The search for nativity scenes with tiny objects representing the birth of Jesus in Bacolod City’s iconic miniature Christmas village is this year’s challenge.
Tiny nativity scenes may be located on snowy mountain tops, in Bethlehem, above a magical kingdom, in one of many quaint little European communities or perhaps near the Chinese or Mexican sections of the Christmas Village, the challenge is to find them.
The miniature village that has brought Christmas cheer to thousands of visitors for 27 years is located on the second floor of the ancestral home of artist Bamboo Tonogbanua at No. 90 San Juan Street in Bacolod City.
To add a new twist to one’s visit this year, Tonogbanua has embedded tiny nativity scenes into the Christmas Village that is filled with miniature houses, castles, pubs, stores, churches, carnival rides, skating rinks, ski slopes, railroads and festive people of all races.
Many of the objects move to the beat of festive Christmas music coming from various sections of the village divided into communities representing numerous countries.
Every year Tonogbanua has something new to offer even for those who have visited the village many times before, so it is never boring.
After all he still has thousands more miniature objects in storage waiting for their turn to go on display.
Another challenge this year is to spot three tiny helicopters hovering over the village, he said.
In the middle of the miniature Christmas village a new life-size Christmas tree has sprouted with miniature villages also embedded in its branches. One of Santa’s elves busily climbs up and down a ladder leaning on the tree.
And the miniature village is not the only attraction at Tonogbanua’s house.
One immediately feels the holiday spirit as one walks into his front door as Christmas decorations he has created abound throughout his home.
Tonogbanua said the village will be open to the public from 5 to 8 p.m. starting December 16.*