Festive Baguio charter activities set September

By Julie G. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY -With the theme for the city’s 105th charter celebration, “Shared Responsibilities, Duties and Resources for a Vibrant Baguio,” various activities are scheduled this September.

City Tourism Officer Benny Alhambra, the festive mood picked up from the Miss Baguio contest pre-pageant on Aug. 26, where they were presented in swim wear at the poolside and interviews.

The talent and evening gown competition followed the next day. They joined the community service program with government and non-government organizations on Aug. 28 before having the pageant on Aug. 29, 6 p.m.  at the Baguio Convention Center.

A medical and dental mission was held at the Baguio Convention Center on Aug. 30, with Dr. John Tinoyan as action officer.

Main beneficiaries are indigent families as certified by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), with benevolent sponsors including Victory Liner. Part of the medical mission is a bloodletting activity, Dr. Tinoyan said, where donors are solicited.

A program is slated at the convention center 8 a.m. on Sept. 1 after masses are offered in different churches, highlighted by awarding of Outstanding Citizens of Baguio.

A civic parade follows the program, participated in by the academe, business, religious, non-government agencies and barangays. School bands and elementary drum and lyre groups were requested to provide marching music during the parade. Foreign contingents are also preparing their costumes and accessories showcasing their respective countries.

A Beautiful Baguio 2 photo contest is slated, at Baguio City Hall and SM City Baguio.

On the evening of the same day, a musical concert shall be done at upper Session road, which is closed from Mabini Street.

Businessmen in the area have requested they be allowed to serve along the sidewalk for the duration of the concert.

Baguio Day shall be capped with a fireworks display, with main venue at SM City.      

On Sept. 2, a Little Miss Baguio contest is scheduled; on Sept. 7, a Frontier Fusion Fashion, a jobs fair on Sept. 11; all at the Baguio Convention Center.

On Sept. 19, school-based activities; poster and slogan-making, extemporaneous speech, essay writing and oratorical contest, participated in by the different elementary, high school and tech-voc schools will be conducted at city hall.

This is the second time for such an activity, chaired by Councilor Peter Fianza.

Councilor Elmer Datuin, chairman of the charter day preparations said a festive atmosphere is expected with all the cultural, academic, religious, socio-civic and sports activities next month.      

The 11th Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio (HRAB) is also part of the celebration where students and hospitality service practitioners compete during talent shows, skills competitions, job and trade fair, seminars, quiz bee and recipe writing competition.

According to HRAB top executive and Baguio Country Club manager Anthony de Leon, a day would be devoted to “Rice and Shine,” a tribute to farmers; an activity similar to that of last year where 15,000 were fed with fried rice at SM City Baguio.

De Leon, Baguio Country Club manager said participants to the Hotel and Restaurant and Tourism week are from all over North and Central Luzon. Venues for the HRAB activities are SM, Multi-purpose Hall and Francisco Del Rosario of Baguio Country Club, Baguio Convention Center and CAP Trade and Culural Center at Camp John Hay, on various dates.    

During the committee meeting for the Baguio Day activities, Mayor Mauricio Domogan expressed gratitude for all who are committed workers for the occasion.

The chosen theme is appropriate as we could only achieve improvements for our city through synergism, cooperation and proper coordination with each other. We have to share responsibilities, duties and resources to keep moving forward, he added.

In relation to this, the mayor and members of the committee have invited the Benguet towns; La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba and Tublay executives and citizens to the charter day celebration.