Baguio eyes world record in singing of Xmas carols

By Dexter A. See

BAGUIO CITY-- This mountain resort city is aiming to break the world record in the number of people singing Christmas carols at the same time in a single place with the conduct of the Christmas Rhythm, the highlight of the Paskua in Baguio festivities in celebration of the Yuletide season.

The chorale competition will be divided into two categories, the traditional and show choir.

The show choir will be school-based and open to elementary, high school and college students.

The Christmas pieces that will be rendered are Carol on the Bells for elementary pupils, Tuloy na Tuloy ang Pasko for high school students, and Pasko na Sinta Ko for college students.

Elimination rounds for the biggest Christmas caroling event in the city over the past several decades will be scheduled on December 4, 5, 11, and 18 while the grand finale is scheduled wherein the winners in each category will compete in order to beat the world record set by England in the number of people singing Christmas carols in three venues then.

By gathering at least 20,000 individuals in one venue, particularly the Baguio Athletic Bowl, singing Christmas carols simultaneously, it will be able to break the world set by England which is around 16,000 individuals in three venues.

The school which will bring the most number of individuals to attend the event will be given special awards.

Other Christmas activities lined up by the Creative Worx, one of the partners of the city government in the staging of the month-long crow drawing activities that will keep the city alive during the Yuletide season are the Venetian Night at the Burnham Lake, Photo Walk II, Sumo Soccer, and the scenic snow show.

The Venetian Night will transform the Burnham Lake to be like the famous tourist spot in Venice filled with gondolas and gondoliers serenading the people in boats.

On the other hand, the Photo Walk II will be a competition of the best, most romantic and funniest photo taken in the country’s Summer Capital.

Paskua in Baguio organizers claimed the sumo soccer event will give entertainment to the public as the players will be wearing sumo costumes while playing the game at the Melvin Jones football ground right at the heart of the city.

According to organizers, the conduct of the new innovations to the Christmas in Baguio activities will provide a new look for Baguio in the coming Yuletide season where more foreign and domestic tourists will flock to the city to witness for themselves unique events that will spice up their celebration of Christmas with their families.