TOURISM GROUP TO HOLD GENERAL ASSEMBLY, AMEND TOURISM CODE, RECOGNIZE JOURNOS

September 20, 2024 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY

The Baguio Tourism Council will hold its annual general assembly at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center Monday, September 23, in the hope to finalize its tourism development plan, amend the tourism code and urge stakeholders to come out with programs for next year. Among the highlights of the day long general assembly is to honor local media who have been partners of the tourism sector in tourism promotion during the day-long assembly that will have representatives from the different sectors like hotels and accommodations, restaurants and cafes, tourist guides, and events, among others, said chair Gladys Vergara.

In a meeting recently, the BTC reported that it needs, among others, to “congregate comments and suggestions of stakeholders to finalize the Tourism Development Plan.” Vergara said that they also look forward to help in the amendment of the tourism code, even as they will encourage members to present proposals for next year. The BTC is expected to stage the Enchanting Christmas in Baguio, a six-week event during the yule and where events are lined up to make Christmas celebration in Baguio more festive. On the same day, the BTC will also recognize some 56 local media personalities from print, radio and television who for years have helped promote local tourism.

Vergara said that the recognition will be given on September 23 during the organization’s general assembly at the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center. Vergara said that three journalists will receive the lifetime achievement award for 50 years of service. The three are Jimmy Lozano or Lolo Doro of Z Radio, former broadcaster and the publisher/editor in chief of the defunct Baguio Reporter Eliral Refuerzo and retired Philippine Daily Inquirer bureau chief Rolando Fernandez. Vergara said that in giving the recognition, the BTC shows its appreciation for the support given by local media. Lozano started in 1967, as a paid reporter despite being with the Northern Broadcasting Company – DZWX owned by Eng’r Delfin Villanueva since 1964.

DZWX, which was based in front of the Rose Garden then, was temporarily shattered in 1972 after the late president Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. declared Martial Law. He was already then the acting station manager. It became Bombo Radyo when Dr. Rogelio Florete bought it in 1982. Lozano stayed until 2011, and later joined former Bombo Radyo Baguio Station Manager Edong Carta to form Tambalang Tatang and Lolong at Z Radio. He worked as SM for two years and Area Manager for Luzon until his retirement. Now 77, Lolo Doro, has no plans of retirement. The older he gets, the more he enjoys being a media and entertaining the community. Refuerzo was only 15 when he joined NBC-DZWX in 1966 as a radio production assistant and drama talent and was a radio broadcaster a year later.

In 1968, he was adjudged the Youngest Radio Announcer and Radio Commentator in the Philippines in 1968 by a national Broadcast organization. The Iloko short story writer for Bannawag joined the government as staff of the National Media Production Center in 1970 and rose from the ranks to become an assistant director before the agency was closed in 1986. He also wrote for national dailies like the Manila Times, the Journal, among others. He also wrote for the defunct Gold Ore and was a staff member of the Baguio Midland Courier in 1987 of which he was part of until 1989 and rose to become the paper’s Provincial News Editor.

In 1990, he published the first issue of the Baguio Reporter which signed off in 2012. Fernandez, as Frank Cimatu wrote, had an “illustrious and meritorious career as a reporter and editor of Daily Express, Manila Chronicle and Manila Times from the Martial Law years until the early 1990s, Rolando “Rolly” Fernandez decided to transfer to Baguio to open the Northern Luzon Bureau of the Philippine Daily Inquirer in 1992. After retirement, Rolly and wife Babeth Lolarga are back to editing and writing books.” Some 53 local media will also be given citations. These awards will be given to those who worked as journalists for 40 years, 30, 25, 20 and 15 years. Journalists who have at least 40 years in service include PTV4 Cordillera chief Richard Valdez, March Fianza and retired RPN DZBS manager Malou Pascual.

Thirty years in service awardees include BCBC president Thomas Picana, Radyo ng Bayan reporter and former BCBC president Joseph Cabanas, among others. Most of the awardees are with 25 years in service that include Rappler stringer Franklin Cimatu, Dhobie de Guzman, Harley Palangchao and Eddie Carta. All but Carta are past BCBC president. The awardees are: 40 Years – March Fianza, Victor Loakan, Jaime Bernabe Sr., Joel Arthur Tibaldo, Christopher Bartolo, Malou Laxamana, Aurora Alambra, Richard Valdez, Joseph Esteras and Primo Agatep for 40 years. For 30 years in service are: Atty. Antonio Pekas, Alfred Dizon, Romeo Gonzales, Joseph Cabanas, Andre Amadeo, Samuel Bautista, Aileen Refuerzo, Gabriel Baban Keith, Thomas Antonio Picaña, Fernando Zapata, Jr., Vincent Cabreza, Eladio Landingin, David Leprozo, Jr., Edgardo Espiritu, Helen Tibaldo, Joel Arthur Tibaldo and Joseph Zambrano. The 25 years in service awardees are: Jonathan Munar, Jonathan Llanes, Eufeldion Lobien, Ernesto Calinao, Jr., Franklin Cimatu, Jimmy Ceralde, Miguelito Velarde, Jr., Andrew Pinero, Liza Galao, Dexter See, Joseph Manzano, Mauricio Malanes, Artemio Dumlao, Jr., Maricio Victa, Rizaldy Comanda, Eddie Carta, Dhobie de Guzman and Harley Palangchao. Six are 20 year awardees, namely: Maria Elena Catajan, Roderick Osis, Jordan Tablac, Jane Cadalig, Rimaliza Opñia and Alah Sungduan. The 15 years awardees are Rose Malekchan and Hanna Laxamana.

Members of the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club and the Kapisanan ng Broadcasters ng Pilipinas will be feted later that day with cocktails and dinner at the Baguio Palace Hotel, said Vergara. Media will also be entertained and will be briefed on the BTC’s year-end program, the An Enchanting Christmas in Baguio.

Pigeon Lobien/ABN