The Baguio Country Club (BCC)officially opened its Christmas Village on October 19, ushering in what is expected to be a busy season at the venue until the celebration of Three Kings next year.
“It will be open until the first Sunday of January next year,” BCC General Manager Anthony de Leon announced during a press conference at Christmas Village on Thursday.
This year’s Christmas Village, which opened to the public last Saturday, features an Alpine theme, showcasing a snowy landscape with trees covered in white and a backdrop of the Swiss Alps. The village includes four towers that emit “snow,” a foam-like material, creating a winter wonderland effect.
The “Swiss village” design predominantly features white and blue hues and includes a central structure known as the “ball pit,” where children can play. There is also a “wish tree,” where visitors can write their wishes on pieces of cardboard and hang them on the tree.
Since its inception in 2011, the Christmas Village has embraced various themes, including a “Game of Thrones” concept two years ago, which featured a dragon perched atop a tower, capable of spewing “fire.”
De Leon expressed pride in the Christmas Village, noting that it has inspired similar attractions in other parts of the country. However, he emphasized that the unique experiences offered by the BCC Village, which evokes the atmosphere of a European village during the holiday season, set it apart.
He attributed the distinct appeal of the Village to Baguio’s cool weather, which allows visitors to wear jackets, gloves, and bonnets, unlike other areas in the Philippines where “snow” may be present, but people still sweat.
Visitors are required to wear proper attire, as the Village enforces a no-shorts, no-slippers policy. Tickets to the Christmas Village, which attracts about 3,000 visitors during the peak week from December 24 to New Year’s Day, are now available for purchase online.
De Leon added that the proceeds from the Christmas Village will go towards helping BCC employees and supporting the club’s community social responsibility programs, including environmental initiatives.