Baguio Mansion House lights up Christmas 2025

BAGUIO CITY — The Baguio Mansion House ushered in the 2025 Yuletide season with its annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on Thursday, November 27, drawing hundreds of residents, students, and visitors to the historic presidential estate.

First Lady Marie Louise “Liza” Araneta Marcos led the ceremony, joined by Baguio Representative Mauricio G. Domogan and Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong, along with several dignitaries who personally attended the event.

This year marks the second time the Christmas tree lighting has been hosted at the Mansion House since the tradition was revived.

The program featured performances that included the award-winning University of Baguio Voices Chorale, whose recent double-gold victory at the 2025 Taipei International Choral Competition in Taiwan highlighted the city’s cultural pride.

The evening’s musical lineup also featured a local marching band, adding a festive atmosphere to the celebration.

Around 257 Grade 2 and 3 pupils from Rizal and Gibraltar Elementary Schools were gathered around the tree, receiving gifts immediately after the lighting and participating in parlor games earlier in the program.

The Mansion House opened its gates to spectators, who filled the grounds to witness the lighting ceremony symbolizing hope, unity, and generosity.

Officials emphasized that the annual event aims to reconnect communities and remind Filipinos of the season’s spirit of compassion and togetherness.

Built in 1908 as the summer residence of American Governors-General, the Mansion House later became the official summer residence of Philippine Presidents before its inauguration as a Presidential Museum in September 2024.

It now operates as a public museum offering complimentary guided tours from Tuesdays to Sundays, along with bookable in-depth tours highlighting the lives and contributions of past Philippine Presidents.

The ceremony served as both a celebration of heritage and a festive welcome to the holiday season, reinforcing Baguio City’s commitment to promoting local talent, tourism, and community engagement.