Baguio Christmas season events

 BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P. Dizon

BAGUIO CITY – Tourism in this summer capital has definitely perked up boosting local business as Covid-19 infections wane.
    We were at Luisa’s Café, the undisputed media watering hole along Session Road Thursday night when lighting of the City Christmas Tree and Saint Louis University’s Lantern Parade were held as part of the ‘Enchanting Baguio Christmas’ activities.
    Both sides of the city’s street were packed with people obviously tourists from the lowlands. People were packed like sardines and it was difficult to find a way so we drank the spirits to pass the time and wait for people to become fewer before heading home.
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The annual Yuletide Extravaganza brings cheer once again after a two-year hiatus due to Covid-19, a city information office report said.
    During meeting Nov. 28, at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center, city tourism officer Aloysius Mapalo reportedly said Mayor Benjamin Magalong had issued an executive order temporarily closing Session Road to traffic from 8 am to 12 midnight for the purpose.
    I passed the road around 3 p.m. but had to detour to Harrison Road passing the old Victory terminal as Session Road was blocked with the area teeming with cops.
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Anyhow, the day’s event started with chalk art and busking at 8:30 am followed by a carols and good tidings presentation by the SLU symphonic band in the afternoon, the report by Gaby B. Keith of the city information office said. 
    The lighting of the City Christmas Tree ensued in the evening with doxology by the SLU glee club.
    The city’s top officials, Rep. Mark Go, Mayor Magalong and Vice-Mayor Faustino Olowan, delivered their Yuletide messages followed by blessing rites by Bishop Victor Bendico of the Diocese of Baguio.
    Later, fireworks display emanated from the Holiday Park at SM Baguio Sky Terraces.
    The SU Lantern Parade followed from Upper Session Road down to Harrison Road then through Lake Drive and ending at Melvin Jones, Burnham Park.
    Normita Pablico of SLU said an estimated 2,000 participants composed of students, faculty and staff joined the colorful parade.
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Baguio City Police Office operations division chief Lt. Col. Domingo Gambican said about 200 police personnel were assigned for crowd management, ensure that no untoward incidents will occur and secure the public’s safety.
    Mayor Magalong cited need to ‘bite the bullet’ for the meantime due to traffic congestion aggravated by  influx of tourists to the Summer Capital especially during Yuletide Season when various activities and the dip in temperature induce visitors to come in droves, the report said.
    “Admittedly, we need these tourists for our city’s economic growth since the city has suffered shortfalls in its revenue collections in the past years due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
    The mayor said revenue generated by the local tourism sector will help bolster the city government’s coffers that would be used to fund social and other services that would benefit the public.
    “Although he realizes the rise in the public’s ‘irritability issues’ when it comes to the city’s traffic woes, the mayor emphasized the need for patience at this time and expressed confidence that this would be lessened in the long run,” the report said.
    Concrete measures were being set for next year to minimize traffic jams especially in major roads of the city.
    The city government is encouraging residents and visitors to use public transport, bicycle or even walk, if possible, to help ease the city’s traffic woes, the report said. 
 The city tourism office said the number of tourist arrivals in the city this year was reaching pre-pandemic levels with around 150,000 visitors per month since March or an estimated 1.2 million so far.