Celebrating resilience and sustainable leaps amid the challenges it has surmounted since its formation as a city 59 years ago, Bago is once again marking its charter anniversary with month-long activities seen to further ignite the spirit of success and sense of pride among its people, the Bagonhons.
Mayor Nicholas Yulo, who led the opening ceremony of the Agro-Industrial, Cultural and Educational Trade Fair at the Manuel Y. Torres Memorial Coliseum and Cultural Center (MYTMCCC) said the city is celebrating another milestone.
“Success is not how you have climbed but how you make a positive difference to the world.”
“Fifty-nine years is no joke, especially when you see how our city has progressed since 1966,” Yulo said, adding that “success is not how you have climbed but how you make a positive difference to the world.”
Themed “Celebrating 59 Years of Strength and Prosperity: Surmounting Challenges, Cultivating Hope,” this year’s celebration is scheduled on February 3 to March 1, including pre and post-charter activities.
The mayor recalled that 59 years ago, Bago was just a name of a community outside of Bacolod City with the good leadership of the elders headed by former mayor Manuel “Tutay” Torres.
“After several decades and transitions of our leaders, we are committed to the same vision and dedication to public service remains in our hearts,” he stressed.
The opening ceremony of the Agro-Industrial, Cultural and Educational Trade Fair also signaled the official kickoff of the charter anniversary celebration.
“The agriculture industry continues to be the centerpiece of economic activities bringing more opportunities for our farmers and MSMEs that is why the Agro-Industrial, Cultural and Educational Trade Fair remains an integral part of our charter anniversary celebration,” Yulo pointed out.
Also present at the activity were Vice Mayor Ramon Torres, Councilors Marina Javellana-Yao, Ma. Josefa Matti, Jake Patrick Torres, Imelda Precion, Victor Michael Javellana, Carlos Mondia, Ma. Femmy Alvarez-Martir, Joseph Colmenares, Robert Javellana and Jobert Tagobader, city hall department heads, and representatives of various national government agencies and offices, among others.
Prior to this, the city already conducted the 5th Kurit Baylan, a vibrant celebration of creativity and local talent, to also kickoff the National Arts Month celebration in the city at the Bantayan Park last February 3.
On February 5, some 1,500 tricycle drivers and operators joined the fun-filled TODA Solidarity Day 2025 at the MYTMCCC.
Other pre-event activities included Responsible Pet Ownership Program and My Dog Got Talent at the Bantayan Park on February 6; OFW Family Day 2025 at MYTMCCC on February 7; Charter Anniversary Duathlon Challenge at the City Hall Grounds, Farmers Weekend Market at the Bantayan Park, Second Flying Disc – Frisbee Competition at the Manuel Y. Torres Sports Center, and Diwata sang Bago Pre-Pageant and Corporate Sponsor Day at MYTMCCC on February 8.
Last February 9, the Mayor Nikko Yulo MTB Challenge 2025 and Second Flying Disc – Frisbee Competition were held at the Bantayan Park and Manuel Y. Torres Sports Center, respectively.
The following day, the city staged the Livelihood Skills Olympics at the Saint John the Baptist Church Covered Court.
It kicked off the nine-day Agro-Industrial, Cultural and Educational Trade Fair at the Bantayan Park, DepEd Educator’s Promenade at MYTMCCC and Livelihood Skills Olympics at the Saint John the Baptist Church Covered Court on February 11; Charter Anniversary Job Fair at MYTMCCC on February 12; Employees Day Awarding and Recognition Ceremony at MYTMCCC, and Babaylan Costume Exhibit Opening Ceremony at Balay ni Tan Juan Community Museum on February 13.
On February 14, it will hold the LGU Employees Day 2025 at MYTMCCC; SK Day at Ramon Torres National High School (RTNHS) Gym and Manuel Y. Torres Sports Center, and ZumBago at the Bantayan Park on February 15; and Sagip Mata Program Part 2 at the City Health Office Grounds on February 16.
Also on February 16, the city will crown the Diwata sang Bago 2025: The Festival Queen during the grand pageant day at MYTMCCC.
The activities on February 17 include Farmers and Fisherfolk Day and opening of the three-day Charter Anniversary Bazaar at the Bantayan Park, and Fantasia sang Bago 2025 at MYTMCCC, while the Gawad Bagonhon 2025 at MYTMCCC and Charter Anniversary Celebrity Basketball Game at RTNHS Gym are set on February 18.
On February 19, the highlight of the celebration, there will be a thanksgiving mass at the Saint John the Baptist Church in the morning to be followed by the 59th Charter Day Anniversary Flag-raising and Parade at the public plaza.
In the afternoon, there will be an awarding ceremony for the Babaylan Costume Parade, Clean and Green Contest, Agro Trade Fair and Best Product Search at MYTMCCC.
“Night events and activities within the city are regulated and discouraged due to the potential escalation of Kanlaon Volcano activities.”
Yulo earlier issued Executive Order (EO) No. 3 Series of 2025, an order regulating and discouraging night events and activities within the city due to the potential escalation of Kanlaon Volcano activities.
The EO stated that “Bago City’s 59th Charter Anniversary lined up events, due to the foreseen threat of Kanlaon eruption, this year’s activities shall be simplified and reduced.”
For the part of the vice mayor, Torres emphasized that “we really have to see to it that our people are being kept safe as public safety will always be the priority of the local government unit.”
Meanwhile, the post-charter events include online fiesta show first edition dubbed Charter Day Palipay and Pasadya on February 20; Aloha Dental Mission and Oral Health Month Opening Ceremony at MYTMCCC on February 23; National Arts Month Culmination Ceremony at the Bantayan Park and Sugilanon sang Banwa at Bago City College on February 27; and Charter Day Palipay and Pasadya Second Edition on March 1.
“As we stand here today, after 59 years as a city, we must also continue to build on the values that made us strong — collaboration, innovation and commitment to excellence. Together, as one city and people, let us continue to meet the challenges head on and continue to make a meaningful impact in the lives of the Bagonhons,” Yulo concluded.
