Baguio all aglow

MANILA, Philippines — The Manor-Camp John Hay recently welcomed the most wonderful time of the year through the opening of its Sixth Annual Christmas Wonderlights celebration — a December-long series of festivities which features nightly spectacular illuminating lights and sound extravaganza, supplemented by ringing voices of a choice choir, every hour on the half hour, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

A red carpet welcomed movers and doers of the city, and led them to the gardens of The Manor, which was enchantingly transformed into a Christmas village, all in an open air setting exposed to the scent of raw pines — unadorned Christmas trees surrounded us, all shaded by the dim blanket of a starless sky.

The guests were blown away by the magical concoctions of Chef Billy King of Le Chef fame, whose mastery par excellence of the kitchen always surpasses the expectations of the season. He overdid himself once again, with a festive spread that range from just flow-in fresh oysters, all the way to much-loved Christmas fare such as bibingka.

The charming evening was hosted by GMA 7’s Tonipet Gaba, who entertained the crowd with his charming wit and pleasant humor.

Yuletide decor surrounds every corner of the garden

The affair’s beneficiary was the Autism Hearts Foundation Philippines, Inc., headed by San Francisco-based founder and president Lynda Borromeo, who established the Fashion Arts Autism Benefit, an advocacy in raising awareness for those with autism, and seamlessly integrating them into society through ample opportunities.

Inspired by paintings of children with autism, San Francisco designer Anthony Legarda earlier on conducted a one-day training for staff members of the property, and metamorphosed into a jaw-dropping fashion show: Attractive women and gorgeous men claimed the runway as their own, and ramped up and down, displaying the colorful yet delicate fabrics which seemed more like canvasses reminiscent of artworks.

Once the crowd’s cheers had mellowed down, lights were shut off and remained so, long enough for us to yearn for some luminosity. Then, led by Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan, Rep. Mark Go and chairman Robert John Sobrepeña, they struck gongs with their mallets, to signal the moment to unveil the literal star of the evening: The several stories-high LED-paneled Christmas tree, where the screens displayed incredible engineered lights.

At the base, a team of singers — plus other choir members dispersed from balconies on rooms overlooking the gardens — all burst into the classic hymn Joy to the World, followed by other familiar holiday hits, as an eight-minute pyrotechnics show in sync with the tunes started to highlight the night, engulfing viewers with a warm glow.

The festivities were capped off by On Call Vocals that continuously crooned memorable Yuletide carols while everyone slowly danced — or sang — the night away.