Subtly, considering it’s within the month-long Panagbenga celebration which concluded recently, we welcomed the Chinese new year last February 13. The crowd’s reception during the Filipino-Chinese community-led parade as part of the Chinese New Year celebration was sort of a manifestation of Baguio’s complementing confederation. A happy one at that, despite the flaws and imperfections as well as possible complaints of heavy traffic from motorists and commuters. However, much like our country’s current issues where there are varied opinionated contingents including opposing views from that of the Philippines-China territorial dispute, Baguio’s Filipino-Chinese relations is far more supplemental and sustainable. More than the cool weather, Baguio’s collected comportment could be attributed to a similarly composed closeness in every possible sense. Like family, there are the usual differences, may it be good or otherwise.

Evident in that parade were the differences in the inducement of reaction’s conveyance. Setting aside the very objective of the occasion and every respective role, for some, it became an avenue to further flash their public image. Others were for that of a bureaucratic growth. A few wanted to fortify their brand and their seemingly growing popularity no matter the reason. And there are the unassuming ones.

Come to think of it, the Spring Festival parade is a grand celebration in the sense that it’s a procession of the city’s grandest ~ the richest and the influential locals. This anticipated annual event has been a brainchild and prepped by the executive committee of the Baguio Filipino-Chinese community spearheaded by Hotel Supreme’s Peter L. Ng. All throughout its rich history (pun intended) however, it has been humbly staged and unassumingly kept its clout under a low-key guise. Apparently a reflection of Baguio’s unassuming nature, it’s likewise that of a small town’s close-knit community sort of disposition akin to the Baguio of old much like one extended family. True enough, one family, at least, oversee this Spring Festival event that it may indeed spring into a successful celebration. Much like the Chinese ancestry of their family name with Pinoy undertone (as a word) corresponding with traces of their Filipino roots, ‘Ng’, which translates to “of” in English, apparently lives up to its preposition function to manifest direction or significance for its would-be relatable position. Indeed, it’s ‘OF’ such commitment of Peter Ng’s family to make sure the Filipino-Chinese community’s commitments through events and other social responsibilities stay relevant without the grandstanding, for their family at least.

Likewise apparent in that Spring Festival parade, amidst the fanfare, were the unassuming nature of the Ng family. Seemingly content and fulfilled-still even being behind the publicity and sensationalism, there was Peter Ng’s family doing some legwork (literally as well) in replenishing bags of sweet treats for the horde of spectators, tossed at them by the more familiar personalities and other paraders. Other than the usual Peter Ng media interviews and welcome speeches, the cost-efficient hosting and toastmaster duties by Jeff Ng (Peter Ng’s eldest son) are just about some of the few instances of their understated appearances. All of that though, pale in comparison to their modest means of substantiating their social responsibilities sans the conspicuous way to publicize it. Not to mention, they also have their other out-of-the-spotlight contributions through their respective community-based service organizations. Whereas for Peter’s wife, Ivy Ng, she let food do the talking as to how welcoming they are particularly during events. Similarly, it nourishes a flavorful experience for their Hotel Supreme guests. Such unpretentiousness is very much a substantiation of that typical Baguio character. The city’s vanishing breed of likeminded éminences grises and influential figures. One of few remaining inspirations to and for that of a self-effacing and gracious Baguio, may Hotel Supreme’s Ng family continue to meekly serve, as much as serve to be a local hallmark for an attribute that Baguio has been “non-commercially” known for. A criterion for a balanced and sustainable cost and cause-efficient branding of Baguio, both as a family-friendly city, a tourist destination and the people it represents, every Baguio family. They’re after all such a family, “pamilya ng Baguio” ~ Pamilya Ng ng Baguio