LAOAG – Interconnected umbrellas form a colorful canopy in the streets beside the Laoag City Hall and Marcos Hall of Justice, setting the tone that Christmas is just around the corner.

The eye-catching canopy, formed using close to 700 umbrellas, is a social media-friendly background for photographs by locals and tourists alike.

Local officials said a wider canopy may be created soon, to further convey the message of oneness and unity, despite political controversies dividing the country.

"Wala tayong mapagtatagumpayan kung hindi tayo magkakaisa. Kaya kung titignan mo naka-connect silang lahat (payong), so iyon ‘yung mensahe na gusto naming ipaabot, walang suliranin na hindi mapagtatagumpayan kung hindi nagkakaisa at nagkakapit-bisig talaga," said Laoag City Mayor Chevylle Fariñas.

(We will not succeed if we are divided. The umbrellas are interconnected, and that is the message we want to convey, that we will not succeed at anything if we are not united.)

"Magsilbing pagpapaalala na sa kabila ng maraming pagkakasalungat sa ating lipunan, ang pagkakaisa, pakikiisa at pagiging-isa ang mga mahahalagang kaugalian na karapat-dapat isabuhay ng bawat miyembro ng kolektibo," Councilor Rbee Ablan said.

(This will serve as a reminder that despite conflicts in society, unity is important and should be internalized by every member of the collective.)

The umbrella canopy, which will be up until Christmas, was inspired by similar creations in Agueda, Portugal; the Dubai Miracle Garden; and Turkey.