CELEBRATING Filipino-American Friendship Day in Baguio City affords in the celebrator a strong feeling of appropriateness for the celebration than in any other Philippine city.
The reason is that it is hard to imagine a Baguio as we see it today without associating it to the friendly relation that evolved between the Philippines and the United States of America.
Kennon Road, with its exhilarating Kennon Zigzag; Burnham Park, with its Burnham Lake and Athletic Bowl; Camp John Hay, with its golf course and well-preserved natural features (sorry to say now facing destruction by the bulldozer); the Mansion House, with the horse-riding grounds and Botanical Garden nearby; Malcolm Square, with its Session Road,; and others more, all of them are prime tourist destinations. Burnham Park Lake, designed by Engr. Daniel Burnham, is a must for Baguio visitors, especially for those who come for the first time as if you did not see it, you did not see Baguio at all.
The structures, facilities or amenities mentioned or insinuated above are clearly products of two mutually helping minds and hands: highlander Filipinos for the land and materials, Americans for the modern design and execution, and the labor by both. What welcome partnership that came to create a wondrous mega-resort upon God’s mountainous greeneries and healthy climate? Not only that, spoken language was improved. Clearer English arose here, clearer to the ears than the avowed Bostonian. An SVD Brother, Bro. Ralph, told that to his relatives when he took his vacation in the States.
To speak the universal language English in Baguio is to project the culture of Baguio, it is not being unpatriotic. To elucidate further on what I want to portray, printed below is an acrostic poem in English authored by a through and through Baguio boy, veteran writer “Nars” Padilla, and which readily inspired me to encapsulate in a “high-bred” melody not only for mnemonic purpose but much more for the meaning and attestation embodied therein. Thus:
Baguio City My Love
Lyrics by: Narciso Padilla
Melody by: Prof. B.M. Balweg
B-aguio City my love
A-bloom with motherly care and sharing spirit
G-ifted with peace, unity and solitude
U-nique and universal and all awhile moving forward with
I-ts natural beauty and splendor across and
O-ver its pine-clad mountains crowned with gems of flowers of every shape and hue
Come, dear friends, and enjoy this cloud-kissed wonderland
I-namorata for everyone from far and near seeking to be a part of
T-he summer capital of the Philippines,
Y-earround paradise of joy and pride for all nations.
Coda:
Baguio City my love
Baguio City old Kafagway
Baguio cloud-kissed wonderland
Baguio City old Kafagway
Baguio cloud-kissed wonderland.
Baguio City my love
Baguio City old Kafagway
Baguio cloud-kissed wonderland.
It is hoped that the Fil-American Friendship Day clelbration will contiuously inspire greater love for Baguio in particular and the Philippines as a whole. Best wishes to America, too1It also needs our love. Matagu-tago tako!