BAGUIO CITY – Christmas in Baguio, the city’s calendar of yuletide treats continues this week with a merry mix of activities to bring in holiday cheers in the city
Today, Dec. 6, residents and visitors can take part in the Philippine Military Academy Cadets Day at the Park featuring the cadets’ Silent Drill Exhibition at 10 a.m. at the Burnham Park.
Later at 2:30 p.m., the cadets will be featured in the PMA Band Concert at Malcolm Square.
The activities are part of the Silahis ng Pasko sub-calendar sponsored and coordinated by the National Correspondents Club of Baguio under former councilor Narciso Padilla and the city social welfare and development office headed by Betty Fangasan.
The Quest for the Baguio Lucky Christmas Family started yesterday (Dec. 5) and will run until today (Dec. 6).
On Dec. 8, the Immaculate Conception Day will be observed with a Holy Mass, 9a.m. at the Shrine of the Brown Madonna Km 7 Asin Road, Sitio Pacac, Tadiangan, Tuba, Benguet.
On Dec, 10, the Silahis ng Pasko will hold the search for Baguio Lucky Foreign Visitors who will be given a red carpet treatment until Dec. 14.
The UP Baguio will hold the UP Pasiklaban, Torch Parade and Oblation Run On Dec. 11 5:30 p.m. at the campus and main thoroughfares.
On Dec. 12, the 1st Northern Hemisphere Music Festival will be held at the Baguio Convention Center
Over at the Rose Garden, the city government will launch the Christmas Village and stage a concert at the Rose Garden, Burnham Park on Dec. 13.
On Dec. 14, the Silahis ng Pasko activities featured are the Kafagway Sportsfest, 8 a.m. and the Baguio City National High School dancing and singing Christmas Tree 2 p.m., Malcolm Square.
Councilor Elmer Datuin, action officer of the Christmas in Baguio executive committee, reiterated Mayor Mauricio Domogan’s invitation for both the residents and tourists to enjoy the treats spread out during the month.
He also defended the newly lighted Christmas tree at the top of Session Road amid criticisms that it failed to measure up to public expectations despite the big budget allotted for its construction.
Datuin said the project met the required standards set in the bidding procedure which included the cost and the specifications of the design which he said was a collaboration between the city government and the United Architects of the Philippines Cordillera chapter (UAP-CAR).
He said the design is in line with the city government’s concept which is geared toward eco-friendly vertical gardening.
He said the outcome was reflective of the concept because 60 percent of the structure utilized natural plants and only 40 percent used synthetic materials.
He also clarified that the P2.5 million fund allotted for Christmas decorations did not go solely to the tree which amounted to P1.1 million. The rest of the amount was distributed for the decoration of the roads and other government projects.
The rest of the activities in Christmas in Baguio calendar are:
Dec. 15-16 – Christmas Cantata, 6p.m. University of Baguio;
Dec. 16-24 – Misa De Gallo, 5 a.m. Baguio Convention Center and various churches;
Dec. 19 – 1st Triathlon from Baguio City to Mt. Cabuyao, Sto. Tomas, 4 a.m.-11a.m.;
Dec. 25 – Quest for Baguio Lucky Christmas Baby and Santa Claus on the Road;
Dec. 27 – Baguio Lucky Balikbayan and CAR Sportsmen Day (Baguio Pinikpikan Festival); motorcade, presentation of Baguio Lucky Balikbayan tokens and Pinikpikan feast;
Jan. 1—Quest for Lucky New Year Baby 2016;
Jan. 24 – 29th Annual Kafagway Sports Award Program, 9 a.m. Malcolm Square./A Refuerzo
