Anticipation grows for the return of the Enchanting Baguio Christmas 2024 as the Baguio City Council approves a series of events and activities for the upcoming holiday season.
This will be the third year for the Enchanting Baguio Christmas as a consolidated festival. While Baguio has hosted the city-wide Christmas activities for many years, this specific program started in 2019 and was adopted during the COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative aims to unify and organize the city’s Christmas festivities into one cohesive event to allow for better promotion and coordination.
The Enchanting Baguio Christmas was awarded 1st Runner Up for Best Event Hosting at the ATOP Tourism Pearl Awards in Koronadal City.
During the regular session of the Baguio City Council on November 4, 2024, Supervising City Tourism Operations Officer Aloysius Mapalo appraised the city council members about the activities for the upcoming program.
While many of the activities of this program are led by private entities, two are city-led initiatives such as the Botanical Christmas Garden. Aimed at promoting community engagement, this specific activity is kept open until midnight during the season.
Aside from the Botanical Christmas Garden, the Enchanting Baguio Christmas Market at the Rose Garden is also a significant event supported by the Baguio Tourism Council (BTC).
The Session Road Decorations has been introduced to encourage local businesses to participate in making the street festive. Other activities here include a Volkswagen decoration competition, Chalk Art, and Street Performances.
Simultaneous with the Lantern Parade hosted by the Saint Louis University (SLU), the official Christmas Tree lighting on December 1 marks the start of the city’s major celebrations with performances like a dance competition for children and a fireworks display sponsored by SM City Baguio.
Other additional features include the Philippine Military Academy’s Silent Drill and a parade from Melvin Jones to Rose Garden; the Nutcracker performance which is a collaboration between Ballet Baguio and other performers; a Christmas Concert by University of Baguio (UB); a chorale competition among barangays; a zumba fitness production; gift-giving activities for indigent communities; and a midnight mass on Christmas Eve.
Another city-led activity is the New Year’s Eve Countdown which is an extended activity to include the celebration of the New Year. This will include live bands and a fireworks display at Melvin Jones.
The city has allocated an official budget of P1.5 million for the Lighting of the Christmas Tree and the New Year’s Eve Countdown. These are the only city-funded events directly tied to the city’s budget.
Mapalo said the BTC has been instrumental in raising funds through sponsorships, generating P5.9 million from selling stalls at the Enchanting Baguio Christmas Market and P1.29 million from non-selling sponsors. The expenses include the construction of specialized selling stalls like chalets for vendors which are built to complement the theme.
“The BTC is actively involved in generating funds and also managing some of the logistical aspects of the event like ensuring that the activities align with the overall theme,” Mapalo stated.
The net income from last year’s event, amounting to P462,000.00, is kept by BTC as a revolving fund for this year.
Mapalo emphasized that all solicitations for sponsorships are handled by the BTC and not the city government and that they have the authority to allocate these funds as long as the BTC Board approves the expenses.
A few concerns were raised during the discussion. Councilor Vladimir Cayabas questioned whether there are guidelines for private entities like the BTC in organizing these events, with Mapalo affirming that there are indeed guidelines. Cayabas also emphasized the need for all programs to align with the city’s vision and suggested that BTC allocate part of its funds for their Corporate Responsibility (CSR) by funding more charitable events just like their gift-giving programs.
Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda raised concerns about financial responsibility, noting that the BTC is the primary organizer while the city’s involvement appears limited to specific tasks. She emphasized the need for the city to take a more active role in these activities. She also requested a detailed breakdown of expenses for the events, with separate financial reports for both the city and the BTC.
Tabanda said the public might be unaware of the city government’s significant involvement in the event as announcements seem to only focus on the BTC. She insisted that the city government’s financial contributions be highlighted to reflect its full participation.
Councilor Mylen Victoria Yaranon expressed concern about stalls being set up around the Rose Garden or along Lake Drive which may disrupt the aesthetic of the area and other public activities. Mapalo assured that no stalls will be set up along Lake Drive and that the activity will be focused on the Rose Garden.
The resolution approved by the city council on November 4, 2024, which approves the activities for the Enchanting Baguio Christmas 2024, also outlines the responsibilities of various government offices in managing security, traffic, event coordination, and infrastructure support. This ensures smooth operations and a festive experience for both locals and visitors. Baguio City – Sangguniang Panlungsod Release
