BAGUIO CITY TURNS 114 YEARS OLD

September 1, 2023 Provincial

BAGUIO CITY

Amidst the strong monsoon rains and breeze, Baguio led by the city government celebrated the 114th anniversary as a chartered city Friday. US Ambassador to the Philippines Marykay L. Carlson,
the celebration’s guest of honor, admitted she admired how the city had become from ‘a beautiful
tapestry of people and culture, literally and figuratively,’ she said of Baguio’s evolution from a former American-patterned vacation enclave into a bustling mountain city that everybody loves.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong before locals and guests at the Baguio City Convention and Cultural Center said, “we are not here just because we are residents of Baguio but as champions
towards a resilient future, stressing this year’s Baguio Day theme: “Reflections of the past, Visions for our resilient future”. Magalong further stressed, the Baguio people can meet the challenges with
determination and seize the opportunities with boldness.

“Habang tayo ay nagmumungkahi na nagkakaisa sa layuning ito, ating tahakin ang landas patungo sa inaasam na kinabukasan.” Three awardees for the Annual Search for the Outstanding Citizens of
Baguio (SOCOB)— Ramoncito Cabrera, General Manager of The Manor at John Hay (for Business); Jail Superintendent Mary Ann Ollaging-Tresmanio (for Professional Service) and Professor Wilfredo Mina for Community Service—were feted. “I am truly honored to be here (with you),” Carlson further remarked profusely admiring how the Baguio Day program was intricately executed.

Baguio was historically part of Benguet Province, then called “Kafagway” or pasture land. It’s name Baguio was derived from the word “Bag-iw” which means moss that grows on trees. During the American colonization, Baguio was chartered into a city in September 1, 1909. It was designed by
American engineer Daniel Burnham for 25,000 people but its population has grown to over 400,000 through the years.

Artemio A. Dumlao/ABN