ITOGON, Benguet—The Baguio media community is mourning the untimely death of two photographers who perished after their vehicle was swept away by the sudden swelling of the Agno River at Sitio Tabu, Barangay Dalupirip early Friday afternoon.
The fatalities, Rodolfo Ong Tan, 68, a driver-photographer, and Neil Clark Ongchangco, a photographer with the Baguio City Public Information Office, were with four companions aboard a black sports utility vehicle on their way back to Baguio City after providing free graduation pictorials for students of Tabu Elementary School when their vehicle was swept away by the river’s strong current while crossing.
Their injured companions included a 45-year-old salesman from Pinget, Baguio City; a 59-year-old photographer from Gen. Luna, Baguio City; a 66-year-old retired government employee; and a 49-year-old resident of Sarok, Camp 7, Baguio City.
Tan was declared dead on arrival at the Itogon District Hospital due to traumatic brain injuries sustained in the incident. Ongchangco, a resident of Loakan, Baguio City, was initially reported missing but his body was later recovered at around 7:05 p.m. Friday. With Dave Leprozo
The vehicle was reportedly pushed about 100 meters downstream after initially overturning, while Ongchangco’s remains were recovered some 200 meters downstream from where the vehicle was stranded.
Tan was honored as one of Baguio’s Outstanding Citizens in 2022 for his community service and contribution to the arts. He conducted photography workshops, especially for children with autism, allowing them to express themselves through images, and actively joined outreach efforts distributing art kits to children in Baguio and Benguet communities.
Ongchangco was also a known local photojournalist who documented events and culture and offered free photography services.
In a related development, the Baguio Correspondents and Broadcasters Club (BCBC), the oldest and largest media organization in Baguio and Benguet, decided to cancel this year’s Search for the Baguio-Benguet Lucky Summer Visitor scheduled Thursday as a sign of
mourning for their two colleagues.
The annual search, spearheaded by the media organization, is part of efforts to boost local tourism by providing selected first-time visitors with a four-day red carpet treatment from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday, allowing them to visit tourist destinations in Baguio and Benguet for free, along with accommodation and transportation.
Instead, the media group will conduct a cleansing ritual to drive away evil spirits and ensure protection against similar incidents in the future.
