City officials directed the mandatory signing of the Baguio hymn and Baguio march in all activities celebrated in the city other than those specified under Section 2 and 3 of Ordinance No. 052, series of 1993, or the legislative act that formally adopted and declared the musical compositions entitled ‘Baguio: Haven for All’ and ‘Beautiful Baguio’ as the official Baguio hymn and Baguio march, respectively.
Under Resolution No. 121, series of 2021, signed by Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong, local legislators stated that the singing and playing of the Baguio hymn and Baguio march will be mandatory in all activities in the city that will involve the singing or playing the Pambansang Awit or of the Ang Bayan Kong Pilipinas ,or other patriotic songs which shall include, but not limited to, flag-raising, programs or functions of the city government and of the barangays, programs or activities initiated, sponsored or coordinated by or with the city government, programs, celebrations or activities initiated or coordinated by government agencies based, stationed or holding offices in the city, programs, celebrations or activities initiated or coordinated by city registered or accredited non-government organizations and civic-oriented groups and every sign on or sign off of all media stations.
Further, the singing and playing of the aforesaid songs may also be made in city and tourism promotion activities of the city in any place, as well as, in official city gatherings or meetings outside the city.
Resolution No. 256, series of 1991, required the singing of the Baguio hymn during flag raising ceremonies in all public and private schools in the city immediately after the signing or playing of the national anthem; before the start of the regular session of the city council; official programs; and special activities such as those observed during the Independence Day and Baguio Day which are all sponsored and initiated by the local government.
Ordinance No. 052, series of 1993, formally adopted and declared the musical compositions entitled ‘Baguio: Haven for All’ and ‘Beautiful Baguio’ as the official Baguio hymn and Baguio march, respectively and directed the singing of the same at appropriate intervals in all official programs and special activities initiated or sponsored by the city government, including flag raising ceremonies and parades, and in public offices and in private and public schools in the city.
According to the body, the aforesaid ordinance did not disturb the order of the singing of the Baguio hymn right after the national anthem established under Resolution No. 256, series of 1991.
Under Rule, Section 1 of Resolution No. 254, series of 2004, that provided for a codified and revised internal rules of procedure for the city council, different order of signing was prescribed as the Baguio march is sung before the Baguio hymn.
The council stipulated that consistent with Resolution No. 256, series of 1991, the Baguio hymn should be sung after the national anthem and the Baguio march shall be sung thereafter at anytime as part of the program or activity and that the singing or playing of both will definitely boost one’s pride to being identified as a Baguio resident and will certainly promote patriotism and camaraderie. By Dexter A. See
