Baguio City’s Christmas Village, which was first opened in 2010, attracts thousands of visitors across the country each year. Despite the pandemic, it was launched on Sunday with strict health protocols. It features an array of colorful lights, an artificial snowfall, a nativity play, the “smallest” jeepney in the country, and Filipino-themed decorations. Photo by Valerie Damian
BAGUIO CITY- In a bid to revive tourism in the city, the annual Christmas village opened to the public on Sunday amid the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Visitors are welcomed by a captivating array of colorful lights and artificial snowfall while Christmas tunes are played in the background.
The village is adorned with Filipino-themed decorations in shops and food stands designed after the nipa hut. The “smallest” jeepney in the country is also on display.
Baguio City’s Christmas Village, which was first opened in 2010, attracts thousands of visitors across the country each year. Despite the pandemic, it was launched on Sunday with strict health protocols. It features an array of colorful lights, an artificial snowfall, a nativity play, the “smallest” jeepney in the country and Filipino-themed decorations. Photo by Valerie Damian
Revelers can enjoy a nativity play every night with music entertainment from choirs and bands from the city.
“We want to give our displaced employees a chance to come back and others who lost their jobs. […] We’re trying to restore a semblance of normalcy,” Anthony de Leon, general manager of the Baguio Country Club (BCC) said.
The Christmas village, which was first opened in 2010, attracts thousands of visitors across the country each year.
Baguio City’s Christmas Village, which was first opened in 2010, attracts thousands of visitors across the country each year. Despite the pandemic, it was launched on Sunday with strict health protocols. It features an array of colorful lights, an artificial snowfall, a nativity play, the “smallest” jeepney in the country and Filipino-themed decorations. Photo by Valerie Damian
This year, De Leon said that they are not expecting a similar influx of visitors from the past years. He said they can only hope for a surge of tourists in the incoming holidays.
On Oct. 23, the city opened its borders to tourists in any parts of Luzon but only 500 tourists will be allowed to visit the city per day.
Baguio’s peak tourism season starts in December and continues until February because of the cooler weather.
Health protocols are in place to ensure the safety of visitors, organizers said.