A Council of Five, July 6, 2008

Did you know that up to 1959, the Baguio City Council was composed of only five members consisting of the mayor, vice mayor, one councilor appointed by the President and two elected councilors? At that time, the mayor was also the presiding officer of the Council.
By virtue of the Local Autonomy Law effective in 1960, all five members of the city council were elected for the first time. Former Councilor Luis Lardizabal became the first elected mayor defeating Councilor Benito H. Lopez. Vice Mayor Norberto De Guzman became the first vice mayor to become the presiding officer of the City Council.
The composition of the City Council was also increased to six members, all elected. In 1991, with the passage of RA 7160 or the Local Government Code, the number of members of the City Council was increased to 12 based on Baguio’s being a highly urbanized city. In addition, the chairman of the Baguio Association of Barangay Councils and the chair of the Federation of Barangay Youth Councils became the members of the City Council, increasing the total number of local legislators to 14.
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TRIVIA: In 1904, W. Cameron Forbes as one of the Philippine Commissioners, invited Daniel H. Burnham and Pierce Anderson, Chicago landscape artists, to come to Baguio and build a dream city. These men, it should be recalled to their credit, accepted the commission involving fourteen thousand acres and asked nothing for their services. Of their work Forbes gives the greatest of praise: "It was most fortunate that the Philippine government should have the privilege of the great vision of Mr. Burnham in facing this problem and the plan that he made has since been adhered to faithfully." Forbes is also credited for helping establish the Baguio Country Club, using his own time, effort, and personal money to tide it through the early years.
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It is exactly 419 days before the 100th Charter Day Anniversary of Baguio City on September 1, 2009.
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The Baguio Centennial Commission is calling on all aspiring artists, hobbyists, Fine Arts or Architecture students, presently enrolled in the college level in any Baguio school, to contribute something worthwhile and memorable for Baguio’s Centennial celebrations. The CenteCom is sponsoring a Centennial Marker Design Contest on Saturday, July 16, 2008, 8:30 to 12:00 noon at the Baguio Convention Center lobby. Cash prizes, certificates and instant recognition await the winners.
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The winning Centennial marker designs shall be placed in at least 15 different sites all over Baguio City to underline their historic significance or contributions to the life of our city in the past 100 years. Thus, the design contest must come up with a distinctive design that shall communicate both the historical significance of a site, building, or park, while generating a sense of caring and pride.
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Participants, using their own art materials (except for illustration boards that shall be provided by the CenteCom) should be able to render their artworks in full colored, three-dimensional or perspective drawings. Their works shall then be judged by a panel of judges based on a set of criteria that includes theme, visual impact, design and originality. The CenteCom shall participate in the final selection process and help determine the winning design.
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Participants may pre-register until July 15 at the Baguio Centennial Commission Office, Baguio Convention Center; or call up (074) 446-2009 for more details.
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The CenteCom this week received a much-needed financial boost from the Fernando Rosa Bautista Foundation Inc. which donated an initial P100,000.00 for the projects of the Commission. On hand to receive the donation from FRB Foundation Vice President Geminina B. Datu and Treasurer Eleanor Rosa B. Razon was CenteCom marketing point person Mike Pearson.
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The CenteCom is intent in celebrating the 63rd anniversary of the surrender of Japanese General Tomoyuki Yamashita this September. Yamashita, called the Tiger of Malaya during World War II, surrendered to American and Filipino Forces in Kiangan, Ifugao, but his surrender was formalized atop two ping-pong tables at the US Ambassador’s residence at Camp John Hay on September 3, 1945. This officially ended the hostilities in the Philippines committed by the Japanese Imperial Army under the command of the General Yamashita. Plans are being finalized in the CenteCom committee on programs and special events under Commissioner Gerry Evangelista, including coordination work with the US Embassy and local government officials for a simple but meaningful observance.
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The CenteCom wishes to convey its heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of the late Regional Environment Director Oscar M. Hamada who joined our Creator last Wednesday due to a lingering illness. He faithfully served our region as environment official, after which he was assigned to the Bicol region where he eventually retired. His burial is scheduled in Manila this Wednesday. --Email the CenteCom Updates at adambaguio@yahoo.com

Baguio Is His Monument, June 28, 2008

It is exactly 427 days before the 100th Charter Day Anniversary of Baguio City on September 1, 2009.
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TRIVIA: In March 1947, the City Council of Baguio held necrological services for the late Mayor Eusebius J. Halsema, on the occasion of the transfer of his mortal remains to the Baguio Cemetery from the site of the Notre Dame Hospital, where he was killed during the bombing of Baguio City, ironically, by the American Liberation forces on March 17, 1945. The Council then wished to erect an impressive monument for the late Baguio Mayor, who might rightfully be called the "Father of Baguio," because much of what Baguio is today can be traced to the tireless and almost lifetime labors of Engineer Halsema. But the Halsema family expressly requested that no money be spent for such a monument.
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Halsema is the longest-serving Baguio mayor, to date. Halsema was born December 12, 1882, in the small Ohio community of New Bremen. His parents were Dutch Catholics who had come to America to avoid economic and religious difficulties in their native land. His father was a watchmaker and jeweler. With five children to support on a small income, he could supply no luxuries. Young Halsema took many odd jobs to help, including winding the church clock and marching in torchlight political parades. When Halsema graduated from high school at the turn of the century he chose the Philippines as the subject of his address, for no conscious reason except that the country was very much in the news at that time, having just been taken over by the United States.
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He went to college one year and worked the next in the town bank as assistant cashier, earning enough money to scrimp through the next year of engineering training. Some summers he worked as a surveyor on railroad- and road-construction projects in the Rocky Mountain states. In 1907 he received the precious degree making him a civil engineer. With a college friend he went to Los Angeles and set up shop as a real-estate dealer. But the 1907 depression was on and no one wanted to buy lots in Los Angeles. The pair lived on doughnuts and coffee and hope. But hope grew dim. One day they saw an advertisement in an engineering journal stating that positions were available in the Bureau of Public Works of the Philippines for engineers who could qualify by examination. Both took it: only Halsema passed.
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The Baguio Centennial Commission held its 46th regular meeting at the Baguio Country Club last Wednesday. Among the topics discussed was the holding of a second fund-raising dinner coinciding with the 99th Charter Day anniversary this coming September 1. Bishop Carlito Cenzon also discussed the possibility of holding a pre-centennial golf tournament at the Baguio Country Club and Camp John Hay as a means of raising funds for the grand celebrations next year. He enthused that the mayor is very willing to support the fundraisers, and even volunteered to help look for major sponsors.
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In a related development, marketing committee point-person Mike Pearson obtained the Bishop’s nod on a planned Centennial bingo-social activity this year provided it is on a one-time basis and that prizes at stake would be in kind: like appliances, electronic gadgets, kitchenware, and similar items. Meanwhile, the committee on research and publications under point-person Gerry A. Evangelista, Sr., is finalizing the Commission’s inputs for the Centennial calendar which will be sold to the general public as a fund-raising activity for next year.
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Meanwhile, the designs committee, temporarily being handled by Doc Ronnie Paraan in the absence of Arch. Jodie Alabanza, is calling on all interested aspiring artists, photographers, and hobbyists from all walks of life to contribute designs for the Centennial stamp project being undertaken in partnership with the Philippine Postal Corporation. Deadline for submission of designs shall be on Friday, July 4, 2008 at the CenteCom office at the Baguio Convention Center.
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The Commission has also approved the appropriation of cash prizes for the Centennial marker design contest slated on July 16. The contest is open to all college students of Baguio who are given until July 15, 2008 to pre-register. Participants shall be provided with illustration boards, but should bring along their own art materials to render a memorial marker design in full colored perspective drawing.
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Environment point person Dr. Julie Cabato reported that efforts are being undertaken to coordinate with the Benguet Electric Cooperative in their planned digital inventory of sewer systems in the city as it shall provide valuable information in planning beyond 2009. She also told the Commission about continuing efforts to clean up Baguio barangays, the most recent of which was barangay Happy Glen, where key portions of the road were recently cemented courtesy of the Department of Public Works and Highways. In the pipeline are clean-up efforts from Quezon Hill to Naguilian Road. Bishop Cenzon and Chairman Bautista also added inputs about a planned rehabilitation of the city orchidarium, an upcoming monthly exhibit in the area, and the inclusion of coffee plants and coffee shops as additional tourist attractions.
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Sports point-person Dr. Charles Cheng elaborated on the upcoming Chinese Moon Festival in August, consisting of a week-long spread of celebrations of the Filipino-Chinese community. He said the occasion is meant as some sort of thanksgiving and a showcase of Filipino-Chinese cooperation and goodwill. A lecture series is slated at the University of the Philippines Baguio, alongside photo and art exhibits and a book launching about Chinese legends. Chairman Bautista added that the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio agreed to serve their own Chinese menu in time for the festival.
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Regarding Centennial awards, the body deliberated on the organization of a group that shall set guidelines for the selection of “Baguio’s Centennial Citizens” or 100 people who have contributed the most to the development of Baguio City. Atty. Edilberto Tenefrancia, point-person for the committees on education and culture and arts, suggested that the awards be given posthumously or to living recipients, provided the awardees qualify with standards to be set by the Commission or the designated committee. Mechanics for the awards, including the nomination process are still under deliberation.