Last Sunday, November 30, 2025, was the last day of Carless Sunday in Naga City, and I’m really glad I got to experience it from afternoon until evening. Everyone was encouraged to wear a costume, so the streets were filled with colorful characters, lively music, and people enjoying the final celebration together. This was only my second time joining Carless Sunday, and it felt even more special knowing it was the last. Being able to join again made me appreciate the uniqueness of this event even more. The streets, usually full of vehicles, completely transform into a space where people can walk freely, enjoy the music, and simply have fun without the usual rush and noise.
And I was dressed as an elf!!
I walked through the road with my cane, enjoying the freedom of moving safely. The atmosphere felt warm and alive. My mom kept taking videos and pictures of me throughout the afternoon, capturing the fun and energy of the day from every angle.
At one point, I fell in line for a raffle draw from a participating hotel. Since I had four draws, I was lucky enough to win one mug, one heated mug, one pack of Oreo cookies, and one bottle of alcohol. It was exciting to be part of the raffle and feel the thrill of winning a few prizes along the way.
I also took photos with different characters, which made the whole experience feel like a mini festival. Their costumes added so much excitement and color to the day. Some costumes were really creative, and others were just funny or cute. Every picture I took captured a little piece of the joy and energy around me, and looking at them now brings back those happy memories.
When I wanted to move and enjoy the music, I just danced on my own in the middle of the street. I followed the rhythm and let myself enjoy every beat. It felt freeing to move with the music, surrounded by people who were also enjoying the day in their own ways. Dancing like that made me feel connected to everyone around me, even if we didn’t know each other personally. Along the way, I even saw some friends, which made the afternoon feel even more meaningful. It was nice to catch up and share smiles in the middle of the bustling streets.
After the activities, we headed to McDonald’s. It was extremely crowded, and we waited a long time for our order, but we still managed to take pictures there. Despite the long wait, it was fun to see so many people gathering, sharing food, and enjoying the last moments of Carless Sunday together. I then saw my former shadow teacher, and I felt really happy since we haven’t seen each other for almost a year.
Our final stop was at a hotel, where we took more photos to end the night. Our city mayor, former Vice President Leni Robredo was also there. It felt exciting knowing she was nearby, but since she seemed to be in a meeting, we didn’t get a chance to take a picture with her.
Even with the long lines and the busy crowd, this Carless Sunday has left many great memories to all who came.
— Angeline Bernadette 🩷
This post is completely AI-free. All words and photos are my own.