The Marikina City government officially illuminated its giant Christmas tree at the Plaza De Los Alcaldes at the Marikina City Hall on Monday night, 8 December, in celebration of the city’s 29th Cityhood Anniversary.

Marikina Mayor Marjorie Ann “Maan” Teodoro and Marikina First District Representative Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro led the ceremony, which featured the anniversary program, the lighting of the Christmas tree, and an extravagant fireworks display.

“It’s our 29th cityhood anniversary here in Marikina. We really gave our lives for our city,” Teodoro said.

“That’s why our performances is more of the historical account of how Marikina became a city. The struggles, the trials that the city went through, until now, we are slowly waking up to the triumph of our city,” she added.

Marikina ushered in its 29th cityhood anniversary and the start of Paskong Marikina, Paskong Pag-Asa with an evening of lights, music, and community spirit.

“At the same time, our Christmas tree lighting here, for a long time, we didn’t have this in the city,” Teodoro said.

“But we thought that we should revive the joy of Christmas. I know that we are going through a lot, personal or in the community, but we shouldn’t lose hope,” she added.

“Ang Liwanag ng Marikina,” performed by students of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Marikina Center for Culture and Arts, the Marikina Dance Guild, Sta. Elena High School, Marikina High School, Marikina Senior High School, and other schools in coordination with DepEd Marikina and the Marikina Cultural Group, depicted the city’s rich cultural history. The performance traced Marikina’s origins—from livelihoods built around the Marikina River, to Chinese trade, to Spanish colonization beginning in 1521, and its rise as the Shoe Capital of the Philippines.

The tribute also highlighted key historical figures such as Don Laureano “Kapitan Moy” Guevara, pioneer of the local shoe industry, and Doña Tereza Dela Paz Tuazon, the last heiress of the Tuazon family that once owned a vast hacienda in the city.

Marikina also commemorated its resilience during the Covid-19 pandemic, which struck the country from March 2020 to December 2022 and claimed 66,000 Filipino lives nationwide.

The trailer of Reconnect, a Metro Manila Film Festival entry premiering on 25 December, was screened during the program. The film touches on themes of digital disconnection—something many Marikeños relate to.

Teodoro also surprised attendees with the appearance of actress Bela Padilla and actor Gerald Anderson, who previously played with the Marikina Shoemakers.

The mayor acknowledged the hardships faced by Marikeños and urged them to keep moving forward, assuring them that the city’s “Alagang Marikina” program will continue to ensure no one is left behind.