On the fourth day of the watch for war hero and former city mayor Francisco Paraan, some 40 pupils moved down Session Rd., the city’s main street, to the Veterans Park along Harrison Rd. to know what the monument is all about.
They swept clean the monument and the surrounding grounds, lined up for prayers and, one after the other, offered flowers at the base of the shrine, They then swept their palms on the marble wall of heroes.
“We looked for the name of (1Lt.) Francisco Paraan,” fifth-grader Larkha Flores of the Siloam Christian Academy later wrote. “I am 10 years old turning 11 on October 5,” she also wrote.
“Fabian (Cuilan, her classmate) found his grandfather’s name (2nd Lt. Rafael Cuilan), and we also offered flowers for the veteran who just died, “ Larkha added.
One kid who did not write his or her name did research and added, “We should be praying for the soldiers who fought for Baguio, especially Francisco “Ping” Paraan who passed away last Sept. 14 (Mon.) and was buried last Sept. 23, 09 (Wed.)”.
Paraan, who also served as Baguio ’s chief of police, was a survivor of the infamous “Death March”. He passed on in Bataan , while trying to refresh memory, for a memoir of the war and his city he was writing. He was 92.
The kids’ hike to the city’s historical buildings and landmarks is part of the “Children’s Urban Heritage Walk” launched three years ago by the YMCA of Baguio and the city government as contribution towards the city’s centennial this year.
Back in his fifth-grade class, Justine Caram wrote: “I learned the history of Baguio City , about Francisco Paraan (and) the soldiers who fought during the World War II against the Japanese.”
“In this place, I learned a lot of heroes died for our peace,” 10-year old Aika Vien Dayrit said.
“I felt tired but happy because every sweat that falls has a meaning,” recalled fourth-grader Zhareema Martin.
“During the Heritage Walk, I observed that there are few trees nowadays,” scribbled Jalen Rose Pascua. “I observed that there are lots of buildings. There are lots of people in Baguio City .”
“When we cleaned Session Rd., most of the trash we found were cigarette butts,” said Deevann Shrestha. “This shows that there are many smokers. When I grow up, I will not smoke.”
“While we were picking up trash, I felt the need to call the people of Session Road to join us in this cause, to clean up Baguio , magnificent Baguio that my Mom used to tell me,” wrote John Mark Baguuindoc.
“All garbage should be put in the garbage bags so that we can help the street sweepers in cleaning the road,” advised Guia Jobelle Orduna of the fifth grade.
Krystall Slkye Guzman offered more information on the Casa Vallejo, the only remaining building built by the American colonial government below what is now SM-Baguio:
“According to my mother, who used to be the general manager of Cas Vallejo, it was originally called Dormitory 4, built for the employees of the Bureau of Public Works. In 1923, Mr. Salvador Vallejo, a Spanish soldier, rented the place to start a hotel business. After World War II, it became the favorite destination of foreigners and tourists. Justina Vallejo Garcia, or “Lola Nena” took over the hotel management when her father died in 1953.”
Earlier, children from the Baguio Pines Family Learning Center , undertook the walk and then wrote President Gloria Arroyo, thanking her for saving the tree park beside the Baguio Convention Center .
The President advised the Government Service Insurance System to forego with its plan of converting tree stand into a four-building high-rise condotel and business complex in a joint venture with Shoemart.
Schools which feel the need for their kids to explore the urban landscape may call the YMCA (442-4766) of the public information division of the city mayor’s office (442=-2502). – Ramon Dacawi.
