Christmas as usual in Boom na Boom

Christmas is fast approaching, and when you speak of this day of days, places that make people, both young and old, have fun always come to mind. And which other place can you have more fun than the carnival?

For the 13th straight year, the Boom na Boom carnival is coming to life to bring non-stop fun to Christmas revelers. Considered as the longest-running holiday themepark in the country, Boom na Boom is opening its doors this Friday, Nov. 30, with new entertainment fares and surprises to boost the Filipino’s Christmas spirit.

"Tuloy pa rin ang Pasko (Christmas is pushing through)," Haydee Kwan, the carnival’s director general, said emphatically. "We Filipinos are known to be fun-loving. Kahit tuyo lang ang ulam, basta may karnabal, Pasko pa rin sa atin (Even with just dried fish for dinner, it’s still Christmas if there is a carnival)."

Just like in previous years, the Boom na Boom grounds inside the CCP Complex in Pasay City will be transformed into a two-month-long fiesta – full of color, energy and fun.

From 4 p.m. onwards each day, Boom na Boom takes on a life all its own, with traditional and modern rides and attractions and the best Christmas food.

The carnival will have 30 different rides, all of which have been readied since last month and inspected by international experts to ensure their safety.

To help Filipinos cope with the economic crunch, Boom na Boom is having a ride-all-you-can promo which will allow people to enjoy all the rides as long as they want for only P150.

There will be special events, too, just like the Hataw Sayaw, an annual dance competition, and the Himig-Sikan, an amateur singing contest. There will also be contests for children aged five to 12 called Tsikiting Galing. For teenagers, there will be Gimik Nights where they can enjoy live-band performances and concerts by various TV personalities and musical artists.

Kwan added that they are bringing back the best psychics of the land in the Manghuhula Festival which attracted hordes of people last year. "We are in a very uncertain time and people want to know what’s in store for them next year," she said.