ITOGON, BENGUET, DECEMBER 12, 2025 – Mt. Camisong Forest Park and Events is celebrating its first-ever Christmas! With the theme Marahuyong Pasko, this premiere mountain destination holds a month-long festival that blends Cordilleran culture, community craftsmanship, and environmentally-mindful holiday experiences. The event marks the park’s debut Christmas season since opening to the public on February 1, 2025.“Marahuyo is an old Filipino word meaning ‘to be enchanted or captivated’,” explains Ludette Y. Querubin, Chairman of Mt. Camisong Property Management, Inc. “It serves as the heart of our first-ever Christmas celebration. It’s an invitation to rediscover the wonder of Christmas through old and new traditions that are simple, meaningful, and rooted in nature.”
Marahuyong Pasko aims to showcase how magical Christmas celebrations can be by being close to nature and your community. By celebrating with the forest, artisans, musicians, and local communities, visitors get to experience a Christmas that feels genuine and grounded in what makes the Cordilleras special.
Special Sights and Sounds to Behold
Nights at Mt. Camisong are made more enchanting by a special light show. Set in the tune of some classic Filipino carols, the captivating festival of lights will recreate one of nature’s best light displays.
“We are very excited to share our first-ever light show with everyone,” announces Oliver A. Samala, Mt. Camisong Property Management Inc. President. “We did our best to create a light and sound masterpiece that will wow our guests but, at the same time, will cause the least impact to our natural environment.”
The light show will run every night starting December 17 to 31, 2025 at Samyo Gardens and Luntian Garden Venue.
The sounds of the season are also bound to fill the air. On December 13 and 21, 2025, Mt. Camisong hosts Cantata at Rondalla sa Dagitab, chorale and rondalla group competitions that feature the talents of singers and musicians from Baguio and beyond.
A Different Christmas Market in the Cordilleras
Since the beginning of the month, Mt. Camisong has opened its very own Christmas market, a curated bazaar featuring local artisans, creative crafts, and holiday goods. Most merchants are either small community businesses or carry products that are special or specific to the Cordilleran region.
The merchants include Mandeko Kito, an artisan collective from Baguio City whose name means “let’s sell” in Ibaloi; Danum Wines, a small-batch winery that sells red and white tapuey (rice wine) and bugnay wine; Tawid, a jewelry brand that bridges ancestral Cordilleran heritage with modern artistry, offering handcrafted stone and beaded pieces that honor the region’s enduring spirit; Narda’s Handwoven Arts & Crafts, a Filipino heritage brand of handwoven fabrics that celebrate Cordillera tradition and craftsmanship; Abiakak, a maker of handcrafted crochet products of any size or design ranging from traditional to playful; and Nectar Knights, a trusted local beekeeper, serving pure, raw honey and handcrafted artisanal hot sauces.
Other brands include Reset Athleisure, a homegrown Baguio brand of athleisure wear featuring stylish, functional tops and bottoms; Knitting Expedition, a social enterprise that crafts charming hand-knit toys and accessories by the women of the Ifugao rice terraces; Red Dot Collective, a specialty gift studio offering home and everyday essentials; Philippine Treasures, a local haven of handcrafted Christmas and home decors; The Frosty Cabin, a whimsical corner featuring live doodles and adorable handmade knickknacks perfect for gifting or collecting; and 3Dprintify, a creative booth offering fun, customized 3D-printed trinkets and collectibles that blends technology with playful design.
Stay the Entire Day, Every Day
With its many amenities and activities, Mt. Camisong invites guests to go to the park early and leave the park late.
“This holiday season, we’ve extended our park hours to accommodate both the early birds and the night owls,” says Samala. “So those who want to experience the sea of clouds at Alapaap as early as 6:00 AM may do so. Those who want to witness the twinkling lights of the park and the night sky may do so, too.”
There truly is something for everyone at any given point in time at the forest park. After visiting Alapaap View Deck, the infamous cantilevered glass walk, guests may head further down to explore Samyo Gardens, the home of the 50-meter tree walk.
Adventurous individuals may opt to hike Kahilom Trails with its beginner-friendly and intermediate routes. Other activities, like RC model cars with crawler tracks, life-size chessboard and chess pieces, and other board games, are also available at the clearing right before the trails start. Get your hiking essentials, such as tumblers, bucket hats, cooling sprays and mosquito repellants, at Kalupi Gift Shop.
Bookworms can find themselves a quiet corner and a reading companion at the park’s book nook located at Binhi. The area also features Mt. Camisong’s environmental efforts and advocacies–the perfect place to know more about sustainable tourism.
An underrated spot to catch the sunset is the Dagitab Amphitheater which doubles as the stage for musical performances and other activities. Its proximity to Silakbo, a two-level structure with world-class toilet facilities, is also a great plus.
Foodies also have their pick from the different establishments. Alapaap Dining offers an intimate sit-down experience with elevated Filipino cuisine, including the park’s festive holiday set menu. On the other hand, Marahuyo Cafe offers grab-and-go rice bowls and other comfort food.
For those feeling peckish, Muni-muni Food Hall offers snacks and beverages from local concessionaires Hatch Coffee (specialty coffee), Kettle Pop (ice cream and popcorn), Scrambled (egg drop sandwiches), Big Boy Birria (birria tacos), Pica-pica (build-your-own snack bowls) and Samalamig (specialty beverages).
Snacks from local merchants are also available at the Luntian Garden Venue, including bibingka, puto bumbong, roasted chestnuts, mulled wine, other drinks, and grilled skewers from Alab. Live buskers also perform in the area on weekend afternoons
Tourist destination like no other
Mt. Camisong Forest Park and Events has held space for people to reconnect with nature and the outdoors while enjoying world-class facilities powered by natural energy and forging beautiful experiences made more meaningful by sustainable tourism.
A sanctuary where guests find fulfillment in the shared celebration of our natural heritage, Mt. Camisong continues to be a park like no other. Here, guests are invited to slow down, immerse in the environment of the Cordilleran mountains, and build lasting connections.
“We will continue to spread awareness to our guests through this area and ensure that Mt Camisong’s message goes beyond ecotourism,” Ms. Querubin says. “Hopefully, we can be a seed of change in the hearts and minds of every person that visits this park to realize that we can only continue to enjoy the beauty of nature if we take care of it.”