Baguio Centennial Updates, June 15, 2008

It is exactly 441 days before the 100th Charter Day Anniversary of Baguio City on September 1, 2009.
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The Baguio Centennial Commission, headed by Chairman Dr. Virgilio C. Bautista held its 45th regular meeting last June 11, 2008 at the Baguio Country Club. Also in attendance was Mr. Victor Agcaoili, person-in-charge of the rehabilitation of the Children’s Park. He presented the proposed development plans for the park, which plays a vital role in the life of Baguio residents and their families, and the city as a whole.
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The marketing and tourism projects committee under Mike Pearson updated the Commission on various thrusts being undertaken to augment the body’s financial position and meet the budgetary requirements of all plans and programs for the Centennial observance next year. The Commission is beating a self-imposed June 30, 2008 deadline to finalize its calendar of activities and programs for next year’s celebrations.
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Education and culture and arts committee point-person Atty. Edilberto Tenefrancia presented a draft letter to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo outlining the Commission’s position on reported development plans affecting the Baguio Convention Center area. The contents of the letter-appeal was summarized by Bishop Carlito Cenzon, Commission point- person for parks, when he said during the meeting that the tree park across the University of the Philippines Baguio campus is the only remaining greenbelt smack at the center of the City, and should thus be preserved.
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Dr. Ronald Paraan of the committee on Centennial markers announced a call for entries in a Centennial Stamp Design activity scheduled on July 4, 2008. The stamp designs may be made on short bond paper, using any medium, and would be judged jointly by the Commission and the Philippine Postal Corporation. The Postal Corporation shall take charge of the production and distribution of the stamps. In relation to this, entries may already be submitted for the design of Centennial markers which are to be built on different historic sites around the city. Deadline for marker designs will be on July 16, 2008. For more information on these activities, participants may contact the Baguio Centennial Office at the Baguio Convention Center.
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Dr. Charles Cheng updated the Commission on the planned Centenary awards and recognition, while Dr. Julie Cabato elaborated on the ecology committee’s activities. In this connection, the Commission agreed to source out a portion of funds from the commitments of Texas Instruments (Philippines) to purchase cleaning and planting tools and implements.
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As to research and publications under Commissioner Geronimo Evangelista, the Commission is set to view a prototype of the planned Centennial calendar in its next meeting. Also under him in the special events committee, a group of Commissioners met with Hotel and Restaurant Association President, Atty. Moses Cating this week to discuss a pre-centennial golf tournament and other projects spanning the whole Centennial year.
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TRIVIA: When the Japanese army arrived in Baguio as part of their World War II conquest, they were welcomed by no less than the city’s Chief of Police, Captain Joseph J. Keith, the highest local government official here at that time. Lest the act be misconstrued as an act of surrender even before any hostilities could take place, Captain Keith’s gesture was typical of a well-respected diplomat as he cautioned the Japanese that violence or bloodshed was not necessary inasmuch as Baguio was an open city.

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