Baguio celebrates Fil-Am ties

BAGUIO CITY — Baguio City celebrates the 60th Filipino-American Friendship Day today by reminiscing on the ties that bind Filipinos and Americans.

All important edifices here that reminds people of the ties that bind the two nations will be adorned with wreaths.

A wreath laying caravan will start at the bust of Baguio’s architect, American Daniel Burham, at the Burnham Park, then proceed to the Malcolm Square at the city’s plaza and finally at the Veteran’s Park along Harrison Road.

Perhaps it is most worthy to note that if not for Burnham, Baguio would not been what it is today. It was built as America’s dream city, said veteran journalist and former city councilor Nars Padilla, a member of the 60th Fil-Am Friendship Day rites.

In the 1900s Burnham planned Baguio’s architectural layout after Washington DC. Burnham Park, was built in his honor and a memorial bust was erected and inaugurated in 1993 with former Ambassador Richard Solomon.

We are celebrating July 4 without losing the essence and substance of the historic event, added Padilla, who led Filipino and American officials during the Centennial Anniversary Observance of the Benguet Road (1905-2005), more popularly known as Kennon Road, last year.

Built a century ago as a horse trail, Kennon Road was "a labor of love" of US Army Col. Lyman W. Kennon of Rhode Island in the United States.

A historic edifice dedicated to Col. Kennon and the 4,000-strong multiracial work force composed of American, Filipinos, Japanese, Chinese, Hawaiians, Mexicans, Indians, Chilean, Peruvians, Canadians, Germans, Russians, Hindus, French, Portuguese and Swedes was unveiled.

Acclaimed as one of the best mountain highways in the world, the former Benguet Road was named after the American leader as a tribute to his exemplary leadership, engineering skills and knowledge and keen understanding of human nature.

That memorabilia, said Padilla, is significant because it symbolizes the sustained and enduring saga of Filipino-American relationship built on shared cultural history, amity, mutual cooperation and partnership in various fields of endeavor.