By Jordan G. Habbiling

 

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The Baguio City Council, on October 12, 2026, approved a committee report recommending the Baguio Fantasy Parade, subject to conditions on permits, crowd management, costume guidelines, and post-event reporting, following consultations prompted by opposition to the original horror-themed concept.

The City Council approved the report with nine votes in favor and four abstentions during its session. Members who voted in favor were Councilors Vladimir Cayabas, Jose Molintas, Peter Fianza, Van Oliver Dicang, Fred Bagbagen, Paolo Raynor Salvosa, Yuri Weygan, Liga ng mga Barangay President Rocky Aliping, and IPMR Maximo Edwin Jr. Meanwhile, those who abstained were Councilors Betty Lourdes Tabanda, Joel Alangsab, Leandro Yangot, Jr., and Edison Bilog.

The conditions include securing the required parade permit, providing additional marshals in coordination with the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), strictly observing the costume guidelines finalized by the Costume Check Committee, and submitting post-event reports.

The revised costume guidelines require designs to be whimsical rather than scary. The Costume Check Committee will determine whether costumes comply with the guidelines, allowing fantastical characters while prohibiting frightening portrayals.

During the October 12 City Council discussion, organizer Carl Paolo Corpuz and petitioner Eric Pangilinan confirmed that horror content would not be allowed under the revised concept. The guidelines were developed through consultations involving the organizers and representatives from the academe, religious sector, civil society organizations, and the Creative Baguio City Council.

The City Council also raised questions about the planned post-parade program at the People’s Park which includes costume displays, an awarding ceremony, dance and musical performances, and presentations by a marching band and a school drum and lyre group.

Councilors asked the organizers to provide and publicize the program details and clarify any separate permit or approval requirements. The committee report covered the parade, and the post-parade activities were not formally presented during the committee’s consultations.

One of those who abstained from voting, Tabanda said she recognized the changes made to the event but wanted to see how the parade would be conducted, particularly in ensuring the protection of children and women.

Molintas also called for the actual event to be observed in light of the organizers’ commitments to avoid offensive content.

From horror to fantasy

The Halloween Parade, which later became part of the broader Horror Festival, has been held since 2011. The parade’s original horror-themed concept drew objections, prompting a review of the event by city officials and the conduct of consultations with its organizers and concerned groups.

Pangilinan, who previously filed a petition seeking a review of the city permit, took part in the discussions and later volunteered to be part of the Costume Check Committee but maintained his personal opposition to the event. He described Halloween as satanic and raised concerns about holding the activity close to October 31.

The petition sought a review of the permit, dialogue between the organizers and petitioners, and monitoring of the event. It did not seek to prohibit private Halloween observances or criminalize them, according to the petition’s contents read during the October 12 session.

The consultations led to a change in the event’s name, branding and concept, from a horror parade to the Baguio Fantasy Parade. The organizers also said the Horror Convention had been canceled in Baguio and would be transferred to Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

A Costume Check Committee composed of representatives from the academe, religious sector, civil society, the Creative Baguio City Council, and the organizers worked on the costume guidelines. The guidelines were revised after comments from stakeholders, with the costume check committee tasked to ensure that participants follow them.

The City Council’s Committee on Creativity chaired by Councilor Vladimir Cayabas recommended approval of the revised parade subject to compliance with the guidelines and other requirements.

While the organizers agreed to the requested changes, the City Council’s approval came with conditions intended to ensure that the revised concept is followed during the event.

The parade’s implementation and compliance with the guidelines will determine how the revised concept is carried out in practice.