Celebrating Easter Sunday: egg hunts, and then some

For a predominantly Catholic country such as the Philippines, Easter Sunday is typically met with much celebration. After all, it is the day of Jesus Christ’s resurrection, and symbolizes hope, among other good things.

 

Around this time, eggs become a hot commodity because they represent new beginnings, and thus figure greatly in Easter Sunday’s most beloved tradition: the Easter egg hunt.  

As expected, there is no shortage of egg hunts for people who want to keep the tradition alive, but many establishments have decided to take the tradition to the next level by doing themed hunts or including other fun activities like magic shows and face painting.

 

Among the egg hunt parties this year is the Fun Ranch Easter Sunday Egg Hunt and Party, which will be held on April 8, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Fun Ranch Alabang and 3 to 6 p.m. at Fun Ranch Ortigas.

 

Aside from the main event that is the egg hunt, kids and their parents or guardians can also join games, participate in interactive booths, and watch the live entertainment. Tickets for kids from age two to 10 are at P500, inclusive of entrance, access to the activities, snacks, a loot bag, and a Ride all You Can wristband. Tickets for adults are at P250, inclusive of entrance, access to activities, and snacks. More information can be found on the Fun Ranch Facebook Page or website.

 

The Orchard Golf Club in Dasmariñas, Cavite is also hosting an egg hunt at the Orchard Practice Range. The Easter Eggstravaganza will also include kite-flying as well as games where guests can win special Easter prizes. Tickets for members cost P150, while non-members have to pay P200. For more details, visit the Orchard Golf Club website.

 

Yet another egg hunt is set to take place at Robinsons Malls’ Great Easter Eggspedition. From 12 noon to 5 p.m. on April 8, mall-goers can search for the coveted eggs to win prizes, join the games, or even enjoy free face painting and glitter tattoos.  

 

SM City Novaliches is also joining in on the Easter fun with two days worth of Easter celebrations, from April 7 to 8. The pre-Easter activities begin at 3 p.m. and include Egg Painting and a guessing game where people can try to estimate the number of eggs. As if that’s not enough, a unicyclist is scheduled to make an appearance. The next day, people can enjoy face painting, a magic show, mascot parade, and a costume contest. 

 

The Easter festivities take a rather more peaceful turn at Discovery Country Suites in Tagaytay, where people can check in and pray in the peace and quiet of the Bed and Breakfast, or eat Lenten fare at Restaurant Verbena. Come Easter Sunday, starting at 11:30 a.m. guests can celebrate at Dragon Drake’s Easter Getaway with a story-telling, Easter cookie decoration, and, yes, an egg hunt. Reservations and inquiries can be made by calling (02) 529-8172 or (046) 413-4567.  

Dragon Drake also goes to Discovery Shores in Boracay, as many people do when Holy Week comes around. On April 8 the beachfront will become a medieval fantasyland for Drake the Dragon's Easter Beach Escapade. With tickets at P525++ for kids and P795++ for adults, guests will be able to join the buffet, go home with loot bags, and participate in the games which include balloon popping, a dragon relay, a treasure hunt, and again, an egg hunt. Inquiries and reservations can be made through (02) 720-8888 or (036) 288-4500 or visit www.discoveryshoresboracay.com.

 

The medieval party continues at the Discovery Suites Easter Egg Hunt Children’s Party in Ortigas at 2 p.m., where a ticket of P850++ will afford guests a merienda buffet, access to parlor games, raffles, and the egg hunt.   

At Sofitel, guests can make like the famous archaeologist as they search for Easter eggs in an Indiana Jones-themed hunt at the Harbour Garden tent. A P500 ticket includes kiddie food, drinks, desserts, loot bags, as well as access to the story-telling, magic shows, and games. Guests who check-in on April 6 and 7 and avail of the hotel’s Easterrific room rates (P7,860++ for an overnight stay) will get two free tickets to the Easter egg hunt, as well as a free buffet breakfast for two adults and two kids below six years old.  

In Baguio, the Easter egg hunt is anything but traditional as The Manor hosts the Camp John Hay Safari Adventure. The hunt will take place on Easter Sunday morning, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Before that, The Manor will host various other activities for Holy Week. Kids can see the farm animals at Little Camp John Hay, or join the garden safari at the Manor Garden, while the older set can try the Treetop Adventure or Eco Trail, or browse through goodies at the Easter Sale.

 

The Manor will also host several religious activities, such as a Visita Iglesia pilgirimage on Maundy Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m., a Via Crucis on Good Friday, and a Dawn Mass from 6 to 8 p.m. at the break of Easter Sunday. Those who are interested may call (02) 845-0892, 845-0911, or 687-6710 for reservations or inquiries. 

 

Aside from offering special rates for Holy Week, Makati Shangri-la is transforming into a fantasy dreamland for their Enchanted Easter egg hunt. Hair braiding, glitter tattoos, balloon twister, and a special street magic show are only a prelude to the main event: a special glow-in-the-dark egg hunt. Tickets include a buffet, and cost P700++ for kids and P1000++ for adults. –KG, GMA News