THE Silahis ng Pasko sa Baguio 45th anniversary celebration will feature three special events this weekend. This morning, Saturday, a Rosary Hour will be held at the Shrine of the Brown Madonna along Km. 7, Asin Road, to observe Immaculate Conception Day. The activity is billed at 10 a.m. after a candle lighting and floral offering by project committee members of the Shrine. Mama Mary devotees from the Silahis ng Pasko organizers, event sponsors and participants are invited to join us celebrate the occasion.
Tomorrow, Sunday, the Baguio City National High School Singing and Dancing Christmas Tree will be staged at the city’s historic Judge George Malcolm Square, scheduled at 9 o’clock in the morning.
Thanks to the generous sponsorship of the SLU SVP Cooperative Housing headed by Dole retired Judge Emitt Manantan and the Executive Board Officers and Member of Bamapcom, city public market. We missed the BCNHS extravaganza last year, because of their participation in the DepEd national cultural competition held in Manila. The different Senior Citizens organizations from the city are the honored guests during the music and dancefest.
At 2 o’clock in the afternoon the famous Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Band will showcase their musical talents and skill in a Christmas Concert at the Park. Once again, the Malcolm Square is the venue of the once in a blue moon musicfest to radiate the spirit of the Christmas Season particularly to the cosmopolitan population of Magandang Baguio.
This time around we are inviting all the international champion athletes and sportsmen and their families as the special guests during the concert. We are at this time extending the invitation to Team Lakay core of achievers with its coach Mark Sangiao, the boxing champions under the leadership of sportsman Brico Santig, our wushu international and SEA Games and Asian medalists and trackstars. Please bring your family to the concert. It has never happened before!
Congressman Mark Go and Councilor Benny Bomogao, on behalf of City Mayor Mauricio Domogan warmly greeted, praised and commended the over 4,000 CSWDO Day Car parents and their children and teachers who participated in the Silahis ng Pasko mardigras last Dec. 1.
In their separate greetings during the SNPB grand opening program at the Melvin Jones Grandstand after the mardigras, the only one of its kind in the country, both officials expressed their hope and prayers that the happiness and peace that the Christmas Season brings should be observed and done by everyone everyday.
Other city officials who came to congratulate the organizers as well as the marchers were City Councilors Leandro Yangot, Edgar Avila and former City Vice Mayor Betty Lourdes Tabanda.
The Children-Parents Mardigras was a very colorful extravaganza. The participants wore handmade costumes which showcased biblical characters – Jesus, Mama Mary and Joseph; angels, shepherds, the Three Kings, giant Christmas card and flower designs, Sta. Clauses, giant candy canes, and many more, including dancing balloons.
CSWDO Head and co-chairperson of the Silahis ng Pasko Betty Fangasan gave the welcome opening remarks. She congratulated the participants for their active demonstration of friendship, talent and skills.
The presentation and coronation rites honoring the Miss and Mr. Little Silahis ng Pasko climaxed the program. The top pageant winners were Jared Ayeza Carino from St. Joseph Child Development Center (CDC) and Raphael Cabading from Pacdal 3 CDC. The runner up honorees were Danlela Collyn Collado and Tristan James Alla; Stephanie Antolin and Melvin Balla; Shekainah Lobchoy and Ronjay Orbigoso; Chloe Uzobelle Foronda and Jared Villaruel and finally Ashley Opina and Ryker Jaziah Falag-ey.
The “potongan entouraged” included Congressman Go, City Councilors Bomogao and Yanot, Mrs. Fangasan, yours truly as the Santa Claus and parents of the children’s Royal Court.