Boom na Boom continues Pinoy carnival tradition

Providing fun is Boom na Boom’s main business. For more than 12 years, this carnival at the corner of Buendia Avenue and Roxas Boulevard in the sprawling CCP Complex in Pasay City, has never ceased to make Christmas merrier by giving people family-oriented entertainment and amusing rides.

“Christmas is never complete without a carnival” said Haydee Kwan, Boom na Boom’s director general. “The carnival is already a part of the Filipino culture. It is already a major part of every feast that we celebrate.

The carnival’s 2001 season officially reeled off last Nov. 30 with popular television personalities Camille Pratts and Biboy Ramirez, stars of shows G-Mik and Click, as special guests. The two made the opening day very special especially to orphans whom they treated to free rides and games.

Catering primarily to the young, Boom na Boom has jugglers and clowns on stilts giving out balloons to carnival goers. It is holding dance and singing contests for teenagers – the “Hataw Sayaw” and the “Himigsikan” – which, through the years, have become integral part of its tradition.

To make everyday different, Kwan and her Boom team have prepared a set of exciting activities. Every Sunday they are treating the young and the young at heart to several hours of magic and illusion through “Abrakadabra,” a show by the best magicians of the country.

Saturdays have been made special, too. Since last week, they’ve been holding the “Barkadahan Nights” which allowed groups of teenagers to gather around Boom na Boom’s open-air stage and enjoy concerts by their favorite bands, for free.

Others events lined up include World of Thrills, a group of daredevils on motorcycles, who are expected to leave the crowd dumbfounded as they do their aerial stunts. Another is the scheduled performance of Aiza Seguerra on Dec. 22.

However, Boom na Boom will not be complete without its top attractions and rides. For this year, it has brought back the Mauseleo, the Horror Hurricane, the Sideshow Village, and the Manghuhula Festival.

Kwan said there are over 75 booths to visit and 40 rides to enjoy. “We also have a long row of restaurants and a lively Christmas Bazaar night market where you can get everything at bargain prices,” she said.

The carnival is open everyday, starting 4 p.m. It will run until Jan. 6.