Celebrating resilience and sustainable leaps amid the challenges it has surmounted since its formation as a city 59 years ago, Bago is once again commemorating its charter anniversary with month-long activities seen to further ignite the spirit of success and sense of pride among Bagonhons.
Mayor Nicholas Yulo, who led the opening of the Agro-Industrial, Cultural and Educational Trade Fair at the Manuel Y. Torres Memorial Coliseum and Cultural Center (MYTMCCC) Monday afternoon, Feb. 10, said the city is celebrating another milestone.
“Fifty-nine years is no joke, especially when you see how our city has progressed since 1966,” he said, adding that “success is not how you have climbed but how you make a positive difference to the world.”
Themed “Celebrating 59 Years of Strength and Prosperity: Surmounting Challenges, Cultivating Hope”, this year’s celebration is scheduled from Feb. 3 to March 1, including pre- and post-charter activities.
Yulo recalled that 59 years ago, Bago was just a name of a community outside of Bacolod, with the good leadership of elders headed by then mayor Manuel “Tutay” Torres.
“After several decades and transitions of our leaders, we are committed to the same vision, and dedication to public service remains in our hearts,” he stressed.
The opening of the trade fair also signaled the official kickoff of the charter anniversary celebration.
“The agriculture industry continues to be the centerpiece of economic activities bringing more opportunities for our farmers and MSMEs, that is why the Agro-Industrial, Cultural and Educational Trade Fair remains an integral part of our charter anniversary celebration,” Yulo said.
Also present at the activity were Vice Mayor Ramon Torres, councilors Marina Javellana-Yao, Ma. Josefa Matti, Jake Patrick Torres, Imelda Precion, Victor Michael Javellana, Carlos Mondia, Ma. Femmy Alvarez-Martir, and Joseph Colmenares, department heads, and representatives of national government agencies and offices, among others.
Meanwhile, the DepEd Educator’s Promenade at MYTMCCC and Livelihood Skills Olympics at Saint John the Baptist Church covered court will be held today, Feb. 11; charter job fair at MYTMCCC, Feb. 12; Employees Day awarding and recognition ceremony at MYTMCCC, and the Babaylan costume exhibit opening ceremony at Balay ni Tan Juan Community Museum on Feb. 13.
On Feb. 14 is the LGU Employees Day 2025 at MYTMCCC; SK Day at Ramon Torres National High School gym and Manuel Y. Torres Sports Center, and ZumBago at the Bantayan Park Feb. 15; and Sagip Mata Program Part 2 at the City Health Office grounds Feb. 16.
Also on Feb. 16, the city will crown the Diwata sang Bago 2025: The Festival Queen at MYTMCCC. Activities on Feb. 17 include the Farmers and Fisherfolk Day and opening of the three-day Charter anniversary bazaar at Bantayan Park, and Fantasia sang Bago 2025 at MYTMCCC, while the Gawad Bagonhon 2025 at MYTMCCC and Charter anniversary celebrity basketball game will be held at the RTNHS gym on Feb. 18.
On Feb. 19, Wednesday, which has been declared a special non-working day in Bago since this date is the highlight of the charter celebration, there will be a thanksgiving mass at the Saint John the Baptist Church in the morning, followed by the 59th Charter Day anniversary flag-raising and parade at the public plaza.
In the afternoon, there will be an awarding ceremony for the Babaylan costume parade, clean and green contest, agro trade fair, and best product search at MYTMCCC.
Yulo earlier issued Executive Order 3-2025 regulating and discouraging night events and activities within the city amid the possible escalation of Kanlaon’s unrest.
The EO states that activities for Bago’s 59th charter anniversary l shall be simplified and reduced due to foreseen threat of Kanlaon eruption.
Vice Mayor Torres, meanwhile, emphasized in a city press release Feb. 10 that “we really have to see to it that our people are being kept safe as public safety will always be the priority of the local government unit.”
“As we stand here today, after 59 years as a city, we must also continue to build on the values that made us strong – collaboration, innovation and commitment to excellence. Together, as one city and people, let us continue to meet the challenges head on and continue to make a meaningful impact in the lives of the Bagonhons,” Yulo said. ||
