Wednesday, December 28, 2016
Oh, Christmas Lights and Hogwarts!!
I did my waiting.. in seven years!! In Azkaban!!
Lol, at Azkaban. But I really did wait for 7 years to finally come back in Tangub City. I never expected for it to be this grand and beautiful already!! So much has changed! From the area size of displays to amount of Christmas lights used, I am really awed by the effort of the contenders in this showcase of art.
Now the displays extend to the city's Hall of Justice and I think the City Hall, consuming a really huge space in the heart of the city. Before, I considered Tangub as a small city, not yet widely and fully urbanized and having more provincial life feels. It's completely different now!
The Christmas Symbols displays cannot only be seen in the said plaza and in the center of the city, but it is widely spread even in deepest parts of city. Each baranggay had actively made and propped up an arch entrance to represent their baranggay, each of which have different themes.
You can really feel the spirit of Christmas in this place. I really appreciate their warm welcome to the people who came from distant places and traveled hours just to see this wonderful city by having the decorated arch entrances as teasers for the bigger thing.
The number of people or tourists gathered in the city was astounding! The place was really spotless! Before, it couldn't even reach hundreds of people a day. But now, thousands of people visit it everyday. There are people EVERYWHERE. Lots of people were sitting on the benches or on the sides of the building, some were sight-seeing, others were eating (yes, restaurants and street vendors eventually found a way to get in), and most of the people were holding their cameras and smartphones above their heads to capture the impeccable place.
One thing to point out to is that before, there wasn't even a gate to enter the place neither there was an entrance fee. But of course, as the years pass by, the more they upgrade the more costly it would be. I think there's an entrance fee of Php60. Guys, I promise you, it's still worth it!! You'll never regret the coins you've spent.
But to be honest, what I anticipated the most in this trip is to have a glimpse of the HOGWARTS CASTLE!!
In case you don't know, but I am a hardcore fan of Harry Potter and this sight before my eyes, IT'S LIKE A DREAM COME TRUE. I know it's not even near to that of Universal Studios's replica of Wizarding World of Harry Potter but this is something!! I don't care but I am so happy just seeing it! My heart really flutters. Kudos to the people who got the idea to make this happen!!
Not only that! The propos were really realistic! There was a room which looks like a common room, and you could reenact there. Then there was this library filled with Harry Potter elements!! The Mirror of Erised was present! There were snitches above your head. You could wear the Sorting Hat if you want to be sorted, uhm, but it doesn't talk though. And then there's a wand! Too bad there's only one. And then there are lots of books. I haven't noticed a broom though, they couldn't have overlooked that. Maybe I just haven't seen it because it's dark.
P.S. There's a Hogwarts Express too! Toot! Toot!
One really downside of the building is its poor lighting. Also, during our stay in the Hogwarts Castle, outside, the whole plaza was showcasing its Dancing Lights, so the lights inside the castle were shut off and the main line of lights were the only ones blinking synchronically and simultaneously. The Dancing Lights was beautiful and was blinking rhythmically with the enchanting music. You can see it in the video below.
I was ecstatic the whole time, that I was worried that I might not enjoy the whole place, missing out some things. My cousins were also excited in this Hogwarts Castle. We were really having fun!! Even my mom. The whole family was really enjoying it! Even though, my little cousins and my mom didn't know much about Harry Potter, they were still having fun. I am really inlove with the place. If only we had enough time, but we're rushing since we were already way behind the time range contract of the rental van.
And we were so damn hungry already because we chose to go to Hogwarts first before having dinner!! By the way, there's an entrance fee in the Hogwarts Castle. For just Php5, you can now enter the castle. Add Php5 and you can wear a cloak of your choice!! If you want to ride the Hogwarts Express, you'll only need to pay Php10. So guys! Imagine. You only need Php20 to have a magical experience once and for all! (We didn't try the Express though because it's so tiny, only small kids will fit.)
Watch the video below for the summary of my Tangub Experience. The pictures above were crappy and pixelated, I know. My apologies. Also sorry, for the shaky video below, I got too excited. Hihi.
Merry Christmas, loves!
Happy New Year, too!
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