It has been a roller-coaster journey that we had a great ride on, not just the 43-day sked that comprised Christmas in Baguio, but even the 30-day joust we had to prep everything up. That’s why on the day An Enchanting Baguio Christmas drew to a close, everyone involved couldn’t help holding back emotions. And these have been aplenty.
Late evening it was, with organizers striving to keep the proceedings joyful — as jubilant when the Bayanihan Dance Company and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra took turns in jump-starting the Christmas lineup of events and activities, much of which took place at the Rose Garden. That night, our Mayor Benjie with FL Arlene in tow gave a rousing pep talk in thanks to everyone, especially city folks who simply got themselves entranced by the enchanting atmosphere. A challenging task it had been, and the Baguio Tourism Council took up the gauntlet with not much fuss, knowing that something new, something innovative, something awe-inspiring the opportunity had been, for Baguio to have a truly enchanting Christmas to remember.
Of course, words will never be enough to express gratitude to our people — who had long been jaded by so-so Yuletide celebrations, but stood by us every step of the way, merrily applauding the class acts never before tried. The PPO concert encapsulated how Baguio folks can be held captive in mesmerized appreciation. Every event, program, and activity that came onstage simply drew massive crowd support.
With our people on our back, we strived even harder day by day to make our evening performances even more celestial under the Rose Garden skies. We made Christmastime in Baguio exceptionally enthralling and its success can best be measured by how joyous park goers have been. We made it all possible, all because the performances have been well-rounded to offer nostalgic families something to drool over.
Salamat ng marami sa ating pamahalaan sa tiwala, lalo at higit kay Mayor Benjie Magalong whose faith in us and in our collective capacity never wavered a bit, at kay Vice Mayor Tino Olowan at sa ating mga Konsehal at Konsehala sa pakikiisa.
Salamat ng marami sa mga RAB volunteers na ginawang araw ang gabi upang mapanatiling malinis at maayos ang Rose Garden at iba pang mga lugar ng pagtatanghal. Kanilang katuwang ang mga POSD personnel at PNP tourist police sa pagpapatupad ng katahimikan at seguridad ng bawat isa, taga Baguio man o bisita.
Salamat sa mga tapat na sponsor at exhibitor na nagging bahagi ng Christmas Fair, isang natatanging pook na binihisan upang maging kaiga-igayang lugar ng mga pamaskong gamit. Napakalaking suporta ang kanilang lubos na ibinigay upang magkaroon ng kakaibang karanasan at kasiyahan ang madla.
Salamat sa mga performers, local man o bisita — lalo na ang butihing Mayor Isko Moreno ng Maynila — na bigay-todong ibinigay ang kanilang mga talent sa iba’t ibang larangan ng musika at sayaw. Bawat palabas ay naging kakaibang handog para sa atin.
Salamat sa Baguio Cathedral, sa panngunguna ng Bishopric of Baguio and Benguet, sa kanilang pangangasiwa ng 15 Simbang Gabi na ginanap sa Rose Garden, upang matugunan ang pangangailangang espiritwal sa panahon ng Kapaskuhan.
Salamat sa mga volunteer parents na nagbigay ng ibayong kasiyahan sa ating mga dahop na mga bata at binigyang kislap ang liwanag ng kanilang nakikita at namamasdan. Ang Kids Day ay tunay na naging balon ng kawanggawa na hindi mapapantayan.
Salamat sa CEPMO, CTO, CBAO, GSO, maging sa BWD at Beneco, sa buong kusang pag-asikaso ng mga isanglibong pangangailangan upang maging makulay, maningning, at matigkad ang buong kapaligiran, mula sa matayog na Christmas Tree sa tuktok ng Session Road, sa mga gusali sa bawat paligid, at maging sa iba pang mga pangunahing sentro ng aliw pampamilya.
Isang natatanging Kapaskuhan ang ating sama-samang naranasan ng buong saya, tuwa, at galak na hindi kailanman matutumbasan ng halaga. It has been truly a creative and innovative Baguio Christmas worth the effort of putting it up for the memories.
Mula sa pamunuan ng Baguio Tourism Council na aking pinangunguluhan bilang Chairperson — ang Co-Chair si Mayor Benjie, ang Vice Chair si Anthony De Leon, si Councilor Elaine Sembrano na Direktor, at iba pang mga kasamahan na inilaan ang kanilang tiwala sa isang Enchanting Baguio Christmas — Maraming, maraming salamat po sa lahat!
