HORROR NO MORE? Baguio’s controversial Halloween event may turn to fantasy festival following backlash

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — From zombies and Dracula to mythical heroes and fantasy characters, Baguio’s controversial Halloween event may be getting a new identity.

Organizers of the Baguio Horror Festival proposed transforming the event into a Fantasy Festival during a City Council forum on Sept. 21, following weeks of debate over its themes, use of public spaces and compatibility with the city’s Character City policy.

Under the proposed concept, the festival would feature characters from local folklore, Philippine and world mythology, and local and international films, while moving away from the horror-centered branding.

The proposed change came after a petition filed by church leaders, school representatives and concerned citizens asked the City Council to review the festival’s permits and determine whether the use of public spaces is consistent with Ordinance No. 39, series of 2023, or the Character City Ordinance.

The petition did not seek to ban private Halloween celebrations or declare the organizers persona non grata. Instead, petitioners asked the city to withhold or review the event permit and hold discussions with organizers.

The controversy centered on the festival’s use of death, horror, macabre and occult-related imagery, as well as concerns raised about the possible exposure of children and young people to graphic themes.

Petitioners also cited Department of Education-Cordillera data showing that reported bullying incidents in Baguio increased from 70 to 135 between the two school years cited in their petition. They stressed, however, that they were not claiming the festival caused the incidents.

From horror to fantasy

Festival organizer Carl Paolo Corpuz confirmed during the forum that the public horror parade would be scrapped in favor of a fantasy-themed procession.

Organizers also dropped the branding that described Baguio as a “Horror Capital.”

Corpuz earlier explained that the term was intended as a literary and marketing expression associated with the horror genre, rather than a formal proposal for the city to adopt such a designation.

The festival was introduced in 2011 after Corpuz drew inspiration from a zombie walk he encountered in Canada. It later developed into a Halloween tradition attracting participants and spectators from Baguio and other parts of the country.

The organizers had previously maintained that the event was an artistic and family-oriented expression involving costumes, films, literature, photography and visual arts, and that it did not promote satanism or blasphemy.

Under the revised proposal, horror-themed activities would be confined to a private convention for genre enthusiasts, while the public event would adopt the fantasy concept.

Magalong: Baguio is not a ‘Horror Capital’

Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who attended the forum, acknowledged the festival’s contribution to tourism and recalled participating in the 2019 event.

He said the festival, as he experienced it, did not involve worship of the devil and recognized that participants viewed it as an expression of creativity.

However, he reminded organizers to consider Baguio’s identity, culture, values and character.

“The city of Baguio has worked so hard for decades to deserve that identity and that character, and we cannot just simply allow one particular event to destroy it and to damage it,” Magalong said.

He urged both sides to listen to each other and work toward a resolution rather than allow the disagreement to deepen.

The controversy has drawn attention beyond the City Council, with religious groups, educators, creative-sector representatives and residents expressing differing views on whether the public festival should be retained, modified or replaced.

The matter was referred to the Committee on Tourism, Special Events, Parks and Playgrounds, which will review the revised proposal and submit its recommendations.

Organizers were also tasked to prepare a working plan and guidelines for council review, while council members were asked to submit their respective positions.

For now, Baguio’s Halloween question appears to be taking a less frightening turn: the horror may be out, but the fantasy is still subject to City Council review.