davao ug Pag-abli sa Pasko grand lighting ceremony at the Rizal Park.

Mayor Sebastian Duterte led the official lighting of the 50-foot Christmas tree at the Quezon Park and the various installations around City Hall.

The entire San Pedro Square lit up as thousands of red and white decorative lights illuminated the square, following this year's theme "Warmth of Love, Radiance of Joy."

Duterte urged the public to embody the Christmas spirit by being more generous to one another.

"I ask all of you unite and understand one another," Duterte said. This is my wish since it is Christmas, let us be more considerate of everyone… Let us not be in constant competition with each other… Let us give and understand each other this Christmas."

Vice Mayor J Melchor Quitain Jr., in his speech, said this year's Pasko Fiesta opening ceremony has exceeded the scale and grandeur of last year's celebration.

He said the holiday season, though a time for merrymaking and cheer, should also be seen as a time to reflect on the failures and triumphs of 2023.

"All the mistakes we have committed, all our shortcomings — well we will correct that for 2024 is just around the corner and God has given us another chance to redeem and better ourselves," Quitain said.

The "Pasko Fiesta sa Davao 2023" will run until 31 December.