Baguio City – The John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC) joined the City of Baguio as it marked the 78th Filipino-American (Fil-Am) Friendship Day on June 4, 2024, in honor of the enduring ties and deep-rooted friendship between the two nations.
The event took place at the Rose Garden in Burnham Park, a picturesque tourist attraction in the city. This garden, which has been meticulously preserved over the years, is a notable remnant from the American era, symbolizing their early influence and contributions to the area.
The event kicked off with a wreath-laying ceremony paying tribute to Daniel Hudson Burnham, the renowned 19th-century American architect responsible for designing Baguio’s urban landscape. City officials, JHMC representatives, war veterans, and other notable attendees dressed in charming retro country attire, adding a festive and colorful touch to the joyous occasion.
In his speech, JHMC President and Chief Executive Officer, Atty. Marlo Ignacio V. Quadra emphasized the significant contributions of the BCDA in transforming former American military bases like Camp John Hay into vibrant economic zones. This transformation plays a crucial role in supporting the modernization efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
PCEO Quadra also served as one of the judges for the chili cook-off, a major highlight of the celebration. Five groups participated in this culinary showdown: the Baguio Apaches, Inc., La Cordillera, Baguio Volkswagen Club, Gypsy Wagon, and HornPub Baguio Team. Whipping up chili con carne dishes, they innovated on recipes, adding a twist of Cordilleran taste, resulting in masterpieces infused with various local ingredients such as pinuneg and kiniing.
The program concluded with an awards ceremony, where Gypsy Wagon and La Cordillera were declared winners in Categories 1 and 2 of the Chilli Cook-Off competition, respectively. END
