Camp John Hay turns 100

All roads led to Baguio City recently to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the historic Camp John Hay. The series of events especially prepared for the occasion relived tradition during the American period and rekindled the deep appreciation of the pine-forested Camp among the local community and visiting guests from Metro Manila, other provinces and abroad.

A Hundred Years of John Hay

The timeless Camp John Hay, a recreation center built in 1903 for the US military, which withstood the war-stricken year of 1945, has remained a breathtaking site and prime tourist destination in the Philippines through the stewardship of three organizations, namely, the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA), its subsidiary – the John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC), and its private partner and lead developer – the Camp John Hay Development Corporation (CJHDevCo).

“The Camp, to this very day, has not a bit lost the magic of its name. As many would claim, the mere mention of John Hay always evinces a flashback of age-old traditions and nuggets of nostalgic memories. A modest celebration, therefore, not only is a necessity but a duty decreed by the mandate of history,’’ BCDA chairman and JHMC president and CEO Florencio Padernal stressed during the ribbon-cutting ceremonies for the opening of the John Hay Museum, one of the highlights of the celebration.

The living museum, which is tagged as the John Hay Historical Core, features a collection of memorabilia and old photos that speak of the colorful history of the Camp showcased in a backdrop of the forest. The ceremonies held last Oct. 25, highlighted the symbolic walkthrough which was led by BCDA chairman Padernal, JHMC chairman Fortunato Abat, JHMC vice president Damaso Bangaoet, CJHDevCo director Rafael Perez de Tagle.

Other guests who graced the occasion were Tourism Undersecretary Evelyn Pantig, Tourism Regional director Purificacion V. Molintas, Baguio District Representative Mauricio Domogan, Baguio Vice Mayor Betty Lourdes Tabanda, and Baguio City Councilor Elmer Datuin, among others.

Another centennial activity reminiscent of the American period was the ‘Chili Cook-Off,’ a tradition where culinary enthusiasts sample delectable chili con carne among other treats as prepared by the John Hay employees and other participating restaurants. On Oct. 26, the celebration culminated in the Centennial Ball, a formal affair for all past and present John Hay employees, A captivating fireworks display capped the affair.

The celebration kicked off in July, with the launch of the Fil-Am Food Fair, the Historical Tours, and the John Hay Annual Art Contest, which attracts 400 participants yearly. This year’s theme is “The Best of John Hay.”

BCDA president and CEO Rufo Colayco emphasized, “Truly this is not only a celebration of a rich heritage but of a successful partnership. The centennial celebration not only brings to memory stories of a pine-clad military camp at the heart of breathtaking Baguio City but also the firm determination of its stewards who have endeavored to maintain its majestic glory, and also, develop the area to promote self-sufficiency and employment in the region.”

Stewardship and Development

Despite economic and political crisis, CJHDevCo, the main lessee of the Camp, has taken a more aggressive step towards the development of John Hay as a premier tourism, human resource development and forest watershed recreation facility.

In a speech, CJHDevCo president Sobrepeña enthused, “I look at John Hay as a flagship project, a development that will raise the bar of development much higher. Nowhere else is such a beauty nestled among 250,000 pine trees, which have greatly influenced our corporate culture.’’ He continues, “No amount of money can veer us away from this philosophy that development need not take away nature but enhance it. As heritage keepers, as we would like to call ourselves, we hope to bring the Camp to world-class standards through developments which will highlight nature, and highlight a quality of life which will only be unique to Camp John Hay.”

In an interview, Atty. Ma. Georgina Alvarez, CJHDevCo vice president for Legal and Corporate Services added, “We can never own John Hay because John Hay owns us… the land owns you. With that, stewardship is a big responsibility of making sure John Hay will never be the same without the perfectly protected environment that it has…. Indeed, we don’t have to make John Hay a complicated community because the simple basic things make it more endearing.”

A Bright Future

Camp John Hay is the site of the ongoing Philippine Advertising Congress – an event which will bring more attention to the investment potential of the facility. Moreover, the construction of a second five-star hotel, the 289-unit John Hay Suites, has taken off to complement the Manor, which has a 70 to 80 percent occupancy rate annually, a figure which surpasses average occupancy rate in Manila hotels of 40 percent.

At present, CJHDevCo, in cooperation with JHMC, is rehabilitating the 48-hectare golf course. It now boasts of structures which carry the fusion of American architecture and local design as seen in its clubhouse, residential community country homes, log homes and forest cabins, and its 189-unit 5-star hotel- the Manor. Another first in the country is the CAP Trade and Cultural Center, the biggest convention center north of Manila which seats 2,500 to 3,000. Also, John Hay is home to the biggest butterfly sanctuary in the country.

Other plans include the development of an entertainment and commercial center as more investment proposals from interested business organizations continue to pour in.

“John Hay is different from the rest of the country. It is not typical Philippines. It is a jewel that has to be developed in accordance to the master development plan set by the standards of BCDA and JJMC,” JHMC vice president Damaso Bangaoet said.

Local Government Sentiment

Indeed, the success of John Hay is a result of a partnership between the public and private sectors and the local government of Baguio.

“We, the people of this beautiful city are proud of the existence of Camp John Hay. It is like a diamond – a treasure to all of us because it has been built as a showcase of a perfect environment. As the father of the City, it is my hope and prayer that this enlightening partnership will continue in a long time so that we can create more jobs, employment, business opportunities for our people, and at the same time, create a prosperous tourism industry for the Cordillera region,” Baguio City Mayor Bernardo Vergara said.

Councilor Datuin, expressed his pride over John Hay, “John Hay is a beauty which have progressed tremendously through the years. When you talk of John Hay, you talk of Baguio – something which is worth-preserving. We wish BCDA, JHMC and the developers, all the success in their endeavors. We will give them the support that they need. Their success is our success.”

JHMC vice president Damaso Bangaoet is optimistic about the future of John Hay. “I can only see bright lights in the horizon,” he said. “We hope that in the next 100 years, we will continue to make a difference in the life not only of the local community but also in the life of the country as a whole, and contribute to the coffers of the national government so as to ease whatever burden government is going through.”