BAGUIO CITY – This year’s Baguio Lucky Foreign Visitors paid a courtesy call last Friday with Mayor Mauricio Domogan at City Hall where they were welcomed by the chief executive and presented with the city’s symbolic key.
The three South Korean students were also given sashes by a representative of the Department of Tourism (DOT) regional office.
Kim Byeong Jin, Yang Bo Ram and Seo Hye Jin are currently enrolled at Help Academy in Long Long, here.
Domogan congratulated them on being chosen and informed them about the large Korean population in the Summer Capital.
“Many Korean nationals are active members of the community and have contributed much to the city’s development,” the Mayor said.
He also revealed that Baguio has two sister-cities in South Korea – Taebaek, Gongju — and has friendship ties with Inchon.
The Quest for the Baguio Lucky Foreign Visitors is part of the annual Silahis Ng Pasko sponsored by the National Correspondents Club of Baguio (NCCB) headed by former city councilor and newsman Nars Padilla in cooperation with the city social welfare and development office, DOT-CAR, city tourism office and other media organizations.
The three were chosen by the NCCB quest committee composed of local journalists and broadcasters, briefed about the activity and treated with a sumptuous dinner at Crown Legacy Hotel.
As this year’s Lucky Foreign Visitors, Kim, Yang and Seo were given tours of the city, visiting iconic landmarks and tourist spots like Bell Church, Easter School, Mansion House and Mines View Park.
They also enjoyed boating at Burnham Park and horseback riding at Wright Park, a motorcade along the city’s main thoroughfares and participated in several Christmas activities.
A visit to the NCCB Shrine of the Brown Madonna in Tuba, Benguet and the world-famous BenCab Museum is scheduled today, Sunday. They will also witness wood-carving activities at the Woodcarvers Village in Asin Road.
A farewell lunch will be held in their honor sponsored by the DOT-CAR where they are expected to share their impressions as this year’s Lucky Foreign Visitors.
They will also be given gifts and honored with a Goodbye and Salamat Rites by the NCCB Quest Committee.**
gaby keith
