CJH management to add more attractions at former American rest area
By: Rimaliza A. Opina
The century-old theater at Camp John Hay will be transformed into a museum as an added attraction at the camp.
New attractions will be added at Camp John Hay to entice more visitors in both peak and off-peak tourist seasons.
JHMC President and CEO Ranjit Singh Reandi says more developments is expected at Camp.
John Hay after completion of a new master development plan, which was last introduced in 1990s when management of the area was turned over to the Bases Conversion and Development Authority
Some of these attractions and activities will operate only during the Christmas, while the others are of a bigger scale necessitating that it should be in accordance with the new master development plan (MDP) of CJH, said John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) President and Chief Executive Officer Manjit Singh Reandi.
In a press conference at the Bell House on 5 December 2025, Singh announced Christmas activities at CJH which include the operation of the Mandeko Kito, an outdoor bazaar showcasing arts and crafts made by local artisans, a Christmas Market like the one at Rose Garden, Burnham Park, installation of LED walls that contain announcements of activities inside the camp, and refurbishing of the children’s playground.
In efforts of making JHMC inclusive, a pet park have recently been opened, and a partnership with the LGBTQIA++ community has been forged.
JHMC also formalized the operation of horseback riding operators at CJH by signing a memorandum of understanding with the Kabadjo Handlers Association Inc.
In the pipeline for 2026 is the development of the more than 100-yearold “Old Theater” into a museum, establishment of a bamboo grove, construction of a skywalk, an ayuyang circle, a tranquility park where yoga and meditation will be permitted, and a farmers market to be operated preferably by residents from barangays around the CJH reservation.
A developer will also renovate and operate the Mile-High strip in 2026, Singh announced.
Singh reminded CJH holds a significant place in world history, not only as rest and recreation area of Americans but more because the former John Hay Air Station was one of the first areas bombed by the Japanese in World War II in 1941.
Singh said they have benchmarked at different museums around the country to learn more about how to curate CJH’s own museum.
Meanwhile, administrative reforms have also been introduced at CJH in compliance with laws such as the Ease of Doing Business Act.
Also, in compliance with a Supreme Court decision that said locators at CJH must pay local taxes to the local government, Singh said a technical working group composed of representatives from the City Treasurer’s Office and JHMC to iron out permitting guidelines for locators.
Singh assured JHMC will give updates about plans inside CJH once the MDP is finalized.#
