The Baguio Cor- respondents and Broadcasters Club (BCBC), the biggest media organization in the Cordillera region, marks its 50th anniversary today which starts with a tree planting on Mt. Santo Tomas.

BCBC president Pigeon Lobien announced that the one-day celebration begins with a departure from Baguio to Sto. Tomas rain basin at around 8:30 a.m.

The tree planting activity will start at around 9 a.m. near the river basin of the Baguio Water District then it will be followed by a short ceremony coupled with an offering.

Lobien said at least 100 trees will be planted in the Mt. Santo Tomas river basin which supplies about 20 percent of the city’s water needs.

BCBC past presidents and present officers will lead members as well as staff members of local outfits and guests in the tree planting activity in the area to be adopted by the club, measuring about 800 square meters.

There will be a short ceremony after the tree planting which is the offering of a chicken to “call to the powers above.”

Journalists will motor down from Sto. Tomas shortly after lunch to take a short break before a torch parade at around 5 p.m. at kilometer 0 in downtown Session Road heading towards Leonard Wood Road, via SM City, North Drive, towards the Lucio Tan-owned Laperal House near Teachers Camp.

There, the Oktoberfest cum full moon party will take place after a mass to be celebrated by Bishop Carlito Cenzon.

“This is a [modification] from the original where the bishop was supposed to celebrate mass at Santo Tomas,” said Lobien. The change, he said, is because of the bishop’s schedule as he is also set to celebrate mass in another venue.

Dubbed as BCBC@50, the one-day affair is also a   celebration of life and death. Death, because those who have already passed to the great beyond will be commemorated, said Lobien.

The events are sponsored by Holcim Philippines and supported by Smart Telecommunications, SM City, as well as the city government of Baguio, Baguio Water District, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation headed by Gloria de Vera, the Philippine Military Academy, and the Lucio Tan group of companies.

The Oktoberfest is already on its fourth year after it was conceptualized by veteran newsman Geronimo Evangelista Sr. and Lobien as a celebration for those who were born on the month of October.

Journalists will be entertained with live bands such as the Third Party, whose members are from the BCBC. Daluyon and some mediamen who dabble as singers will also play during the party.