2 Christmas attractions draw hundreds of spectators in Bacolod

ALMOST A REPLICA The façade of the house of businessman Jerry Sy in Bacolod City turns into a Christmas attraction with Disney themes. —ANDY ALVAREZ/CONTRIBUTOR

BACOLOD CITY — Two attractions rich in possible copyright infringements are drawing hundreds of spectators to this city, bringing a glimpse of Disneyland to people who might have seen the world-famous theme park only in movies or television.

At the miniature Christmas Village on the second floor of Bamboo Tonogbanua’s ancestral home on San Juan Street, Disney princesses frolic in snow and castles.

The village, open for public viewing daily from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. until Jan. 6, was started in 1996 on a table, expanding to fill a 36-square-meter air-conditioned room with thousands of miniature objects.

Movies

This year, it expanded further to a second room featuring miniature houses and Christmas ornaments that Tonogbanua had brought out of storage.

A section devoted to scenes lifted from the Disney movie “Frozen,” now has a second castle. Next door, a scene from another Disney movie, “Beauty and the Beast,” unfolded with Belle, the movie’s female protagonist, and the Beast.

The miniature village’s Chinatown has been transformed, too, into a Christmas destination alight with lanterns, ornaments and vibrant with carnival rides.

The village, which first featured Victorian scenes 22 years ago, has become a global community with sections representing iconic structures from around the world, connected by a railroad system that allows trains to zip through snow-covered mountains.

On San Agustin and 18th Streets, what started as a simple Nativity scene in front of the residence of businessman Jerry Sy had become a major tourist attraction.

Bigger show

“Year after year, the number of people who stop by to view the Christmas scene grew that I decided about three years ago to provide a bigger show,” he said.

This year Sy decided to hire a Manila-based designer for his presentation which cost P3 million. Construction started as early as October.

On Dec. 1, the businessman turned on the switch for thousands of lights creating a spectacle depicting the Disney theme.

Christmas songs play aloud and characters like Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Donald Duck and others from Disney movies greet visitors. At least 500 persons stop and watch the light show every night.

“I’m just happy to share the holiday spirit with others,” Sy said.