Christmas activities in Baguio City bared

By Aileen P. Refuerzo and Julie G. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Mauricio Domogan last week called for renewal, hope, faith and love among Baguio people this Christmas, as he joined other city officials in lighting up the Norfolk Pine as a Christmas tree at the foot of Session road.

A downpour did not dampen the enthusiasm of the singers and the audience but prevented other choral groups from performing as scheduled.

The mayor also spoke about forgiveness and continuing healthy living for all, not just for this season but throughout the year. Each individual should start with personal renewal, and later radiate towards those near him.

As for the city's preparations, a festive atmosphere this year, brighter lights and ornaments will deck major roads and establishments in the city while various Christmas treats will cheer tourists and residents under the month– long “Christmas in Baguio,” the mayor earlier said. The lights and decors will be better than last year's, he also said.

Christmas in Baguio activities started with the Tanduay 5 event at the Athletic Bowl last Nov. 27 and the Bonifacio Day celebration on November 30 at the Bonifacio Elementary School.Worlds
Aids Day and the 6th Annual HIV/AIDS conference was also celebrated at the Baguio Convention Center last Dec. 2.

Activities included: Dec. 9-11 -- City Lights and Music Festival at the Baguio Convention Center and SM City;

Dec. 10 -- Special Day for Special People at Malcom Square;
Dec. 11 -- Baguio City National High School Dancing and Singing Christmas, Malcom Square;
Dec. 12-18 --LinggongKabataan at Malcolm Square;
Dec. 15 -- Character City Gift-Giving at the Kafagwayan Adopted Park at Lower Wright Park;
Dec. 15-16 -- Judging of Barangay Lights at the Barangays;
Dec. 16 -- Torch Parade of the University of the Philippines-Baguio;
Dec. 16 to 24 -- Simbang Gabi, various catholic Churches/Baguio Convention Center;
Dec. 17 -- KafagwaySportsfest, Malcolm Square;
Dec. 18 -- Foreign Groups Balikbayan and Homecoming Christmas celebrations, SM-Baguio;
Dec. 19 -- Baguio Children’s Christmas Fun Alley and Raffle Joys, DOT PTA Grandstand;
Dec. 21 -- PaskosaMcDo, Session Road;
Dec. 22 -- City Christmas Party, City Hall;
Dec. 24 -- Special Christmas treat for Children;
Dec. 25 – Quest for the Baguio Lucky Christmas Baby 2011;
Dec. 27 – A Balik-Baguio A HomeComing of Foreign-Domestic Balikbayans at the Botanical Garden;
Dec. 29 -- Rambak Cordillera Cultural Dance Parade Cultural Dance presentation and open Dancing at Session Road and Melvin Jones; Burnham Park;
Dec. 30 -- Rizal Day at the Rizal Monument barangay.

Activities continue until next year. For January 1, the Quest for the Lucky New Year Baby 2012 shall be undertaken by City Social Welfare and Development Officer Betty Fangasan and newsman NarsPadilla.This is a yearly activity which tags babies born nearly at the stroke of midnight, or the next hours of the new year.

On Jan. 14, the Annual Kafagway Sports Award Program goes on at the Malcolm Square, still with CSWDO Fangasan and Nars Padilla at the helm. The executive committee for this year’s celebration, is composed of Rep. Bernardo Vergara as honorary chairman, the mayor and Vice-Mayor Daniel Farinas as chairman and co-chairman, respectively. Committee members are; City Administrator Atty. Carlos Canilao, Chair on Tourism and Special events Councilor Elmer Datuin, City Budget Officer Leticia Clemente, City Accountant Antonio Tabin, City Treasurer Thelma Manaois, City Assessor Augustus Medina, City Building Officer Engr. Oscar Flores, and City Engineer Leo Bernardez.