Baguio Day events focus on nature; events bared

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY – Environmental consciousness will be at the core of this year’s charter anniversary celebration of the city themed: “Baguio @ 110: Nurturing the Environment for Sustainable Development.”

City Tourism Operations Officer Aloysius Mapalo said a spread of activities, some of which cater to the theme of caring for the environment, is set for launching on Aug. 27 with a simple program during the flag-raising ceremonies and a press conference at City Hall.

In keeping with the theme, Mapalo said they will do away with tarpaulins and will instead use eco-friendly alternative materials for the promotion of the event.

As part of the prevent-celebration events, a banner painting contest will be conducted to be sponsored by Globe Telecomm and Davies Paint where the winning entries will be hung on posts along Session Road as promotional items in lieu of printed tarpaulins.

On Aug. 30, the city through the City Environment and Parks Management office under Officer-in-Charge Moises Lozano will conduct a bamboo planting activity at 830 a.m. and will launch the Bambuseum at the Dominican Heritage Hill.

On the same day, the office will conduct a free smoke-emission testing along Harrison Road from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Celebration proper on Sept. 1 will have a small deviation from the usual practice in that the traditional parade will now precede the program at 8 a.m. instead of the old practice of conducting the program before the parade to preclude postponement in case of mid-morning downpour. 

Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the program set at 9 a.m. will be simple and will follow the traditional sequence with Senator Panfilo Lacson as guest of honor and speaker. 

Session Road will hum with activities on the same day with the Western-themed Fiesta and Baguio Day Concert to be mounted by Smart Communications and Porta Vaga.

Activities consist of a country singing contest, line dance contest, parlor games, Kafaguay farm exhibit, Old Baguio photo exhibit, food fair for-a-cause, chalk art, details of which are still being finalized.

A fireworks display and Baguio Day bonsai exhibit are also in the works.

Other activities in the pipeline are:

Sept. 2- Society of Outstanding Citizens of Baguio (SOCOB) testimonial dinner; 

Sept. 3 - Victory Day 

Sept. 4 - Baguio Day Health Fair

Sept. 8 – Fun Run sponsored by the Rehabilitation Action for Baguio 5 a.m., Burnham Lake Drive, 

Sept. 13-14 - DEP-EDBaguio Day School Based Activities 

Sept. 14 - Little Miss Baguio, 110th Charter Day Job Fair 

Sept. 16 - Balili River Day with program and clean-up drive 

Sept. 20-22 - “One Baguio : Melting Pot of Cultures” cultural village 

Sept. 21 - Miss Baguio Pre-Pageant (7:00pm-10:00pm, Baguio Convention Center) and Talent Search, Swimsuit, Gown Competition and Interview 

Sept. 20-27 – Tourism Week with contests Enchanting Baguio Digital Poster Making Contest (not later than Sept 18); #MyBaguioStory Selfie Contest (not later than Sept 20); Enchanting Baguio Teaser Making Contest Presentation (Sept 20); and Tourism Summit (Sept. 27);

Sept. 28 - Miss Baguio Coronation Night “…Showcasing Baguio as Haven for Arts”

Sept. 29 - Baguio Day Charity Ball, a fund-raising dinner by Madame Arlene Magalong benefiting the indigent children.

Other activities including sports events will be announced later.