THE Executive Committee of the 2017 Philippines-Japan Friendship Day Celebration in the city for the past few weeks has been working round the clock to insure the special event will be more exciting, more joyful and more meaningful.
The national episode with an international significance is set on July 23, this month.
Japanese Embassy dignitaries and ranking city government officials led by City Mayor Mauricio Domogan have been invited to lead in the various activities for the day.
Mieke Tsurusawa, an international opera vocalist from the Land of the Rising Sun, courtesy of the Japanese Embassy, will also grace the occasion. She will dish out a repertoire of classical selection dedicated to music lovers during the cultural show of the celebration.
The citywide celebration formally starts at 9 o’clock in the morning with a prayer, floral offering and a candle light ceremony to be held at the Fil-Japanese Memorial Park along Gov. Pack Road.
Aside from the Japanese and city government officials senior citizens from the Baguio Elderly Assembly (BEA) led by Betty Fangasan, City Social Welfare and Development Office (DSWD) officer and yours truly will join the memorial rites Arnel Cabanisas, Executive Director of the Fil-Japanese Foindation, Inc. Northern Luzon said, officers and members of the Foundation headed by its chairman Carlos Teraoka will be at the helm of the offering sked.
Suffice it to say, that this year's Fil-Japanese "tomodochi day" observance in our city is a revival edition of the grand historic endeavor. The BEA-CSWDO-OSCA in partnership with the city administration and the Fil-Japanese Foundation in cooperation with the city administration and the Fil-Japanese Foundation in cooperation with the National Correspondents Club of Baguio (NCCB) initiated and coordinated the first of its kind way back in 2009.
It was a successful undertaking as part of the Baguio Charter Day Centennial Anniversary program. The BEA officers from the United States Armed Forces of the Philippines (VFP, Baguio District) Federation of Baguio Senior Citizens Associations (FBASECA), Philippine Government Retirees Association, Baguio Chapter (PGREA) together with Hiro san several months before about the celebration journeyed to Manila and met with Japanese Embassy officials about the celebration.
Happily, we got the Embassy's approval to proceed with the activity.
Yours truly and the late Engr. Leopoldo Escaño, former FJF Executive Director worked hand in hand to manage the affair.
With the same set of sponsor, the Fil-Japanese Friendship Day program was held in 2011 to 2014. Because of the sudden departure of Engr. Escaño, the annual celebration was suspended momentarily until Exec. Director Cabanisas requested us to revive the celebration in the city following the format of the past years.
This is the true picture of the "tomadachi day" celebration in Magandang Baguio.
As mentioned earlier, part I of the July 23rd program is the memorial service. Part II of the celebration will take place at the Baguio City National High School Auditorium starting at 1 o'clock in the afternoon with a photo exhibit.
The salient parts of the "Friendship" program and cultural show include the invocation by the faculty club of the Kiddos Kingdom International School (KKIS); the entry of the colors by Boy and Girl Scouts color bearers, the singing of the Pambansang Awit, the National Anthem of Japan and the Baguio Hymn led by CSWDO staffers and Day Care Center teachers.
Hon. Teraoka, Chairman of the FJ Foundation will give the welcome remarks followed by an intermission no. from pupils of KKIS.
City Mayor Domogan will deliver his greetings and inspirational message.
After his talk, the presentation, march and coronation ceremonies honoring the Friendship Day Muses will take the center stage.
To be crowned are Miss Friendship, Miss Peace and Miss Solidarity, from the FJF, BCNHS, and the BSP Baguio City Council respectively. After the "potongan" ceremony, the distinguished guest of honor and speaker from the Japanese Embassy will be introduced Irene B. Hamada, Ph.D. The cultural presentation follows after the speech of the honored guest.
Sonny Casuga from Fbaseca will render a "harana" dedicated to the Muses and their Escorts. PGRA will render a chorus number. The highland Igorot tribal dancers from the National Institute of Information and Technology will take on the stage with select Cordillera dances; the Baguio Cosplay Group presentation will follow. At least two popular provincial folk dances will be presented by the BCNHS performing arts group while the FJF Abong singer will showcase Japanese songs.
As added luster to the occasion, Miss Tsurusawa the versatile opera vocalist will charm and entertain us with special songs.
This is the first time in the history of the special event that a singer of her caliber is included in the program.
Another highlight of the day's offering is the presentation of awards and recognition to premier supporters and patrons of the celebration.
Leading the awardees are tri-media organizations in the city.
The roll of honor is led by ABS CBN TV Patrol Northern Luzon, Baguio Midland Courier, SunStar Baguio and Bombo Radyo Philippines, Baguio Station DZWX. The founding members of the celebration will also be cited.
A special free raffle with handsome prizes will be held before the closing "pasasalamat" remarks of lawyer Allyson Locano. The program ends with the "Fellowhsip Ring."
Yours truly and Myrna Valencerina, a staff member from the CSWDO will co-emcee the program.
Again, join us in the celebration and in our hourney to lasting Fil-Japanese brotherhood. Remeber for always that "peace and solidarity is our key to prosperity."