YES, it’s February.
Baguio’s 10 degree Celsius temperature on the last week of January, a distant cry from Manila’s average of 25 degrees is headline worthy and very inviting indeed. To a certain extent, the celebration of the city’s Panagbenga, the annual Flower Festival seems properly timed for local tourists and visitors to obtain a double benefit – to experience the highland’s unique cold weather and with the week-long festivities, enjoy the sights and goods offered at the Market Encounter booths. I mean shawarma, the new Baguio delicacy.
The Panagbenga is always a great time to be in Baguio – nothing could be better than finding your way through a sea of two million people or more loosed on the city’s streets. The likelihood is after eighteen years of successfully celebrating the Panagbenga with the nation – some P250 million in revenue (2013) from P17 million (1996), more visitors and more participants, Baguio’s rustic infrastructure to host this growing event has not improved and unless constructive steps are taken, dangerously remains the same.
The newly renovated Baguio City Athletic Bowl costing P115 million will no longer be an eye sore but soon to be a boon to Baguio and its athletes. Having trained many softbelles there in its decaying state, I was glad to have seen earth move to make it better. Actually, it has become much better. The much improved facility with its track oval rubberized in conformity with international standards has long been a tracksters’ dream.
It will give Baguio sports a big boost (assuming it continues to be accessible). The bleachers were also improved (kudos!) although in my opinion, something more brilliant could have been done with the location or position of the bleachers to improve visibility of the games played from the stands but the change would have to be a major reconstruction. What should marvel us is not the facility alone but the how the games are seen and played.
The handicap notwithstanding, the gargantuan effort led by Baguio City congressman Nicasio Aliping and the City Government is more than good.
It will also benefit Baguio tourism - thru sports assuming the city government will be proactive in undertaking programs of creating and hosting regional and national sports competitions.
The annual Palarong Pambansa which hosting chores are moved from one region to another is good for one shot but what’s next after this event? An empty bowl? There’s got to some much more than the Palarong Pambansa Or the Philippine National Games? Maybe an event with international favor? Hopefully the Baguio City Athletic Bowl will not be a popular venue for another religious or political rally on a sports facility (not that I have anything against anyone’s religion or political party).
With baseball and softball one the rise nationally and internationally, the Little League Philippines and ASAPHIL would likely be interested. Perhaps my only query as one formerly in the games is if the spaces are enough to play on eight diamonds simultaneously? An international Little League event demands that much space. Perhaps in this light, the administration of the good mayor could spare the hallowed Melvin Jones parade grounds from transforming it into a cold looking and concrete parking building. Although not all things green are beautiful, green grass on a wide open space is truly beautiful, sir.
Perhaps, the city should begin its search to find someone in the mold of one Anthony de Leon, the indefatigable General Manager of the Baguio Country Club. He chairs the Panagbenga and has found a formula for the Flower Festival’s continuing success.
Such a person with the support of his or her stakeholders could launch an interesting annual sports or series of sports events in Baguio - not just for a season but for many years to come. This will make the spirits of old men and visionaries who gave life to the Baguio City Athletic Bowl in 1945 rejoice again, I’m sorry, I have none in mind to nominate.