City lolo’s and lola’s Octoberbest celebration ends today

ALL roads lead to the lolos and lolas Pista sa Nayon to be held at the Baguio Convention Center set at 1 o’clock on Oct 25. The traditional Pilipino festivity, marks the culminating month-long activities of Senior Citizens which started on October 2 with the Senior Citizens Officials for a Day (SCOFAD) program. At least, a select group of 58 city elderlies took over the leadership ladder of the city administration for a day. Certainly, the oncein-a-blue-moon opportunity was a great experience for all the SCOFAD city officials.

The Pista sa Nayon will highlight with two grand events. On the podium is the Gintong Tala Luminaries Award Rites, honoring the 12 Most Outstanding Senior Citizens in the city this year. This will be the 15th year edition of the honor rites since the Baguio Elderly Assemnly (BEA) initiated and implemented the program in consonance with a Presidential Proclamation, several Ctiy Council Resolutions and further strengthened by a “Covenant of Unity”, forged by BEA member organizations like the BARP Foundation, Federation of Baguio Senior Citizens Associations (FBASECA); Philippine Government Retirees Association – Baguio Chapter (PGRA – Baguio); Veterans Federation of the Philippine – Baguio District (VFP – Baguio); and the United States Armed Forces of the Philippines Northern Luzon Chapter (USAFIP NL), WW II Veterans from the 66th Infantry Battalion, AFP. The awards and recognition endeavor is co-sponsored by the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) and the Office for Senior Citizens’ Affairs, in partnership with the city government.

The awardees are Hadji Jamal Makarangkat, City Counselor Elaine Zembrano, retired GSO Romeo Concio, RTC-Baguio Judge Mia O. Cawed, Dr. Ronaldo Paraan, educator Ray Dean Salvosa, Director Stela de Guia, businesswoman Nancy Alabanza, Ret. PNP Gen. Villamor Bumanlang, Betty Fangasan, President, Association of Local Social and Development Officers of the Philippines and incumbent CSWDO Head, mediaman Roger Mercado and former Ctiy Councilor and sportsman Rufino Panagan.

The honorees were cited for their individual leadership, performance and achievement in their respective profession, career, or vocation, and for their active and commendable involvement in community development activities for a better Baguio, as volunteers.

The presentation and coronation ceremonies of the Ginang Lakambini and Ginoong Lakan of BARP, FBASECA, PGRA,VFP and USAFIP NL is the other highlight of the Pista sa Nayon. A cast of VIP guests will officiate the “potogan” ceremonies, led by City Mayor Mauricio Domogan and Congressman Mark Go. A cultural presentation of folk dances and songs by lolos and lolas will end the afternoon program.

Join us in the celebration of the 44TH Anniversary of Silahis ng Pasko sa Baguio this coming December. We are more than happy to inform our cosmopolitan residents that our December Christmas program is ready to fire off from its launching pad. Thanks again to the joint efforts and cooperative spirit of the National Correspondents Club of Baguio (NCCB) and the CSWDO led by Betty Fangasan and her hardworking staff who prepared the various month-long activities of Silahis ng Pasko 2017. Of course, our biggest “pasasalamat” to the different organizations and individuals who make up the SNPB family, who through the years make the joy-