BAGUIO CITY (PIA) - - The Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club (BCBC) successfully revived its Holy Week Lucky Summer Visitors (LSV) project after a three year break due to the COVID – 19 pandemic.

Officers and members of the BCBC headed by its President Joseph Cabanas of Radyo Pilipinas with partners from the Department of Tourism – Cordillera, Baguio City Tourism Office, Philippine National Police, Land Transportation Office and PIA Cordillera motored down to Marcos Highway in Pugo, La Union area early morning of Holy Thursday (April 6) for the selection of the 2023 Lucky Summer Visitors.

Seven first time visitors of Baguio were selected as this year’s LSVs  and were given “red carpet” treatment, guided tours   of tourist destinations in Baguio and neighboring Benguet, among others.

First to be picked from a Victory bus were dating couple from Bacoor, Cavite Ciara Balmaceda, 26 years old, Admin staff of Flying Dragon Network Boulevard, and Ivan Magahis, 25, a Junior Analyst at SSS Makati.

Selected from a Genesis bus was a group of five back packers from Mariveles, Bataan namely Ivy Cayabyab.30; Lea Cayabyab,25; Rechelle Ramos,36; Joan Velez,38, and Genalyn Billones 37.

Pugo Mayor Kurt Walter Martin welcomed the 2023 Lucky Visitors of Baguio.  

The BCBC caravan with the 2023 LSVs then  made a courtesy call to Tuba, Benguet officials headed by Mayor Clarita Sal-ongan at their municipal grounds. Tuba is the gateway or the first town going up to Baguio.

The 2023 LSVs also made a courtesy call to Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong.  

The lucky 7 were given free tours tourist spots such as the Lion’s Head, Mansion House, Wright Park, Botanical Garden, Bell Church, Baguio Museum, Burnham Park, Tam-awan Village, Stone Kingdom, and Diplomat Hotel Heritage Hill in Baguio City; Strawberry Farm in La Trinidad, and Beacon Hill, Polig Farm and D' Ridge in Tublay.

The Provincial Government of Benguet, the Municipal Government of La Trinidad (Benguet), SM City Baguio and Baguio City Congressman Mark Go also welcomed and provided them treats.   

During the send – off program at Camp Peppot at Burnham Park on Easter Sunday, the LSVs expressed gratitude to the BCBC and all of its partners for this rare opportunity and experience which they will cherish in their lifetime.

Cabanas expressed gratitude to all the BCBC partners, the public and private establishments, institutions and individuals for the time and resources they have given for the successful conduct of the LSV project.

An annual project of the BCBC since 1959 for first timers in Baguio, the LSV aims to help promote sustainable tourism in Baguio City and nearby Benguet, as well as the rich culture and tradition of the people.  Among the perks are “red carpet” treatment, free hotel accommodations and tours from Holy Thursday until Easter Sunday. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)