THE working centennial Christmas committees were asked this early to start their preparations in celebrations until the end of December.

Centennial celebrations go on until the end of December with Bonifacio day, Christmas, Baguio Film Festival, Rizal Day, and other local and national festivities.

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Family reunions, school homecomings, get-togethers and balik-bayan activities are also expected to be held in the city to "revive the spirit of unity, peace, love, and sharing."

Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr., as chairman, thus, issued an administrative order designating the working group, with congressman Mauricio Domogan as honorary chair.

The executive committee shall oversee the success of all Christmas in Baguio 2009 activities, including ways and means of support.

The committee shall prepare policies, guidelines, measures and programs of activities, and may include other members for the sub-committees.

Vice Mayor Daniel Farinas sits as co-chair, while City Tourism Officer Benedicto Alhambra and City Administrator Peter Fianza as action officers.

Centennial Commissioner Dr. Virgilio Bautista sits as project chairman of the Christmas programs, with Bishop Carlito Cenzon, Arch. Joseph Alabanza, lawyer Edilberto Tenefrancia, Dr. Ronald Paraan, Dr. Julie Cabato, Michael Pearson, Atty. Benedicto Carantes, Dr. Charles Cheng, and Gerry Evangelista as members.

The Bonifacio and Rizal Day programs were assigned to Farinas, as project chairman, with Councilor Fred Bagbagen as co-chairman.

Philippine Military Academy Superintendent General Admiral Leonardo Calderon, City Police Director lawyer Agripino Gonzales Javier, Rizal Barangay head Marleo Sabado, Cresencia Village Barangay head Augustus Valdez, City Librarian Emilio Supsupin, Bonifacio Elementary Head Leonard Dawaton, Rizal Elementary School head Felizarda Zamoranos, and Abe Luis of the United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP), are members of the committee.

Former Councilor Narciso Padilla acts as project chairman of the Silahis ng Pasko, with Councilors Elaine Sembrano and Rocky Thomas Balisong as co-chairpersons.

Social Welfare and Development Officer Betty Fangasan, sports Officer Edison Villafuerte and Public Information Officer Ramon Dacawi are also members.

For the Diwa ng Pasko celebrations, Councilor Erdolfo Balajadia is chairman, with RPN-DZBS Station Manager Malou Lacsamana-Pascual as co-chairperson. The members of the committee are City Register of Deeds lawyer Juanito Ampaguey, Local Civil Registrar Sylvia Laudencia, City Auditor Fernando Somera, City Veterinarian Bridgit Piok, and OIC City Prosecutor Alfredo Roldan Centeno.

Councilor Galo Weygan sits as chair of the Christmas lights competition, with charismatic and religious services. Councilors Isabelo Cosalan and Joel Alangsab are both co-chair.

Bishops Carlito Cenzon and Joel Pachao of the Vicariate of Baguio and Episcopal Church, respectively, are members. Other members are Division of Schools Superintendent, Department of Education, Ellen Donato, Ed. D., City Director of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Evelyn Trinidad, City Legal Officer Carlos Melchor Rabanes, City Treasurer Thelma Manaois, City Assessor Augustus Medina, Community Affairs Officer lawyer Ronald Perez, Baguio Community of Volunteers Movement Carmelo Carreon, Rev. Simplicio Dang-awan of the UCCP, and Sister Tess Dagdag of Maryknoll.

Councilor Perlita Chan-Rondez takes care of Baguio Christmas Tourism and Cultural Special Events, as project chairman, and Councilors Richard Carino and Nicasio Aliping as Co-chair.

Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Director Purificacion Molintas, the Mayor's Private Secretary Jay Co, and Baguio Tourism Council representative Nicolas Tabora are members.

Members for the Fil-Am Golf Tournament are Mr. Anthony de Leon of the Baguio Country Club, Freddie Alquiroz of the Camp John Hay Development Corporation, and Tim Allen, Manager of the CJH Golf Club. For the Christmas Village, Mario Picart, and representatives from the "Indayog ti Sabong," and Baguio Community of Volunteers Movement are members.

The lighting of the tallest Christmas tree and other lights shall be taken care of by Cynthia Tabora of Heaven's Touch, SLU-Lab high school bandmaster Marivic Macadaeg, Baguio City National High School bandmaster Carmencita Zuniga, and Philippine Military Academy bandmaster TSG Emmanuel de Dios.

The City Hall Christmas party shall be overseen by the mayor himself, Councilors Antonio Tabora, Gloria Ysabel de Vera, City Tourism Officer Alhambra, City Treasurer Manaois, City Budget Officer Leticia Clemente, City Accountant Antonio Tabin, Planning Officer Arturo Orig, City Human Resource Management Officer Estrella Bisquera, Secretary to the mayor lawyer Ronald Perez, and Association of City Hall employees head Mercedes Pel-ey.

The mayor sits as honorary chairman of the Baguio Film Festival, with Ramon Alonzo as project chairman.

Vice mayor sits as honorary vice-chairman with tourism officer Alhambra as city coordinator, the Baguio Film Festival Association and the BCVM as over-all event coordinating body.

The marketing arm shall come from the Baguio Tourism Council and Baguio Conventions and Visitors Bureau, while participating members are SM and Baguio Cinemas.

Councilor Betty Lourdes Tabanda sits as chairman, with Councilor Nicasio Palaganas a co-chairman for the foreign groups, balikbayan homecoming Christmas celebrations. Members are Philippine Information Agency Regional Director Helen Tibaldo, Sister City Committee members Divina Bautista and Peter Ng, Baguio Korean Association representative Rev. Lee Jun Sung, and Baguio Japan Association representative Masahiro Okuda.

Baguio City Police Director Agripino Javier heads the technical, peace and order, and aesthetics committee with Councilor Joel Alangsab as co-chair; City Building and Architect's office head Engr. Oscar Flores, City Health Officer Florence Reyes, City Engineer Leo Bernardez, City Environment and Parks Management Officer Cordelia Lacsamana, Baguio City Fire Marshal Jovencio Marquez, City General Services Officer Romeo Concio, and Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) head Engr. Greg Deligero.

The City Administrators Office and City Tourism Staff are designated as secretariat. (Julie G. Fianza)