By Eva C. Visperas

 

THE true essence of living is not measured by the ease of our days but by the courage with which we rise after each fall.

To start again, with faith intact, hope unwavering, and the same vibrant spirit that refuses to dim—this is the heartbeat of resilience. In Dagupan, this heartbeat is felt most in the family, the very heart of Christmas.

Dagupan knows this all too well. This year, the city and its people faced trials that tested every fiber of endurance. The monsoon battered homes, and life was uncertain. Yet, even in the face of hardship, Dagupeños held on to hope. We see it in the quiet rebuilding of lives, in the laughter returning to once-empty streets, in the strength with which families embrace each new day.

It starts within the family—the first seedbed of faith, perseverance, and love. From the roots of family life grow the branches of community, the leaves of generosity, and the blossoms of collective joy. This year, the message of family as the heart of Christmas echoed deeply during the city’s annual tree lighting ceremony on December 9, a moment that reminded everyone that even amidst challenges, light can be born from darkness.

Councilor Michael Fernandez, Hermano Mayor this year, said the Christmas tree is more than a decoration—it symbolizes family, from roots to leaves, parents to children. For him and the city, the celebration reflects shared labor, shared love, and the hope a united community can nurture.

Vice Mayor Dean Bryan Kua, in his opening words, captured the pulse of the community: “My heart is full whenever I see your smiles. That is the true purpose of this event: to bring love, joy, and hope to each one of us as Christmas approaches. The Dagupeño spirit cannot be shaken by anything.”

Indeed, as each light flickered on the city plaza, on the bridges, and along downtown streets and at the De Venecia Highway extension, it became more than illumination—it became a promise: that no storm, no trial, can dim the collective spirit of Dagupan.

Mayor Belen Fernandez reminded everyone why the celebration was both simple and meaningful: the heart of the season is in caring for others, especially indigent families hit hardest by the recent super typhoon. She highlighted the city’s outreach: Noche Buena packs for 15,000 families, a buffet for 700 families, and aid for thousands affected by poverty or disaster.

“Family is the heart of Christmas. In everything, family comes first,” she said.

It is a lesson in empathy, in shared humanity, and in making sure that joy is not for a few, but for all.

That night in the city plaza, as the 45-foot Christmas tree glittered and the bridges glowed with ‘Silew-Silew’ lights, hope shone brightly. Every smile, cheer, and child’s wide-eyed wonder reflected the strength of a community united through adversity.

Dagupan is sending a message far beyond its borders: even when life challenges us, even when storms try to uproot us, resilience begins at home. It is nurtured in families, strengthened in communities, and celebrated in moments of collective joy.

This Christmas, the lights remind us that faith and perseverance are not abstract ideals—they are lived, breathed, and felt in every act of kindness, in every hand extended to help another.

Vice Mayor Kua leaves us with a simple truth: “Every light shines under our hope and unity.”

Councilor Michael Fernandez reminds us: “From the roots, to the branches, to the leaves, family is our guiding light.”

Mayor Belen Fernandez assures us: “Family is the heart of Christmas; in caring for them, we care for our city.”

And so, as the lights shimmer across Dagupan’s plazas and bridges, the message is clear: hope is not found in grand gestures alone, but in every shared smile, every embraced neighbor, every family that dares to rise again.

In Dagupan, Christmas is not just a season—it is a living testament that even after the darkest storm, light finds a way to shine.