THE Baguio City National High School observed its 100th year anniversary last Thursday with a chain of commemorative events to mark its extremely successful growth and development as one of the leading secondary schools not only in Northern Luzon but throughout the Philippines. Like the thousands who passed through its portals, I am fortunate to be an alumnus of the noble institution. Modesty aside, I belong to Baguio City High School class of 1949. In our batch were our valedictorian and late Dr. and Benguet Governor Andres Bugnosen, the brother of former Baguio City Mayor Jaime Bugnosen, the late Baguio City Councilor Andy Cariño, the late Bernardo Dicang, my childhood mate along Avelino Street in Guisad Valley, and Atty. Conrado “Condring” Bueno, among others.
At least, two days before the centennial celebration the AAA/ABC Awards Program was held to honor the most outstanding international and national athletes and sports leader of the school, particularly from the members of the alumni association. The awardees were recognized for their respective performance and highly meritorious achievement in their chosen sport. Mr. Romulo Flora, BCNHS principal set the tone of the gathering with his hearty welcome talk. He congratulated the awardees as well as the organizers of the special event led by media man-sportsman Pigeon Lobien and radioman Edong Carta, president of the BCNHS Parent Teacher Association for initiating and implementing the awards rite.
The honorees from media were Jordan Tablac, station manager of Bombo Radio Philippines, Baguio and Roderic Osis, editor of Sun.Star Baguio, the only daily newspaper in Northern Luzon. Coaches John Hongitan of archery and Aris Bocalan of football were also in the honor role. The coach of the year plum went to Danilo Alimbuyao, former Gintong Alay SEA Game gold medalist in track who is retiring from government service this coming August. The athlete of the year award went to Justine Kobe Macario, a gold medalist in the Taekwondo Junior World Championship held last year. Athlete of the Year honors also went to Kareel Meer Hongitan, a team member of the PHL archery team who at present is abroad undergoing rigid training and hoping to see action in the Rio, Brazil Olympic Games.
Named as the BCNHS Centennial Athletes were veteran wushu warrior Daniel Parantac, silver medalist in taulo in the World Wushu Championship held a year ago.
Alice Kate Aparri – boxing (W) – gold medalist, SEA Games 2005, 2009 and 2011. Silver medallist in the 2007 SEA Games edition. Josie Gabuco – boxing (W) – gold medalist AIBA World Championship 2012 gold medalist SEA Games 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015. The award presenters were Mr. Flora, Edong, Pigeon and yours truly as the guest of honor and speaker.
During my brief congratulatory message to the awardees, the event organizers and the BCNHS authorities, I suggested and highly recommended for consideration that the school authorities study the possibility to put up a Hall of Fame room in the school to perpetuate the golden achievement of our school athletes and sports leaders who gave fame and glory not only to the institution but to the city, the CAR region and over and above our country in particular. I am deeply elated that Mr. Flora favoured the idea and that hopefully in the near future it will come to fruition. At this time may I add that the Hall of Fame may include other outstanding alumni personalities in other fields of endeavor , like government service, civic-social services, etc. I am thinking at this time, the inclusion of the late Senator Juan Flavier, one of the most outstanding Cabinet Members of Ramos Administration. The Hall of Fame will also serve as an everlasting inspiration to the students and members of the alumni association.
The Blessed Association of the Retired Persons (BARP) will celebrate its 17th Foundation Day Anniversary on July 30, next month. Right now, the committees involve in the significant event are bust preparing their respective activities to commemorate the red letter day. One of the highlights of the forthcoming annual event on the prestigious BARP Kafagway Journalism Awards to be presented to the most outstanding practitioners in tri-media, in the region. The 10 awardees will come from the television outfits, print and broadcast agencies. Happily, I am the chairman of the BARP Awards and Recognition Committee. Presently I am coordinating the selection of honourees with NCCB awards body and other media aggrupations in the city. The 10 awardees will come from tri-media – two from television, three from radio and five from print which include local media men and correspondents for the various national newspapers. Other activities of the BARP’s forthcoming big commemorative activities will be announce next week. Oh yes, thank you for the athletic jacket gifted to me by the organizers of the Awards Program.