Exciting Baguio Xmas activities set for public

By Julie Fianza

BAGUIO CITY – Various activities have been set up by the city government her this yuletide season to include athletics, lighting up, spiritual musicals, family-oriented events, environmental and health-focused programs and a grand fireworks display to cap the season of nativity.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan invited the public to “celebrate with us,” this season. “There are events and awesome sights which would serve as “feast for the eyes.”

The month opened with a colorful mardigras parade in the morning along Session road for daycare children, with lighting of the giant Christmas tree at the lower portion of the same road in the evening. Both activities saw city officials led by Domogan.

At Abad Santos Drive, Burnham Park, a Christmas Village and bazar with echo environment, recyclable, health products and services shall run up to Jan. 2.

December 1 marked the start of the City of Lights competition, citywide, up to Jan. 2. Judges shall go around to evaluate lighted-up houses and business establishments.

Burnham Park and City Hall grounds were brightened up Thursday evening 2, with Domogan switching on the lights as witnessed by guests and spectators.

The event was joined by the Philippine Military Academy grounds being lighted up on the same date. Centennial celebrant Saint Louis University also lighted up Session road going to Melvin Jones with a lantern parade Saturday evening of Dec. 4, before the first-ever 15-minute snow show at the upper portion of the city’s main road.

Enchanted lake of lights is also featured today, Sunday, at Burnham Lake with a romantic repeat of “Venetian Night” at the same venue on Dec. 18.

Scheduled snow shows shall be done at 6 p.m. on Dec. 5, 10, 11, 12, 16 up to the 31st, except Dec. 27 and 28.

Artificial snow shall fall for 15 minutes for city folks at upper Session road.

Sports activities include the Kafagway Sportsfest on Dec. 12 at Malcolm Square, and Sumo Soccer on Dec. 12 and 19 at Melvin Jones, Burnham Park.

A photo walk is scheduled on Dec. 20 at the Igorot bandstand.

Musical treats start today with the Baguio City Lights and Music Festival at Abad Santos Drive, the Drum and Lyre Parade Competition on December 8 along Session road to Melvin Jones, Burnham Park.

On Dec. 12, there will be a Children’s Christmas Cantata during regular worship service at the United Church of Christ of the Philippines at Westside, Burnham Park while the Christmas Offering Presentation “One Voice, One Melody,” shall be at 4 PM, at the SM Event Center

The elimination round for Christmas Rhythm will be on Dec. 13-15 at the Baguio Convention Center, the Maryknoll Sanctuary Choir Concert will be at the Baguio Cathedral on Dec. 18 at 7:30 PM; with the finale at the Melvin Jones Grandstand on Dec. 22.

A Christmas cantata by the youth and adults shall be done during regular worship services at the UCCP; while awarding of the drum and lyre competition shall be on Dec. 22, 7 p.m. at the Melvin Jones Grandstand. An Ecumenical concert dubbed as “Worship Explosion,” will be on Dec. 31 at 8 PM to 1 a.m. at the Baguio Convention Center.

On Dec. 7 to 10, the City Social Welfare and Development Office conducts the quest for the Lucky Christmas Family, Dec. 11 will be a “Special Day for Special People” at Malcolm Square, Dec. 22 is Share-a-Toy day at the SM events center, and Dec. 26 is Baguio Lucky Balikbayan Christmas day at Sunshine Park.

Dec. 7 at the SM events center is reserved for a Christmas Cultural Special Events; Dec. 8 is Immaculate Conception Day and Aurora Hill Fiesta; Dec. 16-24 is the annual simbang gabi in various churches in the city; Dec. 18-19 will showcase “Parol on Wheels,” along Session road.

Dec. 30 is a regular holiday being Rizal Day and on Dec. 31, the whole nation welcomes New Year with a grand fireworks display at the Melvin Jones Grandstand.