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Why Baguio is Losing its Chill without CURE...

We can be literal about this as much as figurative... Whether it’s about the temperature or our temperament, it’s both environmental in nature. We used to be cool, as people and Baguio in general. What happened? What’s happening?

Funny thing is that, amongst our opinionated society, there’ll be varied reasons why Baguio has lost its “cool breeze”. Yet, they don’t see how similarly cold (and cold-hearted) they’ve become, alienating even from ourselves (more so from non-Baguio or non-Baguio-born residents) the warmth in our good-natured Baguio disposition. Either way, it’s a correlative concern within the communal environment we live in.

Same thing with how every one seem to have the answers to every problem based from their standpoint without looking at it from a wider perspective. And it’s also likely that they’re not that accepting of others’ point of view; or pridefully apathetic towards an idea different from that of their own... Worse though is from those who’d downplay a good proposition just because they’re blindly loyal to some other cause or to someone against the proposal’s proponent that they’re likewise partial against... Conceivably worst is those who pretentiously manifest support, however covertly itching for its failure if only to rub-off an assumed would-have-been better recourse... There are likewise those who’d turn their back against you and jump ship should their thought-to-be better recommendations (they’re uncompromisingly preferential to) don’t get reciprocated with an approval... And an open-minded aptitude for diversity and realization isn’t their strong suit; and disagreeing with this argument is the first manifestation.

All of these said, have we lost our coolness? Again, literally and representationally... Our sense of loyalty have shifted towards (a person) a “co-representative” of/for Baguio, where our loyalty should rather be for... Arguably a case of people/person centric (even political party centric) instead of organization centric. (Sometimes if not often, the ‘people centric’ alternative is preferred for all the votes’ worth as well as for the advantage of a political machinery despite of differing beliefs and principles.) And as cited-above, proposed solutions come with that haughty sense of pride sans the respect and courtesy for other provisions more viable for others. Thus, it boils down to a “numbers game”, wherein the preference of the majority gets the nod. At some point, we could apply what has been a more popular course of action, yet it divides us in a manner by which it creates animosity between us.

In view of this scenario, we’ll never see eye to eye in a time we’ve been given another shot at restoring Baguio. We do not see, amidst the different suggestions for a better Baguio, the first things we have to work on ~ cascading unity and respect essentially. As much as it could be the backbone of our sought-for change, it’s also the backronym of and for our problem’s CURE (Cascading Unity and Respect Essentially). A CURE for Baguio’s “backache”; still correctable (could still be straightened) as opposed to “society’s cancer”...

True enough, we have to cascade these values before anything else as an essential first step. Considering that it’ll only be a case of contradicting views and contenders, there won’t be a consensus on what resolution is to rather be employed unless we put on a united stand. By ‘united’, it doesn’t mean we’ll all agree on one thing but there is that point wherein we could “agree to disagree”, hence, respect. As pointed out above, there are too many recommended solutions, either complementing or contradictory. What makes it rather complicated is one’s refusal to understand the diversity of preferences... If we could only see it from a more outstretched angle. Also, seeing it from a mature and unselfish viewpoint, you rather see Baguio in general being on the receiving end, the recipient of the good cause; instead of positioning yourself from gaining something out of it.

By being united, we have to put a conscious effort to rid our system and our “bureaucratic positioning” with the distorted or tainted kind of pride (civic pride, ethnicity pride, gender pride, et al.) Let us not confuse pride with ego. By being united, we work as a team. We may have our respective roles, even as an “oppositionist” if only to balance things out but at least we’re still a team - a team for Baguio - Team Baguio!

It’s not Team Bilog (GoBiWan), not Team Avila (Agila ng Baguio, Timpuyog Ti Baguio), not Team Molintas (Onjon Ti Baguio), not Team Yangot (Team YaLa), not any other team and not even Team Magalong but Team Baguio!



Mayor Magalong though, being the new head needs the whole of Baguio’s support regardless of our affiliation, ministerial inclination and political partisanship. For those who are guilty of “Baguio’s climate change” as mentioned above and being opposition’s attack dogs, just look at it as ‘not for Mayor Magalong’ but for Baguio. It’s time! There's no better opportunity. Let us emphasize the unity in opportUNITY. Let us unite! Let us be Baguio. Let us be Team Baguio! Let us all be cool about it. Chill Baguio! CHILL!


*Whereas for those who are guilty of any wrongdoing, they are yet to answer for it; one way or another. That way, it's another way of "agreeing on disagreeing"... You know the drill... Then, we CHILL!

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