The City Government of Cebu will provide free rides from Fuente Osmeña Circle to Plaza Independencia for the Pasko sa Sugbo celebrations this December.

The city will be celebrating this year’s Pasko sa Sugbo activities at Plaza Independencia and not the usual Fuente Osmeña circle area. Cebu City Mayor Tommy Osmeña said he opted to make the move to decongest the traffic along the rotunda in uptown area. He added that Fuente is a traffic prone area and presents a high risk of physical injuries to pedestrians so it is a high time to transfer the event’s venue to the Plaza. It is a lot bigger and more spacious compared to the Fuente Osmeña Circle on top of the fact that it is closer to the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño.

Osmeña said that the crowd attending Pasko sa Sugbo is getting bigger so the space at the Fuente Osmeña Circle will not suffice. Aside from transferring the Christmas activities, the mayor also said that he is considering transferring Sinulog-based activities to the Plaza Independencia as well.

“The decision did not originate from me. It’s from the Parks and Playgrounds Commission because it was creating heavy damage. Other activities that will remain in Fuente is the giant Christmas tree,” Osmeña told the local media.

The giant Christmas tree will remain in Fuente so the ceremonial tree lighting on December 1 will be expected there, but the nightly activities will be held at the Plaza. The tree lighting will signify the start of the Pasko sa Sugbo celebration, which will be followed by a parade of beautiful parols going to the Plaza.

In a separate interview, deputy mayor for tourism, Councilor Margarita Osmeña said the city government may use shuttle buses for to bring guests and spectators who wish to attend the activities at the Plaza, with the pickup point being the Fuente Osmeña Circle. The city tourism is also arranging to host activities as part of the Pasko sa Sugbo like manger and lantern making contests at the Plaza.

Councilor Osmeña noted that the Plaza is close to the South Road Properties, where the Kasadya sa Sugbo will take place. The city may also free rides to take people from the Plaza to the SRP.

Malou Inocando-Tabar, head of the Cebu City Tourism Office, said that the free rides will allow the public to enjoy the Christmas tree at Fuente as well as the nightly activities at the Plaza without hassle even if they don’t have private vehicles. The free rides will be available from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. for the whole month of December, throughout the Pasko sa Sugbo celebrations.

The nightly activities of this coming Pasko sa Sugbo will be very much different from the previous years because of the daily changing themes, which include Merry Mondays, Terrific Tuesdays, Wacky Wednesdays, Throwback Thursdays, Fabulous Fridays, Sayaw Saturdays, and Senti-Sundays.

Private organizations are welcome to join the activities, unlike before when only schools were allowed to join and perform. Spectators will be treated to the nightly performances of local bands, too, while urging other BisRockers and local celebrities who want to show off their talents to take part in the celebration.

There will be stalls erected at the Plaza to cater to small and medium businesses that want to do business during the event. The Pasko sa Sugbo celebration will be very exciting for every one as major changes have been made before the yuletide month.