City Tourism office to lead Fil-Am Day activities on July 4

July 1, 2019 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY – Floral wreaths will be laid at key points along Kennon Road, Burnham Park, Gov. Pack Road and Malcolm Square to commemorate Filipino-American Friendship Day on Thursday, July 4, 2019.
The City Tourism and Special Events Office (CTSEO), will lead the ceremonies which will be attended by Mayor Benjamin Magalong and city officials; World War II and foreign war veterans; senior citizens; the City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO); Baguio City Police Office (BCPO); Boy and Girl Scouts of the Philippines Baguio Chapter; and students of Baguio schools.
The celebrants will first proceed to Kennon Road to pay tribute to its builder Col. Lyman Walter Kennon, member of the US Army Corps of Engineers early morning of Thursday.
The winding 40 km. Kennon Road connects the city to Rosario, La Union and formerly named Benguet Road.
The road was considered the best mountain road in the world, and was built by Filipino, Chinese, Japanese and other foreign workers starting in 1903 and completed in 18 months.
Kennon drove his wagon during the road opening in January 29, 1905. An executive order from Gov. Gen. Leonard Wood renamed Benguet Road to Kennon Road.
Kennon road plays a very important role in the economic development of Baguio City as a shorter route from the lowlands.
Gov. William Pack is honored for serving as Mountain Province governor for several years while famous Architect and urban designer Daniel Burnham was chosen to make plans for Manila and Baguio which was soon designated to be the country’s summer capital.
Malcolm Square was named in honor of George Arthur Malcolm, a bastion of the development of law practice in the Philippines. At 35, he was named Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippines, which he served for 19 years.
Malcolm was granted an honorary Philippine citizenship and his bust at Malcolm Square serves as reminder of his legacy to Filipinos.
A simple program shall follow after the wreath laying ceremonies with reminiscences of the American period here in Baguio through songs and dances by chosen groups.
Messages will be given by Mayor Benjamin Magalong and other invited guests.
 
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