Albay lights up Disney-inspired Xmas tree amid bad weather

By Rhaydz Barcia

LEGAZPI CITY --- Albay Governor Noel Rosal reopened the controversial Peñaranda Park as he lit a giant Disney castle-inspired Christmas tree on Friday night, braving intermittent rain to officially welcome the Christmas season.

Rosal, whose first term as governor was cut short on December 1, 2022 following a disqualification case, was joined by Albay lawmakers Krisel Lagman (1st District) and Carlos Loria (2nd District), former governor and now Tabaco City Vice Mayor Baby Glenda Ong-Bongao, OCD Assistant Secretary Raffy Alejandro, OCD Bicol Director Claudio Yucot, provincial board members, PTCAO head Dorothy Colle, and other municipal and city officials.

Standing on the temporary stage at Peñaranda Park, Rosal called for unity and urged residents to set aside political differences to focus on provincial development.

He recalled the events of December 1, 2022, when the Commission on Elections (Comelec) En Banc disqualified him, following a complaint filed by his political opponents through Ako Bicol Partylist.

“This is my first time to light up a Christmas tree with you after my disqualification in 2022. I was not given a chance to celebrate with you then,” Rosal said.

“This year, we light this Christmas tree to give hope, to unite, and to bring light amid dark times despite the bad weather. Come and see our Christmas tree lights and Santa Claus for the children. Let’s set aside politics and unite for the people of Albay,” he added.

Rosal expressed his hope to finish his term as governor without interference from political opponents. He stepped down in 2022 after the Comelec ruling, following a disqualification complaint filed by Joseph Armogilla, who ran for Legazpi City council under the ticket of Ako Bicol mayoral candidate Alfredo Garbin. Both Armogilla and Garbin lost in the local and national elections that year.

During the event, Rep. Krisel Lagman lauded Rosal for promoting unity to strengthen provincial development, while Rep. Carlos Loria also expressed support for Rosal, pledging to work with provincial and local officials to revive robust economic growth in Albay.

Hundreds of Albayanos, including families and children, attended the event despite intermittent rainfall. Food stalls organized by the Legazpi City Host Lions Club allowed local businesses to sell food and products to visitors enjoying the Paskuhan sa Albay and the Disney-inspired Christmas tree.

The Peñaranda Park reopened to the public four months after the collapse of steel braces and tarpaulin roofing on the stage on August 30, 2025, which injured five students. The P96-million park, constructed by Hi-Tone Construction (owned by former Ako Bicol lawmaker Christopher Co) and FS Co Builder (owned by Vice Gov. Farida Co, sister of former Ako Bicol lawmaker Zaldy Co), had been temporarily closed for safety renovations.

Albay Governor Noel Rosal reopens the Peñaranda Park as he lights a giant Disney castle-inspired Christmas tree on Friday night despite bad weather. He was joined by Albay lawmakers Krisel Lagman (1st District) and Carlos Loria (2nd District), former governor and now Tabaco City Vice Mayor Baby Glenda Ong-Bongao, OCD Asec. Raffy Alejandro, OCD Bicol Dir. Claudio Yucot, provincial board members, PTCAO head Dorothy Colle, and other municipal and city officials.