Baguio’s summer events / National science tilt winners

CITY HALL BEAT

Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – Baguio City gears up for this year’s “Summer Vacation (SUMVAC) in Baguio,” its annual calendar of activities for residents and tourists expected to flock to the city for the long vacation.   

For the first time since the annual summer offering was introduced in the early 1990s, the event will include a working committee devoted to activities on Creative Cities.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan who ordered the reorganization of the SUMVAC working bodies last week said this is in keeping with the city’s commitment as a Creative City under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Creative Cities Network (UCCN) to pursue creative endeavors towards productivity and sustainable development.

He tasked Coun. Elmer Datuin and Supervising Tourism Operations Officer Aloysius Mapalo to chair the committee with City Budget Officer Leticia Clemente and UP Baguio Chancellor Raymund Rovillos as members.

The committees are tasked to begin ground preparations for the events including the traditional activities and the new ones in partnership with the different government agencies, non-government organizations and the private sector. 

In his Administrative Order No. 29 series of 2019, the mayor tasked himself as chair of the executive committee with Rep. Marquez Go as honorary chair and Vice Mayor Edison Bilog as vice chair of the execom which will spearhead the activities and provide various attractions from April to May.

Council committee on tourism and special events chair Councilor Elmer Datuin and City Administrator Carlos Canilao will serve as action officers. 

As in the past years, the calendar is expected to offer an array of religious, cultural, historical, environmental, sports and medical activities.

 The mayor also named the composition of the various working committees:

*Araw ng Kagitingan, Liberation Day and Kafagway to be chaired by Councilor Peter Fianza with City Social Welfare and Development Officer Better Fangasan;

*Summer Arts Expo, Cultural and Baguio Musical Festival, Summer Tourism and Sports Activities by Coun. Elmer Datuin with Mapalo, City Planning and Dev’t Officer Evelyn Cayat and Sports Dev’t Officer III Gaudencio Gonzales;

*Summer Health and Environmental Programs by City Health Officer Rowena Galpo, former City Environment and Parks Management Officer Cordelia Lacsamana and City Veterinarian Brigit Piok;

*Jobs Fair/Labor Day activities by Executive Assistant V George Fortea;

*Communications Groups, Peace, Security and Traffic Assistance  by Canilao with City Police Chief Eliseo Tanding, Coun. Francisco Roberto Ortega and Neftali Marilla;

*Media Relations and Search for Lucky Summer Visitors -- Philippine Information Agency Cordillera Regional Director Helen Tibaldo, Public information Office and Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club members;

Wholesome Activities by City Human Resource Management Officer Augustin Laban III with the Baguio Character Council and various religious institutions;

Barangay Fiesta by Coun. Michael Lawana with Barangay Affairs Office under Noel Mabutas;

Streamer Road Signs Maintenance and Physical Arrangements and Logistics by City Buildings and Architecture Officer Nazita Banez and General Services Officer Eugene Buyucan.

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BAGUIO CITY – The city council on Monday cited four grade school students in the city for their victories in the 16th National Science Quest held last February 8-10 at the Baguio Teachers Camp and Skyrise Hotel.

The body approved a resolution authored by Coun. Peter Fianza congratulating and commending Maria Jillian Calub, Grade IV at Quezon Hill Elementary School, Jaren Aowes, Andre Stefan Moynihan and Karissa Isabel Patriarca, all of Phases Learning Center for topping their respective events in the prestigious competition.

Calub, a resident of Quezon Hill Proper won first place in the category of Sci-Photojournalism where she showcased her knowledge, talents and skills in documenting events relevant to the theme of the competition, ““Technology Advancement through Research Inventions and Innovations in Sustaining Quality of Life.”

  Aowes, also of Quezon Hill barangay used his mastery of Science and chess to strategize his way to rulling the Sci-Chess event.

Moynihan also of Quezon Hill was crowned as “Ginoong Kalikasan 2019” while schoolmate Patriarca of San Luis was adjudged as “Binibining Kalikasan 2019” third best with both showing that “through looks, charm and knowledge, they can be the face of the youth in their advocacy towards a sustainable and healthy environment.”

Fianza said the triumph of the kids “is another testament that Baguio City is the ‘land of Champions,’  a continuing demonstration of what loving families, supportive teachers and nurturing schools can achieve.”

“Truly, the contestants of the city have earned the adulation and respect of other participants that have inspired our youths to believe in their capabilities and strive for excellence (thus) it is but proper that the City Government of Baguio recognizes the achievements of its youths,” he said.

The National Science Quest is a yearly event hosted by the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Association of Science Educators in the Philippines to bring the best students from all over the country to showcase their knowledge, creativity and innovative ideas besides the development of sense of camaraderie and sportsmanship among science teachers and students.

The competitions which featured several categories aim to promote academic excellence in Science and Mathematics through exposing their talent, skills and potential in Science Research.

The categories were Science, Mathematics, Techno and Environmental Quiz  for nursery, kindergarten and preschool (NKP), elementary, junior and senior high school; Sci-Doku for elementary, junior and senior high school; Sci-Math Chess; Sci-Spotlight Competition; Sci-Art Coloring; Sci-Poster- Making Contest; Sci On-the-Spot Painting; Sci-Collage Making Science and Math History Competition; Sci-Essay Writing Competition; Sci-Impromptu Speaking (English and Filipino); Sci-PhotoJournalism; Sci-Spelling Bee; and Binibini at Ginoong Kalikasan.