WITH the inspiring and challenging theme "Peace and Solidarity Our Key to Prosperity" the most awaited Philippines-Japan Friendship Day celebration in our city takes the center stage on Sunday, July 23, with a collage of commemorative events marking the historic episode.
The day-long celebration starts at 9 a.m. with wreath laying, prayer and candlelight ceremonies at the Fil-Japanese Memorial Park along Gov. Pack Road.
City Mayor Mauricio Domogan and Toshio Kamauchi, Counselor and Chief Consul from the Japanese Embassy together with Carlos Teraoka, Chairman of the Fil-Japanese Foundation of Northern Luzon will lead the ceremonial entourage.
Officers of the Baguio Elderly Assembly (BEA) and the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) headed by Betty Fangasan and yours truly are also in the core, with BARP Foundation president/CEO Prof. Federico Balanag, FBASECA president Edita Ibarra, PGRA Baguio Chapter president and OSCA Head Forester Isaias Barongan and Board Member Jaime Castro, among others.
At 1 p.m., the "Tomodochi Day" program highlighted with the "potongan" rites honoring the Friendship Muses and their respective escorts and cultural show. Kamauchi is the guest of honor and speaker. The diplomat will be introduced by Irene Hamada, PhD. The red letter day program will be held at the Baguio City High School Auditorium.
The "potongan" VIP personalities include Domogan, Madam Soledad Go, the charming better half of Congressman Mark Go, Teraoka, Chyrleem Sabling, Office Head of the Veterans Federation of the Philippines, Baguio; Fangasan and FJ Foundation Executive Director Arnel Cabanisas, who initiated the revival edition of the citywide friendship day celebration in partnership with the BEA, CSWDO-OSCA and the National Correspondents Club of Baguio (NCCB).
The salient features of the afternoon endeavor starts with a photo exhibit dubbed "Fil-Japanese Friendship Through the Years," invocation by the Faculty Club of the Kiddies Kingdom International School, the flag rites by Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, singing of the Baguio Hymn by CSWDO staff and Day Care Centers teachers. Teraoka will give the welcome talk while Domogan will deliver his greetings to set the tone of the celebration.
Participants in the cultural presentation are Sony Casoga of FBASECA, PGRA, Baguio Chapter; National Institute of Information Technology, Baguio Cosplay Group, BCNH Performing Arts, and the FJ Foundation ABONG students.
A very special entertainment offering of the Kultura-O-rama is a solo concert by Japan's famed opera singer Mieke Tsurusawa. She will sing a repertoire of classical Japanese selection dedicated to music lovers. Her participation in the local celebration courtesy of the Japanese Embassy.
Another limelight of the program is the presentation of awards and recognition of tri-media publications and a set of media practitioners and civic-social organizations who in the past few years and up to the present are giving life and substance to the ideals and principles of Fil-Japanese brotherhood relationship.
The major media awardees are ABS CBN, TV Patrol Northern Luzon, Baguio Midland Courier, SunStar Baguio and Bombo Radyo Philippines, Baguio Radio Station DZWX. The others in the roll of honor are Zaldy Comanda, photo correspondent of Manila Bulletin and Balita; Andy Zapanta, photo journalist of the Philippine Star; Mauricio Victa, photo journalist of the Business Mirror, Aileen Refuerzo, PIO Officer, City of Baguio; Tom Picana, publisher-editor of Amianan Balita Ngayon; Joseph Zambrano of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), Cordillera Administrative Region; Edong Carta, president of the Cordillera Broadcasters Association and Romy Gonzlaes of Radio Station DZRH.
The civic-social organization awardees are FBASECA, PGRA Baguio Chapter, BARP Foundation, Veterans Federation of the Philippines, Baguio District; United States Armed Forces of the Philippines, Northern Luzon (WW II Veterans, 66th Infantry Battalion); Baguio City National High School and the National Institute of Technology. A free raffle for handsome prizes follows.
Again, we are inviting the cosmopolitan residents of Magandang Baguio to celebrate with the city and the nation the significant occasion on Fil-Japanese friendship bridge. Welcome and Mabuhay tayong lahat!
May I take this opportunity to thank Executive Director Cabanisas for inviting me in particular to help in the citywide revival edition of the Fil-Japanese Friendship Day Celebration. It is certainly a wonderful experience working with him. With his full support, the original members of the working committee once again demonstrated their loyalty to the cause.
This coming Saturday, July 28, the BARP Foundation will celebrate its 118th year anniversary. Foundation president Prof. Balanag said this year's affair will be simple but will be as meaningful as the past years. It will be held at the BARP Center. The day's program starts at 8 a.m. with the election of new members of the Board of Trustee. At 9 a.m., a Holy Mass at the center will be celebrated by His Excellency Bishop Victor of the Baguio Diocese. After the Holy Eucharist, the regular monthly assembly of the Foundation will follow. The recognition of July birthday celebrants, the induction of new members and the presentation of mutual aid benefits to deserving recipients are in the agenda. Happy Birthday to BARPers!