Monday, December 22, 2008 Padilla: Baguio Lucky Balikbayans to be honored on Dec. 28 By Nars Padilla Kafagway Roundup
IN KEEPING with tradition, the NCCB-CSWDO Silahis ng Pasko 2008 now celebrating its Coral Anniversary (35 years of caring and sharing) will honor the lucky December cast of Balikbayans on the 28th of this month.
The come-on international tourism activity, the only one of its kind in the country will spread the "mabuhay" red carpet to the winners in the Balikbayan quest for the lucky family, couple, individual and the Balik ng Balikbayan categories.
Retired US Navy Chief Hospital Corpsman Romel Caburian, his lovely wife Florence, a retail associate and their pretty teenage daughter Erica Dawn, a sophomore (grade 10) at Vista Murrieta High School in Murrieta, California won the Balikbayan Family plum.
Romel is an alumnus, B.S. Engineering graduate from the St. Louis University. He joined the United States Navy in 1983 and retired after 32 years of honorable service tenure in 2005.
"We are very happy to be back home in Baguio to enjoy the blessed Christmas Season with our parents," the holiday trekkers said.
Romel is the son of retired Assistant City Prosecutor Raymundo Caburian Jr. and teacher-retiree Cristina from the Pines City National High School here. The family resides in Murrieta.
Florentino "Bok" David, a Baguio old timer won the Balikbayan individual category.
Bok retired as Fire Chief of Camp John Hay for at least three decades. He served at the helm of the CJH Fire Department under the US 13th Air Force administration from 1978 to 1991 and continued to do so under the Philippine Government DOT-PTA management from 1992 to 2006.
He left with his wife for Uncle Sam's country last year and early this month he saw action in the recent Fil-Am Golf Tournament with hisbrother's team. His brother left for their respective destinations abroad last week while Bok decided to enjoy the Christmas break here with his relatives and friends. He now resides in San Diego, California where I took my US Navy boot camp training way back in 1953.
For the first time in the history of the project, Masahiro Okuda from Hiroshima, Japan who has made this mountain resort city as his second home owns the Balik ng Balikbayan award. Hiro-san is currently the president-administrator of a foreign language school in the city. He is a well-known civic leader.
Meanwhile the search for the lucky Balikbayan couple is still on. The Balikbayan Day activities billed this coming Sunday will kick-start with a welcome sashing rites at the Sunshine Park by City Councilor Rocky Thomas Balisong.
CSWDO Officer Betty Fangasan and yours truly are co-chairpersons of the December humanitarian endeavor. A motorcade honoring the Balikbayan and a core of outstanding international and national athletes and sportsmen will be in the entourage.
The motorcade along the city's main streets will end at Sunshine Park for the "pinikpikan" fellowship luncheon. A cultural "palabas" of highland tribal dances and the presentation of tokens of friendship will highlight the day's sked.
The executive committee coordinating and implementing the tourism bonanza is inviting all Balikbayans to join the affair on centerstage. Join the fun, food, fellowship and adventure of Silahis ng Pasko your touchstone to a great Yuletide Season tradition! Congratulations to all the achievers!
*****
May I pause for a moment to extend my personal kudos to my buddies in the Spectrum Communication Baguio Chapter for their well-deserved promotions in the leadership ladder of the organization.
My esteemed friend S943 Bobot Benitez will take over as the Chairman of Council Presidents early next year. He just finished his term as chairman of the Baguio spectrum firebrands.
On the other hand, @967 Don Nievera is the brand new head of our local chapter.
Incidentally, our communications group is co-sponsor of Silahis ng Pasko project. They are specifically sponsoring the Baguio Christmas Baby edition on December 25.
The group also serves as traffic and security officers from the myriad of activities in the monthlong spread.
Congratulations and always keep up the good work, buddies!
*****
A lot of city residents as well as visitors are admiring the development of the frontage ground of the Baguio Cathedral. But it seems more are disappointed saying that the newly-constructed metal cages, fences and railing are disturbing the original beauty and ambiance of the area.
Worst of all, they claim, the Cathedral frontage has become a site for commercial advertisement, banners, streamers, etc. They also argued that the litany of eateries and souvenir shops around the old City Post Office must be removed and the place be restored to its original setting. "Clean and spacious for traffic movement." On this score, I agree 101 percent.
But who will enforce the public eye and observation? Our concerned leaders in good governance must know the answer to the 65-dollar question.
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A major show window of our fair city is traffic-management. The stricter and sustained enforcement of traffic rules must be the order "day in and day out." And anytime for that matter! Unfortunately, for one reason or the other, our local police office needs to put in more effort and more attention to improve our traffic situation.
A throng of our jeepney, taxi and even private car drivers need to be disciplined. The city ordinance on traffic activities are more than enough! But again, stricter and a respectable level of implementation must be had. For a fact, from 6:30 to about 8 a.m. and then from 5 to about 8 p.m. every day, our main streets more often than not, become a traffic jungle. Maybe because of the city's shortage of police personnel.
The services of barangay tanods and maybe even the ROTC cadets can come to the rescue if only to help maintain better traffic activities. No offense made. This is just a true-to- life observation, comment from people who like Baguio. And love it with heart and soul!
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The Special Day for Special People, a special sports offering for the city's differently-abled community took place Sunday with Texas instruments as event host. The successful result of the sportfest will be featured next week.
