Published October 11, 2025
Written by: Joi Mari Angelique Mina, Vexie Monique Gabol, Jennifer Camero, and Mary Jane Pilawen
In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of modern life and forget the importance of preserving our past. However, understanding and appreciating our history is crucial in shaping our identity and informing our decisions about the future. This is especially true for the youth, who are the leaders and change-makers of tomorrow.
Recently, in celebration of Baguio City’s 116th Charter Anniversary, a seminar entitled “Baguio City History and Direction” was held on September 27, 2025, at the Multipurpose Hall, Baguio City Hall. The event brought together students from various universities and schools in Baguio, including the University of Baguio, UP Baguio, BSU, and many other Universities to learn about the city’s rich history and cultural heritage. 2 representatives from the Supreme Student Council (Mina, Joi Mari Angelique and Pilawen, Mary Jane) and 2 representatives from the Student Legislative Council (Camero, Jennifer and Gabol, Vexie Monique) attended and represented the university of baguio in the said activity.
The seminar was a resounding success, with resource speakers Dr. Leah E. Abayao, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs in UP Baguio, and Mr. Joel Arthur “Art” Tibaldo, a multimedia artist and journalist, sharing their insights and expertise on Baguio City’s history and significant personalities. The discussions and ideas presented during the seminar stirred a sense of identity and pride among the youth, highlighting the importance of preserving our cultural heritage.
Involving the youth in activities like this seminar is crucial for several reasons like in Shaping Identity, by learning about their city’s history and cultural heritage, the youth can develop a stronger sense of identity and belonging. Also, Informing Future Decisions, understanding the past can inform the youth’s decisions about their future, helping them make more informed choices about their lives and their community. Furthermore, Preserving Cultural Heritage by engaging with their cultural heritage, the youth can help preserve it for future generations. Lastly, Developing Critical Thinking through discussing historical events and cultural practices can help the youth develop critical thinking skills and learn to analyze complex issues.
Preserving history is essential for several reasons as well, like in preserving cultural heritage, it helps us understand our roots and the values that shape our community, and through preserving history, the youth can foster community pride and a sense of identity, helping to build a stronger, more cohesive community.
The seminar “Baguio City History and Direction” was a valuable experience for the youth, providing them with a deeper understanding of their city’s history and cultural heritage. By involving the youth in activities like this, we can help shape their identity, inform their future decisions, and preserve our cultural heritage for future generations. As we look to the future, it’s essential to remember the past and work towards preserving our history for the benefit of our community.
As Hon. Mauricio Domogan said in his inspirational message, “It’s not always about what you know already, it’s about what you’re willing to know and learn, and that’s why you’re here in this seminar.” His words highlight the importance of engaging in events like this—understanding the history of the place where you stand and where you live. Learning about a place’s history is truly fulfilling, as it allows us to see where everything began and who played a part in shaping it. This seminar reminds us that no matter how little we may know at first, our knowledge can grow significantly through listening and learning.
