SEPTEMBER 1 was a great day to celebrate as it was Baguio’s 110th Charter Day! Everyone’s expectation and prayers for a cooperative weather and a smooth grand city parade, representing the different sectors of our beloved city, ensued. I was excited too as it was a Sunday.
I was looking forward to another great day at Session Road which was indeed full of wonderful surprises! The Country Fair at Session Road was a wonderful memory of the past. Old establishments (such as Fire Place, D&S Fine Foods, Star Café, and Fil-Indian Bazaar), sight of horses, shoe shine and photos of the past were neatly curated for everyone to see.
The air was jolly! Everybody was friends with everyone from the young to the old. The others with pets in tow also came to celebrate the Cowboy and community spirit. There was entertainment with country songs, line dancing, carnival and mobile games (Mobile Legends), magic performances, portrait sketching, chalk art, and good food. Lower Session had the delicious Minda fruits again by popular demand.
The Line Dance participants were 1st place University of Cordilleras Dance Troupe and Lualhati Caballeros; 2nd place Lualhati Kids; 3rd place Gibraltar Brgy; the other participants were Jolly Grannies and Grandpa, Dancing Pines, Brgy. Aurora Hill and Brgy. Middle Rock Quary. The judges for this segment were Engr. Alec Mapalo and yours truly. Meanwhile, the Country Singers were Caloy Puno and OCM Singers (Marcial Botis Jr. and Arnel Angel). The “Countryhan” contestants were Keneth Tobanes, Balner Sakiwat Jr., Elrodiza Bautista, Arnold Tomino, Christian Ocbos, Rayyuil Palitayan, Fray John Pistola and Salvador Luis.
The Baguio Country Fair was a collaboration of ideas and efforts of the Diocese of Baguio (Bishop Victor Bendico, Fr. Marlon Urmaza, Fr. Dexter Martin); Mangaywan Corp. (Jennifer Bello, Joseph Vivar, Henry Binay-an, April Fianza, Judy Abnasan, Venus Munar, Debby Lagare, Esther Villagracia, Arjay Alimba and Christian Baltazar); outsourced personnel from Dimensional Group (Daryl, Lester, Randy, Rodel, Desseree, Pitong and Karl), and Federal Group (Reggie, Jerome, Ernesto, Louie, Abelardo, Jesus, Juniper), NSD (Elfren Corpuz), and Ar. Greg Ano Jr.;
Partners from the City Gov. of Baguio Mayor Benjie Magalong, City Tourism Officer Engr. Alec Mapalo, City Buildings and Architecture Office (Engr. Nazita F. Banez), City Engineering Office (Engr. Edgar Victorio Olpindo); Mountain Province Broadcasting Corporation (Fr. Mark Batolne); DZWT 540kh and 99.9 Country FM Bong Reyes, emcee Johnny Travis, DJ’s John Patano, Ernesto Jr. Calinao and Jasmine Ann Jacer; Porta Vaga Mall, Montanosa Pastoral Resources Corp., Ronald Ceballos and Conrad Reyes. Special thanks to Vincent’s Place, Maridol Ruby Duran, Smart Communications, Ompong Tan, Erlyn Alcantara and UP Baguio Chancellor Dr. Raymundo Rovillos and Solibao Session (Steve Cating).
It was a swell day! The people of Baguio shall surely look forward to another community gathering such as this next year! Onwards Baguio!
(drbrendaleeavillanueva@ymail.com)