Baguio City charter anniversary launched

By Ramon Dacawi 

The city’s activities marking Baguio’s 105th charter anniversary was launched Monday after flag-raising ceremony here in front of city hall.

City councilor Elmer Datuin, co-chair of the celebration, and city tourism officer Alhambra said final program of activities will be formally announced during the regular weekly “Kapihan with CARE” on August 14 at the city hall, following the return of city mayor Mauricio Domogan who left for the United states last July 3  to represent the city in its renewal of sisterhood ties with Vallejo, California.

“We hope by then to also be able to announce who will be our guest of honor and speaker during the traditional program at the Baguio Convention Center,” Datuin said.

Highlight of the ceremonies will be the conferment of awards to this year’s winners in the annual search for the “Outstanding Citizens of Baguio” in recognition of their contributions to the development of this upland resort founded by the American colonial fathers on September 1, 1909.

The search is being undertaken by the organization  of former winners of the city’s highest award under the Society of Outstanding Citizens of Baguio (SOCOB) founded by educator and civic leader Reinaldo Bautista Sr.

This year’s observance has taken on a humanitarian dimension with a medical mission to open the festivities and a foot race for a cause dubbed “Straight into Baguio’s Heart on September 28 to raise funds in support of dialysis patients being treated here and in Benguet.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan said the run will, “indeed, sets a tradition and culture of caring that will mark future celebrations of the Charter Anniversary of Baguio, thereby serving as a rallying point to sustain n a sense of community among this city’s residents, neighbors. Friends and visitors who treasure fond memories of their visits to the Summer Capital of the Philippines”.

The traditional parade will follow the awards ceremony and program at the Baguio Convention Center, this time without the historical motif that marked previous celebrations given the limited time for the schools to prepare their depictions of the stages in the city’s history.

Also on tap are the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio Week which will feature culinary arts accenting on the city’s importance as a major tourism destination of the country, the annual search for “Miss Baguio”, the Baguio Day Golf Tournament and other sports events.

Civic leader Moises Cating earlier called on his peers in the business industry to contribute their time and resources for a fruitful observance.

As revealed by tourism officer Alhambra, the city’s budget for the celebration totals only P500,000, or P1 million short of the one allotted for last year’s founding anniversary festivities.