The “Lights of Bago (LOB)”, the most anticipated grand musical fireworks display of Bago City, is making a comeback at 6 p.m. on Jan. 1, 2025.
Bago City Senior Tourism Operations Officer Mae Ann Furtos said “this dazzling event will not only illuminate the sky but also the hearts of every spectator, celebrating the resilience and unity of the community after a four-year hiatus brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic”.
The last physical LOB celebration was in 2020 during its 12th year, Furtos said in a press release.
The 26-minute musical fireworks and lights display was witnessed by least 35,000 spectators from Bago City and other localities in the province in 2020.
Themed “A Rhapsody of Colors and Diversity,” the 2020 edition of the synchronized fireworks display underscored HIV/AIDS awareness as well as promotion of gender equality and diversity.
It was followed by a virtual celebration in 2022, highlighting the best of LOB since its inception in 2009, she added.
European Raymond Stoffel, a retired international corporate lawyer from Luxembourg, whose wife has roots in Barangay Poblacion, Bago City, started the staging of the annual event every January 1.
Stoffel had to go back to Europe and the city government assumed the hosting of the musical fireworks display in its second year onwards.
For this year, thousands of spectators are again expected to troop to the Manuel Y. Torres Sports Center for the 20-minute display themed “Lights of Bago: Rebirth of Light.”
Furtos said the meticulously curated soundtrack features timeless hits from past LOB festivals, evoking cherished memories of bygone celebrations, while seamlessly blending contemporary mash-ups that capture the spirit of renewal.
“Each note and explosion tells a story of nostalgia, hope, and the promise of brighter days ahead,” the tourism officer said, adding that “this year’s theme symbolizes a bridge between generations, honoring the legacy of the past while igniting the imaginations of the future.”
The January 1 event will be led by Mayor Nicholas Yulo, Vice Mayor Ramon Torres, and other city officials.
“Join us as we usher in 2025 with an unforgettable spectacle of lights, music, and joy – a true rebirth of tradition, resilience, and celebration,” Furtos said.*