What is Your New New Year’s Resolution?

Where do you start: looking back or moving forward?

As the clock ticks, it is just about few hours before this year ends and a new one commences. That is just the thing about beginnings – in order for something to start, something has to end.

Many people consider the end of the year as a time for merriment, for fireworks display, resounding music, drinking with friends and spending time with the family.  Preparations are made, plans and checklists are done, and many people spend a lot of money and time, even prior to, and for the celebration.

In fact, according to some experts, the New Year is a celebration that causes stress to many people.

As we were eating dinner today, my two-year old nephew sang “Happy Birthday.” It was amazing that he earned many praises for his little demonstration. While it caused us joy, New Year, to me, actually is similar in many ways to a birthday.

CLRAA Meet in Zambales is for Shoppers Too

The 2014 Central Luzon Regional Athletics Association Meet has already ended as of writing this article, however, it is pleasing to know that the province of Zambales, particularly in Iba, which was the venue of most of the contests, had once again hosted the sports event.

Although CLRAA Meet is all about friendly athletic competition and display of sportsmanship, the event also gave local businessmen and school districts an opportunity to participate in a bazaar. This year, many teachers contributed to the event not only as coaches but also as merchants and promoters of the local products found in each municipality in the province.

Cabangan Christmas Tree Lighting Beckons More Than a Month-long Merry Christmas Celebration

In Zambales, many people look forward to the Yuletide season. The province is home to creative and resourceful people and throughout the year, these attributes are showcased in many occasions, such as Christmas and festivities.

Of the towns, Cabangan, Zambales is one of the places worth visiting during the Holidays. Many people are excited every first of December because it beckons the lighting of the gigantic Christmas tree in front of the municipal hall.

The giant tree.

The view from the top of the municipal hall.

A man who is working on the Christmas Tree and Lights passes by . The Municipal Hall has a front yard that has been used for different activities.

In the morning, the Nativity Scene looks flat against the sky, but once night falls in, that changes.

Cabangan Municipal Hall

Cabangan Municipal Hall is a unique landmark in Zambales because of its architecture. Aside from its V-shaped main building, the infrastructure has an elevated driveway leading to the main entrance.

The activity has been done for a couple of years now and so many people are awestruck with the effort the town’s officials and folks are putting in to the display of lights and colors.

‘Balin Zambali’ is a Christmas Sight to See

If there are any places where Christmas is a big deal, the Philippines is one of those. The Yuletide Season begins in the “-ber” months or September and ends in the celebration of the Three Kings, which is days after the New Year.

It is beginning to look and feel a lot like Christmas everywhere. Festive lights, colorful lanterns are displayed in many houses, along the streets and other public places, and joyous carols are filling the air.

Fortunately, in Zambales, there are lots of wonderful places to see during the long Christmas Season.

The last time my friends and I passed by the Zambales Sports Complex, its main building, called Balin Zambali (not pronounced as Bali that of Indonesia), has been decorated with colorful and lively Christmas lights and being prepared for an upcoming regional sports event, which is either CLRAA or SCUAA.

The Balin Zambali (sometimes, Sambali) or “Zambales House” now glitters in the night after the Christmas lights were installed on its facade.

The sports complex is located right beside Zambales National High School. It has a stadium, a gymnasium (which houses the basketball court), a pool, tennis courts, track, a football field, and volleyball courts. The complex had been used in different local, regional and national events, and had been hosting regional athletics meets consecutively.

Its prominent building is its dormitory, Balin Zambali, which in local dialect means Zambales House (coarsely translated). The infrastructure has a front grass lawn, with palm trees and some plants, and outdoor chairs. It has a stone path leading to the main entrance of the building (I never get to see inside, but I’ll try next time). It has three main colors, following the Philippine flag’s palette — red white and blue.