BAGUIO CITY HOST LIONS CLUB Celebrating 66 years of Lionism
On November 21, 1950, a pioneering group of 26 civic-minded men banded together to form the Lions Club of Baguio. It was one of the first Lions Clubs founded in the Philippines, and the first Lions Club located north of Manila.
Led by Charter President Arsenio Yandoc, the Baguio Lions set about their task of spreading Lionism in the area, meeting the needs of local communities while at the same time expanding its membership. Tradesmen, lawyers, farmers, educators, engineers, government agents, military men and priests, among others, shared the common purpose of serving their fellow men and women.
Builder of Baguio
In the 1960's, as the ranks of the Lions Club of Baguio grew, so did the scope of its projects. On one hand were the customary assistance provided to organizations like the Northern Luzon Association for the Blind, the local Red Cross, the Baguio Police Department and various schools. On the other was an earnest endeavor to make a mark – literally, in the City of Baguio.
The Lions Club of Baguio embarked on a string of building projects that would benefit thousands of Baguio residents and visitors alike. One ambitious project was the construction of the Melvin Jones Memorial Grandstand at Burnham Park, which served as a site for concerts and other public gatherings. The original framework was replaced by the current Grand Stand in 1980 by the Philippine Tourism Authority.
Other utilitarian structures were built around the city: Pedestrian waiting sheds, police outposts and flagpoles at strategic areas in the city. With the assistance of its sister clubs in Japan, the Lions Club of Baguio was able to build the Baguio Lions Clubhouse in Governor Pack Road, inaugurated on June 30, 1973, and the Tower of Peace, unveiled to the public earlier in March that same year.
However, the one building project that would tremendously raise the profile of the Baguio Lions Club was the crafting of the 40-foot Lion’s Head along Kennon Road. Vast amounts of man hours were spent in clearing operations and in the ground work, while the creativity of woodcarver Reynaldo Lopez Nanyac gave form to the mighty figure that would become, for thousands of visitors, the face of the Summer Capital of the Philippines. The Lion’s Head was inaugurated in 1972.
In recognition of the Lions Club of Baguio’s many contributions to the city, the City Council passed Resolution 155-73 on June 23, 1973, commending the club for its activities in helping to improve the image of the city and the welfare of its residents.
The Lions’ Pride The quality of members of the Lions Club of Baguio has always been the key to the organization’s success. The meeting of the minds from various backgrounds, the pooling of resources, and the hard work and dedication displayed by these members all contributed to the effectiveness of the Lions Club of Baguio, now known as the Baguio City Host Lions Club.
With a growing membership that included many women and people from an even broader range of career backgrounds, the organization has expanded its service programs to include vision tests, cataract screenings and surgeries, medical and dental outreach, oral health lectures, feeding programs, and relief distribution.
We Serve At present, adhering to the standards set by Lions Clubs International, there is a renewed focus on the global service action programs on blindness prevention, environmental services, hunger relief and youth development.
Vision tests and distribution of free eyeglasses are a regular part of our outreach missions. BCHLC has also carried out hearing screenings, ear care lectures and diabetes screenings.
For community and environmental services, the organization has been involved in reforestation activities and clean-up drives. The Baguio City Host Lions Club has also sponsored peace poster, music and debate competitions among the youth to cultivate their artistic and leadership skills.
As Baguio City Host Lions Club celebrates its 65-year anniversary, its members look back on the club’s long tradition of service to the people, and look forward to making a difference in the lives of many more.