ALL roads lead to the lolos and lolas Pista sa Nayon to be held at the Baguio Convention Center set at 1 p.m., October 25. The traditional Pilipino festivity, marks the culminating month-long activities of Senior Citizens which started on October 2 with the Senior Citizens Officials for a Day (SCOFAD) program. At least, a select group of 58 city elderlies took over the leadership ladder of the city administration for a day. Certainly, the once-in-a-blue-moon opportunity was a great experience for all the SCOFAD city officials.
The Pista sa Nayon will highlight with two grand events. On the podium is the Gintong Tala Luminaries Award Rites, honoring the 12 Most Outstanding Senior Citizens in the city this year. This will be the 15th year edition of the honor rites since the Baguio Elderly Assembly (BEA) initiated and implemented the program in consonance with a Presidential Proclamation, several Ctiy Council Resolutions and further strengthened by a “Covenant of Unity”, forged by BEA member organizations like the BARP Foundation, Federation of Baguio Senior Citizens Associations (FBASECA); Philippine Government Retirees Association – Baguio Chapter (PGRA – Baguio); Veterans Federation of the Philippine – Baguio District (VFP – Baguio); and the United States Armed Forces of the Philippines Northern Luzon Chapter (USAFIP NL), WW II Veterans from the 66th Infantry Battalion, AFP. The awards and recognition endeavor is co-sponsored by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and the Office for Senior Citizens’ Affairs, in partnership with the city government.
The awardees are Hadji Jamal Makarangkat, City Counselor Elaine Zembrano, retired GSO Romeo Concio, RTC-Baguio Judge Mia O. Cawed, Dr. Ronaldo Paraan, educator Ray Dean Salvosa, Director Stela de Guia, businesswoman Nancy Alabanza, Ret. PNP Gen. Villamor Bumanlang, Betty Fangasan, President, Association of Local Social and Development Officers of the Philippines and incumbent CSWDO Head, mediaman Roger Mercado and former Ctiy Councilor and sportsman Rufino Panagan.
The honorees were cited for their individual leadership, performance and achievement in their respective profession, career, or vocation, and for their active and commendable involvement in community development activities for a better Baguio, as volunteers.
The presentation and coronation ceremonies of the Ginang Lakambini and Ginoong Lakan of BARP, FBASECA, PGRA,VFP and USAFIP NL is the other highlight of the Pista sa Nayon. A cast of VIP guests will officiate the “potogan” ceremonies, led by City Mayor Mauricio Domogan and Congressman Mark Go. A cultural presentation of folk dances and songs by lolos and lolas will end the afternoon program.
Join us in the celebration of the 44TH Anniversary of Silahis ng Pasko sa Baguio this coming December. We are more than happy to inform our cosmopolitan residents that our December Christmas program is ready to fire off from its launching pad. Thanks again to the joint efforts and cooperative spirit of the National Correspondents Club of Baguio (NCCB) and the CSWDO led by Betty Fangasan and her hardworking staff who prepared the various month-long activities of Silahis ng Pasko 2017. Of course, our biggest “pasasalamat” to the different organizations and individuals who make up the SNPB family, who through the years make the joyful project an affair to cherish.
At a glimpse, Silahis ng Pasko kicks off on December 1, who the Childrens-Parents mardigras after the coronation rites honoring the Little Mr. and Miss Silahis ng Pasko sa Baguio at the Baguio Convention Center. Over 4,000 Day Care Center pupils together with their parents will be in the big show. Our "Share a Joy Program for Mothers" Little Helping Hands’ follows on December 2.
On December 3, the prestigious PMA Cadets Day at the Park will be take centerstage at Burnham Park. A silent drill exhibition by the elite Cadet Compnay and a PMA Band Concert at the park are the main attractions of this event. This time around, officers and members of the tri-media aggrupations in the city specially from the PIA-CAR, KBP, BCBC, PIO Baguio, NCCB, and the CBA will be special guests for the two occasions. The media groups will be joined by the Baguio Elderly Assembly member associations and the general public.
The quest for the lucky Baguio City family happens on December 2 to 3. Following this, the Immaculate Conception Day celebration will be held on December 8. A thanksgiving Holy Mass will be held at the NCCB Shrine of the Brown Madonna along Km. 7, Asin Road, for the return of peace and order and the speedy rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City and for the souls of the departed soldiers, PNP, and other personalities who gave their lives for the sake of freedom, peace, and democracy.
From December 8 to 11, the Quest for the Baguio Lucky Foreign Visitor 2017 will be on focus, courtesy of NCCB, DOT-CAR, the city government of Baguio, La Trinidad, Benguet and the province as a whole through the governor’s office.
A four day red carpet reception and accommodation sked awaits the lucky ones.
The Malcolm Square will become a beehive of cultural activities on December 9 with the Baguio City National High School’s singing and dancing Christmas Tree presentation.
The cultural palabras is jointly hosted by the BAMAPCOM and the SLU-SVP Housing Cooperative. The cultural show will be staged at the Malcolm Square.
On December 16, People With Disabilities (PWD) will take the drivers sit. The Special Day for Special People wll feature a chess tournament for the blind, as amateur singing contest and an instrumental competition, all with handsome cash prizes at stake. The activities will be held at the Malcolm Square.
The guest for the city's Lucky Christmas Baby hosted by Baguio Balikbayans Bonnie and Jossie Delenela is set on Dec. 25 while the guest for lucky New Baby hosted by retired US Navy Angel Villalarvo and family is on January 1, 2018.
The traditional Baguio Lucky Balikbayans and International Cordillera-sportsmen Day program is on December 30 at the Sunshine Park. A mini-canao in honor of the Balikbayans and the athletes is part of the reception bash.