Every December, the capital town of Biliran hosts a fantastic holiday-themed fair called Banchetto Christmas by the Bay at the Naval People’s Park. 

It is becoming a tradition, and people from different parts of the province await this celebration eagerly.

But who wouldn’t? Following the news on Facebook about the opening dates of these events lets you know how Biliranons love bonding with their families and friends here.

A Different Banchetto Christmas Experience

This year was the first time my wife and I attended last night’s much-anticipated opening night. 

While we arrived a little late, missing the first hour at 6 pm, we plunged right into the festivities already underway when we got there just before 7 pm. 

We did notice that Banchetto Christmas, this time, brought an agreeable twist to tradition. The familiar stage, once facing the barbecue area, now stood with its back to the waves compared to previous years and events.

I think they did it because of the addition of the huge Christmas Tree and Christmas decorations.

They also published a map of the area detailing the Parking and No Parking spaces in the vicinity.

The Opening Festivity

Naval Mayor Gretchen Espina welcomed the excited crowd in her raspy voice (probably strained after burning the late-night oil overseeing the setup).

She expressed her gratitude to the creative minds and everyone involved behind the festive decorations, with the excitement in the air hinting at the special night ahead.

As Naval Mayor Gretchen Espina expressed her gratitude to the creative minds behind the festive decorations, the excitement hinted at the special night ahead.

It was also a hint that the best views were yet to come! 

Lighting Up the Night

Suddenly, Mayor Espina started the countdown to light the towering Christmas tree near where we stood.

At zero, the switch flipped lighting the huge tree while sparkling lights burst at booths and displays across the park.

Cheers and awe rang out at the magical scene. But the real magic was yet to begin!

Banchetto Fireworks 

Just as we were catching our breath, they launched an incredible 2.5-minute fireworks show lit up the skies in dazzling displays.

Phones shot upwards, trying to capture videos and photos of the heart-stopping spectacle bursting with light and sound.

The excitement reached fever pitch when the final massive volley exploded with earth-shaking force, showering the skies with color and wonder.

One thing you should know about Banchetto is that the place can be packed full of people, especially on occasions like this.

You’ll be left standing for hours as there will be no tables and chairs available.

But our night was just getting started, and some spectators drifted off, perhaps thinking the highlight concluded after the fireworks.

Take a look at these stunning fireworks and the events that followed

Beer and Beloved Songs 

The best of Banchetto awaited us as we grabbed seats at a vacated table.

We ordered a bottle of beer and finger foods while Auxiliary Band, one of the province’s best bands, cranked up familiar songs from the 2000s.

Everyone chimed in with the lyrics, especially the high-spirited teens at the next table. Everyone came together in song and cheer for that hour, regardless of age.

Between singing my heart out and chatting with my wife, it was a great experience enjoying the festivities and each other’s company.  

After the band wrapped up their hit-filled set, a solo female vocalist with an earlier technical glitch finally showcased her melodic stylings to an enraptured crowd.

A Detour to Municipal Hall

As the beer mugs emptied, we decided to explore further. We had already planned our escapade for the night, and it was time to hit the Municipal Hall’s “Candyland: Tam-is nga Pasko sa Naval.”

As the name suggests, the theme here offered a distinct charm, and despite the absence of bands, people flocked to capture the picturesque scenes in photos.

Unlike the food and music of Banchetto, the hall focused more on visually stunning decorations and life-sized Christmas huts perfect for selfies.

While the provincial capitol celebrated a Disney-themed Christmas, the candy-themed decors here are made for an Instagram-worthy capper to our evening!

The final act of our night unfolded with a familiar Filipino delicacy—balut. It was a night worth spending as the clear skies graced the evening.