City gov’t lines up activities for 103rd Baguio Day

AS chairperson of the Baguio City Charter celebration committee, Mayor Mauricio Domogan has confirmed last week that Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. shall be guest of honor and speaker for this year’s 103rd city charter observance, on Sept 1.

Marcos, Jr. is presently the chairperson for Local Government, Urban Planning, Housing and Resettlement in the senate and was earlier voted as Vice-Governor, Governor, and Congressman in his home province of Ilocos Norte.

The mayor expressed confidence that the chosen speaker, being from the north would be able to inspire Baguioites as to the Charter Day theme, “Sustaining a Sense of History, Community and Continuity.”

Activities include a parade along the major thoroughfares and a program at the Baguio Convention Center. The parade and program is expected to portray the historical and picturesque changes in the city through the years. The main focus though shall be the awarding of the city’s outstanding citizens. A unity ball follows in the evening at the same venue.

For sports enthusiasts, an earlier activity shall be on August 26 with bowling at the Olympian lanes. A bike fest shall be done on Sept. 1 and 2 at the John Hay Trails while the Bahag Tennis Ethnic Tournament shall be conducted at the Athletic Bowl, Burnham Park on Sept. 1. The Bahag airsoft-speedball tournament shall also be done on Sept 8 at the same venue.

This Sunday, August 12, the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio (HRAB) elimination for bar skills shall be done at the Atrium, SM City, as part of the celebrations. On August 30 to September 1, the international culinary and food fest goes on at the Baguio Convention Center.

Still part of the charter day celebration and HRAB activities, the Baguio Arts Guild conducts a “Silver” Fashion show and exhibit at the Baguio Country Club on September 2.

On Sept 3, the Philippine Civil Service celebrates its 112th anniversary at city hall. On Sept. 5 to 7, the Baguio Day sister cities exhibit goes on at Malcolm Square.

The HRAB opening, a mass wedding and unveiling of the largest wedding cake shall also be done at SM City, on Sept 6, which is expected to bring in a large number of participants and spectators.

On Sept. 16, prayers in various churches shall be offered, with intentions “for a better Baguio.”

On Sept. 26-27, a local and foreign job fair shall be conducted by the City Mayor’s Office in coordination with the Public Employment Services Office, Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Labor and Employment and other offices. The venue shall be confirmed in later media releases.

A mass wedding sponsored by the City Social Welfare and Development Office goes on at the Baguio Convention Center, 8 AM on Sept. 28.

Other activities are expected this month and the next, as part of the celebrations. (Julie Fianza)