March 29, 2024

Prioritizing health and safety this year, the Baguio Country Club is not letting the pandemic dampen the Christmas spirit as it continues its tradition of giving fun and excitement through its annual Christmas Village.

The Christmas Village, the resort hotel’s yearly Yuletide offering, opened to the public on Nov. 15 with the theme, “Paskong Pinoy: Pasko sa Nayon” which according to BCC Communications Officer Andrew Pinero is a tribute to the hardworking Filipinos and the renowned Filipino resiliency.

This year’s Pinoy-themed Christmas Village is also a way of teaching the youth and letting them experience how the most awaited season of the year is celebrated in the countryside.

The conduct of the activity has been approved by the city government upon the BCC management’s compliance with the minimum health requirements.

To enter the village, visitors must first register online. Payments are also done online for cashless transactions. Visitors must choose the time and date they will be coming through online registration.

No walk-ins will be allowed. Pregnant women and children two years old and below are also not allowed.

 “We want this to be safe for everybody that is why there is online registration. All health protocols are strictly observed,” Pinero said.

Physical distancing will be observed. A limited number of visitors will be allowed inside the Christmas Village per hour. The no face shield and mask, no entry policy is also strictly implemented. 

The area will be closed for 15 minutes every after one hour for disinfection.   

The Paskong Pinoy village features traditional huts adorned with lanterns and handcrafted decorations; the Jeepito, which represents the traditional public transport of the Pinoys; kalesas with the ever dependable carabaos; a wishing wall, box stalls offering traditional Filipino foods and accessories and BCC delicacies; and a centerpiece adorned with Christmas lights.

It also still has the machine towers blowing artificial snow that give off a white Christmas scene perfect for the family and friends’ souvenir snapshots.

“This is like our tribute to all hardworking Filipinos who, despite the pandemic, keep on going. Ganyan talaga ang Pinoy: harapan mo ng sibat o ng bagyo, they will pick up the pieces and still continue. And we would like the youth to experience kung paano ipagdiwang ang Pasko sa probinsya,” Pinero said.

He added management is happy they are able to stage the Christmas Village for 11 uninterrupted years now despite the situation, as they offer a “beacon of hope” for the people to “continue hoping and praying that things will get better.”

The Christmas Village is open until Jan. 10, 2021.

Visit the official BCC Christmas Village Facebook page for more details. – Hanna C. Lacsamana