Umbrella parade highlights Character Week

EXPECT thousands of umbrellas, in different shapes and sizes, in a parade today.

But more than the revelry of a colorful umbrella parade, Committee on Ethics chair Councilor Philian Weygan-Allan said the purpose of the activity is to inspire people, most especially local officials to integrate transformation activities in realizing Baguio as a Character City.

As part of the city’s Character Week celebrations from September 17 to 21, Weygan-Allan said the Parade of a Thousand Character Umbrellas will be participated by the barangays to support the City Government’s thrust of transformation among local officials.

She said each barangay will have a certain character which they want to project to others as part of the advocacy for character transformation.

She added more than 35 barangays have already expressed interest in their Character Transformation advocacy by joining their character seminars which she claims is an addition to last year’s 27 barangays participants.

“One of the major contributions of the activity is the responsibility and awareness instilled among local officials especially in the barangays in doing their obligations. It’s like walking your talk where an official is able to initiate change in their areas through leadership by example,” she said.

She said participants of the Character Transformation seminars are becoming more responsive to the needs of the community and exude discipline to lead their constituents as catalysts of change.

Last Sunday, a Prayer for a Better Baguio activity was initiated in various churches in the city which she said will be followed by the awarding of barangay participants on September 18 at the Baguio Convention Center.

A “From the Heart to the Tree and Potluck among the Pines” activity will also be held at the Dominican Heritage Hill on September 19 while a culminating activity celebrated through a Concert in the Park will be held on September 21 at Malcolm Square.