BAGUIO CITY – The 2025 Lucky Summer Visitors (LSV) program, organized by the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club Inc. (BCBC), concluded on April 20, with the Celestino family from Pasig City expressing heartfelt gratitude for the once-in-a-lifetime experience they received during their four-day stay in Baguio and Benguet.
The program commenced as early as 5:30 AM on April 17, when members of the BCBC, in coordination with officials from the City Government of Baguio, the Department of Tourism, the Land Transportation Office (LTO), media personnel, interns, and MLhuillier staff, traveled to Pugo, La Union. A total of nine buses were stopped, and at exactly 8:21 AM, the ninth bus, a Victory Liner unit carried the selected LSVs: seven individuals from the Celestino family.
The chosen visitors were identified as Carolyn Andrews Celestino, 57, a housewife; Ricardo Celestino Jr., 62, a carpenter; Julia A. Celestino, 11, student; Eunice B. Celestino, 13, student; Eugeen Celestino, 3; Jerome Celestino, 30, customer service employee; and Jellyn Bautista, 31, secretary/admin staff and partner of Mr. Jerome.
The family initially planned their trip to Baguio to celebrate the 34th wedding anniversary of Mr. Ricardo and Mrs. Carolyn Celestino. They admitted to having doubts at first, thinking the activity was a scam, but were eventually convinced after verifying the credentials of the organizing team and witnessing the large crowd gathered around the bus.
Upon their selection, the family was warmly welcomed by a representative of Pugo, La Union Mayor Kurt Walter Martin. Their first stop was the Tuba Municipal Hall, where Mayor Clarita Sal-ongan and the municipal council hosted a short program that included cultural performances and a traditional Cordilleran Tayaw dance, which the family joyfully joined. The LSVs were then taken to the iconic Lion’s Head for sightseeing before proceeding to Media Camp at Burnham Park for a short press conference and lunch with BCBC members.
In the afternoon, the group visited Baguio City Hall where Mayor Benjamin Magalong received them and presented a commemorative token. The family then checked in at Hotel Supreme on Magsaysay Avenue and later visited the newly opened Baguio Dragon Treasure Castle in Irisan to enjoy the sunset.
The second day of the tour featured nature and cultural explorations, beginning with a hike along the Yellow Trail at Camp John Hay. This was followed by a visit to Tam-awan Village in Pinsao Proper, where the family experienced cultural performances and admired Cordilleran art exhibits. They were also taken to Pugad ni Art, a five-story gallery filled with paintings and sculptures. Later, they strolled through SM City Baguio before enjoying unlimited rides at SM Sky Ranch, including the Super Viking, Ferris Wheel, Drop Tower, Flying Bus, Double Decker Carousel, and Road Train. They participated in carnival games and won a giant fluffy blueberry ball and a medium-sized penguin teddy bear.
On April 19, the third day of their stay, the family visited the Northern Blossom Flower Farm in Atok, Benguet. Despite the cold weather, they were warmly received by farm owner Ms. Lany Ganayan, who presented a bouquet of fresh flowers to Mr. and Mrs. Celestino in honor of their wedding anniversary.
Their tour continued to Tublay, Benguet, where they explored Beacon Hill’s vintage English buses and red telephone booths, and visited Polig Farm for a taste of the region’s local produce, including various berries and native fruits. They made courtesy calls to Mayor Armando Lauro at Tublay Municipal Hall and later met Governor Melchor Diclas and Vice Governor Ericson Felipe at the Benguet Provincial Capitol. The highlight of the day was strawberry picking at a local farm, an especially emotional moment for Mrs. Celestino, who fulfilled a dream she had cherished for 56 years.
The day ended with a courtesy visit to Mayor Romeo Salda at the Strawberry Valley Hotel and Restaurant, followed by dinner and bonding time with the media at Camp Pepot.
On April 20, the final day of the program, the Celestino family visited an MLhuillier branch to formally receive their accidental insurance package. They then enjoyed a leisurely morning at Burnham Park, with boat and bicycle rides, and a treat of local ice cream. They also shopped for souvenirs at the Baguio Public Market before returning to Media Camp for a brief send-off.
During a celebratory Family Day lunch with the families of local media practitioners, the Pasakalye Group of Artists, through Mr. Art Tibaldo, gifted the family with an abstract painting. Additionally, Ma’am Angelyn Valencia presented a hand-drawn portrait of young Eugeen Celestino.
In a touching farewell message, Mrs. Carolyn Celestino shared:
“Kami po ay taos pusong nagpapasalamat sa mga bumuo ng grupong ito. Sa BCBC, kay Sir Dennis, sa MLhuillier, officers, DOT group, intern group, media group, mga honorable mayors, councilors, sponsors, parents at friends marami pong salamat. Kami po ay sobrang saya dahil ito po ang napili naming lugar na icelebrate yung 34 years anniversary namin. Napakasaya po. Wala kaming pagsisisihan. Napakagalak ng aming puso as a whole family.”
Ms. Jellyn Bautista also expressed her gratitude:
“Yung memorable po ay yung mga taong nakasama namin sa journey na to. Maraming maraming salamat po sa lahat ng bumubuo ng BCBC sa pag-aassist sa amin. Naging VIP kami—eto pala yung feeling ng artista. Kasi bihira lang ang ganitong pagkakataon so we are grateful po na ma-experience namin itong gantong feeling at journey na once in a lifetime.”
Mr. Dionisio Dennis Jr., President of BCBC, extended his appreciation to everyone who made the event possible:
“Officers, BCBC past presidents, sa lahat ng ating sponsors, service partners, yung ating grupo sa ating kitchen, ang ating transportation, Department of Tourism Cordillera, ang City Tourism Office, ang Agiting Travel and Tours at kay Kuya Lewi, maraming-maraming salamat sa kanila. And again, thank you very much to all BCBC members and sa assistance ng ating mga interns.”
The program officially ended as the Department of Tourism team accompanied the Celestino family to the bus terminal for their return trip, closing another successful chapter in the tradition of the Lucky Summer Visitors program.
The annual Baguio-Benguet Summer Lucky Visitors is the initiative of the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club (BCBC), the oldest media organization in Baguio and the Cordillera, to help in bolstering the sustainable growth of the local tourism industry. By Annjay Domilies
