BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved a resolution expressing the City government’s gratitude and commendation to all the groups, individuals and organizations in the city instrumental in the successful visit of some 28 contestants of the prestigious Miss Universe to the city last January 18, 2017.
The local legislative body gave a salute to the Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio (HRAB) and the Baguio Country Club (BCC) led by Anthony de Leon for the initiative to bring to the city some of the Miss Universe contestants to help aggressively promote Baguio City as a key tourist destination in 160 countries in the different parts of the world.
The HRAB and BCC were the ones that pooled their resources to pay the $500,000 or P25 million to the Miss Universe organizers to include Baguio as one of the select areas in the country to be vosoted by the Miss Universe contestants apart from the withholding and income taxes, the food, accommodation, chartered flights of the participants and the organizers and other incidental expenses incurred by the local organizers during the 24-hour visit of the beauty contestants to the city.
Aside from the HRAB and the BCC, the council also commended the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO), City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO), the Department of Education Division of City Schools, the Police Regional Office (PRO) in the Cordillera, the Philippine Military Academy (PMA), the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the volunteers and force multipliers, the Philippine Air Force, the visiting and local streetdancing contingents and the people from all walks of life, for the successful hosting of the visit.
The resolution stated January 18, 2017, was a historic and memorable day for Baguio City and its citizenry because of the visit and overnight stay of the 28 beauty contestants.
Local organizers organised various activities for the visit such as the welcome program, silent drill of PMA cadets, the mini-streetdancing and mini-float parade, the mini-golf tournament, the tree planting and strawberry picking inside the Baguio Country club, interaction with the local artists and the culinary sojourn and gala fashion show.
The resolution expressed the City Government’s gratitude all those who contributed their time, effort and resources to guarantee the successful conduct of the once in a lifetime event in the city.
The council took note of the efficiency and professionalism in the conduct of the programs, protocols, and systems ensuring the success of the visit that drew thousands of residents and visitors who joined the various activities lined up for the historic event.
Local organizers got compliments from the visiting beauty contestants who informed them that while it is more fun in the Philippines, it was more fun for them to be accorded a one-of-a-kind treatment during their visit to the city which they will treasure once back home.
By Dexter A. See
