Subic Bay Freeport – This premier Freeport community gathered on Friday to celebrate the 78th feast day of San Roque, its patron saint. Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño shared that the 78th Feast of San Roque culminated with the traditional Karakol, a street dance where an image of the saint is paraded while dancing along the streets of the Central Business District in Subic Bay Freeport. “It has been awhile since we had a festive atmosphere in this Freeport, and I think the morale of the people here, as well as the tourism industry will benefit from such festivities as the Feast of San Roque Karakol,” Aliño said. The celebration kicked off with a Holy Mass at San Roque chapel, one of the oldest churches in the country, followed by the Karakol, which ended with the street dance competition at the Subic Bay Gym. Three nearby schools participated in the competition namely, Iram High School w/ Senior High School, College of Subic Bay Montessori, and Lyceum of Subic Bay, competing for the best street dance performers at the Karakol Street Dance Competition 2024. Lyceum of Subic Bay emerged as the grand winner of the Karakol Festival Dance Competition, followed by College of Subic Montessori at second place, and Iram High School at third. St. Roch’s Day or Pista ni San Roque is observed on August 16 every year. St. Roch, who was a Frenchman, is recognized as the patron saint of dogs. The San Roque Chapel in Subic Bay Freeport is considered as one of the oldest chapels in the region and was constructed sometime in the 1800s, back when Olongapo was declared a bayside settlement for the Spanish naval fleet. The chapel became the center of spiritual life for the Spanish sailors as well as of the Filipino converts who resided within the vicinity of Subic Bay, then known as Subig. The San Roque chapel was built in 1932, replacing the dilapidated mission church of the Spanish missionaries in Olongapo in the 1800s.

The Baguio Tourism Council (BTC) is leading the charge in promoting responsible tourism at the grassroots level, starting with a tree-planting activity that literally digs into the ground. BTC Chairperson Gladys Vergara is focused on expanding tourism into the city’s outskirt areas. She expressed her gratitude to the Kapisanan ng Brodkasters ng Pilipinas (KBP) Baguio chapter, led by Rico John Ferrer and Letlet Dela Cruz of 95.9 Big Sound FM, for spearheading this annual environmental initiative called “Oplan Broadcatreeing.” Approximately 100 pine tree saplings were planted, along with an equal number of coffee seeds, in an area designated by the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) as an adopted space for the broadcasters’ group to nurture. Ms. Vergara emphasized that she doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty, as long as the effort contributes to preserving Baguio’s forest cover, which is one of the city’s unique natural charms. “Caring for our forest resources will help instill a love for our natural environment,” she said, highlighting that forest preservation is crucial to conserving Baguio’s assets and attracting more tourists. She stressed that a key part of BTC’s tourism mandate is to preserve Baguio’s forested landscape, a natural attraction for visitors. “Let us persevere in doing our part in caring for our environment,” she urged. “By conserving our natural mountain assets, we can attract more tourists, providing them with opportunities to engage in meaningful activities where they, too, can contribute.” During a visit to another barangay, she reiterated the importance of fostering community care for inclusive socio-economic growth. “Every area in Baguio has the potential for social cohesion and economic development,” she pointed out. “The more we care for our forest resources, the more we can sustain growth and development for everyone.” “Nothing is impossible when we all work together,” she said, underscoring that community bonding can pave the way for collective growth. “Looking ahead, I am committed to intensifying our efforts to develop the limitless tourism potential that Baguio has to offer.” At the end of the day, Gladys recalled that in 2016, she launched a green energy advocacy called “Glad to be Green.” Through this initiative, a solar-electric powered Green Bus tech demonstration was conducted for two months, aiming to achieve the following: Promote the use of solar-electric vehicle technology and educate the public on its benefits. Advocate for zero-emissions and contribute to lowering CO2 concentrations in the central business district. Assist in pedestrianizing and decongesting the central business district. The “Glad to be Green” Bus, an environmentally friendly, zero-emissions public transport initiative, was just one of the many green projects lined up for the city in 2016. It provided free rides, reduced the volume of cars clogging the main thoroughfares, and improved the city’s air quality. “Those were years when the passion to serve reached new heights,” she said, noting that she strongly advocated for renewable energy in 2016 as part of an initiative to mitigate the looming effects of climate change by reducing gas emissions.