THE HISTORIC assumption of Atty. Rowena “Weng” Lopez-Lizares as the first woman mayor of Talisay City, Negros Occidental, on June 30, was anything but a walk in the park.
Just 11 days into her term, heavy flooding from the southwest monsoon (habagat) hit several villages, particularly Barangay Zone 12, displacing thousands of Talisaynons who sought refuge in evacuation centers. This early test of her leadership challenged Mayor Weng to manage a sudden disaster in her city — but she rose to the occasion.
Three months later, Typhoon “Tino” struck, leaving damaged homes, fallen trees, and widespread power outages. Yet again, Mayor Weng demonstrated courage and resilience, steering her constituents through the aftermath.
Amid these crises, she envisioned a way to lift the spirits of her people — a “trip to Candyland.”
The initiative kicked off on November 23, when Talisay City officials officially lit a Candyland-themed giant Christmas tree in the public plaza, accompanied by pastel-themed decorations in baby pink, mint green, and lavender. The whimsical design provided a visual escape and a symbol of hope for residents still recovering from natural calamities.
For context, Candyland is a classic board game created by Eleanor Abbott during the polio epidemic. Designed as a colorful, sweet-themed world to uplift sick children, it offered a therapeutic escape during difficult times. Mayor Weng’s adaptation of this concept brings a similar sense of relief and imagination to Talisaynons, transforming the city plaza into a cheerful, soothing space during the holiday season.
Through this simple yet meaningful gesture, Mayor Weng emphasizes that in simplicity lies comfort, ease, and tranquility — an antidote to the stress and hardships caused by back-to-back disasters. Her Candyland-themed plaza has become more than a visual delight; it is a symbol of resilience, hope, and community joy.
This year’s festive display serves as a “sweet Christmas treat” and a reminder that even in times of adversity, thoughtful creativity and care can inspire happiness and healing. Talisay City residents are now enjoying a holiday season full of color, imagination, and optimism — all thanks to Mayor Weng’s visionary leadership./PN
