Non-stop carnival fun at Boom na Boom

The economy is in crisis. People are holding on to their dear money, waiting for good times to come. But it is still Christmas, and when you speak of this season, there is only one word that usually comes to mind – fun.

Providing fun in the purest form is Boom na Boom’s main business. For the Boulevard in the sprawling CCP Complex in Pasay City has never ceased to make Christmas merrier by giving people family-oriented entertainment and amusing rides. And this year, amid the crunch everybody in this country is experiencing; Boom na Boom has again opened its doors with numerous surprises in store.

"Christmas is never complete without a carnival," said Haydee Kwan, Boom na Boom’s director general. "The carnival is already a part of the Filipino culture. It is already a major part of every feast that we celebrate."

Boom na Boom’s 13th season officially reeled off last Nov. 30 with popular television personalities Camille Pratts and Biboy Ramirez, stars of shows G-MIK and Click!, as special guests. The two made the opening day very special especially to orphans whom they treated to free rides and games.

Catering primarily to the young, Boom na Boom has jugglers and clowns on stilts giving out balloons to carnival-goers. Boom na Boom is also holding a dance and singing contest for teenagers – the Hataw Sayaw and the Himigsikan – which, through the years, have become an integral part of its tradition.

To make every day different, Kwan and her Boom na Boom team have prepared a set of exciting activities. Every Sunday they are treating the young and the young-at-heart to several hours of magic and illusion through Abrakadabra, a show by the best magicians in the country.

Kwan’s team has made Saturdays special, too. Since last week, they’ve been holding the Barkadahan Nights which allowed groups of teenagers to gather around Boom and Boom’s open-air stage and enjoy concerts by their favorite bands, all for free.

Kwan said they are able to give these treats at no charge because of their sponsors. This year, Boom na Boom’s major sponsor – Nestlé hosted the Batibot Kiddie Fun Sunday and brought back Pratts and other casts of G-MIK as a bonus.

Other events lined up to add more fun to the season include the show of Asian Circus Flying Trapeze, a group of performers who are expected to leave the crowd dumbfounded as they do their aerial stunts. Another is the scheduled performance of Aiza Seguerra who will definitely thrill her fans with her hit song Pagdating ng Panahon.

But Boom na Boom will never be complete without its top attractions and rides. For this year, it has brought back the Mausoleo, which unlocks the secrets of the dead; the Hurricane Tunnel; the Sideshow Village; the World of Thrills motorcycle show; and the Manghuhula Festival, a favorite of those itching to know what awaits them in the coming year.

Kwan said there are over 75 booths to visit and 40 rides to enjoy. "We also have a long row of restaurants and a lively night market where you can get anything and everything at bargain prices," she said.

Boom na Boom opens every day starting 4 p.m. and runs up to Jan. 6. Without doubt, it’s more than a month of operation will make the crisis easier to bear for many Filipinos. – Junep Ocampo