TWELVE Senior Citizen-achievers from the city will be honoured during the closing program of the 2016 Octoberbest Celebration, jointly sponsored by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (DSWDO), Office for Senior Citizens Affairs (OSCA) and the Baguio Elderly Assembly (BEA). The “parangal” ceremony is set at the BARP Foundation Center along Bokawkan Road October 29. The historic event is coordinated by the BARP Foundation Special Events Committee with yours truly at the helm.
Baguio sportswoman Rebecca “Bee” Watanabe, a bemedaled world tenpin bowling champion and veteran journalist lawyer Aurelio Galacgac will lead the awardees who will receive the prestigious Gintong Tala Luminary Award for exemplary leadership and for extraordinary volunteer services in the city’s various community development efforts.
Watanabe owns 11 golds, two silvers and three bronze medals during her stint as a member of the Philippine National Tenpin Bowling Teas in the 80s and the 90’s. Her prolific medal tally include her Master Event’s titles in the Asian FIQ, Southeast Asian Games and several Inter-cities Bowling Tournament held in Denmark, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Saudi Arabia and in the country. The Philippine Sportswear Association awarded her as Bowler of the Year in 1982 while the NCCB Kafagway Sports enshrined her in the first batch of sportsmen Hall of Famers in 1992.
On the other hand, Galacgac climbed the ladder of prominence in the field of journalism, starting as a working student and then as a staffer of the Philippine News Agency (PNA), which he later headed for more than 20 long years. He finished his law course at the University of the Cordilleras where he is presently teaching journalism subjects.
The awardees include Rev. Edison Cabrito for religious and spiritual service; retired City Engineer Leo Bernardez – government service, executive department; former city Vice Mayor and City Councilor Betty Tabanda – government service, legislative department and incumbent City Prosecutor Elmer Manuel Sagsago for government service, judiciary department.
Also in the pool of honourees are Dr. Elma Donaal in the field of education; Dr. Romeo Abiog for medicine; City Councilor Roberto Ortega for his PNP services as Baguio City Chief of Police; Michael del Rosario – business and trade developer; Edgar Juralbal for Tourism and special events and Edit Ibarra, president of the Federation of Baguio Senior Citizen (FBASECA) from the civic-social and fraternal sector.
The members of the Octoberbest 2016 Awards and Recognition Committee which I also serve as co-chair with BARP Foundation President-CEO Prof. Federico Balanag are Director Helen Tibaldo of the Philippine Information Agency-CAR, Aileen Refuerzo from the PIO City Hall, City of Baguio; ABS CBN TV Patrol Northern Luzon Dobie de Guzman and NCCB OSCA head Isaias Barongan as advisers.
Prayer and flag rites will usher in the October 29 “Parangal” program.
Fangasan will set the tone of the gathering with her opening remarks. Then the presentation of Gintong Tala awards will follow. The award presenters will be headed by Congressman Mark Go, City Mayor Mauricio Domogan and City Councilor Lilian Farinas. In the east are Prof. Balanag, Director Tibaldo, Fangasan, Forester Barlongan and Refuerzo. I will serve as the presiding officer during the award ceremonies. After the presentation of tokens of recognition, Congressman Go and Mayor Domogan will deliver their individual congratulatory messages.
A cultural show of dance and music by winners of the Octoberbest Pista sa Nayon Lolo and Lolas talent presentation will show their wares, dedicated to the awardees. This will be followed by the BARP’s monthly assembly meeting showcasing the presentation of birthday celebrants for the month of October. The presentation and distribution of BARP’s mutual aid benefits to over a dozen beneficiaries will have his president’s moments to inform the BARPers about the recent and present activities of the foundation. The curtains of the celebration go down with the singing of the BARP Hymn and a closing prayer to be offered by Pastor Rene Asuncion. Oh yes, BOT Marlyn de Castro and CSWDO staffer Myrna Valencerina will serve as co-emcee.
For added information specially for the city’s elderly population, the annual Baguio Elderly Octoberbest Celebration is anchored and implemented pursuant to the provisions of a Presidential Proclamation in 1997, a Sangguniang Panglunsod ng Baguio Resolution in Year 2002 and a Covenant of Unity forged in 2003 by leading Senior Citizens Associations (FBASECA), Philippine Government Retirees Association, Baguio Chapter (PGRA); the Veterans Federation of the Philippines, Baguio District (VFP) and the United States Armed Forces in the Philippines (USAFID), Northern Luzon) composed of World War II Veterans from the famous 66th Infantry Regiment of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
With modesty and pardonable pride, it was the BEA who brainchild and initiated the month-long Octoberbest program with yours truly as the chairman and executive program, officer. The oprigianl BEA members of the Board one Prof. Balanag, (BARP) Ret. Col. Napoleon Gojo (VFP); Commander Robert Billasi (USAFIP NL): the late Supt. Jose Olarte (PGRA) and Ernesto Esguerra (FBASECA). The late City councilor Galo Wegan was the chairman of the Senior Citizens Committee in the City Council.
Engr. Bernardo Vergara was the City Mayor while incumbent CSWDO Officer Betty Fangasan served as the adviser. Former Senator and incumbent Congressman Rodolfo Biazon was the principal during the signing.