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Saturday, December 10, 2005
Christmas in Baguio unfolds
YULETIDE merry-making began in this tourist city last December 1, with the launching of the "Christmas in Baguio" calendar of activities.
Mayor Braulio Yaranon said as in the past years, several colorful treats have been lined up under the Christmas festival calendar of events for both the local residents and tourists who will spend the holidays in the city.
Yaranon and Baguio City Representative Mauricio Domogan graced the opening activity, the children "mardigras" under the "Silahis ng Pasko" lineup last December 1 wherein pupils clad in colorful costumes paraded down the city's main thoroughfares to welcome the Christmas month.
City Tourism Officer Benedicto Alhambra said diverse activities have been lined up, including religious and gift-giving activities, anniversaries and festivals, trade fairs, musical performances and contests and sports treats.
Making up the religious and gift-giving treats are the Christmas Village on December 5 at the Baguio Convention Center (BCC); Immaculate Conception Day festivities on December 8; mass at the various Catholic churches and at the Shrine of Brown Madonna at Km. 6 Asin Road; nightly special Christmas treat for poor children via the "Gabi sa Jollibee" and "Pasko sa McDo"; gifts and nightly choral concerts every 6:30 p.m. from December 16 to 24; "Simbang Gabi" in all churches also from December 16 to 24; share-a-toy on December 22 at the SM Atrium and People's Park; and the "noche buena alay sa barangay" on December 23.
Also included were the twin Christmas parties of City Hall officials and employees on December 9 and December 16 at the Baguio Convention Center and the City Hall quadrangle, respectively.
For the anniversaries and festivals, the following had been lined up: Parade of Cordillera festivals, which transpired last December 4 along Session Road; ABS-CBN December Fest Baguio Christmas fun alley and raffle joys on December 17 at the grandstand of the Department of Tourism (DOT) in the Cordillera region; Baguio Film Festival at SM Baguio and other cinemas on December 10; and the Rizal Day Commemoration on December 30 at the Rizal Park.
The annual Baguio City Economic Zone trade fair kicked off last November 18 and will run until January 8, 2006.
Various musicals and competitions will also spice up the celebration, including the citywide lantern and lights formation competition for the whole month of December; the "Silahis ng Pasko" Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Cadets Day at the Park last December 3, a Christmas concert featuring the Maryknoll Sanctuary Choir on December 11; high school bands (AM) and PMA Band (PM) on December 11 at the Rose Garden; high schools bands on December 12 at SM Baguio; college band and PMA Band on December 14 also at SM Baguio; caroling caravan and "misa de gallo sa radyo" on December 16 to 24; Philippine Heritage Band Show on December 24 at the Botanical Garden; Philippine Heritage Band Christmas party and dinner show at the Baguio Country Club; and Philippine Heritage Band ballroom on December 25 at the Tres Marias.
The sports and other miscellaneous activities are Quest for Lucky Foreign Visitor, citywide from December 1 to 10; "Silahis ng Pasko" special day for special people on December 10 at the Malcolm Square; children's palaro also at the Malcolm Square; Silahis sports mania on December 11; Arnis Invitational Championship and Sikaran Invitational Cup at the Malcolm Square; media awards on December 11 at the Supreme Hotel; Filipino-American Golf Tournament on November 23 to December 10 at the Baguio Country Club and Camp John Hay; games on horseback on December 24 at the Wright Park; Quest for Lucky Christmas Baby and Santa Claus on the Road on December 25; Baguio Lucky Balikabayan day special on December 30; Quest for Lucky New Year Baby on Jan. 1, 2006; and the 20th annual Kafagway sports award on Jan. 8, 2005 at the Malcolm Square. (AR)
(December 10, 2005 issue)
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