By Zaldy Comanda
BAGUIO CITY – The city will mark the 72nd Filipino-American Friendship Day with a three-part program on July 4.
The first part will be the traditional simultaneous wreath-laying rites at the various memorial sites for Americans who were instrumental in the founding and development of the city at 8:30 a.m.
Maj. Lyman W. Kennon Bust along Kennon Road to be conducted by the Army Retirees Association of Cordillera Administrative Region, the Veterans Federation of the Philippines and the United States Army Forces in the Philippines Northern Luzon; Arch. Daniel H. Burnham Bust at Rose Garden with the City Social Welfare and Development Office, the Office for Senior Citizens Affairs, the Baguio Elderly Assembly, National Correspondents Club of Baguio and the Boy Scouts of the Philippines; and Site of the First Philippine Commission at Gov. Pack Road by the Veterans of Foreign War, Fleet Reserve Association and the Girl Scouts of the Philippines.
The second part will be the program proper at 9:30 a.m. at the Malcolm Square People’s Park. The program will open with the singing of the Lupang Hinirang, the Star Spangled Banner and the Baguio Hymn by the Baguio City National High School Special Program in the Arts.
Part 3 will be the cultural offering dubbed “Kultura O-Rama” featuring activities in honor of the Fil-Am community members, war veterans and the senior citizens set 1:30 p.m at the PFVR Sports Center.
CSWD Officer Betty Fangasan will open the program which will be highlighted by the presentation and coronation of the Lakan and Lakambini of Fil-Am 2018. This year’s chosen Lakan is Mixed Martial Arts World Brave Combat Federation Bantamweight Champion Stephen Loman who recently successfully defended his title while the Lakambini is nursing student Rossalyn Ann Johnson.
The “potongan” or coronation of Bb. Lakambini and G. Lakan will be facilitated by Mrs. Rebecca Domogan, Mrs. Soledad Go, Councilor Lilia Farinas, chair of the city council committee on social services, women and urban poor , City Administrator Carlos Canilao and Fangasan.
A “harana” honoring the royal court will be rendered by expat Baguio-Cordillera folksinger Conrad Marzan followed by another presentation by the Boy and Girl Scouts of the Philippines.