- Title: PHILIPPINES: "ICE AND SNOW WONDERPARK" BECOMES BIG HIT IN MANILA.
- Date: 24th November 1999
- Summary: MANILA, PHILIPPINES (RECENT) (REUTERS) 1. GV: ENTRANCE TO THE "ICE AND SNOW WONDERPARK" 0.06 2. GV: FILIPINO CHILDREN ON BICYCLES AT THE PARK'S ENTRANCE 0.14 3. SV: PILE OF WINTER JACKETS THEN TILTS UP TO PARK STAFF GIVING OUT JACKETS TO GUESTS 0.24 4. SV/GV: VISITORS TO WONDERPARK WEARING WINTER JACKETS (2 SHOTS) 0.43 5. CU
- Embargoed: 9th December 1999 12:00
- Keywords:
- Location: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
- City:
- Country: Phillippines
- Reuters ID: LVATV6B2BBQJW37OKM7U5AQ7NER
- Story Text: In Asia's only
Catholic country, the Philippines, the build-up to Christmas begins in August -
reaching fever pitch in the weeks leading up to December 25.
And this year, Filipinos can enjoy something out of the ordinary for a tropical
country, a white Christmas.
Christmas in the Philippines is a national obsession - stores begin playing
Christmas songs in the summer months, but one thing has always been lacking -
snow.
With year-round temperatures of 25-30 degrees centigrade, a white Christmas has
always been an elusive dream - until now.
An enterprising company has converted a sprawling parking lot into a winter
wonderland in Manila.
Cooled by several refrigeration units, the temperature inside this icebox is
cold enough for Arctic penguins to thrive at 10 degrees below zero.
It also gives those with winter clothes a chance to show off.
Close to a million Filipinos have already visited the park since it opened last
month, braving the cold for a chance to see ice sculptures and life-size
igloos.
The ice sculptures were created by the world-famous ice carvers of Harbin City
in northern China.
Manager of the ice park, Bernie Abellera, said that many Filipinos dream of
going to cold countries to enjoy the winter weather - so he thought he would
bring the cold to the tropics instead.
Despite the cold temperatures, the snow is artificial - but that doesn't dim the
enjoyment for children getting their first taste of winter.
One of the biggest hits is the ice slide - children in hooded parkas and mittens
ignored the cold just to feel the pleasure of gliding down the ice.
Eight-year-old Theresa Abiel said she was having great fun playing in the cold.
And adults have also been joining in.Teacher Mary Rivera said she was thrilled
at the idea of winter, saying it was a lot more pleasant than the tropical heat.
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