The Christmas rush has arrived early in Baguio City, where tourists are embracing the city’s cold December air as temperatures dipped to as low as 12.6°C over the weekend, the coldest, so far, this Amihan season.

Visitors crowded the Christmas Village, which features a “Christmas in Japan” theme complete with anime characters, sakura blossoms, and artificial snow.

“Actually, taga-Bulacan kami. Sa Bulacan, malamig na. Mas gusto pa namin ng mas malamig na weather kaya pumunta kami rito,” Richelyn Punongbayan, a tourist, said.

Shoppers also filled the Baguio night market, where many were buying jackets and sweaters to brave the cold.

“Malamig dito, eh. Sa balita din nasa 12 degrees, kaya required kami na mag-jacket baka lamigin talaga… Sakto ang price, affordable naman,” Harold Ocampo, another visitor, said.

The city recorded temperatures between 12.6°C and 13.6°C, drawing more tourists to Session Road and the iconic Lion’s Head along Kennon Road for photos, walks, and sightseeing.

“Malamig nga, parang nasa U.S. ang klima… Nag-walking-walking kami sa Session Road,” Mikki Prado, another visitor, added.

“Nagdala kami sweater kasi alam namin malamig dito,” Marilou del Rosario, another tourist, added.

At Burnham Park, which is still undergoing lake rehabilitation, visitors continued to stroll, bike, and enjoy warm treats like strawberry taho and steaming bowls of mami.

One stall drew long lines for its specialty mami flavored with kiniing or smoked meat, as well as its popular Black Forest cake coffee topped with dark chocolate, whipped cream, and cherry.

According to PAGASA, the cold weather is expected to intensify in the coming weeks.

“Around between 11.4 to 14.3 po ‘yung lowest temperature na forecasted ng PAGASA ngayong December. And then between 7.9 to 11.8 ‘yan po ‘yung possible na mga lowest temperature… mula January up to February 2026. So medyo papalamig pa at mararanasan pa rin natin ‘yong mga tinatawag na cold surges,” Ana Solmoro Solis, Chief of PAGASA’s Climate Monitoring and Prediction Section, said.

Solis also reminded residents, especially farmers in mountainous areas, to be cautious as extremely cold temperatures may damage high-value crops.

“Mag-ingat ‘yung ating mga kababayan lalong lalo na po diyan sa mountainous areas ng Luzon… possible din po ‘yung formation ng mga frost… possible pong makaapekto ‘don sa kanilang mga tanim,” she said.

On Tuesday, December 9, 2025, PAGASA recorded a minimum temperature of 15.8°C in Baguio, still lower than the previous day’s 16.8°C, as tourists continue to arrive in the country’s summer capital.

(with reports from Balitanghali)