Baguio City Council reviews proposed shift to Fantasy Festival

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Baguio City Council has referred a proposed Baguio Fantasy Festival to its Committee on Creativity for further review, as officials examine changes to the event, standards for creative presentations and the use of public spaces.

The referral followed discussions on a proposed shift away from the previously promoted Baguio Horror Festival and toward a fantasy-themed public event.

Organizers have said the public parade would remove horror elements and could feature Philippine folklore and mythology, literature, films, anime, cartoons, superheroes and other creative themes.

The committee, chaired by Councilor Vladimir Cayabas, is expected to review the organizers’ proposal and prepare a report for the City Council.

The council also directed the organizers to submit guidelines, a detailed program and mechanics covering activities under the proposed festival.

The City Tourism Office was asked to provide its input, including on the possible application of the city’s Cosplay Ordinance.

The issue initially came before the council through a petition questioning themes and imagery associated with the Baguio Horror Festival and their consistency with Ordinance 39-2023, or the Character City Ordinance.

The petition called for a review of permits and dialogue with organizers, while stating that it did not seek to prohibit private Halloween celebrations.

During a preliminary dialogue facilitated by Councilor Yuri Weygan, organizers expressed willingness to modify the public event.

Festival head organizer Carl Paolo Corpuz said the proposed changes would go beyond the name, with horror elements removed from the public parade.

Organizers have also said they intend the proposed parade to be suitable for children and families and are willing to develop guidelines with the council, petitioners and the wider community.

Questions raised during the council discussions included what types of costumes, characters and imagery should be allowed in public presentations, particularly those involving frightening imagery, blood, violence, weapons and fictional or folkloric characters.

Weygan, chair of the Committee on Tourism, Special Events and Playgrounds, said the discussion had moved beyond his committee’s original mandate as the focus shifted toward creativity and standards for creative expression in public spaces.

The matter was therefore sent to the Committee on Creativity.

The council also discussed broader rules governing public festivals and activities that use city spaces.

Councilor Peter Fianza said existing regulations on public events, including those involving temporary road closures, may need to be revisited as the city considers changing circumstances and public concerns.

Fianza cited Section 21 of Republic Act No. 7160, the Local Government Code, in discussing local government authority concerning the temporary closure of roads and streets under specified conditions.

The discussion could therefore extend beyond the proposed Fantasy Festival to possible rules for future public events, particularly those requiring the use or temporary closure of public spaces.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong, meanwhile, said he supports festivals that provide opportunities for creativity and participation but objected to branding Baguio as a “horror capital.”

Magalong said the designation did not reflect his view of the city’s identity, heritage and values.

He also called for dialogue between organizers and groups that had raised concerns about the event.

“If you insist on the word or on your original purpose of making this a horror city, I personally will vote against it,” Magalong said.

The mayor said the issue was not opposition to creativity or Halloween celebrations themselves, but to the proposed branding of Baguio around the “horror capital” concept.

Organizers have since said the “Baguio as a Horror Capital” branding has been dropped.

They have described the previous branding as a promotional and literary expression rather than a proposal for an official city designation.

The proposed public event is now being presented as a Baguio Fantasy Festival and Baguio Fantasy Parade.

Organizers have also proposed holding the horror convention separately as a private event for enthusiasts of horror as an artistic and literary genre.

The council has yet to make a final determination on the proposed October event.

For now, the organizers are expected to submit the requested program and guidelines, while the Committee on Creativity considers the proposal and information gathered from the earlier discussions.

The committee’s report is expected to provide the council with a basis for further action on the proposed festival and, potentially, on rules governing similar public events in the city.