Mayor Benjamin Magalong invited the public to see the 47 models of miniature forests in carts as they parade down Session Road to the Rose garden, Burnham Park, starting 9 a.m. this Sunday, June 25.
A part of the 3rd Saleng Festival celebration, this year’s version is a miniature representation of a mossy or a pine forest, patterned after Cordillera forests.
Participants put together organic and/or recycled materials for an intricately decorated cart which symbolizes commitment to environmental conservation and sustainability.
The tree carts with the miniature forests also showcase individual and community creativity while promoting environmental awareness and sustainability.
From the 47 participants, six are from the academe: Easter College, Saint Louis University Basic Education Senior High School, SLU Senior High School Teachers and Employees Association, National Institute of Information Technology, University of the Cordilleras, and Roxas National High School. Four are from Tuba: Taloy Sur Irrigators Association, La Diyang Haven Community Association through John Tayaban, Ulnos di Tuba through Cristina Molitas Tolero, and Tuba Central National High School.
The participants from the city government are City Engineering Office; General Services Office; City Treasurer; City Building and Architecture Office; Local Civil Registrar; City Environment and Parks Management Office; City Planning, Development, and Sustainability Office; City Legal Office; City Mayors Office; and the Baguio City Police Office.
There are three participants from La Trinidad, namely Igorot’s Tribe MC through Mark Henry Chinayo, Fredaline Zarate Burcao and Hector Chamos and two from Itogon, namely Vinson Ramos and Sey-ang through Tita Bauden Ringor.
The other participants are Zaparita Gardens at the Orchidarium and Baguio City Plantita/Plantito Association at the Avong, Ibaloi Park; Rovelyn Mayat-an from Km 4, Asin Road; Eco-bamboo; Roel Cabato of Outlook Drive, Pucsusan; and Adventure Team Philippines.
The business establishments that showed support for environmentalism are Texas Instruments, Tiong San Supermarket, Grab, Deyan’s Constructions, Sta. Lucia Development Corporation, Loyalty Corporation, Mines View Resort, Grassroots Agro-tourism Ventures in the Cordillera through Freda Zarate, and CUGB-Kamagong chapter through Eric Maglaque.
Also displaying their forest masterpieces are landscapers, gardeners and suppliers groups, namely Mossy’s Plant Nursery at Parisas, Camp 7; Smith Valley Agricultural Coop at Benin, Pinsao Proper; Wood, Rock and Flowers Group of Camp 7; CRA Farm at Purok 12, Irisan; Landscaping and Riprapping jobs at Camp 7; Pinget Rural Improvement Club; and Mabelline Landscaping Services.
The judges are councilors Mylen Victoria Yaranon; Leandro Yangot, Jr. and Barangay Country Club Village Kagawad Romeo Jugo Chua. – Julie G. Fianza
