Caroling, massage, tattoos, fortune-telling, manicures, and many more.
This is how Nanay Tina makes a living; that’s not her real name.
She has been caroling in Burnham Park for over a decade.
Nanay Tina is just one of the unaccounted numbers of those known as “Happy Holidays” in Baguio City.
They are called this because of the repetitive song sung every time tourists flood the area during the holiday season.
But even on normal days, they continue to sing “Happy Holidays,” which surprised the tourists.
The city government has banned these activities following Section 34 of the Environmental Code of Baguio.
They explained that this is a way to reduce damage and protect the city’s landscapes and the image of the parks.
The tightening of regulations did not just stem from this.
These activities are often involved in crimes.
Currently, only confiscation of items from those caught is being enforced by Public Order and Safety Division (POSD), and they are also monitoring other groups that might exploit the holiday season.
**JOSE ROBERT INVENTOR
