The Sandbox outdoor play park in Porac, Pampanga became host to families that camped out under the stars and day-long arts and crafts workshops, live performances, holiday games and outdoor movies.
The holiday camping weekend, the Sandbox became a Christmas wonderland with festive workshop tents, life-sized Christmas displays and numerous parols or Pinoy Christmas lanterns lighting up the campsite.
We were introduced to the various Christmas actives such as Christmas cookie making (which I was unable to take part of because it was always full), making and designing angel souvenir and parols (which I was also unable to take part of because people kept flocking the activity too), and even designing parols and Quiz Kringle game that tested not only our knowledge of Christmas trivia, but also of some Christmas themed Pinoy Henyo like games.
Other fun day activities were is that of bubble artists for the kids. There was also a buddy bouncer inflatable courtesy of Nestle Chuckie. Other sponsored booth activities such as ice-cream making by Coleman, snowball designing by Avida Land, and stitch art by DMC.
Night activities included Poi dancing classes with Flow Arts Manila. There was also a nighttime live entertainment followed by a Christmas carol serenade by some of the country’s top chorale groups.
Guests performed onstage during the Merry-oke open mic session. After the Yuletide dinner, astronomy experts held constellation-tracking sessions with the Philippine Astronomical Society while Santa Claus roamed around to take wishes and selfies with guests.
The “Starlight Cinema” capped the night, featuring Christmas movie favorites Home Alone and another film. That I was unable to attended because I was already too sleepy because of the day activities.
The next day I was able to enjoy the Sandbox activities like the Giant Sling, Aerial Walk, Zipline and wall climbing.
The Christmas Jamboree was a truly fun experience for the kids.
Words and photos by Vincent Haoson
for Azrael’s Merryland Blog
