By Jerome Alangui-Muguet Polonio, Ph.D. 
The Founding Day: A Celebration of Identity
On July 15, 2026, the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) celebrated its 39th Founding Anniversary, a day that rekindled the spirit of unity and self-determination among its people. Established in 1987 through Executive Order No. 220, CAR was envisioned as a special administrative unit to unify the provinces of Abra, Apayao, Benguet, Ifugao, Kalinga, Mountain Province, and the chartered city of Baguio.
The founding day is more than a legal milestone—it is a cultural affirmation. It reminds Cordillerans that their identity is rooted in ancestral heritage, indigenous wisdom, and a collective struggle for autonomy. This year’s celebration was marked by cultural performances, academic forums, and community gatherings, all echoing the theme of unity in diversity.
As I walked through the festivities, I felt the pulse of the region’s heartbeat—elders narrating stories of resistance, youth dancing to rhythms that have survived centuries, and leaders reminding us that autonomy remains unfinished business. The founding day is not only about remembering the past; it is about envisioning a future where Cordillerans chart their own destiny.
The Earthquake Remembrance: A City’s Wounds
The following day, July 16, 2026, brought a different kind of gathering—solemn, quiet, and heavy with memory. It was the 36th Remembrance Day of the 1990 Luzon Earthquake, a tragedy that scarred Baguio City and the Cordillera forever.
At exactly 4:26 PM on July 16, 1990, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Northern Luzon. Baguio, perched on the mountains, bore the brunt of the disaster. The collapse of the Hyatt Terraces Hotel became the most haunting image of that day. Once a symbol of modernity and tourism, it crumbled into ruins, burying lives and dreams beneath its rubble.
I still recall the stories of survivors—students trapped in dormitories, families searching for loved ones, rescuers digging with bare hands. Roads were blocked, communication lines severed, and the city was cut off from the rest of the country. Yet amid the chaos, solidarity emerged. Neighbours became rescuers, strangers became family, and the Cordilleran spirit of bayanihan shone through the darkness.
This year 2026, candles were lit, prayers offered, and survivors honored. The ruins of the Hyatt stand as a silent monument, reminding us of both vulnerability and resilience.
Intertwining Narratives of Resilience
The closeness of these two commemorations—the founding day and the earthquake remembrance—creates a profound narrative. One celebrates identity; the other mourns tragedy. Yet both speak of resilience.
The founding day tells us that Cordillerans are a people who refuse to be forgotten, who insist on recognition and autonomy. The earthquake remembrance tells us that Cordillerans are a people who endure, who rise from devastation with courage and solidarity.
Together, they remind us that resilience is not only about survival but also about continuity. It is about carrying forward traditions while preparing for disasters. It is about building institutions that honour heritage while protecting lives.
As I reflect, I see the Cordillera as a tapestry woven with threads of struggle and triumph. The mountains are not only landscapes; they are guardians of memory. The rivers are not only waters; they are lifelines of continuity. The people are not only survivors; they are storytellers of resilience.
A Take for the Future
As the Cordillera Administrative Region approaches its 40th year in 2027, and as Baguio continues to heal from the scars of 1990, the lessons of resilience and remembrance remain vital.
The founding day is a call to unity, reminding us that autonomy is a journey still unfolding. The earthquake remembrance is a call to vigilance, reminding us that preparedness is as important as memory.
The Cordillera’s story is one of strength in diversity, courage in adversity, and hope in continuity. By intertwining these two commemorations, we see a region that not only celebrates its identity but also honours its struggles.
The ruins of the Hyatt may stand as a reminder of tragedy, but the thriving communities of Baguio and the Cordillera stand as proof of rebirth. The founding day may be an administrative milestone, but it is also a cultural beacon guiding the region toward autonomy and progress.
In the end, the Cordillera’s journey is not defined by a single day or disaster, but by the enduring spirit of its people—resilient, united, and ever hopeful.
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