By Kidlat Tahimik
O AMA namin sa kataas-taasan… O Inang Kalikasan na lumikha sa mga kabundukan dito at sa mga kagubatan ng Benguet pines– na siyang naging kandungan ng taong bayan ng Baguio…
Oh ever caring Deities in the heavens, and Oh Beloved Mother Nature – who grace our pine-scented hills and who constantly cool our city with gentle winds of the Cordilleras, our mountain ranges whose hospitable clime nurtured our ancient Kafagway forefathers who originally settled the Bag-iw of today…
Grant us the grace… Bigyan Po ninyo ng biyaya itong salu-salo namin, upang ang mga pagtalakay sa susunod na araw ay manggagaling sa malawak at bukas na kaisipan. At sana Po, magiging batayan ng aming usapan ang mapag-kapwang kalooban – para sa isang maginhawang kasunduan na magbibigay galang sa Commons o sa pangkalahatan ng mga mamamayan ng Baguio.
Sana Po, Panginoon, our discussions will be guided by our commitment to honor the age-old spirit of the Commons – yung pangkalahatan – which since time immemorial served the Baguio markets, where locals traded, bartered, their common needs.
Yes, long before the first cadastral surveys and the first mojons were buried, long before the first Torrens Title were issued, before the first cemented stalls were erected, our ancient marketplace served as the communal area for the daily exchange of food, clothing, tools and basic necessities.
As we negotiate the fate of our public market, remind us oh Lord, overseer of the wellbeing of Baguio, that our city leaders and elders are stewards of this Commons, acting on behalf of many generations – from our Benguet ancestors who first came here to barter, to our current crowds of consumers and vendors. and to future generations of buyers and sellers – our children – who will continue to derive their sustenance in this ancient marketplace, as what our forefathers have done centuries ago.
We pray… Dalangin po namin na itong Palengke na nasa puso ng kabuhayan at ekonomiya at kultura ng Baguio – ay patuloy na magsilbing lugar kung saan namin mahahanap ang pang-araw-araw na pangangailangan sa buhay.
May the spirit of this precious Commons legacy guide the negotiators on both sides of this endeavor for a better market to serve Baguio’s citizens in this modern age. In these times of uncertainties – mga araw ng pagsubok threatened by an invisible pandemic enemy and threats of war over our West Philippine Sea (just 45 minutes away from Baguio), may we discuss peacefully and in good faith
At Panginoon, sa pagdating ng June12, Araw ng Kalayaan – ipinagdiriwang natin ang naging laban ni Lolo at Lola para sa Liwanag or Enlightenment noong 1898, na unang nakamit 500 years ago sa Tagumpay ng Mactan noong 1521. In both trying times, You rewarded us with the Liberty to think in the light of kaliwanagan.
So today, we invoke your gracious Liwanag – to see clearly what is good. And to negotiate what is best for future generations
Salamat Po, Apo Diyos. Salamat Apo Kabunyan. Salamat Mahal na Panginoon… sa tuloy-tuloy at mapag-kapwang pag-alaga ninyo sa Baguio naming mahal.
