COVID-19 closes down Bacolod’s Christmas Village
BACOLOD CITY – The COVID-19 pandemic is this year’s Grinch that stole Christmas at Bacolod’s iconic miniature village.
For the first time since its 24-year run, the “Christmas Village” has closed its doors to the public during the holidays.
Artist Bamboo Tonogbanua said he decided to close his “Christmas Village” this year to observe the COVID-19 health protocols.
“Sad to say, the Christmas Village will be quiet this year, as it joins the world on lockdown in [these] uncertain times,” he said.
However, he hopes that his village would make a grand comeback in December 2021 when it turns 25 years old and the COVID-19 threat would hopefully be over.
In 1996, Tonogbanua opened his ancestral home to visitors who wanted to see his Christmas Village as his way of boosting the Christmas spirit.
But it wasn’t as big then.
The village was just on a single table where the artist recreated Christmas’ victorian scenes, using his collections.
But it has grown over the years that it now fills the two rooms on the house’s second floor.
The Christmas Village is a well-landscaped work of art consisting of hills, valleys, mountains and urban centers.
It is divided into zones, so each section represents a different country, with added sections of fairylands and carnivals.
Although the village is on lockdown, it doesn’t stop Tonogbanua from putting in new additions.
The castle of the Beast now has new chandeliers and a royal carriage, while the Frozen castle has glass angels.
Tonogbanua also put some Egyptian touches and desert tents in the little town of Bethlehem scene.
He said the COVID-19 lockdown gave him time to take a closer look at the lighted snowy scenery on the stony ends of his Christmas Village.
The artist said he has been adding details and repositioning the houses.
He even joked that he even sometimes talks to the Lilliputians who live in the village.
The trains are also all running and the village is alive with music and dancing.
But the sad part is Tonogbanua cannot share his magical Christmas joy with the public. So he decided to post some photos of the village on his Facebook page.
“Through these pictures, I wish love and joy to all friends and loved ones who once visited, were awed and enjoyed my Christmas Village,” he said. [ac]
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