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Christmas with kids in Manolo Fortich
In Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, the lights go on at the Municipal Plaza after a mayor's countdown, and the gifts travel out to 22 barangays. Here is the story of a small town's Christmas, with facts your family can share.
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The story of Christmas in Manolo Fortich
Paskong Pinoy sa Plaza: carols before the mayor's countdown
Manolo Fortich keeps its Christmas close to home. The town hall's Municipal Tourism Office runs a Paskong Pinoy sa Plaza opening at the Municipal Plaza, where a tree, plaza lights and fireworks are switched on together after a mayor-led countdown. Carolers compete in a cappella singing before the lights come on. A second tradition goes out to the barangays instead of gathering in one place: RQPS sa Pasko, a gift-giving round that reached its 16th year in 2023. Vice Mayor Reynaldo Bagayas Jr. and members of the town council sang carols with residents, with guitars, as the gift packs were handed out.
Five caroling groups, a fireworks return and 197 zones lit
The 2025 season opened on December 1 at the Municipal Plaza. Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño led the countdown that lit the Christmas tree, the plaza lights and a fireworks display the town called a much-anticipated return. Five groups entered the OPM caroling contest, and Merry Melodies from Barangay Lingion placed first. Pedslyn Apo Society, Maluko, Harmony Carollers and Biajencies followed. Merry Melodies took Best in Choreography and Maluko Carollers took Best in Costume. Five audience members then sang at an open mic. The mayor thanked the 197 zones across the town's 22 barangays for lighting their own neighborhoods.
Maluko the old name, and seven barangays in one rainy day
Manolo Fortich was first known as Maluko, and it took its present name from Manuel Fortich, the first governor of the sub-province of Bukidnon, under Republic Act 1720 in 1957. Maluko is still the name of one of its 22 barangays. In 2023 the RQPS sa Pasko gift rounds ran for three days, December 18 to 20. Despite heavy rain and wind from Tropical Cyclone Kabayan, the team reached seven barangays on the first day: Guilang-guilang, Santiago, Maluko, Dalirig, Ticala, Lingion and Tankulan. Nene Linonia of Sitio Abyawan in Dalirig said she has received aid in every RQPS round.
Traditions today
- Watch the plaza countdown: The Municipal Tourism Office has held a lighting of the tree, plaza lights and fireworks at the Municipal Plaza, most recently on December 1, 2025.
- Cheer a caroling contest: Groups from the barangays sing OPM carols a cappella for prizes such as Best in Choreography and Best in Costume.
- Take part in the open mic: After the contest in 2025, audience members signed up to perform, and five took the stage.
- Light up your own zone: The mayor thanked 197 zones across the 22 barangays for decorating their own neighborhoods.
- Share gift packs in the barangays: RQPS sa Pasko brings rice, bread and groceries to households in need, with carols sung along the way.
A fact for kids
In Manolo Fortich, a mayor's countdown switches on the Christmas tree, the plaza lights and the fireworks all at once!
Questions about Christmas in Manolo Fortich
Does Manolo Fortich have a Christmas tree lighting?
Yes. The Municipal Tourism Office held a Paskong Pinoy sa Plaza opening at the Municipal Plaza on December 1, 2025. Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño led a countdown that lit the Christmas tree, the plaza lights and a fireworks display. Check the town's official page for the 2026 date, which has not been announced yet.
What happens on opening night of Paskong Pinoy sa Plaza?
In 2025 the night had a lighting countdown, fireworks, an OPM caroling contest with five groups and an open mic where five audience members performed. The groups sang a cappella to the Paskong Pinoy theme. The town did not describe activities aimed specifically at children.
Which group won the 2025 caroling contest in Manolo Fortich?
Merry Melodies from Barangay Lingion took first place. Pedslyn Apo Society, Maluko, Harmony Carollers and Biajencies placed after them. Merry Melodies also won Best in Choreography, and Maluko Carollers won Best in Costume. Five groups took part in the contest.
Where is the town's Christmas tree lit in Manolo Fortich?
The town's official Christmas tree was lit at the Municipal Plaza on December 1, 2025, along with the plaza lights. The plaza is the center of the opening night. The mayor also thanked 197 zones across the 22 barangays for decorating and lighting their own areas, so many neighborhoods have lights too.
Are there fireworks at Christmas in Manolo Fortich?
There were on December 1, 2025. The town described the display at the Municipal Plaza as the much-anticipated return of fireworks, switched on together with the tree and plaza lights after the mayor's countdown. Fireworks for 2026 have not been confirmed, so ask the Municipal Tourism Office.
What is RQPS sa Pasko?
RQPS stands for Real Quality Public Service, and RQPS sa Pasko is the town government's yearly Christmas gift-giving program. The 2023 round was described as its 16th year. Each barangay's zones received at least 20 gift packs, and the visits also included carols sung by town officials and residents.
What was in the RQPS sa Pasko gift packs in 2023?
Each pack held 5 kilos of rice, loaf bread and grocery items, sponsored by members of the Sangguniang Bayan. Zone presidents chose households in dire need, and every zone in each barangay received at least 20 packs. The first day was December 18, 2023, and the rounds ran through December 20.
How many barangays does Manolo Fortich have?
Manolo Fortich has 22 barangays, including Agusan Canyon, Damilag, Dahilayan, Lingion, Maluko, San Miguel and Tankulan, which is the poblacion. The mayor's 2025 lighting remarks thanked 197 zones across these barangays for lighting their own areas, so Christmas lights are spread across the town.
Besides the plaza countdown, what can kids do at Christmas in Manolo Fortich?
The town did not describe children's activities in the 2025 opening, so plan for lights, music and carols rather than rides or shows. It is a small-town Christmas built around the Municipal Plaza opening, barangay caroling and gift rounds. Rally Takes the Train's Manolo Fortich Christmas events guide will add dates once hosts confirm them.
Where can families spend Christmas Day in Manolo Fortich?
The town's programs include the plaza lighting on December 1 and gift rounds in the days before Christmas, but no Christmas Day program. Families will most likely celebrate at home or in their barangay. The 2023 gift rounds ran December 18 to 20, ahead of the holiday.
Which Christmas sights are worth a visit around the Municipal Plaza?
Start with the Municipal Plaza, where the town's tree and lights go up and the caroling contest happens at the opening. Then look at the lights each of the 197 zones put up in its own neighborhood. Both come from the town's 2025 lighting report; no other attractions were described for Christmas.
When is the Manolo Fortich Christmas tree lighting in 2026?
No 2026 date has been published yet. The 2025 opening was on December 1, but that does not confirm 2026. Follow the Municipality of Manolo Fortich's official page and Rally Takes the Train's Manolo Fortich Christmas events guide for a confirmed date.
Who is Manolo Fortich's mayor, and what does he do at the lighting?
Mayor Rogelio N. Quiño led the countdown at the 2025 lighting, and he is also named as a leader of the RQPS sa Pasko team in 2023. In 2025 he thanked everyone for the lights and, speaking in Cebuano, said the lights stand for unity.
What did Vice Mayor Bagayas do at Christmas in 2023?
Vice Mayor Reynaldo L. Bagayas Jr. joined the RQPS sa Pasko rounds and led Christmas caroling with members of the Sangguniang Bayan and residents. He and SK Federation President Lennox J. Tabaco played acoustic guitar. The gift-giving went ahead on December 18, 2023, despite rain and wind from Tropical Cyclone Kabayan.
Are Simbang Gabi or Noche Buena described in Manolo Fortich's town pages?
No Simbang Gabi or Noche Buena events in Manolo Fortich have been announced. The 2025 opening used Paskong Pinoy as its caroling theme. For Mass times, ask your parish, since no parish schedule has been published.
Which barangays got the first RQPS sa Pasko visits in 2023?
On Monday, December 18, 2023, the team visited seven barangays: Guilang-guilang, Santiago, Maluko, Dalirig, Ticala, Lingion and Tankulan. Fifteen more were still to come, and the rounds ran through December 20. Mayor Quiño headed the RQPS team and Vice Mayor Bagayas led the council members.
Why is the town called Manolo Fortich?
It was originally called Maluko, and it was renamed for Manuel Fortich, the first governor of the sub-province of Bukidnon (1907 to 1914). Republic Act 1720 made the change on June 21, 1957. Maluko is still the name of one of the town's 22 barangays.
Is there a festival in Manolo Fortich besides Christmas?
Yes. The Banog-Banog Festival is held every March.The December plaza opening is the main Christmas gathering in town, so plan a Christmas trip around that night rather than a festival.
What did one Dalirig resident say about RQPS sa Pasko?
Nene Linonia of Sitio Abyawan in Barangay Dalirig said she has received aid in every RQPS round and that it has helped her family. Zone presidents choose the households, and each pack held 5 kilos of rice, loaf bread and grocery items in 2023. The town describes the program as its yearly Christmas gift-giving.
How should I plan a Christmas visit to Manolo Fortich?
Pick the opening night at the Municipal Plaza as your anchor, since the town's tourism office runs it. Check the official municipal page for the 2026 date, expect a crowd and carols in the evening, and see Rally Takes the Train's Manolo Fortich Christmas events guide as hosts confirm programs.
Sources
- Manolo Fortich welcomes December with dazzling lights, OPM carols, and grand fireworks, Municipality of Manolo Fortich
- RQPS sa Pasko 2023 unleashes the Christmas spirit on its first day, Municipality of Manolo Fortich
- Manolo Fortich, Wikipedia