ILOILO CITY, Dec. 2 -- Around 1,000 colorful "parol" (Christmas lanterns) illuminated major streets of this highly urbanized city following the official lighting ceremony for the "Iloilo Rising Parol" on Monday evening.

The public-private initiative of the Iloilo City Government and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) is now in its fifth year, with this year's theme "Ilonggo Rising Parol".

The business group gathered donations from establishments for the lanterns, while the city government handled the mounting and the installation of wiring and bulbs.

PCCI chair Felix Tiu, in his message, expressed his gratitude to the sponsors who, through their donations, have helped reform persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) at the...