BAGUIO CITY – The city’s 108th charter day on September 1 is celebrated alongside the commemoration of National Heroes’ Day; August 27 and Victory day (Yamashita’s surrender); on September 3.
This was taken up during the 2017 Baguio Day executive com mittee meeting at the SP Session hall last week, with the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), academe heads, city officials, the business sector and concerned agencies present, as presided by Tourism committee chair Councilor Elmer Datuin.
The Baguio Day celebrations and activities will be launched during the flag raising ceremonies at city hall, on August 28, followed by a press conference at the multi-purpose hall.
On September 1, the presence of “Champions of Baguio” highlight the program and activities; with honorees; performers and achievers in national and international sports, culture and arts, other fields and equally stand outs in the local setting.
Centenarians are also given recognition in the main ceremonies.
A socio-civic parade follows with the schools and colleges presenting the history of Baguio through a well-prepared and costume tableau. Other school-based, barangay-based, and sports activities are scheduled, as with a photo contest, cultural programs, Miss Baguio, Little Miss Baguio, and concerts later in the day.
Assistant Health Services Officer John Tinoyan earlier requested for a health and wellness fair with a medical mission; and University of the Cordilleras (UC) representative Leonarda Aguinalde asked that the everlasting plant be revived, as part of the city’s environmental legacies.
Government-led activities follow: river clean-ups, tree planting at the parks and city-owned vacant areas, with private groups for additional manpower. Steve Cating representing the business sector advocates floral aesthetics along the roads and building façades, with three months to go on a campaign to persuade his colleagues.
A golf tournament, a forerunner of the Victory day celebration is sponsored by the Veterans’ Bank on September 2. Awarding ceremonies is at the US Embassy, John Hay.
The commemoration of Yamashita’s surrender is on Sept. 3, as advocated by Mayor Mauricio Domogan as Victory day. /Julie G. Fianza
