Casiguran, Aurora – APECO under the direction of Atty. Gil G. Taway IV, the new President and Chief Executive Officer (PCEO) of APECO, launched a Christmas Village lighting with the bazaar showcasing local food and beverage businesses belonging to Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The bazaar opened on December 15, 2023 and closed on January 5, 2023. Open from Friday to Sunday, the Christmas Village was a nightly event with live music and acoustics showcasing local musical talent.
The Christmas Village lighting ceremony was held at 6:00 p.m. with messages from APECO Board of Directors Chairperson, Atty. Anelyn C. Ciudadano, the Mayor of the Municipality of Dinalungan, Hon. Manuel A. Torres, APECO Director Rene G. Tayag, the APECO Deputy Administrator Angelo Gabriel D. Mantuano, and PCEO Taway. Mayor Torres assumed office as a member of the APECO Board as of January 2024 taking over from Hon. Mayor Joe P. Gorospe who served on the Board for 2023. The lighting ceremony culminated in all lights of the corporate campus being shut off and a countdown to the actual lighting. PCEO Taway calls this as symbolic, that “things are darkest before the light dawns”. The simultaneous opening of all Christmas lights and booths was met with resounding applause. It was followed by a fireworks display under the supervision of the Bureau of Fire Protection.
The Christmas Village is the first event held by the new management and marks the opening of APECO to the public once again following a long period of closure to the public. “Bukas po ang APECO para sa lahat, hindi po namin kayo haharangan, ang ating gate ay hindi po sarado sa inyo, dahil ang APECO ay ginawa para sa mamayan ng Aurora, at lalo na para sa mamayan ng DiCaDi”, said PCEO Taway in his speech.
Safety during the opening was ensured by elements of the 2nd Mobile Force of the Philippine National Police under the command of PLTCOL CIELO L CALIGTAN, as instructed by PCOL MYLES ANGEL S PASCUAL, Provincial Director of the PNP Aurora. The Christmas Village was formally closed on January 5, 2024 being serenaded by the up and coming band Arya who toured all the way to APECO from Manila, a signal that APECO is becoming a destination for artists and those with creative pursuits.
The event was organized primarily by the Corporate Planning Division under the leadership of Director Ma. Cristina G. Suaverdez and assisted by Ms. Luzed Anne Jandoc of the Community Relations Division. Administrative support was likewise provided by Mr. Anthony T. Valencia, OIC, Admin & Finance.
Infrastructure works, ground preparation, and the lighting that received praise online was spearheaded by Engr. Ryan V. Baliat, Engineering and Environmental Safety Division Manager, who was designated as OIC, Operations on January 11, 2024.
