Exciting events set for ‘Christmas in Baguio’

By Julie G. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Benjamin Magalong last week issued Executive Order (EO) 131 declaring November 2019 to January 2020 as “Christmas in Baguio 2019.”

The event is dubbed as “An Enchanting Baguio Christmas,” with appropriate activities prepared, in various venues around the city, in partnership with city offices, government line agencies, private and the business sector.
Activities include the Christmas Fair, Lights and Sounds Show, Christmas Tree, Sports infusions, community-centered events, and arts programs.

The Baguio Christmas fair is a simulation of world famous Christmas fairs in European countries through creatively curated chalets assigned to partners and sponsors, executed at the Rose Garden, Burnham Park. The activity offers performances, Santa Claus, a selfie station featuring a horse-drawn sleigh and other festive crowd-drawers.

Still at the Rose Garden, and Burnham lake will be the venue for lights and sounds show featuring timeless Christmas tales, told and re-told, interspersed with yuletide stories on film.

Atop Session road, the 2019 Christmas tree shall be lighted by city officials and private sector representatives, at 6PM on December 1, to signal the formal opening of “An Enchanting Baguio Christmas.” Street and Park lights, in sync with business establishments and even private homes are lighted at the same time, for a more festive mood.

Sports activities such as the Saka Rocker Music and Football Festival, an organized Barangay Peace Cup is part of the celebration, with an exhibit of city athletes’ photographs, documentaries and memorabilia make up Christmas-themed sports infusion.

The unique and culture-rich northern Luzon is also showcased with benevolent volunteer families and families willing to share a meal and stories with indigent or senior citizens who otherwise spend Christmas alone, children sharing Christmas joy with others, or serving soup kitchens during Simbang Gabi.

Arts expression in various medium showcasing creativity will also be conducted around the city, the EO states.

The City Tourism and Special Events, Environment and Parks Management, General Service, Baguio City Police, Fire Department, Buildings and Architecture, Engineering, Public Works and Highways, Public Information, Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Committee, Emergency Medical Services, Baguio Tourism Council and other concerned offices were directed to extend offices to the endeavor.