Bogo is honored loftily by winning the HALL OF FAME AWARD in the National Clean and Green Contest after five years of overcoming some indifferent attitudes of the people and taming there unsettled or undefined characteristics to become one of the most disciplined people in the country as clean and green program enthusiasts and implementers.

Practically, making it to the Hall of Fame was no easy feat. In the first place, there had to be a strong and overwhelming intent on the part of the leaders and innovators to pave and blaze a trail through a labyrinth in a direction toward obtaining such glory. The first year of joining the nationwide contest in the Clean and Green Program was indeed a Herculean task for the administration. It was like introducing a novel program, which was unfamiliar to the people

Another thing, prevailing upon every barangay, institution and practically all Bogohanons was no prosaic undertaking. It was no ordinary or simple venture, as virtually long habits do not die easily and these could not be uprooted overnight. These well-entrenched traits had to be effectively eradicated or uprooted first in order to successful in the urgency for a massive support to the clean and green program. The idea was to develop in the people the character of an idealist, rich and viable foresight and the strength of a non-pliant and resilient Bog tree that refuses to bow even to the strongest wind.

The local clean and green contest was initiated objectively to open the road for such big expertise. It was made yearly, to begin in January and to culminate with a highlight of awarding of prizes every December 30th, to coincide with Rizal Day. All barangays had to compete with one another. Representatives of the Local Clean and Green Council would have to make meticulous evaluations at least monthly, making inspection tours all barangays a complete surprise. In its wake, gradually but with assures steps, every Bogohanon learned eventually to attune himself to the inborn craving for cleanliness and greenness.

True enough, we sustained such inclinations and motives for the past four years in all barangay levels. Film foundation was a consequence lodged into the conscious levels of every Bogohanon; thus to pick up litters became a spontaneous and automatic habit. Seemingly, an interesting frame of sensation was born among them that they could already be obsessed with a sense of guilt when espied upon on an act of throwing away litters. Everyone in the community took conscientiously the responsibility of guarding and maintaining cleanliness and greenness

Up to this point in time, vigilance over a neat and hygienic environment has staunchly been pursued with. More so until recently, garbage segregation has already been a common phenomenon at the household level thus manifesting more indicatively the Bogohanon's culture of waste management consciousness

Barangay officials demonstrated their active involvement in the campaign for Clean and Green Bogo in response to the administrator's call. Their contributions to the program never subsided despite the setback it suffered in 1997 after the town won the third time the national tilt but failed to grab the Hall of Fame award due to category change. Ingenious undertakings among the barangays perserved; their respective terrtories stil continued to be as clean and green. That experience was the ultimate test of their undying support and dedication to the advocacy. The inherent dramatic unity of Bogohanons ha sup to the present been that cohesive and tight. Response could already be prompt, punctual and massive even from the faintest call to service. They must have been categorically used to group undertaking, where traditionally "budyong" (an empty shell used as a horn) would have been in use to call people during "pintakasi", or "bayanihan" like helping transfer a house, funeral, and other group activities.

On February 20, 1999, all the dreams, fantasies, and above all, the soulful prayers of the Bogohanons were finally crowned with ultimate reailty when Bogo was again hailed glorifyingly for the fifth time as Cleanest and Greenest Municipality in the Philippines and the first municipality to make it to the Hall of Fame. It was evidently a great honor and triumph to all of us; and amid such euphoria fully possessed by suspense and thrills, we could not help but quaver by the fleeting outburst of nondescript emotions deep within us. We flaunted our trophies and the replica of the P2 Million chech before the cameras in an attempt to announce publicly with pride that Bogo, our beloved town, has now the biggest prize in the country - the much-coveted accreditation as Hall of Fame.

But this victory of the town has, on the other hand, required as more obligingly the commitment to continue our support in the Clean and Green Program. The challenge is eloquent and forceful.

We now could expect people nationwide milling to see our town, because Bogo now is revered or extolled as the model in the said program. Every Bogohanon should continue unfadingly the same enthusiasm for the program as before; the same attitude and the inherent characteristics of our people to make cleanliness and greenness a way of live. Let us keep alive the spirit of the Hall of Fame award deep in ourselves and this momentous happening shall be handed down the generations, with the same commitment to continue adopting the Clean and Green fad in their spirits. Congratulations to one and all, and long live BOGO !!!

Source: Souvenir Program, Bogo Fiesta 99