A Baguio holiday: As close to a wintry Christmas as we can

Baguio is calling! And the loudest come-on yell comes from The Manor Camp John Hay.

As if their magical lights of over half a million LED bulbs were not glaring, glistening and sparkling enough, the handcrafted Christmas decor pretty much here, there, anywhere and everywhere should do the trick.

All created in-house, the accents range from glittery garlands hanging from beams and suspended midair, Christmas trees and Santa Clauses in several shapes and sizes on hallways and corners, golden deer and Holiday balls on tables, with colorful ornaments too many to mention — all jolly reminders of the happiest time of year.

In the spirit of the festive season, while relaxing in the confines of one's accommodation, a Teddy Bear found its way to the bedroom, reigning on a strategic area. I could almost hear it whisper, "Take me home!" — was I just imagining things? — in exchange for raised funds to favorite, chosen and deserving charities.

And let's not forget the sought-after chilly weather, though it demands jackets, coats, beanies — the entire gamut — as close to a wintry feeling as possible in a tropical country.

This year, the choice hotel of many discerning visitors unveiled Spectacular Holidays at The Manor, a curated irresistible collection of offers and activities when in the highland city of Baguio.

The expansive Manor Gardens — two pictures created in my mind: a proud showcase of gardeners and horticulturists, and an envy to many would-be for their own homes — open up with Garden Treats, which features several gastronomic delights. Bake & Churn Ice Cream Cakes offers the delectable chilly desserts — have you tried it in the cold? You might be pleasantly surprised. Meanwhile, KoKoMo Chocolates — warning, could be addictive! — guarantees chocolatey goodness to satisfy your cravings.

On the other hand, the Manor Snack Wagon contains hotdogs and fries, popcorn and cotton candy and more, for a much-desired American carnival twist. Finally, Holiday Treats by Le Chef, from sterling Chef Billy King, boasts a selection of traditional Filipino Christmas favorites, a nostalgic blast from the past such as bibingka and puto bumbong, to name a few.

The wide greeneries played host to the Manla'ko ed Manor, their grand holiday marketplace, filled with rare finds and innovative creations from local artisanal craftsmen.

Knitting Expedition takes you on a trip to find the cutest locally-made items. Here, we met Maricris Montano who took us on a voyage from parols and one-of-a-kind eye-catching earrings, to little cuddly friends and animals, or perhaps even gift them to a kind soul. The handmade accessories and toys are specially created by mothers who tend the ancient land of Uhaj, Ifugao — each purchase enables them to earn a livelihood while based in their ancestral homes, so they can better preserve the culture of rice terraces farming.

The iconic Narda's makes an appearance with their globally-admired traditionally-woven women's and men's apparel, bags and trinkets, locally-sourced cotton colored with our own natural dyes, and home décor. Sarah Sardoma shares that these were all created by Philippine Cordilleran moms into desirable styles of today.

Amparo's Apothecary carries bath soaps, mood sprays and other aromatic scents, while Everything is Pine took us aback with products made of pine needles and bark — we never expected what they made out of these materials. At Crystal Room and Sabel Candles, they guaranteed that "all our crystals are cleansed and energized, intuitively and ethically-sourced."

Some varied Holiday activities include, for the adventurous, the all-day Wall Climbing. Allow Juliane Barroga at the Arts and Crafts at the Gazebo to guide you into an ideal pastime for enthusiasts of all ages. In the afternoon, be entertained with an assortment of films at the Outdoor Cinema. The Spectacular Shows — which changes on a daily basis — is always a welcome wonder!

Finally, end the evening with Live Entertainment at the Fireplace Lounge. From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., leading bands from the city serenade the audience with classic love songs and even sprinkles of familiar Christmas carols. When the clock strikes 8 p.m., however, a repertoire of dance music is on all night long.

All these and many more — will you answer Baguio's call?